Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2012

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: 001-15787

 

 

MetLife, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   13-4075851

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

200 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y.   10166-0188

(Address of principal

executive offices)

  (Zip Code)

(212) 578-2211

(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  þ    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  þ    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. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

 

þ

  

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  þ

At July 31, 2012, 1,062,250,517 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

          Page  

Part I — Financial Information

  

Item 1.

   Financial Statements (at June 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2011 and for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June  30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited))      5   
   Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets      5   
   Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income      6   
   Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity      7   
   Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows      9   
   Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements      10   

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      130   

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      214   

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures      222   

Part II — Other Information

     222   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     222   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     227   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     240   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     241   

Signatures

     242   

Exhibit Index

     E-1   

 

2


Table of Contents

As used in this Form 10-Q, “MetLife,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the actual future results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors include: (1) difficult conditions in the global capital markets; (2) concerns over U.S. fiscal policy and the “fiscal cliff” in the U.S., as well as rating agency downgrades of U.S. Treasury securities; (3) uncertainty about the effectiveness of governmental and regulatory actions to stabilize the financial system, the imposition of fees relating thereto, or the promulgation of additional regulations; (4) increased volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, which may affect our ability to seek financing or access our credit facilities; (5) impact of comprehensive financial services regulation reform on us; (6) economic, political, legal, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (7) exposure to financial and capital market risk, including as a result of the disruption in Europe and possible withdrawal of one or more countries from the Euro zone; (8) changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates, which may affect our ability to raise capital, generate fee income and market-related revenue and finance statutory reserve requirements and may require us to pledge collateral or make payments related to declines in value of specified assets; (9) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (10) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (11) impairments of goodwill and realized losses or market value impairments to illiquid assets; (12) defaults on our mortgage loans; (13) the defaults or deteriorating credit of other financial institutions that could adversely affect us; (14) our ability to address unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, or rating actions arising from acquisitions or dispositions, including our acquisition of American Life Insurance Company and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (collectively, “ALICO”) and to successfully integrate and manage the growth of acquired businesses with minimal disruption; (15) uncertainty with respect to the outcome of the closing agreement entered into with the United States Internal Revenue Service in connection with the acquisition of ALICO; (16) the dilutive impact on our stockholders resulting from the settlement of common equity units issued in connection with the acquisition of ALICO or otherwise; (17) MetLife, Inc.’s primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (18) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (19) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (20) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance or indemnification arrangements, as well as default or failure of counterparties to perform; (21) discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions used in setting prices for our products and establishing the liabilities for our obligations for future

 

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Table of Contents

policy benefits and claims; (22) catastrophe losses; (23) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, distribution of amounts available under U.S. government programs, and for personnel; (24) unanticipated changes in industry trends; (25) changes in assumptions related to investment valuations, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (26) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (27) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (28) exposure to losses related to variable annuity guarantee benefits, including from significant and sustained downturns or extreme volatility in equity markets, reduced interest rates, unanticipated policyholder behavior, mortality or longevity, and the adjustment for nonperformance risk; (29) deterioration in the experience of the “closed block” established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (30) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (31) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; (32) discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (33) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our insurance, banking, international, or other operations that may affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or services, or increase the cost or administrative burdens of providing benefits to employees; (34) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to disasters such as terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, other hostilities, or natural catastrophes, including any related impact on our disaster recovery systems, cyber- or other information security systems and management continuity planning; (35) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; and (36) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the SEC.

MetLife, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the SEC.

Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts

See “Exhibit Index — Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts” for information regarding agreements included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Table of Contents

Part I — Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

MetLife, Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2011

(In millions, except share and per share data)

 

    June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Assets

   

Investments:

   

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $338,871 and $329,811, respectively;includes $3,289 and $3,225, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

  $ 366,339     $ 350,271  

Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $2,973 and $3,208, respectively)

    2,882       3,023  

Trading and other securities, at estimated fair value (includes $535 and $473, respectively, of actively traded securities;and $166 and $280, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    18,328       18,268  

Mortgage loans:

   

Held-for-investment, principally at amortized cost (net of valuation allowances of $361 and $481, respectively; includes $2,981 and $3,187, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)

    57,201       56,915  

Held-for-sale, principally at estimated fair value (includes $461 and $10,716, respectively, under the fair value option)

    1,740       15,178  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

    58,941       72,093  

Policy loans

    11,912       11,892  

Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $10 and $15, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    8,477       8,563  

Other limited partnership interests (includes $252 and $259, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    6,726       6,378  

Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value

    18,526       17,310  

Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $81 and $98, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    24,288       23,581  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

    516,419       511,379  

Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $131 and $176, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    16,035       10,461  

Accrued investment income (includes $14 and $16, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    4,404       4,344  

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $3 and $12, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    23,974       22,481  

Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired

    24,505       24,619  

Goodwill

    11,823       11,935  

Other assets (includes $5 and $5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)

    7,711       7,984  

Separate account assets

    220,317       203,023  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 825,188     $ 796,226  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

   

Liabilities

   

Future policy benefits

  $ 188,509     $ 184,275  

Policyholder account balances

    225,909       217,700  

Other policy-related balances

    15,664       15,599  

Policyholder dividends payable

    786       774  

Policyholder dividend obligation

    3,369       2,919  

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

    40,302       33,716  

Bank deposits

    6,832       10,507  

Short-term debt

    101       686  

Long-term debt (includes $2,821 and $3,068, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)

    18,879       23,692  

Collateral financing arrangements

    4,196       4,647  

Junior subordinated debt securities

    3,192       3,192  

Current income tax payable

    310       193  

Deferred income tax liability

    8,603       6,395  

Other liabilities (includes $54 and $60, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; and $257 and $7,626, respectively, under the fair value option)

    25,395       30,914  

Separate account liabilities

    220,317       203,023  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    762,364       738,232  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 11)

   

Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries

    95       105  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

   

MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:

   

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized: 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding;

   

$2,100 aggregate liquidation preference

    1       1  

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,065,380,456 and 1,061,150,915 shares issued at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 1,062,186,569 and 1,057,957,028 shares outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

    11       11  

Additional paid-in capital

    26,927       26,782  

Retained earnings

    26,904       24,814  

Treasury stock, at cost; 3,193,887 shares at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

    (172     (172

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    8,735       6,083  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity

    62,406       57,519  

Noncontrolling interests

    323       370  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    62,729       57,889  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 825,188     $ 796,226  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

For the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share data)

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Revenues

        

Premiums

   $ 9,161     $ 9,294     $ 18,290     $ 17,848  

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     2,097       1,969       4,175       3,858  

Net investment income

     4,719       5,094       10,919       10,406  

Other revenues

     393       592       990       1,158  

Net investment gains (losses):

        

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities

     (118     (298     (253     (430

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other
comprehensive income (loss)

     27       175       29       184  

Other net investment gains (losses)

     27       (32     50       (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net investment gains (losses)

     (64     (155     (174     (254

Net derivative gains (losses)

     2,092       352       114       37  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     18,398       17,146       34,314       33,053  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

        

Policyholder benefits and claims

     8,911       9,121       18,015       17,358  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     1,022       1,442       3,579       3,366  

Policyholder dividends

     352       374       695       746  

Other expenses

     4,775       4,699       9,096       8,789  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     15,060       15,636       31,385       30,259  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax

     3,338       1,510       2,929       2,794  

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     1,038       448       763       808  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

     2,300       1,062       2,166       1,986  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax

     3       31       17       (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     2,303       1,093       2,183       1,977  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     8       (7     32         
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

     2,295       1,100       2,151       1,977  

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     31       31       61       61  

         Preferred stock redemption premium

                          146  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

   $ 2,264     $ 1,069     $ 2,090     $ 1,770  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 3,765     $ 3,351     $ 4,819     $ 4,325  

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax

     1       (7     16       (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

   $ 3,764     $ 3,358     $ 4,803     $ 4,334  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 2.13     $ 0.98     $ 1.95     $ 1.68  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 2.12     $ 0.97     $ 1.93     $ 1.66  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 2.13     $ 1.01     $ 1.97     $ 1.67  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 2.12     $ 1.00     $ 1.95     $ 1.65  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

                                  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)                    
    Preferred
Stock
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
at Cost
    Net
Unrealized
Investment
Gains (Losses)
    Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairments
    Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
    Defined
Benefit
Plans
Adjustment
    Total
MetLife,  Inc.’s
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interests (1)
    Total
Equity
 

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ 1     $ 11     $ 26,782     $ 24,814     $ (172   $ 9,115     $ (441   $ (648   $ (1,943   $ 57,519     $ 370     $ 57,889  

Stock-based compensation

        145                   145         145  

Dividends on preferred stock

          (61               (61       (61

Change in equity of noncontrolling interests

                        (63     (63

Net income (loss)

          2,151                 2,151       20       2,171  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax

              2,805       26       (229     50       2,652       (4     2,648  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2012

  $ 1     $ 11     $ 26,927     $ 26,904     $ (172   $ 11,920     $ (415   $ (877   $ (1,893   $ 62,406     $ 323     $ 62,729  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries of $12 million.

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

 

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity — (Continued)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 (Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

 

                                  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)                    
    Preferred
Stock
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
at Cost
    Net
Unrealized
Investment
Gains (Losses)
    Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairments
    Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
    Defined
Benefit
Plans
Adjustment
    Total
MetLife,  Inc.’s
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interests (1)
    Total
Equity
 

Balance at December 31, 2010

  $ 1     $ 10     $ 26,423     $ 21,363     $ (172   $ 3,356     $ (366   $ (541   $ (1,449   $ 48,625     $ 371     $ 48,996  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)

          (1,917       132         13         (1,772     (6     (1,778
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2011

    1       10       26,423       19,446       (172     3,488       (366     (528     (1,449     46,853       365       47,218  

Redemption of convertible preferred stock

        (2,805                 (2,805       (2,805

Preferred stock redemption premium

          (146               (146       (146

Common stock issuance—newly issued shares

      1       2,949                   2,950         2,950  

Stock-based compensation

        147                   147         147  

Dividends on preferred stock

          (61               (61       (61

Change in equity of noncontrolling interests

                        38       38  

Net income (loss)

          1,977                 1,977       (4     1,973  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax

              1,789       (94     619       43       2,357       (5     2,352  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2011

  $ 1     $ 11     $ 26,714     $ 21,216     $ (172   $ 5,277     $ (460   $ 91     $ (1,406   $ 51,272     $ 394     $ 51,666  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

(1)

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries of $4 million.

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

8


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
             2012                     2011          

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 12,102     $ 6,788  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Sales, maturities and repayments of:

    

Fixed maturity securities

     51,495       54,958  

Equity securities

     789       1,027  

Mortgage loans

     4,625       5,152  

Real estate and real estate joint ventures

     544       268  

Other limited partnership interests

     453       676  

Purchases of:

    

Fixed maturity securities

     (61,507     (66,861

Equity securities

     (393     (489

Mortgage loans

     (4,877     (6,686

Real estate and real estate joint ventures

     (279     (417

Other limited partnership interests

     (586     (576

Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives

     1,011       1,470  

Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives

     (1,549     (2,632

Net change in securitized reverse residential mortgage loans

     (1,116       

Sale of interest in joint venture

            269  

Net change in policy loans

     (46     (77

Net change in short-term investments

     (1,037     (2,896

Net change in other invested assets

     (225     (1

Other, net

     (79     (78
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (12,777     (16,893
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Policyholder account balances:

    

Deposits

     49,224       44,671  

Withdrawals

     (44,889     (40,842

Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

     6,586       2,807  

Net change in bank deposits

     (3,717     (341

Net change in short-term debt

     (585     (204

Long-term debt issued

            1,221  

Long-term debt repaid

     (1,022     (715

Collateral financing arrangements repaid

     (349       

Cash received in connection with collateral financing arrangements

            100  

Cash paid in connection with collateral financing arrangements

     (44       

Debt issuance costs

            (1

Net change in liability for securitized reverse residential mortgage loans

     1,116         

Common stock issued, net of issuance costs

            2,950  

Stock options exercised

     79       73  

Redemption of convertible preferred stock

            (2,805

Preferred stock redemption premium

            (146

Dividends on preferred stock

     (61     (61

Other, net

     (47     (121
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     6,291       6,586  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances

     (42     146  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     5,574       (3,373

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     10,461       13,046  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 16,035     $ 9,673  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, subsidiaries held-for-sale, beginning of period

   $      $ 89  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, subsidiaries held-for-sale, end of period

   $      $ 45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, from continuing operations, beginning of period

   $ 10,461     $ 12,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, from continuing operations, end of period

   $ 16,035     $ 9,628  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Net cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 494     $ 834  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax

   $ 302     $ 586  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash transactions during the period:

    

Real estate and real estate joint ventures acquired in satisfaction of debt

   $ 221     $ 74  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Collateral financing arrangements repaid

   $ 102     $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption of advances agreements in long-term debt (1)

   $ 3,806     $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of funding agreements in policyholder account balances (1)

   $ 3,806     $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

(1)

See Note 2.

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

9


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business

“MetLife” or the “Company” refers to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, its subsidiaries and affiliates. MetLife is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs throughout the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife offers life insurance, annuities, property & casualty insurance, and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions.

MetLife is organized into six segments: Retail; Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits; Corporate Benefit Funding; and Latin America (collectively, “The Americas”); Asia; and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”). See Note 16 for further information on the reorganization of the Company’s segments in the first quarter of 2012, which was retrospectively applied.

Basis of Presentation

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Certain international subsidiaries have a fiscal year-end of November 30. Accordingly, the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries as of May 31, 2012 and November 30, 2011 and the operating results of such subsidiaries for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2012 and 2011.

In applying the Company’s accounting policies, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to the Company’s business and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as well as partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company has control, and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Closed block assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are combined on a line-by-line basis with the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses outside the closed block based on the nature of the particular item. See Note 9. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in equity securities in which it has a significant influence or more than a 20% interest and for real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests in which it has more than a minor ownership interest or more than a minor influence over the joint venture’s or partnership’s operations, but does not have a controlling interest and is not the primary beneficiary. The Company uses the cost method of accounting for investments in real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests in which it has a minor equity investment and virtually no influence over the joint venture’s or the partnership’s operations.

Certain amounts in the prior year periods’ interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes thereto have been reclassified to conform with the 2012 presentation as discussed throughout the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See “— Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements” for discussion of accounting pronouncements adopted in the first quarter of 2012, which were retrospectively applied.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company at June 30, 2012, its consolidated results of operations and comprehensive income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, its consolidated statements of equity for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, in conformity with GAAP. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year performance. The December 31, 2011 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 23, 2012 (as revised, the “2011 Annual Report”), which include all disclosures required by GAAP. Therefore, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new guidance regarding comprehensive income that defers the effective date pertaining to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this guidance are being made to allow the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) time to re-deliberate whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. All other requirements in the new comprehensive income standard are not affected by this guidance, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements on an annual basis.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new guidance regarding comprehensive income, which was retrospectively applied, that provides companies with the option to present the total of comprehensive income, components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements in annual financial statements. The objective of the standard is to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and to facilitate convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The standard eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in this guidance do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified in net income. The Company adopted the two-statement approach for annual financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new guidance on goodwill impairment testing that simplifies how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. This new guidance allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value as a basis for determining whether it needs to perform the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test. Only if an entity determines, based on qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value will it be required to calculate the fair value of the reporting unit. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new guidance regarding fair value measurements that establishes common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and IFRS. Some of the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent on the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. Other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See also expanded disclosures in Note 5.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new guidance regarding effective control in repurchase agreements. The guidance removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new guidance regarding accounting for deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), which was retrospectively applied. The guidance specifies that only costs related directly to successful acquisition of new or renewal contracts can be capitalized as DAC; all other acquisition-related costs must be expensed as incurred. Under the new guidance, advertising costs may only be included in DAC if the capitalization criteria in the direct-response advertising guidance in Subtopic 340-20, Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Capitalized Advertising Costs, are met. As a result, certain direct marketing, sales manager compensation and administrative costs previously capitalized by the Company will no longer be deferred.

 

12


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents the effects of the retrospective application of the adoption of such new accounting guidance to the Company’s previously reported consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
 
     As Previously
Reported
    Adjustment     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
    Adjustment     As Adjusted  
     (In millions)  

Revenues

             

Net investment income

   $ 5,096 (1)    $ (2   $ 5,094      $ 10,410 (1)    $ (4   $ 10,406  

Expenses

             

Policyholder benefits and claims

   $ 9,119     $ 2     $ 9,121      $ 17,350     $ 8     $ 17,358  

Other expenses

   $ 4,495     $ 204     $ 4,699      $ 8,397     $ 392     $ 8,789  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax

   $ 1,718 (1)    $ (208   $ 1,510      $ 3,198 (1)    $ (404   $ 2,794  

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 519     $ (71   $ 448      $ 946 (1)    $ (138   $ 808  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

   $ 1,199 (1)    $ (137   $ 1,062      $ 2,252 (1)    $ (266   $ 1,986  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,230     $ (137   $ 1,093      $ 2,243     $ (266   $ 1,977  

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

   $ 1,237     $ (137   $ 1,100      $ 2,243     $ (266   $ 1,977  

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

   $ 1,206     $ (137   $ 1,069      $ 2,036     $ (266   $ 1,770  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 1.11     $ (0.13   $ 0.98      $ 1.93     $ (0.25   $ 1.68  

Diluted

   $ 1.10     $ (0.13   $ 0.97      $ 1.91     $ (0.25   $ 1.66  

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 1.14     $ (0.13   $ 1.01      $ 1.92     $ (0.25   $ 1.67  

Diluted

   $ 1.13     $ (0.13   $ 1.00      $ 1.90     $ (0.25   $ 1.65  

 

 

(1)

Amounts in the table above differ from the amounts previously reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income due to the inclusion of the impact of discontinued real estate operations of $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and $3 million (net investment income of $4 million, net of $1 million of income tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents the effects of the retrospective application of the adoption of such new accounting guidance to the Company’s previously reported consolidated statement of cash flows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
 
     As Previously
Reported
    Adjustment     As Adjusted  
     (In millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 6,793     $ (5   $ 6,788  

Net change in other invested assets

   $ (6   $ 5     $ (1

Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011, the FASB issued new guidance regarding balance sheet offsetting disclosures (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities), effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance should be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The amendments in ASU 2011-11 require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effects of those arrangements on its financial position. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The objective of ASU 2011-11 is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of IFRS. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2011, the FASB issued new guidance regarding derecognition of in substance real estate (ASU 2011-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate—a Scope Clarification (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after June 15, 2012. The amendments should be applied prospectively to deconsolidation events occurring after the effective date. Under the amendments in ASU 2011-10, when a parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of a default on the subsidiary’s nonrecourse debt, the reporting entity should apply the guidance in Subtopic 360-20: Property, Plant, and Equipment—Real Estate Sales to determine whether it should derecognize the in substance real estate. Generally, a reporting entity would not satisfy the requirements to derecognize in substance real estate before the legal transfer of the real estate to the lender and the extinguishment of the related nonrecourse indebtedness. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2011, the FASB issued new guidance on other expenses (ASU 2011-06, Other Expenses (Topic 720): Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Health Insurers), effective for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2013. The objective of this standard is to address how health insurers should recognize and classify in their income statements fees mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. The amendments in this standard specify that the liability for the fee should be estimated and recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year in which the fee is payable with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense using the straight-line method of allocation unless another method better allocates the fee over the calendar year that it is payable. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

2. Acquisitions and Dispositions

2012 Pending Dispositions

MetLife Bank

In December 2011, MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”) and MetLife, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to sell most of the depository business of MetLife Bank to GE Capital Financial Inc. (“GE Capital Bank”). The transaction is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Utah Department of Financial Institutions has approved the transaction and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) has granted approval of a change in the composition of all or substantially all of MetLife Bank’s assets in connection with the transaction. GE Capital Bank has filed an application with the FDIC seeking approval of the assumption of the deposits to be transferred to it, and MetLife Bank has filed an application with the FDIC to terminate MetLife Bank’s FDIC deposit insurance contingent upon certification that MetLife Bank has no remaining deposits (which is dependent on the assumption by GE Capital Bank of the deposits to be transferred to it). The parties have each responded to questions on their applications from the staff of the FDIC, and GE Capital Bank is in the process of responding to recent additional requests from the FDIC. The parties are awaiting action by the FDIC on their applications. Additionally, in January 2012, MetLife, Inc. announced it was exiting the business of originating forward residential mortgages and, in April 2012, announced it was exiting the businesses of originating and servicing reverse residential mortgages and that it and MetLife Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing portfolio.

On June 29, 2012, the Company sold the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights and related assets and liabilities for $25 million in net consideration. The net assets sold were $127 million, resulting in a loss on disposal of $67 million, net of income tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2012. As a result of this sale, the Company de-recognized $8.7 billion of the associated securitized reverse residential mortgage loans that previously did not qualify as sales, as well as the corresponding liability of $8.7 billion related to these mortgages in the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2012. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report. The remaining loans and corresponding liability are expected to be de-recognized upon transfer of the remaining mortgage servicing rights anticipated in the second half of 2012.

In conjunction with exiting the depository and origination businesses, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded a net loss of $50 million and $43 million, respectively, net of income tax, which included lease impairments, other employee-related charges, impairments on mortgage loans, and gains (losses) on securities and mortgage loans sold. The total assets and liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to these businesses were approximately $7.0 billion and $6.2 billion at June 30, 2012, respectively, and $11.3 billion and $10.5 billion at December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company expects to incur additional charges of $5 million to $50 million, net of income tax, during the remainder of 2012, related to exiting these four businesses. These businesses did not qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under GAAP.

MetLife Bank has historically taken advantage of collateralized borrowing opportunities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB of NY”). In January 2012, MetLife Bank discontinued taking advances from the FHLB of NY. In April 2012, MetLife Bank transferred cash to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) related to $3.8 billion of outstanding advances which had been included in long-term debt, and MLIC assumed the associated obligations under terms similar to those of the transferred advances by issuing funding agreements which are included in policyholder account balances (“PABs”).

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Caribbean Business

In November 2011, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its insurance operations in the Caribbean region, Panama and Costa Rica (the “Caribbean Business”). The total assets and liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to these insurance operations were $782 million and $623 million at June 30, 2012, respectively, and $859 million and $707 million at December 31, 2011, respectively. Subsequent to June 30, 2012, regulatory approvals have been received and closings have taken place in approximately half of the jurisdictions. There was no additional gain or loss recorded upon any of the closings. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report. Sales in the remaining jurisdictions are expected to close in the third quarter of 2012, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions in each of the jurisdictions. The results of the Caribbean Business are included in continuing operations.

2010 Acquisition

American Life Insurance Company

Contingent Consideration

Related to the 2010 acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”), the Company guaranteed that the fair value of a fund of assets backing certain United Kingdom unit-linked contracts will have a value of at least £1 per unit on July 1, 2012. If the shortfall between the aggregate guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund exceeds £106 million (as adjusted for withdrawals), American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”) will pay the difference to the Company and, conversely, if the shortfall at July 1, 2012 is less than £106 million, the Company will pay the difference to AIG. At July 1, 2012, the shortfall between the aggregate guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund was less than £106 million, resulting in a contingent consideration liability of $108 million at June 30, 2012, which is expected to be settled in the third quarter of 2012. The contingent consideration liability was $109 million at December 31, 2011. The decrease in the contingent consideration liability amount from December 31, 2011 to June 30, 2012 was recorded in net derivative gains (losses) in the interim condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Branch Restructuring

During the second quarter of 2012, and in accordance with the closing agreement American Life entered into on March 4, 2010 (the “Closing Agreement”) with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, the Company transferred the business of the Japan branch to a newly incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary in Japan, MetLife Alico Life Insurance K. K. (“MLKK”). Also during the second quarter of 2012, the Company revised the estimate of the valuation allowance required for U.S. deferred tax assets relating to the ongoing restructuring of American Life’s other non-U.S. branches. As of December 31, 2011 the Company had recorded a valuation allowance related to the branch restructuring of $720 million to reduce the net amount of U.S. deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not realizable. This valuation allowance was reduced to $118 million as of June 30, 2012. The net reduction in the valuation allowance was primarily due to the following factors:

 

   

Additional U.S. deferred tax assets that were determined to be realizable in the second quarter of 2012;

 

   

Additional tax basis in assets as a result of the gain recognized during the second quarter of 2012 related to the branch restructuring that more likely than not will not be realizable; and

 

   

A reduction in both the gross deferred tax asset and the valuation allowance related to the completion of the Company’s transfer of the Japan branch business to MLKK.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with the branch restructuring:

 

     Japan     Other
Non-U.S.
Branches
    Total  
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 566     $ 154     $ 720  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     10       (11     (1

Deferred income tax expense (benefit) related to unrealized investment gains (losses)

     320       (25     295  

Offsetting reduction in gross deferred tax asset related to the branch transfer to subsidiary

     (896            (896
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $      $ 118     $ 118  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A liability of $277 million was recognized in purchase accounting as of November 1, 2010 for the anticipated and estimated costs associated with restructuring American Life’s foreign branches into subsidiaries in connection with the Closing Agreement. This liability has been reduced based on payments through June 30, 2012. In addition, based on revised estimates of anticipated costs, this liability was reduced by $35 million for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, which was recorded as a reduction in other expenses in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, resulting in a liability of $120 million at June 30, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

3. Investments

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

Presented below is certain information about fixed maturity and equity securities for the periods shown. The unrealized loss amounts presented below include the noncredit loss component of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses:

 

    June 30, 2012  
    Cost or
Amortized
Cost
    Gross Unrealized     Estimated
Fair

Value
    % of
Total
 
      Gains     Temporary
Losses
    OTTI
Losses
     
    (In millions)        

Fixed Maturity Securities:

           

U.S. corporate securities

  $ 101,275     $ 9,941     $ 843     $      $ 110,373       30.1

Foreign corporate securities

    59,878       4,116       648       1       63,345       17.3  

Foreign government securities

    51,582       4,780       169              56,193       15.3  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

    41,217       6,629       5              47,841       13.1  

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

    40,077       2,378       726       665       41,064       11.2  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

    18,270       850       103              19,017       5.2  

State and political subdivision securities

    12,744       1,962       92              14,614       4.0  

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

    13,828       294       217       13       13,892       3.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

  $ 338,871     $ 30,950     $ 2,803     $ 679     $ 366,339       100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

           

Common stock

  $ 2,060     $ 95     $ 61     $      $ 2,094       72.7

Non-redeemable preferred stock

    913       35       160              788       27.3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

  $ 2,973     $ 130     $ 221     $      $ 2,882       100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    December 31, 2011  
    Cost or
Amortized
Cost
    Gross Unrealized     Estimated
Fair
Value
    % of
Total
 
      Gains     Temporary
Losses
    OTTI
Losses
     
             
    (In millions)        

Fixed Maturity Securities:

           

U.S. corporate securities

  $ 98,621     $ 8,544     $ 1,380     $      $ 105,785       30.2

Foreign corporate securities

    61,568       3,789       1,338       1       64,018       18.3  

Foreign government securities

    49,840       3,053       357              52,536       15.0  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

    34,132       5,882       2              40,012       11.4  

RMBS

    42,092       2,281       1,033       703       42,637       12.2  

CMBS

    18,565       730       218       8       19,069       5.4  

State and political subdivision securities

    11,975       1,416       156              13,235       3.8  

ABS

    13,018       278       305       12       12,979       3.7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

  $ 329,811     $ 25,973     $ 4,789     $ 724     $ 350,271       100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

           

Common stock

  $ 2,219     $ 83     $ 97     $      $ 2,205       72.9

Non-redeemable preferred stock

    989       31       202              818       27.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

  $ 3,208     $ 114     $ 299     $      $ 3,023       100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

18


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The Company held non-income producing fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of $50 million and $62 million with unrealized gains (losses) of $0 and ($19) million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Summary. The Company was not exposed to any concentrations of credit risk of any single issuer within its fixed maturity securities and equity securities greater than 10% of the Company’s equity, other than the government and agency securities summarized in the table below at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Carrying Value (1)  
     (In millions)  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities included in:

     

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 47,841      $ 40,012  

Short-term investments

     15,860        15,775  

Cash equivalents

     2,266        1,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury and agency securities

   $ 65,967      $ 57,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Japan government and agency securities included in:

     

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 21,746      $ 21,003  

Cash equivalents

     29        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Japan government and agency securities

   $ 21,775      $ 21,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents estimated fair value for fixed maturity securities, and for short-term investments and cash equivalents, estimated fair value or amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value.

 

Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity date (excluding scheduled sinking funds), were as follows at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair
Value
 
     (In millions)  

Due in one year or less

   $ 18,012      $ 18,173      $ 16,747      $ 16,862  

Due after one year through five years

     70,897        73,297        62,819        64,414  

Due after five years through ten years

     80,653        88,403        82,694        88,036  

Due after ten years

     97,134        112,493        93,876        106,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     266,696        292,366        256,136        275,586  

RMBS, CMBS and ABS

     72,175        73,973        73,675        74,685  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 338,871      $ 366,339      $ 329,811      $ 350,271  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to the exercise of call or prepayment options. Fixed maturity securities not due at a single maturity date have been included in the above table in the year of final contractual maturity. RMBS, CMBS and ABS are shown separately in the table, as they are not due at a single maturity.

 

19


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Evaluating Available-for-Sale Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

As described more fully in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report, the Company performs a regular evaluation, on a security-by-security basis, of its available-for-sale securities holdings, including fixed maturity securities, equity securities and perpetual hybrid securities, in accordance with its impairment policy in order to evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.

Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), were as follows at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 28,068     $ 21,096  

Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (679     (724
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

     27,389       20,372  

Equity securities

     (52     (167

Derivatives

     1,832       1,514  

Other

     31       72  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     29,200       21,791  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts allocated from:

    

Insurance liability loss recognition

     (5,669     (3,996

DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     42       47  

DAC and VOBA

     (2,205     (1,800

Policyholder dividend obligation

     (3,369     (2,919
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (11,201     (8,668

Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     222       236  

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)

     (6,722     (4,694
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses)

     11,499       8,665  

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     6       9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

   $ 11,505     $ 8,674  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

20


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The changes in fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), were as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
    Year
Ended
December 31,  2011
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ (724   $ (601

Noncredit OTTI losses recognized (1)

     (29     31  

Securities sold with previous noncredit OTTI loss

     76       125  

Subsequent changes in estimated fair value

     (2     (279
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ (679   $ (724
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Noncredit OTTI losses recognized, net of DAC, were ($61) million and $33 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and year ended December 31, 2011, respectively.

The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 8,674  

Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized

     45  

Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period

     7,364  

Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:

  

Insurance liability gain (loss) recognition

     (1,673

DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (5

DAC and VOBA

     (405

Policyholder dividend obligation

     (450

Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (14

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)

     (2,028
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized investment gains (losses)

     11,508  

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (3
  

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 11,505  
  

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)

   $ 2,834  

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (3
  

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

   $ 2,831  
  

 

 

 

Continuous Gross Unrealized Losses and OTTI Losses for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale by Sector

Presented below is certain information about the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity and equity securities in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss amounts presented below include the noncredit component of OTTI loss. Fixed maturity securities on which a noncredit OTTI loss has been recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are categorized by length of time as being

 

21


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

“less than 12 months” or “equal to or greater than 12 months” in a continuous unrealized loss position based on the point in time that the estimated fair value initially declined to below the amortized cost basis and not the period of time since the unrealized loss was deemed a noncredit OTTI loss.

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Less than 12 Months      Equal to or Greater
than 12 Months
     Total  
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
     (In millions, except number of securities)  

Fixed Maturity Securities:

                 

U.S. corporate securities

   $ 9,639      $ 276      $ 4,461      $ 567      $ 14,100      $ 843  

Foreign corporate securities

     7,694        279        3,733        370        11,427        649  

Foreign government securities

     1,811        97        784        72        2,595        169  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     13,208        5                        13,208        5  

RMBS

     2,532        342        4,734        1,049        7,266        1,391  

CMBS

     1,159        28        775        75        1,934        103  

State and political subdivision securities

     339        4        415        88        754        92  

ABS

     3,484        62        1,513        168        4,997        230  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 39,866      $ 1,093      $ 16,415      $ 2,389      $ 56,281      $ 3,482  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

                 

Common stock

   $ 527      $ 59      $ 20      $ 2      $ 547      $ 61  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

     38        11        312        149        350        160  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

   $ 565      $ 70      $ 332      $ 151      $ 897      $ 221  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

     3,191           1,646           
  

 

 

       

 

 

          

 

     December 31, 2011  
     Less than 12 Months      Equal to or Greater
than 12 Months
     Total  
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
     (In millions, except number of securities)  

Fixed Maturity Securities:

                 

U.S. corporate securities

   $ 15,642      $ 590      $ 5,135      $ 790      $ 20,777      $ 1,380  

Foreign corporate securities

     12,618        639        5,957        700        18,575        1,339  

Foreign government securities

     11,227        230        1,799        127        13,026        357  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     2,611        1        50        1        2,661        2  

RMBS

     4,040        547        4,724        1,189        8,764        1,736  

CMBS

     2,825        135        678        91        3,503        226  

State and political subdivision securities

     177        2        1,007        154        1,184        156  

ABS

     4,972        103        1,316        214        6,288        317  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 54,112      $ 2,247      $ 20,666      $ 3,266      $ 74,778      $ 5,513  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

                 

Common stock

   $ 581      $ 96      $ 5      $ 1      $ 586      $ 97  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

     204        30        370        172        574        202  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

   $ 785      $ 126      $ 375      $ 173      $ 1,160      $ 299  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

     3,978           1,963           
  

 

 

       

 

 

          

 

22


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Aging of Gross Unrealized Losses and OTTI Losses for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

Presented below is certain information about the aging and severity of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities, including the portion of OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at:

 

    June 30, 2012  
    Cost or Amortized Cost     Gross Unrealized Losses     Number of Securities  
    Less than
20%
    20% or
more
    Less than
20%
    20% or
more
    Less than
20%
    20% or
more
 
    (In millions, except number of securities)  

Fixed Maturity Securities:

           

Less than six months

  $ 30,061     $ 1,073     $ 340     $ 272       2,142       125  

Six months or greater but less than nine months

    2,582       337       110       98       276       51  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

    7,520       1,256       354       397       567       72  

Twelve months or greater

    14,401       2,533       1,009       902       1,314       180  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

  $ 54,564     $ 5,199     $ 1,813     $ 1,669      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Percentage of amortized cost

        3     32    
     

 

 

   

 

 

     

Equity Securities:

           

Less than six months

  $ 333     $ 72     $ 24     $ 19       118       33  

Six months or greater but less than nine months

    84       43       8       12       10       2  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

    148       112       19       34       32       7  

Twelve months or greater

    103       223       5       100       22       15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

  $ 668     $ 450     $ 56     $ 165      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Percentage of cost

        8     37    
     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

    December 31, 2011  
    Cost or Amortized Cost     Gross Unrealized Losses     Number of Securities  
    Less than
20%
    20% or
more
    Less than
20%
    20% or
more
    Less than
20%
    20% or
more
 
    (In millions, except number of securities)  

Fixed Maturity Securities:

           

Less than six months

  $ 49,249     $ 4,736     $ 1,346     $ 1,332       3,260       320  

Six months or greater but less than nine months

    4,104       1,049       279       349       375       63  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

    1,160       288       55       93       143       14  

Twelve months or greater

    17,590       2,115       1,216       843       1,523       167  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

  $ 72,103     $ 8,188     $ 2,896     $ 2,617      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Percentage of amortized cost

        4     32    
     

 

 

   

 

 

     

Equity Securities:

           

Less than six months

  $ 714     $ 376     $ 64     $ 123       154       42  

Six months or greater but less than nine months

    22       8       2       4       19       3  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

    18              2              8         

Twelve months or greater

    98       223       8       96       24       20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

  $ 852     $ 607     $ 76     $ 223      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Percentage of cost

        9     37    
     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

23


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Equity securities with gross unrealized losses of 20% or more for twelve months or greater increased from $96 million at December 31, 2011 to $100 million at June 30, 2012. As shown in the section “— Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities” below, all of the equity securities with gross unrealized losses of 20% or more for twelve months or greater at June 30, 2012 were financial services industry investment grade non-redeemable preferred stock, of which 75% were rated A or better.

Concentration of Gross Unrealized Losses and OTTI Losses for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

The gross unrealized losses related to fixed maturity and equity securities, including the portion of OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were $3.7 billion and $5.8 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The concentration, calculated as a percentage of gross unrealized losses (including OTTI losses), by sector and industry was as follows at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Sector:

    

RMBS

     38     30

U.S. corporate securities

     23       24  

Foreign corporate securities

     17       23  

ABS

     6       5  

Foreign government securities

     5       6  

CMBS

     3       4  

State and political subdivision securities

     2       3  

Other

     6       5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Industry:

    

Mortgage-backed

     41     34

Finance

     20       27  

Utility

     7       8  

Asset-backed

     6       5  

Consumer

     6       6  

Foreign government securities

     5       6  

Communications

     3       3  

State and political subdivision securities

     2       3  

Industrial

     2       2  

Other

     8       6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

24


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities

The following table presents fixed maturity and equity securities, each with gross unrealized losses of greater than $10 million, the number of securities, total gross unrealized losses and percentage of total gross unrealized losses at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Fixed Maturity
Securities
    Equity
Securities
    Fixed Maturity
Securities
    Equity
Securities
 
     (In millions, except number of securities)  

Number of securities

     56       6       96       8  

Total gross unrealized losses

   $ 1,049     $ 99     $ 1,703     $ 117  

Percentage of total gross unrealized losses

     30     45     31     39

Fixed maturity and equity securities, each with gross unrealized losses greater than $10 million, decreased $672 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decline in, or improvement in, gross unrealized losses for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest rates and narrowing credit spreads. These securities were included in the Company’s OTTI review process.

As of June 30, 2012, $1.4 billion of unrealized losses were from fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss position of 20% or more of amortized cost for six months or greater. Of the $1.4 billion, $572 million, or 41%, was related to unrealized losses on investment grade securities. Unrealized losses on investment grade securities were principally related to widening credit spreads or rising interest rates since purchase. Of the $1.4 billion, $825 million, or 59%, was related to unrealized losses on below investment grade securities. Unrealized losses on below investment grade securities were principally related to non-agency RMBS (primarily alternative residential mortgage loans and sub-prime residential mortgage loans), U.S. and foreign corporate securities (primarily utility and financial services industry securities) and ABS (primarily collateralized debt obligations) and were the result of significantly wider credit spreads resulting from higher risk premiums since purchase, largely due to economic and market uncertainties including concerns over the financial services sector, unemployment levels and valuations of residential real estate supporting non-agency RMBS. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for the factors management considers in evaluating these corporate and structured securities. See “— Aging of Gross Unrealized Losses and OTTI Losses for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale” for a discussion of equity securities with an unrealized loss position of 20% or more of cost for 12 months or greater.

In the Company’s impairment review process, the duration and severity of an unrealized loss position for equity securities are given greater weight and consideration than for fixed maturity securities. An extended and severe unrealized loss position on a fixed maturity security may not have any impact on the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and the Company’s evaluation of recoverability of all contractual cash flows or the ability to recover an amount at least equal to its amortized cost based on the present value of the expected future cash flows to be collected. In contrast, for an equity security, greater weight and consideration are given by the Company to a decline in market value and the likelihood such market value decline will recover.

 

25


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents certain information about the Company’s equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized losses of 20% or more at June 30, 2012:

 

          Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock  
    All Equity
Securities
    All Types of
Non-Redeemable
Preferred Stock
    Investment Grade  
      All Industries     Financial Services Industry  
    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    % of
All
Equity
Securities
    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    % of All
Non-Redeemable
Preferred
Stock
    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    % of All
Industries
    % A
Rated or
Better
 
    (In millions)           (In millions)           (In millions)              

Less than six months

  $ 19     $ 10       53   $ 7       70   $ 7       100     86

Six months or greater but less than twelve months

    46       46       100     27       59     27       100     37

Twelve months or greater

    100       100       100     100       100     100       100     75
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

All equity securities with gross unrealized losses of 20% or more

  $ 165     $ 156       95   $ 134       86   $ 134       100     68
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

In connection with the equity securities impairment review process, the Company evaluated its holdings in non-redeemable preferred stock, particularly those in the financial services sector. The Company considered several factors including whether there has been any deterioration in credit of the issuer and the likelihood of recovery in value of non-redeemable preferred stock with a severe or an extended unrealized loss. The Company also considered whether any issuers of non-redeemable preferred stock with an unrealized loss held by the Company, regardless of credit rating, have deferred any dividend payments. No such dividend payments had been deferred.

With respect to common stock holdings, the Company considered the duration and severity of the unrealized losses for securities in an unrealized loss position of 20% or more; and the duration of unrealized losses for securities in an unrealized loss position of less than 20% in an extended unrealized loss position (i.e., 12 months or greater).

Based on the Company’s current evaluation of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position in accordance with its impairment policy, and the Company’s current intentions and assessments (as applicable to the type of security) about holding, selling and any requirements to sell these securities, the Company has concluded that these securities are not other-than-temporarily impaired.

Future OTTIs will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit ratings, changes in collateral valuation, changes in interest rates and changes in credit spreads. If economic fundamentals or any of the above factors deteriorate, additional OTTIs may be incurred in upcoming quarters.

 

26


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Trading and Other Securities

The table below presents certain information about the Company’s trading securities that are actively purchased and sold (“Actively Traded Securities”) and other securities for which the fair value option (“FVO”) has been elected at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Actively Traded Securities

   $ 535     $ 473  

FVO general account securities

     264       267  

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments

     17,459       17,411  

FVO securities held by CSEs

     70       117  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total trading and other securities — at estimated fair value

   $ 18,328     $ 18,268  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Actively Traded Securities — at estimated fair value

   $ 535     $ 473  

Short sale agreement liabilities — at estimated fair value

     (140     (127
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net long/short position — at estimated fair value

   $ 395     $ 346  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments pledged to secure short sale agreement liabilities

   $ 601     $ 558  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for a discussion of FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments and “— Variable Interest Entities” for a discussion of consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”) included in the table above. See “— Net Investment Income” and “— Net Investment Gains (Losses)” for the net investment income recognized on trading and other securities and the related changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase included in earnings for securities still held as of the end of the respective periods.

 

27


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Net Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities:

        

Total OTTI losses recognized

   $ (118   $ (298   $ (253   $ (430

Less: Noncredit portion of OTTI losses transferred to and recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

     27       175       29       184  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings

     (91     (123     (224     (246

Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals (1)

     73       18       66       (22
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities

     (18     (105     (158     (268
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other net investment gains (losses):

        

Equity securities

     19       (70     10       (34

Trading and other securities — FVO general account securities—changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase

     (1            3         

Mortgage loans (1)

     13       68       49       115  

Real estate and real estate joint ventures

     (16     4       (20     5  

Other limited partnership interests

     (9     5       (11     8  

Other investment portfolio gains (losses)

     (10     (6     (35     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal — investment portfolio gains (losses)

     (22     (104     (162     (176
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FVO CSEs — changes in estimated fair value:

        

Commercial mortgage loans

     (7     7       (1     25  

Securities

            39              (1

Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans

     10       (8     10       (8

Long-term debt — related to securities

     1       (54     (10     (7

Other gains (losses) (2)

     (46     (35     (11     (87
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal FVO CSEs and other gains (losses)

     (42     (51     (12     (78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net investment gains (losses)

   $ (64   $ (155   $ (174   $ (254
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Net investment gains (losses) for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 includes a net gain (loss) of ($35) million and $60 million, respectively, as a result of the pending disposition of certain operations of MetLife Bank, which is comprised of gains (losses) on securities and mortgage loans sold of ($27) million and $75 million, and impairments on mortgage loans of ($8) million and ($15) million, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. See Note 2.

 

(2)

Other gains (losses) for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011 includes a loss of $7 million and $87 million, respectively, related to the sale of the Company’s investment in Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Co., Ltd (“MSI MetLife”). See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.

Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions included within net investment gains (losses) were $25 million and $83 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and ($49) million and ($14) million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

 

28


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities resulting in a net investment gain (loss) and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains (losses) are as shown in the tables below. Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis.

 

    Three Months Ended June 30,  
        2012             2011             2012             2011         2012     2011  
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity Securities     Total  
    (In millions)  

Proceeds

  $ 15,625     $ 19,316     $ 238     $ 489     $ 15,863     $ 19,805  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross investment gains

  $ 225     $ 235     $ 23     $ 26     $ 248     $ 261  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross investment losses

    (152     (217     (2     (49     (154     (266
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings:

           

Credit-related

    (68     (70                   (68     (70

Other (1)

    (23     (53     (2     (47     (25     (100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings

    (91     (123     (2     (47     (93     (170
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (18   $ (105   $ 19     $ (70   $ 1     $ (175
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Six Months Ended June 30,  
        2012             2011             2012             2011         2012     2011  
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity Securities     Total  
    (In millions)  

Proceeds

  $ 35,019     $ 35,848     $ 363     $ 805     $ 35,382     $ 36,653  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross investment gains

  $ 550     $ 428     $ 33     $ 74     $ 583     $ 502  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross investment losses

    (484     (450     (6     (55     (490     (505
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings:

           

Credit-related

    (141     (113                   (141     (113

Other (1)

    (83     (133     (17     (53     (100     (186
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings

    (224     (246     (17     (53     (241     (299
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (158   $ (268   $ 10     $ (34   $ (148   $ (302
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Other OTTI losses recognized in earnings include impairments on equity securities, impairments on perpetual hybrid securities classified within fixed maturity securities where the primary reason for the impairment was the severity and/or the duration of an unrealized loss position and fixed maturity securities where there is an intent-to-sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value.

 

29


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Fixed maturity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings related to the following sectors and industries within the U.S. and foreign corporate securities sector:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
     Six Months
Ended

June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Sector:

           

U.S. and foreign corporate securities — by industry:

           

Utility

   $ 13      $       $ 51      $ 1  

Finance

             40        32        41  

Communications

     1        1        18        14  

Consumer

     9        27        12        29  

Industrial

                     1          

Other industries

     6                6          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities

     29        68        120        85  

CMBS

     20                50        3  

RMBS (1)

     37        42        46        66  

ABS (1)

     5                7        3  

State and political subdivision securities

                     1          

Foreign government securities

             13                89  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 91      $ 123      $ 224      $ 246  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for discussion of a reclassification from the ABS sector to the RMBS sector for securities backed by sub-prime residential mortgage loans.

Equity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings related to the following sectors and industries:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Sector:

           

Common stock

   $ 2      $ 9      $ 17      $ 15  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

             38                38  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2      $ 47      $ 17      $ 53  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Industry:

           

Financial services industry — perpetual hybrid securities

   $       $ 38      $       $ 38  

Other industries

     2        9        17        15  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2      $ 47      $ 17      $ 53  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

30


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Credit Loss Rollforward

Presented below is a rollforward of the cumulative credit loss component of OTTI loss recognized in earnings on fixed maturity securities still held for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):

 

     Three Months
Ended

June  30,
    Six Months
Ended

June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 381     $ 389     $ 471     $ 443  

Additions:

        

Initial impairments — credit loss OTTI on securities not previously impaired

     21       18       37       26  

Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI on securities previously impaired

     20       24       26       40  

Reductions:

        

Sales, maturities, pay downs and prepayments during the period on securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI

     (15     (26     (119     (55

Securities impaired to net present value of expected future cash flows

     (15            (23     (44

Increases in cash flows — accretion of previous credit loss OTTI

     (1     (4     (1     (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 391     $ 401     $ 391     $ 401  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

The components of net investment income were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Investment income:

         

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 3,737     $ 3,791     $ 7,545      $ 7,474  

Equity securities

     38       48       70        78  

Trading and other securities — Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities (1)

     (1     16       44        44  

Mortgage loans

     764       766       1,594        1,525  

Policy loans

     156       160       314        320  

Real estate and real estate joint ventures

     280       187       457        333  

Other limited partnership interests

     266       159       448        402  

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     39       44       75        90  

International joint ventures (2)

     1       7       4        (14

Other

     80       101       121        69  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     5,360       5,279       10,672        10,321  

Less: Investment expenses

     258       249       517        494  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal, net

     5,102       5,030       10,155        9,827  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trading and other securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments (1)

     (517     (32     498        387  

Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans

     89              174          

FVO CSEs:

         

Commercial mortgage loans

     44       96       89        191  

Securities

     1              3        1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (383     64       764        579  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

   $ 4,719     $ 5,094     $ 10,919      $ 10,406  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

31


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

 

 

(1)

Changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for securities still held as of the end of the respective periods included in net investment income were:

 

Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities

   $ (5   $     $ 24      $ 21  

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments

   $   (378   $     (84   $    499      $    232  

 

(2)

Amounts are presented net of changes in estimated fair value of derivatives related to economic hedges of the Company’s investment in these equity method international joint venture investments that do not qualify for hedge accounting of $0 for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, and less than $1 million and $23 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.

Securities Lending

As described more fully in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report, the Company participates in a securities lending program whereby blocks of securities are loaned to third parties. These transactions are treated as financing arrangements and the associated cash collateral received is recorded as a liability. The Company is obligated to return the cash collateral received to its counterparties.

Elements of the securities lending program are presented below at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Securities on loan: (1)

     

Amortized cost

   $ 24,580      $ 20,613  

Estimated fair value

   $ 28,719      $ 24,072  

Cash collateral on deposit from counterparties (2)

   $ 29,491      $ 24,223  

Security collateral on deposit from counterparties

   $ 165      $ 371  

Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value

   $ 29,340      $ 23,940  

 

 

(1)

Included within fixed maturity securities, short-term investments, equity securities and cash and cash equivalents.

 

(2)

Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions.

Security collateral on deposit from counterparties in connection with the securities lending transactions may not be sold or repledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

32


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral

Invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral are presented in the table below at estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and trading and other securities and at carrying value for mortgage loans.

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Invested assets on deposit (1)

   $ 2,364      $ 1,660  

Invested assets held in trust (2)

     10,934        11,135  

Invested assets pledged as collateral (3)

     22,948        29,899  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral

   $ 36,246      $ 42,694  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Company has invested assets on deposit with regulatory agencies consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity securities and equity securities.

 

(2)

The Company held in trust cash and securities, primarily fixed maturity and equity securities, to satisfy requirements under certain collateral financing agreements and certain reinsurance agreements.

 

(3)

The Company has pledged fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans and cash and cash equivalents in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding and advances agreements (see Notes 8 and 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report), collateralized borrowings (see Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report), collateral financing arrangements (see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report), derivative transactions (see Note 4), and short sale agreements (see “— Trading and Other Securities”).

 

33


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Value
    % of
Total
    Carrying
Value
    % of
Total
 
     (In millions)           (In millions)        

Mortgage loans held-for-investment:

        

Commercial

   $ 41,035       69.6   $ 40,440       56.1

Agricultural

     12,848       21.8       13,129       18.2  

Residential

     747       1.3       689       1.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     54,630       92.7       54,258       75.3  

Valuation allowances

     (361     (0.6     (481     (0.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal mortgage loans held-for-investment, net

     54,269       92.1       53,777       74.6  

Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs

     2,932       5.0       3,138       4.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans held-for-investment, net

     57,201       97.1       56,915       79.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale:

        

Residential (1)

     202       0.3       3,064       4.2  

Mortgage loans — lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value (1)

     1,279       2.2       4,462       6.2  

Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans (1)

     259       0.4       7,652       10.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans held-for-sale

     1,740       2.9       15,178       21.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans, net

   $ 58,941       100.0   $ 72,093       100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

In connection with the pending dispositions of certain operations of MetLife Bank, the Company is exiting the businesses of originating forward and reverse residential mortgage loans. Additionally, as a result of the sale of the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights, the Company de-recognized the majority of the securitized reverse residential mortgage loans. See Note 2.

See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.

Certain of the Company’s real estate joint ventures have mortgage loans with the Company. The carrying values of such mortgage loans were $284 million and $286 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

34


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following tables present certain information about mortgage loans held-for-investment and valuation allowances, by portfolio segment, at:

 

     Commercial      Agricultural      Residential      Total  
     (In millions)  

June 30, 2012:

           

Mortgage loans:

           

Evaluated individually for credit losses

   $ 202      $ 99      $ 12      $ 313  

Evaluated collectively for credit losses

     40,833        12,749        735        54,317  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans

     41,035        12,848        747        54,630  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation allowances:

           

Specific credit losses

     64        28        1        93  

Non-specifically identified credit losses

     236        31        1        268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total valuation allowances

     300        59        2        361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance

   $ 40,735      $ 12,789      $ 745      $ 54,269  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

           

Mortgage loans:

           

Evaluated individually for credit losses

   $ 96      $ 159      $ 13      $ 268  

Evaluated collectively for credit losses

     40,344        12,970        676        53,990  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans

     40,440        13,129        689        54,258  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation allowances:

           

Specific credit losses

     59        45        1        105  

Non-specifically identified credit losses

     339        36        1        376  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total valuation allowances

     398        81        2        481  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance

   $ 40,042      $ 13,048      $ 687      $ 53,777  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

35


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following tables present the changes in the valuation allowance, by portfolio segment:

 

     Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances  
     Commercial     Agricultural     Residential     Total  
     (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

        

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 368     $ 75     $ 3     $ 446  

Provision (release)

     (68            5       (63

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

            (16            (16

Transfers to held-for-sale

                   (6     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 300     $ 59     $ 2     $ 361  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 532     $ 76     $ 13     $ 621  

Provision (release)

     (63     3       5       (55

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 469     $ 79     $ 18     $ 566  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

        

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 398     $ 81     $ 2     $ 481  

Provision (release)

     (98     (6     6       (98

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

            (16            (16

Transfers to held-for-sale

                   (6     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 300     $ 59     $ 2     $ 361  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 562     $ 88     $ 14     $ 664  

Provision (release)

     (93     (6     5       (94

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

            (3     (1     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 469     $ 79     $ 18     $ 566  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for a discussion of all credit quality indicators presented herein. Recorded investment data presented herein is prior to valuation allowance. Unpaid principal balance data presented herein is generally prior to charge-offs.

 

36


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Commercial Mortgage Loans — by Credit Quality Indicators with Estimated Fair Value. Presented below is certain information about the credit quality of the commercial mortgage loans held-for-investment at:

 

     Commercial  
     Recorded Investment               
     Debt Service Coverage Ratios      Total      % of
Total
    Estimated
Fair Value
     % of
Total
 
     > 1.20x      1.00x - 1.20x      < 1.00x             
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

June 30, 2012:

                   

Loan-to-value ratios:

                   

Less than 65%

   $ 28,022      $ 607      $ 455      $ 29,084        70.9   $ 30,840        71.8

65% to 75%

     7,218        398        200        7,816        19.0       8,132        18.9  

76% to 80%

     831        96        229        1,156        2.8       1,182        2.7  

Greater than 80%

     1,933        717        329        2,979        7.3       2,824        6.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 38,004      $ 1,818      $ 1,213      $ 41,035        100.0   $ 42,978        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

          

Loan-to-value ratios:

                   

Less than 65%

   $ 24,983      $ 448      $ 564      $ 25,995        64.3   $ 27,581        65.5

65% to 75%

     8,275        336        386        8,997        22.3       9,387        22.3  

76% to 80%

     1,150        98        226        1,474        3.6       1,473        3.5  

Greater than 80%

     2,714        880        380        3,974        9.8       3,664        8.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 37,122      $ 1,762      $ 1,556      $ 40,440        100.0   $ 42,105        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Agricultural Mortgage Loans — by Credit Quality Indicator. Presented below is certain information about the credit quality of agricultural mortgage loans held-for-investment. The estimated fair value of agricultural mortgage loans held-for-investment was $13.3 billion and $13.6 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

     Agricultural  
     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Recorded
Investment
     % of
Total
    Recorded
Investment
     % of
Total
 
            
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Loan-to-value ratios:

          

Less than 65%

   $ 11,896        92.6   $ 11,802        89.9

65% to 75%

     644        5.0       874        6.7  

76% to 80%

     16        0.1       76        0.6  

Greater than 80%

     292        2.3       377        2.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 12,848        100.0   $ 13,129        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

37


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Residential Mortgage Loans — by Credit Quality Indicator. Presented below is certain information about the credit quality of residential mortgage loans held-for-investment. The estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans held-for-investment was $814 million and $737 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

     Residential  
     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Recorded
Investment
     % of
Total
    Recorded
Investment
     % of
Total
 
            
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Performance indicators:

          

Performing

   $ 730        97.7   $ 671        97.4

Nonperforming

     17        2.3       18        2.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 747        100.0   $ 689        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans. The Company has a high quality, well performing, mortgage loan portfolio, with approximately 99% of all mortgage loans classified as performing at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The Company defines delinquent mortgage loans consistent with industry practice, when interest and principal payments are past due as follows: commercial and residential mortgage loans — 60 days or more and agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days or more. Presented below is the recorded investment of past due and interest accrual status of mortgage loans held-for-investment at:

 

    Past Due     Greater than 90 Days Past Due
Still Accruing Interest
    Nonaccrual Status  
    June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
    (In millions)  

Commercial

  $      $ 63     $      $      $      $ 63  

Agricultural

    139       146       47       29       95       157  

Residential

    6       8                     16       17  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 145     $ 217     $ 47     $ 29     $ 111     $ 237  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impaired Mortgage Loans. Presented below is certain information about impaired mortgage loans, included within mortgage loans held-for-investment, including those modified in a troubled debt restructuring, by portfolio segment, at:

 

     Impaired Mortgage Loans  
     Loans with a Valuation Allowance      Loans without
a Valuation Allowance
     All Impaired Loans  
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
     Valuation
Allowances
     Carrying
Value
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Carrying
Value
 
     (In millions)  

June 30, 2012:

                       

Commercial

   $ 214      $ 202      $ 64      $ 138      $ 102      $ 102      $ 316      $ 240  

Agricultural

     100        99        28        71        105        99        205        170  

Residential

     12        12        1        11                        12        11  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 326      $ 313      $ 93      $ 220      $ 207      $ 201      $ 533      $ 421  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

                       

Commercial

   $ 96      $ 96      $ 59      $ 37      $ 252      $ 237      $ 348      $ 274  

Agricultural

     160        159        45        114        71        69        231        183  

Residential

     13        13        1        12        1        1        14        13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 269      $ 268      $ 105      $ 163      $ 324      $ 307      $ 593      $ 470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

38


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The average recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment, including those modified in a troubled debt restructuring, and the related interest income, by portfolio segment, was:

 

     Impaired Mortgage Loans  
     Average
Recorded  Investment
     Interest Income Recognized  
            Cash Basis      Accrual Basis  
     (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

        

Commercial

   $ 258      $       $   

Agricultural

     214                2  

Residential

     12                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 484      $       $ 2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Commercial

   $ 292      $       $   

Agricultural

     255                1  

Residential

     32                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 579      $       $ 1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

        

Commercial

   $ 283      $ 3      $   

Agricultural

     219        1        2  

Residential

     13                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 515      $ 4      $ 2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Commercial

   $ 264      $ 3      $ 1  

Agricultural

     268        2        1  

Residential

     28                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 560      $ 5      $ 2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mortgage Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for a discussion of loan modifications that are classified as troubled debt restructuring and the types of concessions typically granted. There were no mortgage loans modified during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012. The number of mortgage loans and carrying value of mortgage loans modified during the period in a troubled debt restructuring were as follows:

 

     Mortgage Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring  
     Number of
Mortgage
Loans
     Carrying Value after Specific
Valuation Allowance
 
            Pre-Modification      Post-Modification  
            (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Commercial

     1      $ 6      $ 7  

Agricultural

     5        17        16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6      $ 23      $ 23  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Commercial

     2      $ 59      $ 60  

Agricultural

     7        26        27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     9      $ 85      $ 87  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

39


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no mortgage loans with subsequent payment default which were modified as a troubled debt restructuring during the previous 12 months. Payment default is determined in the same manner as delinquency status — when interest and principal payments are past due as described above.

Cash Equivalents

The carrying value of cash equivalents, which includes securities and other investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, was $5.3 billion and $5.0 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Purchased Credit Impaired Investments

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for information about investments acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration since origination and for which it was probable at the acquisition date that the Company would be unable to collect all contractually required payments.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds investments in certain entities that are VIEs. In certain instances, the Company holds both the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity, as well as an economic interest in the entity and, as such, is deemed to be the primary beneficiary or consolidator of the entity. The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Creditors or beneficial interest holders of VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, as the Company’s obligation to the VIEs is limited to the amount of its committed investment.

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Total
Assets
     Total
Liabilities
     Total
Assets
     Total
Liabilities
 
           
     (In millions)  

CSEs (1)

   $ 3,037      $ 2,846      $ 3,299      $ 3,103  

MRSC collateral financing arrangement (2)

     3,383                3,333          

Other limited partnership interests

     320        15        360        6  

Trading and other securities

     96                163          

Other invested assets

     85                102        1  

Real estate joint ventures

     11        14        16        18  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,932      $ 2,875      $ 7,273      $ 3,128  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Company consolidates former qualified special purpose entities (“QSPEs”) that are structured as CMBS and former QSPEs that are structured as collateralized debt obligations. The assets of these entities can only be used to settle their respective liabilities, and under no circumstances is the Company liable for any principal or interest shortfalls should any arise. The Company’s exposure was limited to that of its remaining investment in the former QSPEs of $177 million and $172 million at estimated fair value at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The long-term debt presented below bears interest primarily at fixed rates ranging from 2.25% to 5.57%, payable primarily on a monthly basis and is expected to be repaid over the next four years. Interest expense related to these obligations, included in other expenses, was $42 million and $85 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012,

 

40


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

 

respectively, and $92 million and $184 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The assets and liabilities of these CSEs, at estimated fair value, were as follows at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Assets:

     

Mortgage loans held-for-investment (commercial mortgage loans)

   $ 2,932      $ 3,138  

Trading and other securities

     70        117  

Accrued investment income

     14        16  

Cash and cash equivalents

     21        21  

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables

             7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 3,037      $ 3,299  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Long-term debt

   $ 2,821      $ 3,068  

Other liabilities

     25        35  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 2,846      $ 3,103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for a description of the MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) collateral financing arrangement. These assets consist of the following, at estimated fair value, except for mortgage loans, which are presented at carrying value, at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:

     

ABS

   $ 1,456      $ 1,356  

U.S. corporate securities

     891        833  

RMBS

     483        502  

CMBS

     300        369  

Foreign corporate securities

     125        126  

State and political subdivision securities

     34        39  

Mortgage loans

     49        49  

Cash and cash equivalents

     45        59  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,383      $ 3,333  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

41


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents the carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs for which the Company holds significant variable interests but is not the primary beneficiary and which have not been consolidated at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Amount
     Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
     Carrying
Amount
     Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
           
           
     (In millions)  

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:

           

RMBS (2)

   $ 41,064      $ 41,064      $ 42,637      $ 42,637  

CMBS (2)

     19,017        19,017        19,069        19,069  

ABS (2)

     13,892        13,892        12,979        12,979  

U.S. corporate securities

     2,892        2,892        2,911        2,911  

Foreign corporate securities

     2,005        2,005        2,087        2,087  

Other limited partnership interests

     4,508        5,994        4,340        6,084  

Other invested assets

     920        1,223        799        1,194  

Trading and other securities

     609        609        671        671  

Mortgage loans

     370        370        456        456  

Real estate joint ventures

     108        121        61        79  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 85,385      $ 87,187      $ 86,010      $ 88,167  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The maximum exposure to loss relating to the fixed maturity and trading and other securities is equal to their estimated fair value. The maximum exposure to loss relating to the other limited partnership interests, real estate joint ventures and mortgage loans is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer, borrower or investee. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by a creditworthy third party. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by income tax credits guaranteed by third parties of $348 million and $267 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

(2)

For these variable interests, the Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor.

As described in Note 11, the Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. Excluding these commitments, the Company did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

4. Derivative Financial Instruments

Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads and/or other financial indices. Derivatives may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. The Company uses a variety of derivatives, including swaps, forwards, futures and option contracts, to manage various risks relating to its ongoing business operations. To a lesser extent, the Company uses credit default swaps and structured interest rate swaps to synthetically replicate investment risks and returns which are not readily available in the cash market. The Company also purchases certain securities, issues certain insurance policies and investment contracts and engages in certain reinsurance agreements that have embedded derivatives.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Freestanding derivatives are carried in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets either as assets within other invested assets or as liabilities within other liabilities at estimated fair value as determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives and interest rate forwards to sell certain to be announced securities or through the use of pricing models for OTC derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, nonperformance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models.

Accruals on derivatives are generally recorded in accrued investment income or within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. However, accruals that are not scheduled to settle within one year are included with the derivative carrying value in other invested assets or other liabilities.

The Company does not offset the fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement.

If a derivative is not designated as an accounting hedge or its use in managing risk does not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses) except for those (i) in policyholder benefits and claims for economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits; (ii) in net investment income for (a) economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures, (b) all derivatives held in relation to the trading portfolios, and (c) derivatives held within contractholder-directed unit-linked investments; (iii) in other revenues for derivatives held in connection with the Company’s mortgage banking activities; and (iv) in other expenses for economic hedges of foreign currency exposure related to the Company’s international subsidiaries. The fluctuations in estimated fair value of derivatives which have not been designated for hedge accounting can result in significant volatility in net income.

To qualify for hedge accounting, at the inception of the hedging relationship, the Company formally documents its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transaction, as well as its designation of the hedge as either (i) a hedge of the estimated fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”); (ii) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”); or (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. In this documentation, the Company sets forth how the hedging instrument is expected to hedge the designated risks related to the hedged item and sets forth the method that will be used to retrospectively and prospectively assess the hedging instrument’s effectiveness and the method which will be used to measure ineffectiveness. A derivative designated as a hedging instrument must be assessed as being highly effective in offsetting the designated risk of the hedged item. Hedge effectiveness is formally assessed at inception and periodically throughout the life of the designated hedging relationship. Assessments of hedge effectiveness and measurements of ineffectiveness are also subject to interpretation and estimation and different interpretations or estimates may have a material effect on the amount reported in net income.

The accounting for derivatives is complex and interpretations of the primary accounting guidance continue to evolve in practice. Judgment is applied in determining the availability and application of hedge accounting designations and the appropriate accounting treatment under such accounting guidance. If it was determined that hedge accounting designations were not appropriately applied, reported net income could be materially affected.

Under a fair value hedge, changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivative, including amounts measured as ineffectiveness, and changes in the estimated fair value of the hedged item related to the designated

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

risk being hedged, are reported within net derivative gains (losses). The estimated fair values of the hedging derivatives are exclusive of any accruals that are separately reported in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income within interest income or interest expense to match the location of the hedged item.

Under a cash flow hedge, changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivative measured as effective are reported within other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and the deferred gains or losses on the derivative are reclassified into the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item. Changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging instrument measured as ineffectiveness are reported within net derivative gains (losses). The estimated fair values of the hedging derivatives are exclusive of any accruals that are separately reported in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income within interest income or interest expense to match the location of the hedged item.

In a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivative that are measured as effective are reported within other comprehensive income (loss) consistent with the translation adjustment for the hedged net investment in the foreign operation. Changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging instrument measured as ineffectiveness are reported within net derivative gains (losses).

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires, is sold, terminated, or exercised; (iii) it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur; or (iv) the derivative is de-designated as a hedging instrument.

When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item, the derivative continues to be carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in net derivative gains (losses). The carrying value of the hedged recognized asset or liability under a fair value hedge is no longer adjusted for changes in its estimated fair value due to the hedged risk, and the cumulative adjustment to its carrying value is amortized into income over the remaining life of the hedged item. Provided the hedged forecasted transaction is still probable of occurrence, the changes in estimated fair value of derivatives recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) related to discontinued cash flow hedges are released into the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item.

When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transactions will occur on the anticipated date or within two months of that date, the derivative continues to be carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in net derivative gains (losses). Deferred gains and losses of a derivative recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) pursuant to the discontinued cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction that is no longer probable are recognized immediately in net derivative gains (losses).

In all other situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative is carried at its estimated fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, with changes in its estimated fair value recognized in the current period as net derivative gains (losses).

The Company issues certain products and purchases certain investments that contain embedded derivatives. The Company assesses each identified embedded derivative to determine whether it is required to be bifurcated. If the instrument would not be accounted for in its entirety at estimated fair value and it is determined that the terms of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

contract, and that a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for as a freestanding derivative. Such embedded derivatives are carried in the consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value with the host contract and changes in their estimated fair value are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses) except for those in policyholder benefits and claims related to ceded reinsurance of guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”). If the Company is unable to properly identify and measure an embedded derivative for separation from its host contract, the entire contract is carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income. Additionally, the Company may elect to carry an entire contract on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income if that contract contains an embedded derivative that requires bifurcation.

See Note 5 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.

Primary Risks Managed by Derivative Financial Instruments and Non-Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk and equity market risk. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivative instruments. The following table presents the gross notional amount, estimated fair value and primary underlying risk exposure of the Company’s derivative financial instruments, excluding embedded derivatives, held at:

 

        June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Primary Underlying

Risk Exposure

 

Instrument Type

  Notional
Amount
    Estimated Fair
Value (1)
    Notional
Amount
    Estimated Fair
Value (1)
 
      Assets     Liabilities       Assets     Liabilities  
        (In millions)  

Interest rate

 

Interest rate swaps

  $ 95,755     $ 9,189     $ 2,314     $ 79,733     $ 8,241     $ 2,199  
 

Interest rate floors

    23,866       1,291       172       23,866       1,246       165  
 

Interest rate caps

    46,045       54              49,665       102         
 

Interest rate futures

    14,350       16       51       14,965       25       19  
 

Interest rate options

    16,002       927       5       16,988       896       6  
 

Interest rate forwards

    1,377       197       12       14,033       286       91  
 

Synthetic GICs

    4,506                     4,454                

Foreign currency

 

Foreign currency swaps

    16,841       984       1,012       16,461       1,172       1,060  
 

Foreign currency forwards

    9,237       205       51       10,149       200       60  
 

Currency futures

    934       2       1       633                
 

Currency options

    2,551       3       22       1,321       6         

Credit

 

Credit default swaps

    13,803       168       80       13,136       326       113  
 

Credit forwards

                         20       4         

Equity market

 

Equity futures

    7,682       1       236       7,053       26       10  
 

Equity options

    20,315       3,315       209       17,099       3,263       179  
 

Variance swaps

    19,833       216       144       18,801       397       75  
 

Total rate of return swaps (“TRRs”)

    2,007       34       44       1,644       10       34  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

  $ 295,104     $ 16,602     $ 4,353     $ 290,021     $ 16,200     $ 4,011  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The estimated fair value of all derivatives in an asset position is reported within other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets and the estimated fair value of all derivatives in a liability position is reported within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches). In an interest rate swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts as calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by the counterparty at each due date. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps in fair value, cash flow and non-qualifying hedging relationships.

The Company also enters into basis swaps to better match the cash flows from assets and related liabilities. In a basis swap, both legs of the swap are floating with each based on a different index. Generally, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract and no principal payments are made by either party. A single net payment is usually made by one counterparty at each due date. Basis swaps are included in interest rate swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes basis swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Inflation swaps are used as an economic hedge to reduce inflation risk generated from inflation-indexed liabilities. Inflation swaps are included in interest rate swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes inflation swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Implied volatility swaps are used by the Company primarily as economic hedges of interest rate risk associated with the Company’s investments in mortgage-backed securities. In an implied volatility swap, the Company exchanges fixed payments for floating payments that are linked to certain market volatility measures. If implied volatility rises, the floating payments that the Company receives will increase, and if implied volatility falls, the floating payments that the Company receives will decrease. Implied volatility swaps are included in interest rate swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes implied volatility swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

The Company uses structured interest rate swaps to synthetically create investments that are either more expensive to acquire or otherwise unavailable in the cash markets. These transactions are a combination of a derivative and a cash instrument such as a U.S. Treasury, agency, or other fixed maturity security. Structured interest rate swaps are included in interest rate swaps in the preceding table. Structured interest rate swaps are not designated as hedging instruments.

The Company purchases interest rate caps and floors primarily to protect its floating rate liabilities against rises in interest rates above a specified level, and against interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches), as well as to protect its minimum rate guarantee liabilities against declines in interest rates below a specified level, respectively. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased caps and floors by entering into offsetting written caps and floors. The Company utilizes interest rate caps and floors in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

In exchange-traded interest rate (Treasury and swap) futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by the different classes of interest rate securities, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded interest rate (Treasury and swap) futures are used primarily to hedge mismatches between the duration of assets in a portfolio and the duration of liabilities supported by those assets, to hedge against changes in value of securities the Company owns or anticipates acquiring and to hedge against changes in interest rates on anticipated liability issuances by replicating Treasury or swap curve performance. The Company utilizes exchange-traded interest rate futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Swaptions are used by the Company to hedge interest rate risk associated with the Company’s long-term liabilities and invested assets. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap with a forward starting effective date. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased swaptions by entering into offsetting written swaptions. The Company pays a premium for purchased swaptions and receives a premium for written swaptions. Swaptions are included in interest rate options in the preceding table. The Company utilizes swaptions in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

The Company writes covered call options on its portfolio of U.S. Treasury securities as an income generation strategy. In a covered call transaction, the Company receives a premium at the inception of the contract in exchange for giving the derivative counterparty the right to purchase the referenced security from the Company at a predetermined price. The call option is “covered” because the Company owns the referenced security over the term of the option. Covered call options are included in interest rate options in the preceding table. The Company utilizes covered call options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

The Company enters into interest rate forwards to buy and sell securities. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made at a specified future date. The Company also uses interest rate forwards to sell to be announced securities as economic hedges against the risk of changes in the fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale and interest rate lock commitments. The Company utilizes interest rate forwards in cash flow and non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Interest rate lock commitments are short-term commitments to fund mortgage loan applications in process (the pipeline) for a fixed term for a fixed rate or spread. During the term of an interest rate lock commitment, the Company is exposed to the risk that interest rates will change from the rate quoted to the potential borrower. Interest rate lock commitments to fund mortgage loans that will be held-for-sale are considered derivative instruments. Interest rate lock commitments are included in interest rate forwards in the preceding table. Interest rate lock commitments are not designated as hedging instruments.

A synthetic GIC is a contract that simulates the performance of a traditional guaranteed interest contract through the use of financial instruments. Under a synthetic GIC, the policyholder owns the underlying assets. The Company guarantees a rate return on those assets for a premium. Synthetic GICs are not designated as hedging instruments.

Foreign currency derivatives, including foreign currency swaps, foreign currency forwards, currency options, and currency futures contracts, are used by the Company to reduce the risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The Company also uses foreign currency forwards and options to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with certain of its net investments in foreign operations.

In a foreign currency swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between one currency and another at a fixed exchange rate, generally set at inception, calculated by reference to an agreed upon principal amount. The principal amount of each currency is exchanged at the inception and termination of the currency swap by each party. The Company utilizes foreign currency swaps in fair value, cash flow and non-qualifying hedging relationships.

In a foreign currency forward transaction, the Company agrees with another party to deliver a specified amount of an identified currency at a specified future date. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made in a different currency at the specified future date. The Company utilizes foreign currency forwards in fair value, net investment in foreign operations and non-qualifying hedging relationships.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

In exchange-traded currency futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by referenced currencies, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded currency futures are used primarily to hedge currency mismatches between assets and liabilities. The Company utilizes exchange-traded currency futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

The Company enters into currency option contracts that give it the right, but not the obligation, to sell the foreign currency amount in exchange for a functional currency amount within a limited time at a contracted price. The contracts may also be net settled in cash, based on differentials in the foreign exchange rate and the strike price. The Company uses currency options to hedge against the foreign currency exposure inherent in certain of its variable annuity products. The Company also uses currency options as an economic hedge of foreign currency exposure related to the Company’s international subsidiaries. The Company utilizes currency options in net investment in foreign operations and non-qualifying hedging relationships.

The Company uses certain of its foreign currency denominated funding agreements to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. Such contracts are included in non-derivative hedging instruments.

Certain credit default swaps are used by the Company to hedge against credit-related changes in the value of its investments. In a credit default swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party, at specified intervals, to pay a premium to hedge credit risk. If a credit event, as defined by the contract, occurs, the contract may be cash settled or it may be settled gross by the delivery of par quantities of the referenced investment equal to the specified swap notional in exchange for the payment of cash amounts by the counterparty equal to the par value of the investment surrendered. The Company utilizes credit default swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Credit default swaps are also used to synthetically create credit investments that are either more expensive to acquire or otherwise unavailable in the cash markets. These transactions are a combination of a derivative and one or more cash instruments such as U.S. Treasury securities, agency securities or other fixed maturity securities. The Company also enters into certain credit default swaps held in relation to trading portfolios for the purpose of generating profits on short-term differences in price. These credit default swaps are not designated as hedging instruments.

The Company enters into forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of certain securities. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for the contract is made at a specified future date. When the primary purpose of entering into these transactions is to hedge against the risk of changes in purchase price due to changes in credit spreads, the Company designates these as credit forwards. The Company utilizes credit forwards in cash flow hedging relationships.

In exchange-traded equity futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by the different classes of equity securities, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded equity futures are used primarily to hedge liabilities embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded equity futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Equity index options are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. To hedge against adverse changes in equity indices, the

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Company enters into contracts to sell the equity index within a limited time at a contracted price. The contracts will be net settled in cash based on differentials in the indices at the time of exercise and the strike price. Certain of these contracts may also contain settlement provisions linked to interest rates. In certain instances, the Company may enter into a combination of transactions to hedge adverse changes in equity indices within a pre-determined range through the purchase and sale of options. Equity index options are included in equity options in the preceding table. The Company utilizes equity index options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Equity variance swaps are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. In an equity variance swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange amounts in the future, based on changes in equity volatility over a defined period. Equity variance swaps are included in variance swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes equity variance swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

TRRs are swaps whereby the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the economic risk and reward of an asset or a market index and the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount. No cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract. Cash is paid and received over the life of the contract based on the terms of the swap. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by the counterparty at each due date. The Company uses TRRs to hedge its equity market guarantees in certain of its insurance products. TRRs can be used as hedges or to synthetically create investments. The Company utilizes TRRs in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Hedging

The following table presents the gross notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments by type of hedge designation at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

   Notional
Amount
     Estimated Fair Value      Notional
Amount
     Estimated Fair Value  
      Assets      Liabilities         Assets      Liabilities  
     (In millions)  

Fair value hedges:

                 

Foreign currency swaps

   $ 3,125      $ 274      $ 104      $ 3,220      $ 500      $ 98  

Foreign currency forwards

     1,630        29                1,830        2        10  

Interest rate swaps

     5,163        2,056        93        4,580        1,884        92  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     9,918        2,359        197        9,630        2,386        200  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges:

                 

Foreign currency swaps

     6,506        423        273        6,370        352        306  

Interest rate swaps

     3,927        1,053                3,230        947          

Interest rate forwards

     1,295        197        12        965        210          

Credit forwards

                             20        4          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     11,728        1,673        285        10,585        1,513        306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign operations hedges:

                 

Foreign currency forwards

     2,034        36        16        1,689        53        12  

Currency options

     2,150        1        22                          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     4,184        37        38        1,689        53        12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total qualifying hedges

   $ 25,830      $ 4,069      $ 520      $ 21,904      $ 3,952      $ 518  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents the gross notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives that were not designated or do not qualify as hedging instruments by derivative type at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Derivatives Not Designated or Not

Qualifying as Hedging Instruments

   Notional
Amount
     Estimated Fair Value      Notional
Amount
     Estimated Fair Value  
      Assets      Liabilities         Assets      Liabilities  
     (In millions)  

Interest rate swaps

   $ 86,665      $ 6,080      $ 2,221      $ 71,923      $ 5,410      $ 2,107  

Interest rate floors

     23,866        1,291        172        23,866        1,246        165  

Interest rate caps

     46,045        54                49,665        102          

Interest rate futures

     14,350        16        51        14,965        25        19  

Interest rate options

     16,002        927        5        16,988        896        6  

Interest rate forwards

     82                        13,068        76        91  

Synthetic GICs

     4,506                        4,454                  

Foreign currency swaps

     7,210        287        635        6,871        320        656  

Foreign currency forwards

     5,573        140        35        6,630        145        38  

Currency futures

     934        2        1        633                  

Currency options

     401        2                1,321        6          

Credit default swaps

     13,803        168        80        13,136        326        113  

Equity futures

     7,682        1        236        7,053        26        10  

Equity options

     20,315        3,315        209        17,099        3,263        179  

Variance swaps

     19,833        216        144        18,801        397        75  

TRRs

     2,007        34        44        1,644        10        34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-designated or non-qualifying derivatives

   $ 269,274      $ 12,533      $ 3,833      $ 268,117      $ 12,248      $ 3,493  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Derivative Gains (Losses)

The components of net derivative gains (losses) were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Derivatives and hedging gains (losses) (1)

   $ 3,470     $ 746     $ (332   $ (512

Embedded derivatives

     (1,378     (394     446       549  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net derivative gains (losses)

   $ 2,092     $ 352     $ 114     $ 37  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items in cash flow and non-qualifying hedging relationships, which are not presented elsewhere in this note.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents earned income on derivatives for the:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Qualifying hedges:

        

Net investment income

   $ 31     $ 20     $ 55     $ 42  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     38       57       83       118  

Other expenses

     (1            (2     (1

Non-qualifying hedges:

        

Net investment income

     (2     (3     (3     (4

Other revenues

     15       18       33       33  

Net derivative gains (losses)

     240       32       229       5  

Policyholder benefits and claims

     52       (2     (10       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 373     $ 122     $ 385     $ 193  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair Value Hedges

The Company designates and accounts for the following as fair value hedges when they have met the requirements of fair value hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate investments to floating rate investments; (ii) interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate liabilities to floating rate liabilities; (iii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated investments and liabilities; and (iv) foreign currency forwards to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated fixed rate investments.

 

51


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The Company recognizes gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges within net derivative gains (losses). The following table presents the amount of such net derivative gains (losses):

 

Derivatives in Fair Value

Hedging Relationships

 

Hedged Items in Fair Value

Hedging Relationships

  Net Derivative
Gains  (Losses)
Recognized
for Derivatives
    Net Derivative
Gains  (Losses)
Recognized for
Hedged Items
    Ineffectiveness
Recognized  in
Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 
        (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

     

Interest rate swaps:

 

Fixed maturity securities

  $ (10   $ 9     $ (1
  PABs (1)     414       (406     8  

Foreign currency swaps:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     (1     1         
  Foreign-denominated PABs (2)     (133     124       (9

Foreign currency forwards:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     51       (50     1  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 321     $ (322   $ (1
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

     

Interest rate swaps:

  Fixed maturity securities   $ (16   $ 15     $ (1
  PABs (1)     157       (150     7  

Foreign currency swaps:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities                     
  Foreign-denominated PABs (2)     158       (155     3  

Foreign currency forwards:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities                     
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 299     $ (290   $ 9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

     

Interest rate swaps:

  Fixed maturity securities   $ (4   $ 3     $ (1
  PABs (1)     114       (105     9  

Foreign currency swaps:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     1       (1       
  Foreign-denominated PABs (2)     (76     61       (15

Foreign currency forwards:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     (7     6       (1
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 28     $ (36   $ (8
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

     

Interest rate swaps:

  Fixed maturity securities   $ (5   $ 5     $   
  PABs (1)     43       (34     9  

Foreign currency swaps:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     (1     1         
  Foreign-denominated PABs (2)     235       (242     (7

Foreign currency forwards:

  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities                     
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 272     $ (270   $ 2  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Fixed rate liabilities.

 

(2)

Fixed rate or floating rate liabilities.

 

52


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

For the Company’s foreign currency forwards, the change in the fair value of the derivative related to the changes in the difference between the spot price and the forward price is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. For all other derivatives, all components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. For both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, insignificant amounts of the change in fair value of derivatives were excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, respectively. For both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, no component of the change in fair value of derivatives was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company designates and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges when they have met the requirements of cash flow hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate investments to fixed rate investments; (ii) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate liabilities to fixed rate liabilities; (iii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency cash flow exposure of foreign currency denominated investments and liabilities; (iv) interest rate forwards and credit forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of investments; (v) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge the forecasted purchases of fixed-rate investments; and (vi) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge forecasted fixed-rate borrowings.

In certain instances, the Company discontinued cash flow hedge accounting because the forecasted transactions did not occur on the anticipated date, within two months of that date, or were no longer probable of occurring. The net amounts reclassified into net derivative gains (losses) related to such discontinued cash flow hedges were $1 million and $4 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and ($1) million and ($14) million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the maximum length of time over which the Company was hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions did not exceed nine years.

The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax, related to cash flow hedges:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at beginning of period

   $ 1,019      $ (237   $ 1,514     $ (59

Gains (losses) deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) on the effective portion of cash flow hedges

     805        82       320       (103

Amounts reclassified to net derivative gains (losses)

     8        (12     (4     (8

Amounts reclassified to net investment income

                           1  

Amounts reclassified to other expenses

             2       2       4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at end of period

   $ 1,832      $ (165   $ 1,832     $ (165
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At June 30, 2012, $25 million of deferred net gains (losses) on derivatives in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

 

53


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and the interim condensed consolidated statements of equity:

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow

Hedging Relationships

  Amount of  Gains
(Losses) Deferred in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
on Derivatives
    Amount and Location
of Gains (Losses)
Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss) into Income (Loss)
    Amount and Location
of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in
Income (Loss)
on Derivatives
 
    (Effective Portion)     (Effective Portion)     (Ineffective Portion  and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
 
          Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
    Net  Investment
Income
    Other
Expenses
    Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 
    (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

         

Interest rate swaps

  $ 491     $ (2   $      $ (1   $ (4

Foreign currency swaps

    214       (6     (2     1       2  

Interest rate forwards

    100              1              (1

Credit forwards

                  1                
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 805     $ (8   $      $      $ (3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

         

Interest rate swaps

  $ 80     $ 1     $ 1     $ (2   $ 2  

Foreign currency swaps

    (36     (11     (1            (1

Interest rate forwards

    33       22                     (13

Credit forwards

    5                              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 82     $ 12     $      $ (2   $ (12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

         

Interest rate swaps

  $ 198     $ (1   $ 1     $ (3   $   

Foreign currency swaps

    110       5       (3     1       1  

Interest rate forwards

    12              1                

Credit forwards

                  1                
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 320     $ 4     $      $ (2   $ 1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

         

Interest rate swaps

  $ 17     $ 1     $ 1     $ (4   $ 2  

Foreign currency swaps

    (140     (15     (3     1       (2

Interest rate forwards

    18       22       1       (1     (11

Credit forwards

    2                              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ (103   $ 8     $ (1   $ (4   $ (11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations

The Company uses foreign exchange contracts, which may include forwards and options, to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The Company measures ineffectiveness on these contracts based upon the change in forward rates. In addition, the Company may also use non-derivative financial instruments to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The Company measures ineffectiveness on non-derivative financial instruments based upon the change in spot rates.

 

54


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

When net investments in foreign operations are sold or substantially liquidated, the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations, while a pro rata portion will be reclassified upon partial sale of the net investments in foreign operations.

The following table presents the effects of derivatives and non-derivative financial instruments in net investment hedging relationships in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and the interim condensed consolidated statements of equity:

 

Derivatives and Non-Derivative Hedging Instruments in Net

Investment Hedging Relationships (1), (2)

   Amount of Gains  (Losses)
Deferred in Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Effective Portion)
 
     (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

  

Foreign currency forwards

   $ 42  

Foreign currency options

     (25

Non-derivative hedging instruments

       
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 17  
  

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

  

Foreign currency forwards

   $ (57

Foreign currency options

       

Non-derivative hedging instruments

       
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (57
  

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

  

Foreign currency forwards

   $ (10

Foreign currency options

     (24

Non-derivative hedging instruments

       
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (34
  

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

  

Foreign currency forwards

   $ (113

Foreign currency options

       

Non-derivative hedging instruments

     6  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (107
  

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no sales or substantial liquidations of net investments in foreign operations that would have required the reclassification of gains or losses from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings during the periods presented. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company sold its interest in MSI MetLife, which was a hedged item in a net investment hedging relationship. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

 

(2)

There was no ineffectiveness recognized for the Company’s hedges of net investments in foreign operations. All components of each derivative and non-derivative hedging instrument’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

 

55


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to hedges of net investments in foreign operations was ($118) million and ($84) million, respectively.

Non-Qualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging

The Company enters into the following derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting or for purposes other than hedging: (i) interest rate swaps, implied volatility swaps, caps and floors and interest rate futures to economically hedge its exposure to interest rates; (ii) foreign currency forwards, swaps, option contracts and future contracts to economically hedge its exposure to adverse movements in exchange rates; (iii) credit default swaps to economically hedge exposure to adverse movements in credit; (iv) equity futures, equity index options, interest rate futures, TRRs and equity variance swaps to economically hedge liabilities embedded in certain variable annuity products; (v) interest rate forwards to buy and sell securities to economically hedge its exposure to interest rates; (vi) credit default swaps, TRRs and structured interest rate swaps to synthetically create investments; (vii) basis swaps to better match the cash flows of assets and related liabilities; (viii) credit default swaps held in relation to trading portfolios; (ix) swaptions to hedge interest rate risk; (x) inflation swaps to reduce risk generated from inflation-indexed liabilities; (xi) covered call options for income generation; (xii) interest rate lock commitments; (xiii) synthetic GICs; and (xiv) equity options to economically hedge certain invested assets against adverse changes in equity indices.

 

56


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following tables present the amount and location of gains (losses) recognized in income for derivatives that were not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments:

 

     Net
Derivative
Gains (Losses)
    Net
Investment
Income (1)
    Policyholder
Benefits and
Claims (2)
    Other
Revenues (3)
 
     (In millions)  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

        

Interest rate swaps

   $ 1,288     $      $      $ 129  

Interest rate floors

     219                       

Interest rate caps

     (51                     

Interest rate futures

     242                     (2

Equity futures

     135       (9     42         

Foreign currency swaps

     106                       

Foreign currency forwards

     210                       

Currency futures

     18                       

Currency options

     (14                     

Equity options

     555       (6     12         

Interest rate options

     471                       

Interest rate forwards

     8                     (8

Variance swaps

     77              (4       

Credit default swaps

     (36     2                

TRRs

     25                       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,253     $ (13   $ 50     $ 119  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Interest rate swaps

   $ 644     $ (1   $      $ 72  

Interest rate floors

     107                       

Interest rate caps

     (73                     

Interest rate futures

     (47                   (4

Equity futures

     1       10       (6       

Foreign currency swaps

     (71                     

Foreign currency forwards

     29                       

Currency futures

                            

Currency options

     (13                     

Equity options

     52       (4              

Interest rate options

     13                     6  

Interest rate forwards

                          (31

Variance swaps

     (14                     

Credit default swaps

     31       (1              

TRRs

     1                       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 660     $ 4     $ (6   $ 43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

57


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

     Net
Derivative
Gains (Losses)
    Net
Investment
Income (1)
    Policyholder
Benefits and
Claims (2)
    Other
Revenues (3)
 
     (In millions)  

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

        

Interest rate swaps

   $ 489     $      $      $ 81  

Interest rate floors

     39                       

Interest rate caps

     (62                     

Interest rate futures

     121                     (2

Equity futures

     (511            (206       

Foreign currency swaps

     23                       

Foreign currency forwards

     (30                     

Currency futures

     (11                     

Currency options

     (4                     

Equity options

     (387     (8     (19       

Interest rate options

     113                       

Interest rate forwards

     18                     (74

Variance swaps

     (259            12         

Credit default swaps

     (120     (7              

TRRs

     11                       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (570   $ (15   $ (213   $ 5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

        

Interest rate swaps

   $ 374     $ (2   $      $ 24  

Interest rate floors

     (18                     

Interest rate caps

     (82                     

Interest rate futures

     (49     1              (4

Equity futures

     55       3       (108       

Foreign currency swaps

     (192                     

Foreign currency forwards

     (140     (9              

Currency futures

     9                       

Currency options

     (45                     

Equity options

     (367     (11              

Interest rate options

     (14                   (3

Interest rate forwards

                          (39

Variance swaps

     (91     (3              

Credit default swaps

     (14     (1              

TRRs

     (1                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (575   $ (22   $ (108   $ (22
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures; changes in estimated fair value related to derivatives held in relation to trading portfolios; and changes in estimated fair value related to derivatives held within contractholder-directed unit-linked investments.

 

(2)

Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits.

 

(3)

Changes in estimated fair value related to derivatives held in connection with the Company’s mortgage banking activities.

 

58


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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Credit Derivatives

In connection with synthetically created credit investment transactions and credit default swaps held in relation to the trading portfolio, the Company writes credit default swaps for which it receives a premium to insure credit risk. Such credit derivatives are included within the non-qualifying derivatives and derivatives for purposes other than hedging table. If a credit event occurs, as defined by the contract, the contract may be cash settled or it may be settled gross by the Company paying the counterparty the specified swap notional amount in exchange for the delivery of par quantities of the referenced credit obligation. The Company’s maximum amount at risk, assuming the value of all referenced credit obligations is zero, was $8.8 billion and $7.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company can terminate these contracts at any time through cash settlement with the counterparty at an amount equal to the then current fair value of the credit default swaps. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company would have paid $14 million and $41 million, respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.

The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at:

 

    June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Rating Agency Designation of Referenced

Credit Obligations (1)

  Estimated
Fair Value
of Credit
Default
Swaps
    Maximum
Amount
of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps (2)
    Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (3)
    Estimated
Fair Value
of Credit
Default
Swaps
    Maximum
Amount

of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps (2)
    Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (3)
 
    (In millions)           (In millions)        

Aaa/Aa/A

           

Single name credit default swaps (corporate)

  $ 6     $ 727       3.1     $ 5     $ 737       3.5  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

    24       2,813       2.5       (1     2,813       3.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subtotal

    30       3,540       2.6       4       3,550       3.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Baa

           

Single name credit default swaps (corporate)

    (14     1,479       3.8       (17     1,234       4.0  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

    (21     3,455       5.0       (26     2,847       4.9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subtotal

    (35     4,934       4.7       (43     4,081       4.6  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Ba

           

Single name credit default swaps (corporate)

           25       3.0              25       3.5  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

                                         
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subtotal

           25       3.0              25       3.5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

B

           

Single name credit default swaps (corporate)

                                         

Credit default swaps referencing indices

    (9     273       5.0       (2     25       4.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subtotal

    (9     273       5.0       (2     25       4.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ (14   $ 8,772       3.9     $ (41   $ 7,681       3.9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

(1)

The rating agency designations are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.

 

(2)

Assumes the value of the referenced credit obligations is zero.

 

(3)

The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average notional amounts.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The Company has also entered into credit default swaps to purchase credit protection on certain of the referenced credit obligations in the table above. As a result, the maximum amounts of potential future recoveries available to offset the $8.8 billion and $7.7 billion from the table above were $189 million and $115 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Written credit default swaps held in relation to the trading portfolio amounted to $30 million and $10 million in notional and $0 and ($1) million in fair value at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives

The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. Generally, the current credit exposure of the Company’s derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received pursuant to credit support annexes.

The Company manages its credit risk related to OTC derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties, maintaining collateral arrangements and through the use of master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty to another at each due date and upon termination. Because exchange-traded futures and options are effected through regulated exchanges, and positions are marked to market on a daily basis, the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to such derivative instruments. See Note 5 for a description of the impact of credit risk on the valuation of derivative instruments.

The Company enters into various collateral arrangements which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral in connection with its OTC derivative instruments. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was obligated to return cash collateral under its control of $10.8 billion and $9.5 billion, respectively. This cash collateral is included in cash and cash equivalents or in short-term investments and the obligation to return it is included in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions in the consolidated balance sheets. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had received collateral consisting of various securities with a fair market value of $3.0 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, which were held in separate custodial accounts. Subject to certain constraints, the Company is permitted by contract to sell or repledge this collateral, but at June 30, 2012, none of the collateral had been sold or repledged.

The Company’s collateral arrangements for its OTC derivatives generally require the counterparty in a net liability position, after considering the effect of netting agreements, to pledge collateral when the fair value of that counterparty’s derivatives reaches a pre-determined threshold. Certain of these arrangements also include credit-contingent provisions that provide for a reduction of these thresholds (on a sliding scale that converges toward zero) in the event of downgrades in the credit ratings of the Company and/or the counterparty. In addition, certain of the Company’s netting agreements for derivative instruments contain provisions that require both the Company and the counterparty to maintain a specific investment grade credit rating from each of Moody’s and S&P. If a party’s credit ratings were to fall below that specific investment grade credit rating, that party would be in violation of these provisions, and the other party to the derivative instruments could terminate the transactions and demand immediate settlement and payment based on such party’s reasonable valuation of the derivative instruments.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC derivatives that are in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements, together with the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the collateral pledged. The table also presents the incremental collateral that the Company would be required to provide if there was a one notch downgrade in the Company’s credit rating at the reporting date or if the Company’s credit rating sustained a downgrade to a level that triggered full overnight collateralization or termination of the derivative position at the reporting date. Derivatives that are not subject to collateral agreements are not included in the scope of this table.

 

    Estimated
Fair Value of
Derivatives in Net
Liability  Position (1)
    Estimated Fair Value of
Collateral Provided:
    Fair Value of Incremental
Collateral Provided Upon:
 
    Fixed Maturity
Securities (2)
    Cash (3)     One Notch
Downgrade
in the
Company’s
Credit
Rating
    Downgrade in the
Company’s Credit Rating
to a Level  that Triggers
Full Overnight
Collateralization or
Termination of
the Derivative Position
 
    (In millions)  

June 30, 2012:

         

Derivatives subject to credit-contingent provisions

  $ 538     $ 396     $ 4     $ 52     $ 131  

Derivatives not subject to
credit-contingent provisions

    6                              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 544     $ 396     $ 4     $ 52     $ 131  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

         

Derivatives subject to credit-contingent provisions

  $ 447     $ 405     $ 4     $ 48     $ 104  

Derivatives not subject to credit-contingent provisions

    28       11       4                
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 475     $ 416     $ 8     $ 48     $ 104  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

After taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.

 

(2)

Included in fixed maturity securities in the consolidated balance sheets. Subject to certain constraints, the counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or repledge this collateral.

 

(3)

Included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets.

Without considering the effect of netting agreements, the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC derivatives with credit-contingent provisions that were in a gross liability position at June 30, 2012 was $828 million. At June 30, 2012, the Company provided collateral of $400 million in connection with these derivatives. In the unlikely event that both: (i) the Company’s credit rating was downgraded to a level that triggers full overnight collateralization or termination of all derivative positions; and (ii) the Company’s netting agreements were deemed to be legally unenforceable, then the additional collateral that the Company would be required to provide to its counterparties in connection with its derivatives in a gross liability position at June 30, 2012 would be $428 million. This amount does not consider gross derivative assets of $290 million for which the Company has the contractual right of offset.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The Company also has exchange-traded futures and options, which require the pledging of collateral. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company pledged securities collateral for exchange-traded futures and options of $40 million and $42 million, respectively, which is included in fixed maturity securities. Subject to certain constraints, the counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or repledge this collateral. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company provided cash collateral for exchange-traded futures and options of $642 million and $680 million, respectively, which is included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables.

Embedded Derivatives

The Company issues certain products or purchases certain investments that contain embedded derivatives that are required to be separated from their host contracts and accounted for as freestanding derivatives. These host contracts principally include: variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits, including guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWBs”), guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMABs”) and certain GMIBs; ceded reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMABs and certain GMIBs; assumed reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMWBs and GMABs; funding agreements with equity or bond indexed crediting rates; funds withheld on assumed and ceded reinsurance; and options embedded in debt or equity securities.

The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s embedded derivatives at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts:

    

Ceded guaranteed minimum benefits

   $ 372     $ 327  

Funds withheld on assumed reinsurance

     39       35  

Options embedded in debt or equity securities

     (103     (70

Other

     1       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts

   $ 309     $ 293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:

    

Direct guaranteed minimum benefits

   $ 1,687     $ 2,104  

Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance

     126       122  

Assumed guaranteed minimum benefits

     2,560       2,340  

Other

     18       18  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts

   $ 4,391     $ 4,584  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents changes in estimated fair value related to embedded derivatives:

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
    Six Months
Ended

June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Net derivative gains (losses) (1)

   $ (1,378   $ (394   $ 446     $ 549  

Policyholder benefits and claims

   $ 42     $ 10     $ (5   $ (8

 

 

(1)

The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The amounts included in net derivative gains (losses), in connection with this adjustment, were $608 million and ($636) million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $108 million and $34 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

5. Fair Value

Considerable judgment is often required in interpreting market data to develop estimates of fair value, and the use of different assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis, including those items for which the Company has elected the FVO, were determined as described below. These estimated fair values and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using      Total
Estimated
Fair

Value
 
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
    
     (In millions)  

Assets:

           

Fixed maturity securities:

           

U.S. corporate securities

   $       $ 102,979      $ 7,394      $ 110,373  

Foreign corporate securities

             58,532        4,813        63,345  

Foreign government securities

             53,807        2,386        56,193  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     24,916        22,851        74        47,841  

RMBS

             38,701        2,363        41,064  

CMBS

             17,979        1,038        19,017  

State and political subdivision securities

             14,538        76        14,614  

ABS

             11,212        2,680        13,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

     24,916        320,599        20,824        366,339  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities:

           

Common stock

     820        992        282        2,094  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

             356        432        788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     820        1,348        714        2,882  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trading and other securities:

           

Actively Traded Securities

             522        13        535  

FVO general account securities

             238        26        264  

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments

     8,372        7,991        1,096        17,459  

FVO securities held by CSEs

             70                70  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total trading and other securities

     8,372        8,821        1,135        18,328  

Short-term investments (1)

     11,418        5,557        717        17,692  

Mortgage loans:

           

Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs

             2,932                2,932  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale (2), (3)

             250        211        461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans

             3,182        211        3,393  

Other invested assets:

           

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”)

                     564        564  

Other investments

     286        127                413  

Derivative assets: (4)

           

Interest rate contracts

     16        11,394        264        11,674  

Foreign currency contracts

     2        1,139        53        1,194  

Credit contracts

             136        32        168  

Equity market contracts

     1        2,846        719        3,566  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets

     19        15,515        1,068        16,602  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other invested assets

     305        15,642        1,632        17,579  

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (5)

             1        411        412  

Separate account assets (6)

     30,963        187,909        1,445        220,317  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 76,794      $ 543,059      $ 27,089      $ 646,942  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivative liabilities: (4)

           

Interest rate contracts

   $ 52      $ 2,466      $ 36      $ 2,554  

Foreign currency contracts

     1        1,072        13        1,086  

Credit contracts

             72        8        80  

Equity market contracts

     236        253        144        633  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative liabilities

     289        3,863        201        4,353  

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (5)

             19        4,372        4,391  

Long-term debt of CSEs

             2,740        81        2,821  

Liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans (3), (7)

             159        98        257  

Trading liabilities (7)

     140                        140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 429      $ 6,781      $ 4,752      $ 11,962  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

63


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    December 31, 2011  
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using     Total
Estimated
Fair

Value
 
    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   
    (In millions)  

Assets:

       

Fixed maturity securities:

       

U.S. corporate securities

  $      $ 99,001     $ 6,784     $ 105,785  

Foreign corporate securities

           59,648       4,370       64,018  

Foreign government securities

    76       50,138       2,322       52,536  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

    19,911       20,070       31       40,012  

RMBS

           41,035       1,602       42,637  

CMBS

           18,316       753       19,069  

State and political subdivision securities

           13,182       53       13,235  

ABS

           11,129       1,850       12,979  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

    19,987       312,519       17,765       350,271  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity securities:

       

Common stock

    819       1,105       281       2,205  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

           380       438       818  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

    819       1,485       719       3,023  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trading and other securities:

       

Actively Traded Securities

           473              473  

FVO general account securities

           244       23       267  

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments

    7,572       8,453       1,386       17,411  

FVO securities held by CSEs

           117              117  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total trading and other securities

    7,572       9,287       1,409       18,268  

Short-term investments (1)

    8,150       8,120       590       16,860  

Mortgage loans:

       

Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs

           3,138              3,138  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale (2)

           9,302       1,414       10,716  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans

           12,440       1,414       13,854  

Other invested assets:

       

MSRs

                  666       666  

Other investments

    312       124              436  

Derivative assets: (4)

       

Interest rate contracts

    32       10,426       338       10,796  

Foreign currency contracts

    1       1,316       61       1,378  

Credit contracts

           301       29       330  

Equity market contracts

    29       2,703       964       3,696  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets

    62       14,746       1,392       16,200  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other invested assets

    374       14,870       2,058       17,302  

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (5)

           1       362       363  

Separate account assets (6)

    28,191       173,507       1,325       203,023  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 65,093     $ 532,229     $ 25,642     $ 622,964  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Derivative liabilities: (4)

       

Interest rate contracts

  $ 91     $ 2,351     $ 38     $ 2,480  

Foreign currency contracts

           1,103       17       1,120  

Credit contracts

           85       28       113  

Equity market contracts

    12       211       75       298  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative liabilities

    103       3,750       158       4,011  

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (5)

           19       4,565       4,584  

Long-term debt of CSEs

           2,952       116       3,068  

Liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans (7)

           6,451       1,175       7,626  

Trading liabilities (7)

    124       3              127  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $ 227     $ 13,175     $ 6,014     $ 19,416  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

64


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

 

 

(1)

Short-term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because certain short-term investments are not measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis.

 

(2)

Mortgage loans held-for-sale are comprised of securitized reverse residential mortgage loans and other mortgage loans held-for-sale. The amounts in the preceding tables differ from the amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets as these tables do not include mortgage loans that are stated at lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value.

 

(3)

In connection with the pending dispositions of certain operations of MetLife Bank, the Company is exiting the businesses of originating forward and reverse residential mortgage loans. Additionally, as a result of the sale of the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights, the Company de-recognized the majority of the securitized reverse residential mortgage loans and corresponding liabilities presented in the table above and related fair value disclosures. See Note 2.

 

(4)

Derivative liabilities are presented within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation in the consolidated balance sheets, but are presented net for purposes of the rollforward in the Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) tables.

 

(5)

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts are presented primarily within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets. Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts are presented primarily within PABs in the consolidated balance sheets. At June 30, 2012, fixed maturity securities and equity securities also included embedded derivatives of $0 and ($103) million, respectively. At December 31, 2011, fixed maturity securities and equity securities included embedded derivatives of $2 million and ($72) million, respectively.

 

(6)

Separate account assets are measured at estimated fair value. Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders whose liability is reflected within separate account liabilities. Separate account liabilities are set equal to the estimated fair value of separate account assets.

 

(7)

The liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans and trading liabilities are presented within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Investments

On behalf of the Company’s chief investment officer and chief financial officer, a pricing and valuation committee that is independent of the trading and investing functions and comprised of senior management, provides oversight of control systems and valuation policies for securities, mortgage loans and derivatives. On a monthly basis, this committee reviews and approves new transaction types and markets, ensures that observable market prices and market-based parameters are used for valuation, wherever possible, determines that judgmental valuation adjustments, when applied, are based upon established policies and are applied consistently over time and provides oversight of the selection of independent third party pricing providers and the controls and procedures to evaluate third party pricing. Periodically, the chief accounting officer reports to the Audit Committee of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors regarding compliance with fair value accounting standards.

The Company reviews its valuation methodologies on an ongoing basis and revises those methodologies when necessary based on changing market conditions. Assurance is gained on the overall reasonableness and consistent application of input assumptions, valuation methodologies and compliance with fair value accounting

 

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standards through controls designed to ensure valuations represent an exit price. Several controls are utilized, including certain monthly controls, which include, but are not limited to, analysis of portfolio returns to corresponding benchmark returns, comparing a sample of executed prices of securities sold to the fair value estimates, comparing fair value estimates to management’s knowledge of the current market, reviewing the bid/ask spreads to assess activity, comparing prices from multiple independent pricing services and ongoing due diligence to confirm that independent pricing services use market-based parameters. The process includes a determination of the observability of inputs used in estimated fair values received from independent pricing services or brokers by assessing whether these inputs can be corroborated by observable market data. The Company ensures that prices received from independent brokers, also referred to herein as “consensus pricing,” represent a reasonable estimate of fair value by reviewing such pricing with the Company’s knowledge of the current market dynamics and current pricing for similar financial instruments. While independent non-binding broker quotations are utilized, they are not used for a significant portion of the portfolio. For example, fixed maturity securities priced using independent non-binding broker quotations represent less than 0.4% of the total estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities and represent only 5% of the total estimated fair value of Level 3 fixed maturity securities.

The Company also applies a formal process to challenge any prices received from independent pricing services that are not considered representative of estimated fair value. If prices received from independent pricing services are not considered reflective of market activity or representative of estimated fair value, independent non-binding broker quotations are obtained, or an internally developed valuation is prepared. Internally developed valuations of current estimated fair value, which reflect internal estimates of liquidity and nonperformance risks, compared with pricing received from the independent pricing services, did not produce material differences in the estimated fair values for the majority of the portfolio; accordingly, overrides have not been material. This is, in part, because internal estimates of liquidity and nonperformance risks are generally based on available market evidence and estimates used by other market participants. In the absence of such market-based evidence, management’s best estimate is used.

Securities, Short-term Investments, Other Investments, Long-term Debt of CSEs and Trading Liabilities

When available, the estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, equity securities, trading and other securities and short-term investments are based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. Generally, these are the most liquid of the Company’s securities holdings and valuation of these securities does not involve management’s judgment.

When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies, giving priority to observable inputs. The significant inputs to the market standard valuation methodologies for certain types of securities with reasonable levels of price transparency are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. When observable inputs are not available, the market standard valuation methodologies for determining the estimated fair value of certain types of securities that trade infrequently, and therefore have little or no price transparency, rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. These unobservable inputs can be based in large part on management’s judgment or estimation and cannot be supported by reference to market activity. Even though these inputs are unobservable, management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities and are considered appropriate given the circumstances.

The estimated fair value of FVO securities held by CSEs, other investments, long-term debt of CSEs and trading liabilities is determined on a basis consistent with the methodologies described herein for securities.

 

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The Company consolidates certain securitization entities that hold securities that have been accounted for under the FVO and classified within trading and other securities.

The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s securities holdings.

Level 2 Measurements:

This level includes fixed maturity securities and equity securities priced principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs. Trading and other securities, short-term investments and other investments within this level are of a similar nature and class to the Level 2 fixed maturity securities and equity securities described below. Contractholder-directed unit-linked investments reported within trading and other securities include mutual fund interests without readily determinable fair values given prices are not published publicly. Valuation of these mutual funds is based upon quoted prices or reported net asset values (“NAVs”) provided by the fund managers, which were based on observable inputs.

U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities

These securities are principally valued using the market and income approaches. Valuations are based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active, or using matrix pricing or other similar techniques that use standard market observable inputs such as benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, new issuances, issuer rating, duration, and trades of identical or comparable securities. Investment grade privately placed securities are valued using discounted cash flow (“DCF”) methodologies using standard market observable inputs, and inputs derived from, or corroborated by, market observable data including market yield curve, duration, call provisions, observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer. This level also includes certain below investment grade privately placed fixed maturity securities priced by independent pricing services that use observable inputs.

Structured securities comprised of RMBS, CMBS and ABS

These securities are principally valued using the market approach and income approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing, DCF methodologies or other similar techniques using standard market inputs including spreads for actively traded securities, spreads off benchmark yields, expected prepayment speeds and volumes, current and forecasted loss severity, rating, weighted average coupon, weighted average maturity, average delinquency rates, geographic region, debt-service coverage ratios and issuance-specific information including, but not limited to: collateral type, payment terms of the underlying assets, payment priority within the tranche, structure of the security, deal performance and vintage of loans.

Foreign government and state and political subdivision securities

These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques using standard market observable inputs including benchmark U.S. Treasury yield or other yields, issuer ratings, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads and reported trades of similar securities, including those within the same sub-sector or with a similar maturity or credit rating.

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active or using matrix pricing or other similar techniques using

 

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standard market observable inputs such as benchmark U.S. Treasury yield curve, the spread off the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the identical security and comparable securities that are actively traded.

Common and non-redeemable preferred stock

These securities are principally valued using the market approach where market quotes are available but are not considered actively traded. Valuation is based principally on observable inputs including quoted prices in markets that are not considered active.

Level 3 Measurements:

In general, fixed maturity securities and equity securities classified within Level 3 use many of the same valuation techniques and inputs as described in Level 2 Measurements. However, if key inputs are unobservable, or if the investments are less liquid and there is very limited trading activity, the investments are generally classified as Level 3. The use of independent non-binding broker quotations to value investments generally indicates there is a lack of liquidity or a lack of transparency in the process to develop the valuation estimates generally causing these investments to be classified in Level 3.

Trading and other securities and short-term investments within this level are of a similar nature and class to the Level 3 securities described below; accordingly, the valuation techniques and significant market standard observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described below.

U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities

These securities, including financial services industry hybrid securities classified within fixed maturity securities, are principally valued using the market approach. Valuations are based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques that utilize unobservable inputs or inputs that cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data, including illiquidity premium, delta spread adjustments or spreads over below investment grade curves to reflect industry trends or specific credit-related issues; and inputs including quoted prices for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2. Certain valuations are based on independent non-binding broker quotations.

Structured securities comprised of RMBS, CMBS and ABS

These securities are principally valued using the market approach and income approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing, DCF methodologies or other similar techniques that utilize inputs that are unobservable or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data including spreads over below investment grade curves to reflect industry trends on specific credit-related issues. Below investment grade securities, alternative residential mortgage loan RMBS and RMBS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans included in this level are valued based on inputs including quoted prices for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2. Certain of these valuations are based on independent non-binding broker quotations.

Foreign government and state and political subdivision securities

These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on independent non-binding broker quotations and inputs including quoted prices for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2.

 

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Common and non-redeemable preferred stock

These securities, including privately held securities and financial services industry hybrid securities classified within equity securities, are principally valued using the market and income approaches. Valuations are based primarily on matrix pricing, DCF methodologies or other similar techniques using inputs such as comparable credit rating and issuance structure. Certain of these securities are valued based on inputs including quoted prices for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2 and independent non-binding broker quotations.

Mortgage Loans, MSRs and Liability Related to Securitized Reverse Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company has elected the FVO for commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs, residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, securitized reverse residential mortgage loans, MSRs and the liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans. Although MSRs are not financial instruments, the Company has included them in the preceding table as a result of its election to carry them at estimated fair value.

Level 2 Measurements:

Commercial Mortgage Loans Held by CSEs

These investments are principally valued using the market approach. The principal market for these investments is the securitization market. The Company uses the quoted securitization market price of the obligations of the CSEs to determine the estimated fair value of these commercial loan portfolios. These market prices are determined principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs.

Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale

Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale are principally valued using the market approach. For securitized reverse residential mortgage loans, valuation is based primarily on readily available observable pricing for securities backed by similar fixed-rate loans. For other residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, valuation is based primarily on readily available observable pricing for securities backed by similar loans. The unobservable adjustments to such prices are insignificant.

Liability Related to Securitized Reverse Residential Mortgage Loans

The estimated fair value of this liability is based on quoted prices when traded as assets in active markets or, if not available, based on market standard valuation methodologies consistent with the Company’s methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of comparable financial instruments.

Level 3 Measurements:

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale

For both securitized reverse residential mortgage loans held-for-sale and other residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, for which pricing for securities backed by similar adjustable-rate loans is not observable, the estimated fair value is determined using unobservable independent broker quotations or valuation models using significant unobservable inputs.

 

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MSRs

MSRs, which are valued using an income approach, are carried at estimated fair value and have multiple significant unobservable inputs including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs. Sales of MSRs tend to occur in private transactions where the precise terms and conditions of the sales are typically not readily available and observable market valuations are limited. As such, the Company relies primarily on a DCF model to estimate the fair value of the MSRs. The model requires inputs such as type of loan (fixed vs. variable and agency vs. other), age of loan, loan interest rates and current market interest rates that are generally observable. The model also requires the use of unobservable inputs including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs.

Liability Related to Securitized Reverse Residential Mortgage Loans

The estimated fair value of this liability is based on quoted prices when traded as assets in less active markets or, if not available, based on market standard valuation methodologies using unobservable inputs, consistent with the Company’s methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of comparable financial instruments.

Separate Account Assets

Separate account assets are carried at estimated fair value and reported as a summarized total on the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of separate account assets is based on the estimated fair value of the underlying assets. Assets within the Company’s separate accounts include: mutual funds, fixed maturity securities, equity securities, derivatives, hedge funds, other limited partnership interests, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents.

Level 2 Measurements:

These assets are comprised of investments that are similar in nature to the instruments described under “— Securities, Short-term Investments, Other Investments, Long-term Debt of CSEs and Trading Liabilities” and “— Free Standing Derivatives.” Also included are certain mutual funds and hedge funds without readily determinable fair values given prices are not published publicly. Valuation of the mutual funds and hedge funds is based upon quoted prices or reported NAVs provided by the fund managers.

Level 3 Measurements:

These assets are comprised of investments that are similar in nature to the instruments described under “— Securities, Short-term Investments, Other Investments, Long-term Debt of CSEs and Trading Liabilities” and “— Free Standing Derivatives.” Separate account assets within this level also include other limited partnership interests. Other limited partnership interests are valued giving consideration to the value of the underlying holdings of the partnerships and by applying a premium or discount, if appropriate, for factors such as liquidity, bid/ask spreads, the performance record of the fund manager or other relevant variables which may impact the exit value of the particular partnership interest.

Derivatives

The estimated fair value of derivatives is determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives and interest rate forwards to sell certain to be announced securities, or through the use of

 

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pricing models for OTC derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, nonperformance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. The valuation process for derivatives is described above in “— Investments.”

The significant inputs to the pricing models for most OTC derivatives are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant inputs that are observable generally include: interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rate curves, credit curves and volatility. However, certain OTC derivatives may rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant inputs that are unobservable generally include references to emerging market currencies and inputs that are outside the observable portion of the interest rate curve, credit curve, volatility or other relevant market measure. These unobservable inputs may involve significant management judgment or estimation. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments.

The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the estimated fair value for all OTC derivatives, and any potential credit adjustment is based on the net exposure by counterparty after taking into account the effects of netting agreements and collateral arrangements. The Company values its derivative positions using the standard swap curve which includes a spread to the risk free rate. This credit spread is appropriate for those parties that execute trades at pricing levels consistent with the standard swap curve. As the Company and its significant derivative counterparties consistently execute trades at such pricing levels, additional credit risk adjustments are not currently required in the valuation process. The Company’s ability to consistently execute at such pricing levels is in part due to the netting agreements and collateral arrangements that are in place with all of its significant derivative counterparties. An evaluation of the requirement to make additional credit risk adjustments is performed by the Company each reporting period.

Most inputs for OTC derivatives are mid-market inputs but, in certain cases, bid level inputs are used when they are deemed more representative of exit value. Market liquidity, as well as the use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs, may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s derivatives and could materially affect net income.

Freestanding Derivatives

Level 2 Measurements:

This level includes all types of derivative instruments utilized by the Company with the exception of exchange-traded derivatives and interest rate forwards to sell certain to-be-announced securities included within Level 1 and those derivative instruments with unobservable inputs as described in Level 3. These derivatives are principally valued using the income approach.

Interest rate contracts

Non-option-based. — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve and LIBOR basis curves.

 

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Option-based. — Valuations are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves and interest rate volatility.

Foreign currency contracts

Non-option-based. — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, currency spot rates and cross currency basis curves.

Option-based. — Valuations are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, currency spot rates, cross currency basis curves and currency volatility.

Credit contracts

Non-option-based. — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, credit curves and recovery rates.

Equity market contracts

Non-option-based. — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, spot equity index levels and dividend yield curves.

Option-based. — Valuations are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, spot equity index levels, dividend yield curves and equity volatility.

Level 3 Measurements:

These derivatives are principally valued using the income approach. Valuations of non-option-based derivatives utilize present value techniques, whereas valuations of option-based derivatives utilize option pricing models. These valuation methodologies generally use the same inputs as described in the corresponding sections above for Level 2 measurements of derivatives. However, these derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Interest rate contracts

Non-option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include pull through rates on interest rate lock commitments and the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and LIBOR basis curves.

Option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves and interest rate volatility.

Foreign currency contracts

Non-option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves and cross currency basis curves. Certain of these derivatives are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.

 

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Option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include currency correlation and the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, cross currency basis curves and currency volatility.

Credit contracts

Non-option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include credit spreads, repurchase rates and the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and credit curves. Certain of these derivatives are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.

Equity market contracts

Non-option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of dividend yield curves.

Option-based. — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of dividend yield curves, equity volatility and unobservable correlation between model inputs. Certain of these derivatives are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.

Embedded Derivatives

Embedded derivatives principally include certain direct, assumed and ceded variable annuity guarantees and equity or bond indexed crediting rates within certain funding agreements. Embedded derivatives are recorded at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value reported in net income.

The Company issues and assumes certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs are embedded derivatives, which are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). These embedded derivatives are classified within PABs in the consolidated balance sheets.

The fair value of these embedded derivatives, estimated as the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees using actuarial and capital market assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior, is calculated by the Company’s actuarial department. The calculation is based on in-force business, and is performed using standard actuarial valuation software which projects future cash flows from the embedded derivative over multiple risk neutral stochastic scenarios using observable risk free rates.

Capital market assumptions, such as risk free rates and implied volatilities, are based on market prices for publicly traded instruments to the extent that prices for such instruments are observable. Implied volatilities beyond the observable period are extrapolated based on observable implied volatilities and historical volatilities. Actuarial assumptions, including mortality, lapse, withdrawal and utilization, are unobservable and are reviewed at least annually based on actuarial studies of historical experience.

The valuation of these guarantee liabilities includes adjustments for nonperformance risk and for a risk margin related to non-capital market inputs. The nonperformance adjustment is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for MetLife, Inc.’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries compared to MetLife, Inc.

 

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Risk margins are established to capture the non-capital market risks of the instrument which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties of such actuarial assumptions as annuitization, premium persistency, partial withdrawal and surrenders. The establishment of risk margins requires the use of significant management judgment, including assumptions of the amount and cost of capital needed to cover the guarantees. These guarantees may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates; changes in nonperformance risk; and variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, mortality and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs, may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of the guarantees that could materially affect net income.

The Company ceded the risk associated with certain of the GMIBs and GMABs previously described. These reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives which are included within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses) or policyholder benefits and claims depending on the statement of operations classification of the direct risk. The value of the embedded derivatives on the ceded risk is determined using a methodology consistent with that described previously for the guarantees directly written by the Company with the exception of the input for nonperformance risk that reflects the credit of the reinsurer.

The estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain ceded reinsurance is determined based on the change in estimated fair value of the underlying assets held by the Company in a reference portfolio backing the funds withheld liability. The estimated fair value of the underlying assets is determined as previously described in “— Securities, Short-term Investments, Other Investments, Long-term Debt of CSEs and Trading Liabilities.” The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives is included, along with their funds withheld hosts, in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). Changes in the credit spreads on the underlying assets, interest rates and market volatility may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives that could materially affect net income.

The estimated fair value of the embedded equity and bond indexed derivatives contained in certain funding agreements is determined using market standard swap valuation models and observable market inputs, including an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives are included, along with their funding agreements host, within PABs with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). Changes in equity and bond indices, interest rates and the Company’s credit standing may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives that could materially affect net income.

Embedded Derivatives Within Asset and Liability Host Contracts

Level 3 Measurements:

Direct and Assumed Guaranteed Minimum Benefits

These embedded derivatives are principally valued using the income approach. Valuations are based on option pricing techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include swap yield curve, currency exchange rates and implied volatilities. These embedded derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant unobservable inputs generally include: the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and

 

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implied volatilities, actuarial assumptions for policyholder behavior and mortality and the potential variability in policyholder behavior and mortality, nonperformance risk and cost of capital for purposes of calculating the risk margin.

Reinsurance Ceded on Certain Guaranteed Minimum Benefits

These embedded derivatives are principally valued using the income approach. The valuation techniques and significant market standard unobservable inputs used in their valuation are similar to those described above in “— Direct and Assumed Guaranteed Minimum Benefits” and also include counterparty credit spreads.

Transfers between Levels:

Overall, transfers between levels occur when there are changes in the observability of inputs and market activity. Transfers into or out of any level are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period.

Transfers between Levels 1 and 2:

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, there were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 and $12 million of transfers from Level 1 to Level 2, which were comprised of fixed maturity securities. During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, transfers between Levels 1 and 2 were not significant. The amounts for transfers between Levels 1 and 2 relate to assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at June 30, 2012 and 2011.

Transfers into or out of Level 3:

Transfers into or out of Level 3 are presented in the tables which follow. Assets and liabilities are transferred into Level 3 when a significant input cannot be corroborated with market observable data. This occurs when market activity decreases significantly and underlying inputs cannot be observed, current prices are not available, and/or when there are significant variances in quoted prices, thereby affecting transparency. Assets and liabilities are transferred out of Level 3 when circumstances change such that a significant input can be corroborated with market observable data. This may be due to a significant increase in market activity, a specific event, or one or more significant input(s) becoming observable.

Transfers into Level 3 for fixed maturity securities and separate account assets were due primarily to a lack of trading activity, decreased liquidity and credit ratings downgrades (e.g., from investment grade to below investment grade) which have resulted in decreased transparency of valuations and an increased use of independent non-binding broker quotations and unobservable inputs to determine estimated fair value.

Transfers out of Level 3 for fixed maturity securities and separate account assets resulted primarily from increased transparency of both new issuances that subsequent to issuance and establishment of trading activity, became priced by independent pricing services and existing issuances that, over time, the Company was able to obtain pricing from, or corroborate pricing received from, independent pricing services with observable inputs or increases in market activity and upgraded credit ratings. With respect to derivatives, transfers out of Level 3 resulted primarily from increased transparency related to the observable portion of the swap yield curve or the observable portion of the equity volatility surface.

 

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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

The following table presents certain quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement for the more significant asset and liability classes measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

   

Valuation

Techniques

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

  Range     Weighted
Average
 

Fixed maturity securities:

           

U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities

  • Matrix pricing   • Delta spread adjustments (1)     (100            420       51   
    • Illiquidity premium (1)     30              30    
    • Spreads from below investment grade curves (1)     (158            1,212       356   
    • Offered quotes (2)     82              279    
  • Market pricing   • Quoted prices (2)     99              100       100   
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (2)                   675    
 

 

 

Foreign government securities

  • Market pricing   • Quoted prices (2)     100              198       149   
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (2)     (3            201    
 

 

 

RMBS

  • Matrix pricing and DCF   • Spreads from below investment grade curves (1)                   3,295       923   
  • Market pricing   • Quoted prices (2)                   100       52   
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (2)     59              110    
 

 

 

CMBS

  • Matrix pricing and DCF   • Spreads from below investment grade curves (1)                   6,460       1,066   
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (2)                   96    
 

 

 

ABS

  • Matrix pricing and DCF   • Spreads from below investment grade curves (1)                   10,469       1,217   
  • Market pricing   • Quoted prices (2)                   101       85   
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (2)                   108    
 

 

 

Derivatives:

           

Interest rate contracts

  • Present value techniques   • Swap yield (1)     174              364    
 

 

 

Foreign currency contracts

  • Present value techniques   • Swap yield (1)     202              828    
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (3)        
 

 

 

Credit contracts

  • Present value techniques   • Credit spreads (1)                   100    
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (3)        
 

 

 

Equity market contracts

  • Present value techniques   • Volatility     19            37  
  or option pricing models          
  • Consensus pricing   • Offered quotes (4)        
 

 

 

Embedded derivatives:

           

Direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits

  • Option pricing techniques   • Mortality rates:        
          Ages 0 - 40     0            0.13  
          Ages 41 - 60     0.05            0.88  
          Ages 61 – 115     0.26            100  
    • Lapse rates:        
          Durations 1 - 10     0.50            100  
          Durations 11 - 20     2            100  
          Durations 21 - 116     1.25            100  
    • Utilization rates (5)     20            50  
    • Withdrawal rates     0.07            20  
    • Long-term equity volatilities     11.40            40  
    • Nonperformance risk spread     0.35            2.80  
 

 

 

 

 

(1)

For this unobservable input, range and weighted average are presented in basis points.

 

(2)

For this unobservable input, range and weighted average are presented in accordance with the market convention for fixed maturity securities of dollars per hundred dollars of par.

 

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(3)

At June 30, 2012, excluding equity market contracts, independent non-binding broker quotations were used in the determination of less than 1% of the total net derivative estimated fair value.

 

(4)

The Company holds certain purchased equity options that are valued using models dependent on an unobservable market correlation input. This input is highly specific to the particular markets referenced by the option and is subjectively estimated by derivatives broker/dealers. The Company has elected to use independent non-binding broker quotations to value these positions, which are validated against the Company’s internal models using proprietary correlation assumptions. The correlation inputs used to validate the estimated fair values of these options provided by broker quotations range from 40% to 100%.

 

(5)

This range is attributable to certain GMIB and lifetime withdrawal benefits.

The following is a summary of the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement for other types of financial instruments classified within Level 3. These financial instruments are subject to the controls described under “— Investments.” Generally, equity securities, trading and other securities, short-term investments and securities included within separate account assets classified within Level 3 use the same valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs as previously described for fixed maturity securities. This includes matrix pricing and DCF methodologies, inputs such as quoted prices for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2, as well as independent non-binding broker quotations. Mortgage loans held-for-sale classified within Level 3 are valued using independent non-binding broker quotations and internal models such as DCF methodologies using current interest rates. MSRs, which are classified within Level 3, are valued using DCF methodologies using inputs such as discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs. The long-term debt of CSEs classified within Level 3 is valued using independent non-binding broker quotations and internal models including matrix pricing and DCF methodologies using current interest rates. The liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans, which is classified within Level 3 is valued using quoted prices. The sensitivity of the estimated fair value to changes in the significant unobservable inputs for these other types of financial instruments is similar in nature to that described below.

A description of the sensitivity of the estimated fair value to changes in the significant unobservable inputs for certain of the major asset and liability classes described above is as follows:

U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities

Significant spread widening in isolation will adversely impact the overall valuation, while significant spread tightening will lead to substantial valuation increases. Significant increases (decreases) in illiquidity premiums in isolation would result in substantially lower (higher) valuations. Significant increases (decreases) in expected default rates in isolation would result in substantially lower (higher) valuations. Significant increases (decreases) in offered quotes in isolation would result in substantially higher (lower) valuations.

Foreign government securities

Significant spread widening in isolation will adversely impact the overall valuation, while significant spread tightening will lead to substantial valuation increases. Significant increases (decreases) in expected default rates in isolation would result in substantially lower (higher) valuations. Significant increases (decreases) in offered quotes in isolation would result in substantially higher (lower) valuations.

Structured securities comprised of RMBS, CMBS and ABS

Significant spread widening in isolation will adversely impact the overall valuation, while significant spread tightening will lead to substantial valuation increases. Significant increases (decreases) in offered quotes in

 

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isolation would result in substantially higher (lower) valuations. In general, changes in the assumptions used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.

Interest rate contracts

Significant increases (decreases) in the unobservable portion of the swap yield curve in isolation will result in substantial valuation changes.

Foreign currency contracts

Significant increases (decreases) in the unobservable portion of the swap yield curve in isolation will result in substantial valuation changes. Significant increases (decreases) in offered quotes in isolation will result in substantially higher (lower) valuations. 

Credit contracts

Credit contracts with significant unobservable inputs are primarily comprised of credit default swaps written by the Company. Significant credit spread widening in isolation will result in substantially higher adverse valuations, while significant spread tightening will result in substantially lower adverse valuations. Significant increases (decreases) in offered quotes in isolation will result in substantially higher (lower) valuations.

Equity market contracts

Significant decreases in the equity volatility in isolation will adversely impact overall valuation, while significant increases in equity volatility will result in substantial valuation increases. Significant increases (decreases) in offered quotes in isolation will result in substantially higher (lower) valuations. 

Direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits

For any increase (decrease) in mortality and lapse rates, the fair value of the guarantees will decrease (increase). For any increase (decrease) in utilization and volatility, the fair value of the guarantees will increase (decrease). Specifically for GMWBs, for any increase (decrease) in withdrawal rates, the fair value of the guarantees will increase (decrease). Specifically for GMABs and GMIBs, for any increase (decrease) in withdrawal rates, the fair value of the guarantees will decrease (increase).

 

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The following tables summarize the change of all assets and (liabilities) measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), including realized and unrealized gains (losses) of all assets and (liabilities) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) of all assets and (liabilities) still held at the end of the respective periods:

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Fixed Maturity Securities:  
    U.S.
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Government
Securities
    U.S.
Treasury
and Agency
Securities
    RMBS     CMBS     State and
Political
Subdivision
Securities
    ABS     Other
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
 
    (In millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 7,305     $ 4,646     $ 2,213     $ 24     $ 2,246     $ 762     $ 82     $ 2,198     $   

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

                 

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

                 

Net investment income

    2       5       (5            6       1              4         

Net investment gains (losses)

    12       (14     (6            (4     (18            1         

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                              

Other revenues

                                                              

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                              

Other expenses

                                                              

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    10       (7     (29     1       35       20              5         

Purchases (3)

    452       752       469       50       349       448              699         

Sales (3)

    (381     (349     (82     (1     (189     (128     (6     (180       

Issuances (3)

                                                              

Settlements (3)

                                                              

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    92       129       37              37       21              1         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (98     (349     (211            (117     (68            (48       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 7,394     $ 4,813     $ 2,386     $ 74     $ 2,363     $ 1,038     $ 76     $ 2,680     $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at June 30, 2012 included in net
income (loss):

                 

Net investment income

  $ 2     $ 5     $ (5   $      $ 6     $ 1     $      $ 4     $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (1   $ (15   $      $      $ (3   $ (9   $      $      $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

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    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Equity Securities:     Trading and Other Securities:                    
    Common
Stock
    Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
    Actively
Traded
Securities
    FVO
General
Account
Securities
    FVO
Contractholder-
directed
Unit-linked
Investments
    Short-term
Investments
    Mortgage
Loans
Held-
for-sale
    MSRs (5)  
    (In millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 268     $ 446     $ 13     $ 30     $ 1,237     $ 462     $ 1,708     $ 727  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

               

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

               

Net investment income

                         (4     (46     1                

Net investment gains (losses)

    1                                                   

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                       

Other revenues

                                              (15     (130

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                       

Other expenses

                                                       

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (4     (7                          (10              

Purchases (3)

    36       5       13              833       571                

Sales (3)

    (22     (12     (13            (897     (307     (1,608     (49

Issuances (3)

                                              106       46  

Settlements (3)

                                              (31     (30

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    3                            5              54         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

                                (36            (3       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 282     $ 432     $ 13     $ 26     $ 1,096     $ 717     $ 211     $ 564  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at June 30, 2012 included in net
income (loss):

               

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $ (4   $ (42   $ 2     $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (1   $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ 4     $ (121

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

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    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Net Derivatives: (6)     Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
    Separate
Account
Assets (8)
    Long-term
Debt of
CSEs
    Liability
Related  to

Securitized
Reverse
Residential
Mortgage

Loans
 
    Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
    Equity
Market
Contracts
         
    (In millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 142     $ 54     $ 38     $ 393     $ (2,413   $ 1,382     $ (82   $ (1,505

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

               

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

               

Net investment income

                         (1                            

Net investment gains (losses)

                                       23       1         

Net derivative gains (losses)

    22       (9     (14     225       (1,362                     

Other revenues

    (4                                               1  

Policyholder benefits and claims

                         (4     42                       

Other expenses

                                                       

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    98                     1       (64                     

Purchases (3)

                         10              191                

Sales (3)

                                       (116            1,484  

Issuances (3)

                                       2              (98

Settlements (3)

    (30     (5            (49     (164     (1            20  

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

                                       2                

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

                                       (38              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 228     $ 40     $ 24     $ 575     $ (3,961   $ 1,445     $ (81   $ (98
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at June 30, 2012 included in net income (loss):

               

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $ (1   $      $      $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ 1     $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $ 15     $ (8   $ (14   $ 198     $ (1,366   $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $ (4   $ 42     $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

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    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Fixed Maturity Securities:  
    U.S.
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Government
Securities
    U.S.
Treasury
and Agency
Securities
    RMBS (9)     CMBS     State and
Political
Subdivision
Securities
    ABS (9)     Other
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
 
    (In millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 6,861     $ 5,534     $ 3,186     $ 76     $ 1,384     $ 791     $ 46     $ 3,393     $ 4  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

                 

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

                 

Net investment income

    2       (3     (1            3       18              5         

Net investment gains (losses)

    (15     (30     (5            (6     22              (5       

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                              

Other revenues

                                                              

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                              

Other expenses

                                                              

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    91       105       (50            (4     (12     (6     10         

Purchases (3)

    434       1,553       178       1       30       171       43       130         

Sales (3)

    (313     (960     (129     (1     (76     (116            (224     (2

Issuances (3)

                                                              

Settlements (3)

                                                              

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    64       53       199              298       24       10       108         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (253     (408     (217     (50     (130     (117     (4     (2,031       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 6,871     $ 5,844     $ 3,161     $ 26     $ 1,499     $ 781     $ 89     $ 1,386     $ 2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at  June 30, 2011 included in net
income (loss):

                 

Net investment income

  $ 2     $ 7     $ 9     $      $ 3     $ 17     $      $ 5     $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (27   $ (18   $ (1   $      $ (6   $      $      $ (2   $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

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Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Equity Securities:     Trading and Other Securities:     Short-term
Investments
    Mortgage
Loans
Held-
for-sale
    MSRs (5)  
    Common
Stock
    Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
    Actively
Traded
Securities
    FVO
General
Account
Securities
    FVO
Contractholder-
directed
Unit-linked
Investments
       
    (In millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 359     $ 946     $ 40     $ 62     $ 566     $ 742     $ 25     $ 1,029  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

               

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

               

Net investment income

                         4       22       2                

Net investment gains (losses)

    3       (70                                          

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                       

Other revenues

                                              (1     (75

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                       

Other expenses

                                                       

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    8       71                            3                

Purchases (3)

    27       2                     315       333       1         

Sales (3)

    (12     (295     (23     (12     (305     (351              

Issuances (3)

                                                     37  

Settlements (3)

                                                     (27

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    2                            35       3       9         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (82            (15            (10            (2       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 305     $ 654     $ 2     $ 54     $ 623     $ 732     $ 32     $ 964  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still held
at June 30, 2011 included in net
income (loss):

               

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $ 2     $ 23     $ 2     $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (4   $ (32   $      $      $      $      $      $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ (1   $ (73

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

83


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Net Derivatives: (6)     Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
    Separate
Account
Assets (8)
    Long-term
Debt of
CSEs
 
    Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
    Equity
Market
Contracts
       
    (In millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

             

Balance, beginning of period

  $ (89   $ 39     $ 43     $ (16   $ (1,538   $ 2,004     $ (138

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

             

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

             

Net investment income

                                                

Net investment gains (losses)

                                       (4     (53

Net derivative gains (losses)

    5       1       (2     (17     (383              

Other revenues

    (2                                          

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                10                

Other expenses

                                                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    19              6              (50              

Purchases (3)

                         88              160         

Sales (3)

                                       (203       

Issuances (3)

                                                

Settlements (3)

                  (5            (113            57  

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

           9                            1         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

                                       (122       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ (67   $ 49     $ 42     $ 55     $ (2,074   $ 1,836     $ (134
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at June 30, 2011 included in net
income (loss):

             

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ (53

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $ 4     $ 1     $ (3   $ (17   $ (387   $      $   

Other revenues

  $ 11     $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $ 10     $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

84


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Fixed Maturity Securities:  
    U.S.
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Government
Securities
    U.S.
Treasury
and Agency
Securities
    RMBS     CMBS     State and
Political
Subdivision
Securities
    ABS     Other
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
 
    (In millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 6,784     $ 4,370     $ 2,322     $ 31     $ 1,602     $ 753     $ 53     $ 1,850     $   

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in:

                 

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

                 

Net investment income

    4       10       1              12       7              10         

Net investment gains (losses)

    11       (55     (7            (4     (36            2         

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                              

Other revenues

                                                              

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                              

Other expenses

                                                              

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (20     90       (8            40       20       4       (14       

Purchases (3)

    1,111       1,049       634       50       892       458       20       1,124         

Sales (3)

    (555     (451     (235     (7     (194     (182     (1     (246       

Issuances (3)

                                                              

Settlements (3)

                                                              

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    203       132       60              27       18              2         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (144     (332     (381            (12                   (48       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 7,394     $ 4,813     $ 2,386     $ 74     $ 2,363     $ 1,038     $ 76     $ 2,680     $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at June 30, 2012 included in net
income (loss):

                 

Net investment income

  $ 5     $ 10     $ 1     $      $ 12     $ 2     $      $ 9     $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (2   $ (26   $      $      $ (3   $ (9   $      $      $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

85


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Equity Securities:     Trading and Other Securities:                    
    Common
Stock
    Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
    Actively
Traded
Securities
    FVO
General
Account
Securities
    FVO
Contractholder-
directed Unit-
linked
Investments
    Short-term
Investments
    Mortgage
Loans
Held-
for-sale
    MSRs (5)  
    (In millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 281     $ 438     $      $ 23     $ 1,386     $ 590     $ 1,414     $ 666  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

               

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

               

Net investment income

                         3       (31                     

Net investment gains (losses)

    (9                                                 

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                       

Other revenues

                                              (3     (85

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                       

Other expenses

                                                       

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    9       18                            (10              

Purchases (3)

    52       5       13              844       641                

Sales (3)

    (43     (29                   (1,070     (396     (1,323     (49

Issuances (3)

                                              113       104  

Settlements (3)

                                              (41     (72

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    5                            5              54         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (13                          (38     (108     (3       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 282     $ 432     $ 13     $ 26     $ 1,096     $ 717     $ 211     $ 564  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still held at June 30, 2012 included in net income (loss):

               

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $ 3     $ (27   $ 2     $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (9   $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ 3     $ (70

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

86


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Net Derivatives: (6)     Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
    Separate
Account
Assets (8)
    Long-term
Debt of
CSEs
    Liability Related
to Securitized
Reverse
Residential
Mortgage Loans
 
    Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
    Equity
Market
Contracts
         
    (In millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 300     $ 44     $ 1     $ 889     $ (4,203   $ 1,325     $ (116   $ (1,175

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

               

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

               

Net investment income

                         (1                            

Net investment gains (losses)

                                       78       (9       

Net derivative gains (losses)

    24       7       29       (284     511                       

Other revenues

    (67                                               2  

Policyholder benefits and claims

                         12       (5                     

Other expenses

                                                       

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    11                     (2     39                       

Purchases (3)

                         10              293                

Sales (3)

                                       (255            1,147  

Issuances (3)

                  (3                   2              (98

Settlements (3)

    (40     (11     (3     (49     (303     (4     44       26  

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

                                       23                

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

                                       (17              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 228     $ 40     $ 24     $ 575     $ (3,961   $ 1,445     $ (81   $ (98
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at June 30, 2012 included in net income (loss):

               

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $ (1   $      $      $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ (9   $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $ 6     $ (5   $ 27     $ (287   $ 498     $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $ 12     $ (4   $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

87


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Fixed Maturity Securities:  
    U.S.
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Corporate
Securities
    Foreign
Government
Securities
    U.S.
Treasury
and Agency
Securities
    RMBS (9)     CMBS     State and
Political
Subdivision
Securities
    ABS (9)     Other
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
 
    (In millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 7,149     $ 5,726     $ 3,134     $ 79     $ 2,541     $ 1,011     $ 46     $ 3,026     $ 4  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

                 

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

                 

Net investment income

    5       3       8              6       11              12         

Net investment gains (losses)

    (12     (18     (23            (12     68              (13       

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                              

Other revenues

                                                              

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                              

Other expenses

                                                              

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    138       186       24              41       87       (7     78         

Purchases (3)

    778       1,817       385       1       42       171       45       278         

Sales (3)

    (534     (1,463     (228     (1     (137     (508     (3     (339     (2

Issuances (3)

                                                              

Settlements (3)

                                                              

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    54       39       133              263       45       10       109         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (707     (446     (272     (53     (1,245     (104     (2     (1,765       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 6,871     $ 5,844     $ 3,161     $ 26     $ 1,499     $ 781     $ 89     $ 1,386     $ 2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at June 30, 2011 included in net
income (loss):

                 

Net investment income

  $ 5     $ 13     $ 16     $      $ 6     $ 11     $      $ 12     $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (27   $ (19   $ (10   $      $ (12   $      $      $ (4   $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

88


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Equity Securities:     Trading and Other Securities:                    
    Common
Stock
    Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
    Actively
Traded
Securities
    FVO
General
Account
Securities
    FVO
Contractholder-
directed Unit-
linked
Investments
    Short-term
Investments
    Mortgage
Loans Held-
for-sale
    MSRs (5)  
    (In millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 268     $ 905     $ 10     $ 77     $ 735     $ 858     $ 24     $ 950  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

               

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

               

Net investment income

                         8       54       4                

Net investment gains (losses)

    5       (70                          (1              

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                       

Other revenues

                                              (3     (18

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                                       

Other expenses

                                                       

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (13     101                            10                

Purchases (3)

    67       3              1       325       618       1         

Sales (3)

    (18     (296     (8     (32     (450     (754              

Issuances (3)

                                              1       92  

Settlements (3)

                                                     (60

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

    1       11                     124       3       13         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (5                          (165     (6     (4       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ 305     $ 654     $ 2     $ 54     $ 623     $ 732     $ 32     $ 964  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still held at June 30, 2011 included in net income (loss):

               

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $ 5     $ 47     $ 3     $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $ (4   $ (32   $      $      $      $      $      $   

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other revenues

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ (3   $ (18

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

89


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
    Net Derivatives: (6)     Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
    Separate
Account
Assets (8)
    Long-term
Debt of
CSEs
 
    Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
    Equity
Market
Contracts
       
    (In millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

             

Balance, beginning of period

  $ (86   $ 73     $ 44     $ 142     $ (2,438   $ 1,983     $ (184

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

             

Net income (loss): (1), (2)

             

Net investment income

                         (3                     

Net investment gains (losses)

                                       46       (7

Net derivative gains (losses)

    12       (4     4       (110     592                

Other revenues

    7                                            

Policyholder benefits and claims

                                (8              

Other expenses

                                                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    7              2              (2              

Purchases (3)

           6              106              358         

Sales (3)

                                       (364       

Issuances (3)

                  (3                            

Settlements (3)

                  (5     (5     (218            57  

Transfers into Level 3 (4)

                                       9         

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)

    (7     (26            (75            (196       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

  $ (67   $ 49     $ 42     $ 55     $ (2,074   $ 1,836     $ (134
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to assets and liabilities still
held at June 30, 2011 included in net
income (loss):

             

Net investment income

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

Net investment gains (losses)

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $ (7

Net derivative gains (losses)

  $ 11     $ (4   $ 4     $ (110   $ 581     $      $   

Other revenues

  $ 12     $      $      $      $      $      $   

Policyholder benefits and claims

  $      $      $      $      $ (8   $      $   

Other expenses

  $      $      $      $      $      $      $   

 

 

(1)

Amortization of premium/discount is included within net investment income. Impairments charged to earnings on securities and certain mortgage loans are included in net investment gains (losses) while changes in the estimated fair value of certain mortgage loans and MSRs are included in other revenues. Lapses associated with net embedded derivatives are included in net derivative gains (losses).

 

(2)

Interest and dividend accruals, as well as cash interest coupons and dividends received, are excluded from the rollforward.

 

(3)

The amount reported within purchases, sales, issuances and settlements is the purchase or issuance price and the sales or settlement proceeds based upon the actual date purchased or issued and sold or settled, respectively. Items purchased/issued and sold/settled in the same period are excluded from the rollforward. Fees attributed to embedded derivatives are included in settlements.

 

(4)

Total gains and losses (in earnings and other comprehensive income (loss)) are calculated assuming transfers into and/or out of Level 3 occurred at the beginning of the period. Items transferred into and/or out of Level 3 in the same period are excluded from the rollforward.

 

(5)

Other revenues represent the changes in estimated fair value due to changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, there was no other change in estimated fair value affecting MSRs. The additions for purchases, originations and issuances are presented within issuances and the reductions for loan payments, sales and settlements, affecting MSRs are presented within settlements.

 

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(6)

Freestanding derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.

 

(7)

Embedded derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.

 

(8)

Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders within separate account liabilities. Therefore, such changes in estimated fair value are not recorded in net income. For the purpose of this disclosure, these changes are presented within net investment gains (losses).

 

(9)

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for discussion of a reclassification from the ABS sector to the RMBS sector for securities backed by sub-prime residential mortgage loans.

Fair Value Option

Residential Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale

The following table presents residential mortgage loans held-for-sale accounted for under the FVO at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Unpaid principal balance

   $ 203     $ 2,935  

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

     (1     129  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Carrying value at estimated fair value

   $ 202     $ 3,064  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans in non-accrual status

   $ 3     $ 3  

Loans more than 90 days past due

   $ 33     $ 20  

Loans in non-accrual status or more than 90 days past due, or both — difference between aggregate estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

   $ (2   $ (2

Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale accounted for under the FVO are initially measured at estimated fair value. Interest income on residential mortgage loans held-for-sale is recorded based on the stated rate of the loan and is recorded in net investment income. Gains and losses from initial measurement, subsequent changes in estimated fair value and gains or losses on sales are recognized in other revenues. Such changes in estimated fair value for these loans were due to the following:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended

June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Instrument-specific credit risk based on changes in credit spreads for non-agency loans and adjustments in individual loan quality

   $ 4     $ (2   $ 2      $ (3

Other changes in estimated fair value

     (72     115       98        179  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gains (losses) recognized in other revenues

   $ (68   $ 113     $ 100      $ 176  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Securitized Reverse Residential Mortgage Loans

Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans accounted for under the FVO are initially measured at estimated fair value. Gains and losses from initial measurement and subsequent changes in estimated fair value are recognized in other revenues. The following table presents securitized reverse residential mortgage loans accounted for under the FVO at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Unpaid principal balance

   $ 235      $ 6,914  

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

     24        738  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying value at estimated fair value

   $ 259      $ 7,652  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans more than 90 days past due

   $       $ 59  

Loans more than 90 days past due — difference between aggregate estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

   $       $   

The liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans accounted for under the FVO is initially measured at estimated fair value. Gains and losses from initial measurement and subsequent changes in estimated fair value are recognized in other revenues. The following table presents the liability related to securitized reverse residential mortgage loans accounted for under the FVO at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Contractual principal balance

   $ 235      $ 6,914  

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

     22        712  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying value at estimated fair value

   $ 257      $ 7,626  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assets and Liabilities Held by CSEs

The Company has elected the FVO for the following assets and liabilities held by CSEs: commercial mortgage loans, securities and long-term debt. Information on the estimated fair value of the securities classified as trading and other securities is presented in Note 3. The following table presents these commercial mortgage loans accounted for under the FVO at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Unpaid principal balance

   $ 2,814      $ 3,019  

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

     118        119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying value at estimated fair value

   $ 2,932      $ 3,138  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the long-term debt accounted for under the FVO related to both the commercial mortgage loans and securities classified as trading and other securities at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Contractual principal balance

   $ 2,707      $ 2,954  

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance

     114        114  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying value at estimated fair value

   $ 2,821      $ 3,068  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Interest income on both commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs and securities classified as trading and other securities held by CSEs is recorded in net investment income. Interest expense on long-term debt of CSEs is recorded in other expenses. Gains and losses from initial measurement, subsequent changes in estimated fair value and gains or losses on sales of both the commercial mortgage loans and the long-term debt are recognized in net investment gains (losses). See Note 3.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Certain assets are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis and are not included in the tables presented above. The amounts below relate to certain investments measured at estimated fair value during the period and still held at the reporting dates and which are categorized as Level 3 measurements.

 

    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2012     2011  
    Carrying
Value Prior to
Measurement
    Estimated
Fair

Value After
Measurement
    Net
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
    Carrying
Value Prior to
Measurement
    Estimated
Fair
Value After
Measurement
    Net
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
 
    (In millions)  

Mortgage loans: (1)

           

Held-for-investment

  $ 197     $ 209     $ 12     $ 174      $ 182     $ 8  

Held-for-sale

    254       239       (15     47        47         
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

  $ 451     $ 448     $ (3   $ 221      $ 229     $ 8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other limited partnership interests (2)

  $ 38     $ 27     $ (11   $ 13      $ 10     $ (3

Real estate joint ventures (3)

  $ 10     $ 8     $ (2   $      $      $   

 

    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2012     2011  
    Carrying
Value Prior to
Measurement
    Estimated
Fair

Value After
Measurement
    Net
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
    Carrying
Value Prior to
Measurement
    Estimated
Fair

Value After
Measurement
    Net
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
 
    (In millions)  

Mortgage loans: (1)

           

Held-for-investment

  $ 197     $ 210     $ 13     $ 165     $ 182     $ 17  

Held-for-sale

    270       239       (31     48       47       (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

  $ 467     $ 449     $ (18   $ 213     $ 229     $ 16  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other limited partnership interests (2)

  $ 48     $ 34     $ (14   $ 13     $ 10     $ (3
           

Real estate joint ventures (3)

  $ 15     $ 10     $ (5   $      $      $   

 

 

(1)

Mortgage loans — These impaired mortgage loans are written down to their estimated fair values which are reported as losses. Subsequent improvements in estimated fair value on previously impaired loans recorded through a reduction in the previously established valuation allowance are reported as gains. Estimated fair values for impaired mortgage loans are based on market prices or, if the loans are in foreclosure or are otherwise determined to be collateral dependent, on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, or the present value of the expected future cash flows.

 

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(2)

Other limited partnership interests — These impaired investments were accounted for using the cost method. Impairments were recognized at estimated fair value determined from information provided in the financial statements of the underlying entities. These investments include private equity and debt funds that typically invest primarily in various strategies including domestic and international leveraged buyout funds; power, energy, timber and infrastructure development funds; venture capital funds; and below investment grade debt and mezzanine debt funds. The estimated fair values of these investments have been determined using NAV data. Distributions will be generated from investment gains, from operating income from the underlying investments of the funds and from liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be liquidated over the next two to 10 years. Unfunded commitments for these investments were $5 million and less than $1 million at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

(3)

Real estate joint ventures — These impaired investments were accounted for using the cost method. Impairments were recognized at estimated fair value determined from information provided in the financial statements of the underlying entities. These investments include several real estate funds that typically invest primarily in commercial real estate. The estimated fair values of these investments have been determined using NAV data. Distributions will be generated from investment gains, from operating income from the underlying investments of the funds and from liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be liquidated over the next two to 10 years. Unfunded commitments for these investments were $7 million at June 30, 2012. There were no unfunded commitments for these investments at June 30, 2011.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The tables below exclude certain financial instruments. The excluded financial instruments are as follows: cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions, short-term debt and those short-term investments that are not securities, such as time deposits, and are excluded from the preceding three level hierarchy table. The estimated fair value of these financial instruments, which are primarily classified in Level 2, approximate carrying value as they are short-term in nature such that the Company believes there is minimal risk of material changes in interest rates or credit quality. The table below also excludes financial instruments reported at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. See “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements.” All remaining balance sheet amounts excluded from the table below are not considered financial instruments subject to this disclosure.

 

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Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The carrying values, estimated fair values and, for June 30, 2012, their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, for such financial instruments, are summarized as follows:

 

    June 30, 2012  
    Carrying
Value
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using     Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   
    (In millions)  

Assets:

         

Mortgage loans:

         

Held-for-investment

  $ 54,269     $      $      $ 57,129     $ 57,129  

Held-for-sale

    1,279                     1,279       1,279  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

  $ 55,548     $      $      $ 58,408     $ 58,408  

Policy loans

  $ 11,912     $      $ 1,699     $ 12,733     $ 14,432  

Real estate joint ventures

  $ 117     $      $      $ 175     $ 175  

Other limited partnership interests

  $ 1,246     $      $      $ 1,426     $ 1,426  

Other invested assets

  $ 1,472     $ 77     $      $ 1,395     $ 1,472  

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables

  $ 4,413     $      $ 552     $ 4,331     $ 4,883  

Other assets

  $ 253     $      $ 211     $ 71     $ 282  

Liabilities:

         

PABs

  $ 153,131     $      $      $ 160,388     $ 160,388  

Bank deposits

  $ 6,832     $      $ 2,101     $ 4,731     $ 6,832  

Long-term debt

  $ 16,023     $      $ 18,144     $      $ 18,144  

Collateral financing arrangements

  $ 4,196     $      $      $ 3,792     $ 3,792  

Junior subordinated debt securities

  $ 3,192     $      $ 3,620     $      $ 3,620  

Other liabilities

  $ 6,430     $      $ 2,850     $ 3,582     $ 6,432  

Separate account liabilities

  $ 54,769     $      $ 54,769     $      $ 54,769  

Commitments: (1)

         

Mortgage loan commitments

  $      $      $      $ 35     $ 35  

Commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments

  $      $      $ 22     $      $ 22  

 

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Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

     December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Value
     Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (In millions)  

Assets:

     

Mortgage loans:

     

Held-for-investment

   $ 53,777      $ 56,422  

Held-for-sale

     4,462        4,462  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

   $ 58,239      $ 60,884  

Policy loans

   $ 11,892      $ 14,213  

Real estate joint ventures

   $ 130      $ 183  

Other limited partnership interests

   $ 1,318      $ 1,656  

Other invested assets

   $ 1,434      $ 1,434  

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables

   $ 4,639      $ 5,232  

Other assets

   $ 310      $ 308  

Liabilities:

     

PABs

   $ 146,890      $ 153,304  

Bank deposits

   $ 10,507      $ 10,507  

Long-term debt

   $ 20,587      $ 22,514  

Collateral financing arrangements

   $ 4,647      $ 4,136  

Junior subordinated debt securities

   $ 3,192      $ 3,491  

Other liabilities

   $ 4,087      $ 4,087  

Separate account liabilities

   $ 49,610      $ 49,610  

Commitments: (1)

     

Mortgage loan commitments

   $       $ 3  

Commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments

   $       $ 51  

 

 

(1)

Commitments are off-balance sheet obligations. Negative estimated fair values represent off-balance sheet liabilities. See Note 11 for additional information on these off-balance sheet obligations.

The methods, assumptions and significant valuation techniques and inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are summarized as follows:

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans held-for-investment

For commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, the estimated fair value was primarily determined by estimating expected future cash flows and discounting them using current interest rates for similar mortgage loans with similar credit risk. For residential mortgage loans, the estimated fair value was primarily determined from pricing for similar loans.

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

For these mortgage loans, estimated fair value is determined using independent non-binding broker quotations or valuation models using significant unobservable inputs.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Policy Loans

Policy loans with fixed interest rates are classified within Level 3. The estimated fair values for these loans are determined using a DCF model applied to groups of similar policy loans determined by the nature of the underlying insurance liabilities. Cash flow estimates are developed by applying a weighted-average interest rate to the outstanding principal balance of the respective group of policy loans and an estimated average maturity determined through experience studies of the past performance of policyholder repayment behavior for similar loans. These cash flows are discounted using current risk-free interest rates with no adjustment for borrower credit risk as these loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying insurance policy. Policy loans with variable interest rates are classified within Level 2 and the estimated fair value approximates carrying value due to the absence of borrower credit risk and the short time period between interest rate resets, which presents minimal risk of a material change in estimated fair value due to changes in market interest rates.

Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnership Interests

The amounts disclosed in the preceding tables consist of those investments accounted for using the cost method. The estimated fair values for cost method real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests are generally based on the Company’s share of the NAV as provided in the financial statements of the investees. In certain circumstances, management may adjust the NAV by a premium or discount when it has sufficient evidence to support applying such adjustments.

Other Invested Assets

Other invested assets within the preceding tables are principally comprised of funds withheld, various interest-bearing assets held in foreign subsidiaries and certain amounts due under contractual indemnifications. For funds withheld and for the various interest-bearing assets held in foreign subsidiaries, the Company evaluates the specific facts and circumstances of each instrument to determine the appropriate estimated fair values. These estimated fair values were not materially different from the recognized carrying values.

Premiums, Reinsurance and Other Receivables

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the preceding tables are principally comprised of certain amounts recoverable under reinsurance agreements, amounts on deposit with financial institutions to facilitate daily settlements related to certain derivative positions and amounts receivable for securities sold but not yet settled.

Amounts recoverable under ceded reinsurance agreements, which the Company has determined do not transfer significant risk such that they are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting, have been classified as Level 3. The valuation is based on DCF methodologies using significant unobservable inputs. The estimated fair value is determined using interest rates determined to reflect the appropriate credit standing of the assuming counterparty.

The amounts on deposit for derivative settlements, classified within Level 2, essentially represent the equivalent of demand deposit balances and amounts due for securities sold are generally received over short periods such that the estimated fair value approximates carrying value.

Other Assets

Other assets in the preceding tables are primarily composed of a receivable for cash paid to an unaffiliated financial institution under the MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston (“MRC”) collateral financing

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

arrangement as described in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report. The estimated fair value of the receivable for the cash paid to the unaffiliated financial institution under the MRC collateral financing arrangement is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows using a discount rate that reflects the credit rating of the unaffiliated financial institution.

PABs

PABs in the preceding tables include investment contracts. Embedded derivatives on investment contracts and certain variable annuity guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives are excluded from this caption in the preceding tables as they are separately presented in “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements.”

The investment contracts primarily include certain funding agreements, fixed deferred annuities, modified guaranteed annuities, fixed term payout annuities and total control accounts. The valuation of these investment contracts is based on DCF methodologies using significant unobservable inputs. The estimated fair value is determined using current market risk-free interest rates adding a spread to reflect the nonperformance risk in the liability.

Bank Deposits

Due to the frequency of interest rate resets on customer bank deposits held in money market accounts, the Company believes that there is minimal risk of a material change in interest rates such that the estimated fair value approximates carrying value. For time deposits, the Company has taken into consideration the sale price for the pending disposition of most of the depository business of MetLife Bank to determine the estimated fair value of bank deposits. See Note 2.

Long-term Debt, Collateral Financing Arrangements and Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

The estimated fair values of long-term debt and junior subordinated debt securities are principally valued using market standard valuation methodologies and DCF methodologies. Valuations classified as Level 2 are based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active or using matrix pricing or other similar techniques that use standard market observable inputs such as quoted prices in markets that are not active and observable yields and spreads in the market. Instruments valued using DCF methodologies use standard market observable inputs including market yield curve, duration, call provisions, observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues. Valuations classified as Level 3 are based primarily on DCF methodologies that utilize unobservable discount rates applied to the expected future cash flows that can vary significantly based upon the specific terms of each individual arrangement. The determination of estimated fair values of collateral financing arrangements takes into account valuations obtained from the counterparties to the arrangements, as part of the collateral management process.

Capital leases, which are not required to be disclosed at estimated fair value, are excluded from the preceding tables.

Other Liabilities

Other liabilities consist primarily of interest and dividends payable, amounts due for securities purchased but not yet settled, funds withheld amounts payable, which are contractually withheld by the Company in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements, and amounts payable under certain assumed reinsurance agreements, which are recorded using the deposit method of accounting. The Company evaluates the

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

specific terms, facts and circumstances of each instrument to determine the appropriate estimated fair values, which are not materially different from the carrying values, with the exception of certain deposit type reinsurance payables. For such payables, the estimated fair value is determined as the present value of expected future cash flows, which are discounted using an interest rate determined to reflect the appropriate credit standing of the assuming counterparty.

Separate Account Liabilities

Separate account liabilities included in the preceding tables represent those balances due to policyholders under contracts that are classified as investment contracts.

Separate account liabilities classified as investment contracts primarily represent variable annuities with no significant mortality risk to the Company such that the death benefit is equal to the account balance, funding agreements related to group life contracts and certain contracts that provide for benefit funding.

Since separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the separate account assets which are recognized at estimated fair value as described in the section “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements,” the value of those assets approximates the estimated fair value of the related separate account liabilities. The valuation techniques and inputs for separate account liabilities are similar to those described for separate account assets.

Mortgage Loan Commitments and Commitments to Fund Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments

The estimated fair values for mortgage loan commitments that will be held for investment and commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bonds that will be held for investment reflected in the above tables represent the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows using interest rates that incorporate current credit risk for similar instruments on the reporting date and the principal amounts of the commitments.

6. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired

Information regarding DAC and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) was as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2012     2011  
     DAC     VOBA     Total     DAC     VOBA     Total  
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 15,240     $ 9,379     $ 24,619     $ 13,377     $ 11,088     $ 24,465  

Capitalizations

     2,679              2,679       2,631              2,631  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     17,919       9,379       27,298       16,008       11,088       27,096  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization related to:

            

Net investment gains (losses)

     (62     (3     (65     (87     1       (86

Other expenses

     (1,442     (686     (2,128     (1,195     (912     (2,107
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total amortization

     (1,504     (689     (2,193     (1,282     (911     (2,193
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized investment gains (losses)

     (285     (125     (410     (124     (74     (198

Effect of foreign currency translation and other

     (55     (135     (190     137       392       529  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 16,075     $ 8,430     $ 24,505     $ 14,739     $ 10,495     $ 25,234  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA is attributed to both investment gains and losses and to other expenses for the amount of gross margins or profits originating from transactions other than investment gains and losses. Unrealized investment gains and losses represent the amount of DAC and VOBA that would have been amortized if such gains and losses had been recognized.

See Note 1 for information on the retrospective application of the adoption of new accounting guidance related to DAC.

Information regarding DAC and VOBA by segment, as well as Corporate & Other, was as follows:

 

    DAC     VOBA     Total  
    June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
    (In millions)  

Retail

  $ 10,182     $ 10,103     $ 1,010     $ 1,211     $ 11,192     $ 11,314  

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

    759       744                     759       744  

Corporate Benefit Funding

    88       86       2       3       90       89  

Latin America

    769       693       355       357       1,124       1,050  

Asia

    3,181       2,647       6,027       6,553       9,208       9,200  

EMEA

    1,095       966       1,036       1,254       2,131       2,220  

Corporate & Other

    1       1              1       1       2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 16,075     $ 15,240     $ 8,430     $ 9,379     $ 24,505     $ 24,619  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

7. Goodwill

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company reorganized its business into three broad geographic regions: The Americas, Asia and EMEA, to better reflect its global reach. See Note 16 for a discussion of the Company’s new segments. As a result of the reorganization, the Company reallocated goodwill from the former segments to the new segments as shown in the below table under “Goodwill Transfers.”

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business one level below the operating segment, if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level. For each operating segment, the reporting units were determined to be either the operating segment or the components thereof.

 

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The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other, and the balances at:

 

     December 31, 2011      Goodwill
Transfers
    Effect of Foreign
Currency Translation
and Other
    June 30, 2012  
     (In millions)  

2011

         

Insurance Products

   $ 1,414      $ (1,414   $      $   

Retirement Products

     1,692        (1,692              

Corporate Benefit Funding

     900        (900              

Auto & Home

     157        (157              

Japan

     5,371        (5,371              

Other International Regions

     1,996        (1,996              

Corporate & Other (1)

     405        (405              

2012

         

Retail

             2,955              2,955  

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

             308              308  

Corporate Benefit Funding

             900              900  

Latin America

             501       11       512  

Asia (2)

             5,443       (53     5,390  

EMEA

             1,423       (70     1,353  

Corporate & Other (1)

             405              405  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,935      $      $ (112   $ 11,823  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

At June 30, 2012, the Company’s accumulated goodwill impairment loss was $65 million, which is included in Corporate & Other.

 

(2)

Includes goodwill of $5.2 billion from the Japan operations at June 30, 2012.

8. Insurance

Insurance Liabilities

Insurance liabilities were as follows:

 

     Future Policy
Benefits
     Policyholder Account
Balances
     Other Policy-Related
Balances
 
     June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (In millions)  

Retail

   $ 63,046      $ 62,295      $ 68,073      $ 69,553      $ 2,720      $ 2,807  

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

     21,643        20,465        9,168        9,273        3,493        3,378  

Corporate Benefit Funding

     51,113        49,657        63,317        56,367        185        201  

Latin America

     7,078        6,299        6,703        6,159        1,535        1,432  

Asia

     31,996        31,555        61,659        59,578        5,778        5,876  

EMEA

     7,562        7,728        14,528        14,396        1,479        1,482  

Corporate & Other

     6,071        6,276        2,461        2,374        474        423  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 188,509      $ 184,275      $ 225,909      $ 217,700      $ 15,664      $ 15,599  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Guarantees

As discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report, the Company issues variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. The non-life-contingent portion of GMWB, GMAB and the portion of certain GMIB that does not require annuitization are accounted for as embedded derivatives in PABs. These guarantees are recorded at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses), and are excluded from the net amount at risk and other disclosures below.

The Company issues annuity contracts that apply a lower rate of funds deposited if the contractholder elects to surrender the contract for cash and a higher rate if the contractholder elects to annuitize (“two tier annuities”). These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death, maturity or at annuitization. Additionally, the Company issues universal and variable life contracts where the Company contractually guarantees to the contractholder a secondary guarantee or a guaranteed paid-up benefit.

Based on the type of guarantee, the Company defines net amount at risk as listed below. These amounts include direct and assumed business, but exclude offsets from hedging or reinsurance, if any.

 

   

In the Event of Death Defined as the guaranteed minimum death benefit less the total contract account value, as of the balance sheet date. It represents the amount of the claim that the Company would incur if death claims were filed on all contracts on the balance sheet date.

 

   

At Annuitization Defined as the amount (if any) that would be required to be added to the total contract account value to purchase a lifetime income stream, based on current annuity rates, equal to the minimum amount provided under the guaranteed benefit. This amount represents the Company’s potential economic exposure to such guarantees in the event all contractholders were to annuitize on the balance sheet date, even though the contracts contain terms that only allow annuitization of the guaranteed amount after the 10th anniversary of the contract, which not all contractholders have achieved.

 

   

Two Tier Annuities — Defined as the excess of the upper tier, adjusted for a profit margin, less the lower tier, as of the balance sheet date. These contracts apply a lower rate of funds if the contractholder elects to surrender the contract for cash and a higher rate if the contractholder elects to annuitize.

 

   

Universal and Variable Life Contracts — Defined as the guarantee amount less the account value, as of the balance sheet date. It represents the amount of the claim that the Company would incur if death claims were filed on all contracts on the balance sheet date.

Information regarding the liabilities for guarantees (excluding base policy liabilities) relating to annuity and universal and variable life contracts was as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     In the
Event of Death
     At
Annuitization
    In the
Event of Death
     At
Annuitization
 
     (In millions)  

Annuity Contracts (1)

          

Variable Annuity Guarantees

          

Total contract account value (3)

   $ 173,414      $ 80,272     $ 163,845      $ 72,016  

Separate account value

   $ 133,114      $ 75,717     $ 121,841      $ 66,739  

Net amount at risk

   $ 13,667      $ 3,310 (2)    $ 16,641      $ 2,686 (2) 

Average attained age of contractholders

     62 years         62 years        62 years         61 years   

Two Tier Annuities

          

General account value

     N/A       $ 401       N/A       $ 386  

Net amount at risk

     N/A       $ 59       N/A       $ 60  

Average attained age of contractholders

     N/A         61 years        N/A         60 years   

 

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     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Secondary
Guarantees
     Paid-Up
Guarantees
     Secondary
Guarantees
     Paid-Up
Guarantees
 
     (In millions)  

Universal and Variable Life Contracts (1)

           

Account value (general and separate account)

   $ 13,588      $ 3,895      $ 12,946      $ 3,963  

Net amount at risk

   $ 190,287      $ 24,107      $ 188,642      $ 24,991  

Average attained age of policyholders

     54 years         59 years         53 years         59 years   

 

 

(1)

The Company’s annuity and life contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract. Therefore, the amounts listed above may not be mutually exclusive.

 

(2)

The Company had previously disclosed the net amount at risk based on the excess of the benefit base over the contractholder’s total contract account value on the balance sheet date. Such amounts were $11.1 billion and $12.1 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company has provided, in the table above, the net amount as risk as defined above. The Company believes that this definition is more representative of the potential economic exposures of these guarantees as the contractholders do not have access to this difference other than through annuitization.

 

(3)

Includes amounts, which are not reported in the consolidated balance sheets, from assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan.

See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

9. Closed Block

On April 7, 2000 (the “Demutualization Date”), MLIC converted from a mutual life insurance company to a stock life insurance company and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. The conversion was pursuant to an order by the New York Superintendent of Insurance approving MLIC’s plan of reorganization, as amended (the “Plan”). On the Demutualization Date, MLIC established a closed block for the benefit of holders of certain individual life insurance policies of MLIC.

Experience within the closed block, in particular mortality and investment yields, as well as realized and unrealized gains and losses, directly impact the policyholder dividend obligation. Amortization of the closed block DAC, which resides outside of the closed block, is based upon cumulative actual and expected earnings within the closed block. Accordingly, the Company’s net income continues to be sensitive to the actual performance of the closed block.

 

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Information regarding the closed block liabilities and assets designated to the closed block was as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Closed Block Liabilities

    

Future policy benefits

   $ 42,936     $ 43,169  

Other policy-related balances

     298       358  

Policyholder dividends payable

     542       514  

Policyholder dividend obligation

     3,369       2,919  

Current income tax payable

     5         

Other liabilities

     672       613  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total closed block liabilities

     47,822       47,573  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assets Designated to the Closed Block

    

Investments:

    

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value

     30,784       30,407  

Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value

     28       35  

Mortgage loans

     6,325       6,206  

Policy loans

     4,655       4,657  

Real estate and real estate joint ventures

     301       364  

Other invested assets

     767       857  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

     42,860       42,526  

Cash and cash equivalents

     313       249  

Accrued investment income

     507       509  

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables

     86       109  

Current income tax recoverable

            53  

Deferred income tax assets

     358       362  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets designated to the closed block

     44,124       43,808  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block

     3,698       3,765  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax

     2,650       2,394  

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax

     18       11  

Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax

     (2,190     (1,897
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     478       508  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities

   $ 4,176     $ 4,273  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Information regarding the closed block policyholder dividend obligation was as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
     Year
Ended
December 31, 2011
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 2,919      $ 876  

Change in unrealized investment and derivative gains (losses)

     450        2,043  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 3,369      $ 2,919  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Information regarding the closed block revenues and expenses was as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
     Six Months
Ended

June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Revenues

           

Premiums

   $ 528      $ 568      $ 1,026      $ 1,103  

Net investment income

     539        580        1,089        1,144  

Net investment gains (losses)

     13        3        24        10  

Net derivative gains (losses)

     11        4        2        (14
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     1,091        1,155        2,141        2,243  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

           

Policyholder benefits and claims

     700        746        1,362        1,435  

Policyholder dividends

     275        296        543        593  

Other expenses

     46        49        91        98  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,021        1,091        1,996        2,126  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues, net of expenses before provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     70        64        145        117  

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     25        21        52        38  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations

     45        43        93        79  

Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations

             1        4        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit) and discontinued operations

   $ 45      $ 44      $ 97      $ 80  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MLIC charges the closed block with federal income taxes, state and local premium taxes and other additive state or local taxes, as well as investment management expenses relating to the closed block as provided in the Plan. MLIC also charges the closed block for expenses of maintaining the policies included in the closed block.

10. Collateral Financing Arrangements

Associated with the Closed Block

On June 12, 2012, following regulatory approval, MRC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., repurchased and canceled $451 million in aggregate principal amount of surplus notes (the “Partial Repurchase”) that MRC issued in December 2007 in connection with MLIC reinsuring a portion of its closed block liabilities to MRC. Payments made by MetLife, Inc. in June 2012 associated with the Partial Repurchase, which also included payments made to the unaffiliated financial institution with which MetLife, Inc. entered into an agreement in 2007 in connection with the issuance of the surplus notes, totaled $451 million, exclusive of accrued interest on the surplus notes. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the amount of the surplus notes issued by MRC that remained outstanding was $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

 

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11. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is a defendant in a large number of litigation matters in multiple jurisdictions around the world. In some of the matters, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Modern pleading practice in the U.S. and other countries permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief. Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the trial court. In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters. This variability in pleadings, together with the actual experience of the Company in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value.

Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may normally be difficult to ascertain. Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.

The Company establishes liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities have been established for a number of the matters noted below. It is possible that some of the matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated at June 30, 2012. While the potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known to management, management does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.

Matters as to Which an Estimate Can Be Made

For some of the matters disclosed below, the Company is able to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. For such matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual has been made. As of June 30, 2012, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for these matters to be approximately $0 to $125 million.

Matters as to Which an Estimate Cannot Be Made

For other matters disclosed below, the Company is not currently able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss. The Company is often unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss until developments in such matters have provided sufficient information to support an assessment of the range of possible loss, such as quantification of a damage demand from plaintiffs, discovery from other parties and investigation of factual allegations, rulings by the court on motions or appeals, analysis by experts, and the progress of settlement negotiations. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to litigation contingencies and updates its accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews.

 

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Asbestos-Related Claims

MLIC is and has been a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts. These suits principally allege that the plaintiff or plaintiffs suffered personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos and seek both actual and punitive damages. MLIC has never engaged in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products nor has MLIC issued liability or workers’ compensation insurance to companies in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products. The lawsuits principally have focused on allegations with respect to certain research, publication and other activities of one or more of MLIC’s employees during the period from the 1920’s through approximately the 1950’s and allege that MLIC learned or should have learned of certain health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things, improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks. MLIC believes that it should not have legal liability in these cases. The outcome of most asbestos litigation matters, however, is uncertain and can be impacted by numerous variables, including differences in legal rulings in various jurisdictions, the nature of the alleged injury and factors unrelated to the ultimate legal merit of the claims asserted against MLIC. MLIC employs a number of resolution strategies to manage its asbestos loss exposure, including seeking resolution of pending litigation by judicial rulings and settling individual or groups of claims or lawsuits under appropriate circumstances.

Claims asserted against MLIC have included negligence, intentional tort and conspiracy concerning the health risks associated with asbestos. MLIC’s defenses (beyond denial of certain factual allegations) include that: (i) MLIC owed no duty to the plaintiffs — it had no special relationship with the plaintiffs and did not manufacture, produce, distribute or sell the asbestos products that allegedly injured plaintiffs; (ii) plaintiffs did not rely on any actions of MLIC; (iii) MLIC’s conduct was not the cause of the plaintiffs’ injuries; (iv) plaintiffs’ exposure occurred after the dangers of asbestos were known; and (v) the applicable time with respect to filing suit has expired. During the course of the litigation, certain trial courts have granted motions dismissing claims against MLIC, while other trial courts have denied MLIC’s motions to dismiss. There can be no assurance that MLIC will receive favorable decisions on motions in the future. While most cases brought to date have settled, MLIC intends to continue to defend aggressively against claims based on asbestos exposure, including defending claims at trials.

As reported in the 2011 Annual Report, MLIC received approximately 4,972 asbestos-related claims in 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MLIC received approximately 2,491 and 2,306 new asbestos-related claims, respectively. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for historical information concerning asbestos claims and MLIC’s increase in its recorded liability at December 31, 2002. The number of asbestos cases that may be brought, the aggregate amount of any liability that MLIC may incur, and the total amount paid in settlements in any given year are uncertain and may vary significantly from year to year.

The ability of MLIC to estimate its ultimate asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty, and the conditions impacting its liability can be dynamic and subject to change. The availability of reliable data is limited and it is difficult to predict the numerous variables that can affect liability estimates, including the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease in pending and future claims, the impact of the number of new claims filed in a particular jurisdiction and variations in the law in the jurisdictions in which claims are filed, the possible impact of tort reform efforts, the willingness of courts to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against MLIC when exposure to asbestos took place after the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known, and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts.

The ability to make estimates regarding ultimate asbestos exposure declines significantly as the estimates relate to years further in the future. In the Company’s judgment, there is a future point after which losses cease to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s total exposure to asbestos

 

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claims may be materially greater than the asbestos liability currently accrued and that future charges to income may be necessary. To the extent the Company can estimate reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued, it has been included in the aggregate estimate of reasonably possible loss provided above. While the potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known by management, management does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.

The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for asbestos-related claims. MLIC’s recorded asbestos liability is based on its estimation of the following elements, as informed by the facts presently known to it, its understanding of current law and its past experiences: (i) the probable and reasonably estimable liability for asbestos claims already asserted against MLIC, including claims settled but not yet paid; (ii) the probable and reasonably estimable liability for asbestos claims not yet asserted against MLIC, but which MLIC believes are reasonably probable of assertion; and (iii) the legal defense costs associated with the foregoing claims. Significant assumptions underlying MLIC’s analysis of the adequacy of its recorded liability with respect to asbestos litigation include: (i) the number of future claims; (ii) the cost to resolve claims; and (iii) the cost to defend claims.

MLIC reevaluates on a quarterly and annual basis its exposure from asbestos litigation, including studying its claims experience, reviewing external literature regarding asbestos claims experience in the U.S., assessing relevant trends impacting asbestos liability and considering numerous variables that can affect its asbestos liability exposure on an overall or per claim basis. These variables include bankruptcies of other companies involved in asbestos litigation, legislative and judicial developments, the number of pending claims involving serious disease, the number of new claims filed against it and other defendants and the jurisdictions in which claims are pending. Based upon its regular reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through June 30, 2012.

Regulatory Matters

The Company receives and responds to subpoenas or other inquiries from state regulators, including state insurance commissioners; state attorneys general or other state governmental authorities; federal regulators, including the SEC; federal governmental authorities, including congressional committees; and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) seeking a broad range of information. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely. The Company cooperates in these inquiries.

MetLife Bank Mortgage Regulatory and Law Enforcement Authorities’ Inquiries. Since 2008, MetLife, through its affiliate, MetLife Bank, has significantly increased its mortgage servicing activities by acquiring servicing portfolios. Currently, MetLife Bank services approximately 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the mortgage loans serviced in the U.S. State and federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities have initiated various inquiries, investigations or examinations of alleged irregularities in the foreclosure practices of the residential mortgage servicing industry. Mortgage servicing practices have also been the subject of Congressional attention. Authorities have publicly stated that the scope of the investigations extends beyond foreclosure documentation practices to include mortgage loan modification and loss mitigation practices.

On April 13, 2011, the OCC entered into consent decrees with several banks, including MetLife Bank. The consent decrees require an independent review of foreclosure practices and set forth new residential mortgage servicing standards, including a requirement for a designated point of contact for a borrower during the loss mitigation process. In addition, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) entered into consent decrees with the affiliated bank holding companies of these banks, including MetLife, Inc., to enhance the supervision of the mortgage servicing activities of their banking subsidiaries. On

 

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August 6, 2012, the Federal Reserve Board issued an Order of Assessment of a Civil Monetary Penalty Issued Upon Consent against MetLife, Inc. that will impose a penalty of up to $3,200,000 for the deficiencies in servicing of residential mortgage loans and processing foreclosures at MetLife Bank that were the subject of the 2011 consent decree.

MetLife Bank also had a meeting with the Department of Justice regarding mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices. It is possible that various state or federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities may seek monetary penalties from MetLife Bank relating to foreclosure practices.

MetLife Bank has also responded to a subpoena issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department of Financial Services”) regarding hazard insurance and flood insurance that MetLife Bank obtains to protect the lienholder’s interest when the borrower’s insurance has lapsed. In April and May 2012, MetLife Bank received two subpoenas issued by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) insured loans. In June 2012, MetLife Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand that the U.S. Department of Justice issued as part of a False Claims Act investigation of allegations that MetLife Bank had improperly originated and/or underwritten loans insured by the FHA.

The consent decrees, as well as the inquiries or investigations referred to above, could adversely affect MetLife’s reputation or result in material fines, penalties, equitable remedies or other enforcement actions, and result in significant legal costs in responding to governmental investigations or other litigation. In addition, the changes to the mortgage servicing business required by the consent decrees and the resolution of any other inquiries or investigations may affect the profitability of such business. The Company is unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss arising from the MetLife Bank regulatory matters. Management believes that the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole will not be materially affected by the MetLife Bank regulatory matters.

United States of America v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., et al. (W.D. Pa., filed January 4, 2011). On January 4, 2011, the U.S. commenced a civil action in United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against EME Homer City Generation L.P. (“EME Homer City”), Homer City OL6 LLC, and other defendants regarding the operations of the Homer City Generating Station, an electricity generating facility. Homer City OL6 LLC, an entity owned by MLIC, is a passive investor with a noncontrolling interest in the electricity generating facility, which is solely operated by the lessee, EME Homer City. The complaint sought injunctive relief and assessment of civil penalties for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act and Pennsylvania’s State Implementation Plan. The alleged violations were the subject of Notices of Violations (“NOVs”) that the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued to EME Homer City, Homer City OL6 LLC, and others in June 2008 and May 2010. On January 7, 2011, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania granted the motion by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the State of New York to intervene in the lawsuit as additional plaintiffs. On February 16, 2011, the State of New Jersey filed an Intervenor’s Complaint in the lawsuit. On October 12, 2011, the court issued an order dismissing the U.S.’s lawsuit with prejudice. The Government entities have appealed from the order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss. EME Homer City has acknowledged its obligation to indemnify Homer City OL6 LLC for any claims relating to the NOVs. Due to the acknowledged indemnification obligation, this matter is not included in the aggregate estimate of range of reasonably possible loss. In a February 13, 2012 letter to EME Homer City, Homer City OL6 LLC and others, the Sierra Club indicated its intent to sue for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and to seek to enjoin the alleged violations, seek unspecified penalties and attorneys’ fees, and other relief. Homer City OL6 LLC has served a claim for indemnification on EME Homer City with respect to the February 13, 2012 letter.

 

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In the Matter of Chemform, Inc. Site, Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida. In July 2010, the EPA advised MLIC that it believed payments were due under two settlement agreements, known as “Administrative Orders on Consent,” that New England Mutual Life Insurance Company (“New England Mutual”) signed in 1989 and 1992 with respect to the cleanup of a Superfund site in Florida (the “Chemform Site”). The EPA originally contacted MLIC (as successor to New England Mutual) and a third party in 2001, and advised that they owed additional clean-up costs for the Chemform Site. The matter was not resolved at that time. The EPA is requesting payment of an amount under $1 million from MLIC and such third party for past costs and an additional amount for future environmental testing costs at the Chemform Site. In June 2012, the EPA, MLIC, and the third party executed an Administrative Order on Consent under which MLIC and the third party have agreed to be responsible for certain environmental testing at the Chemform site. The Company estimates that its costs for the environmental testing will not exceed $100,000. The June 2012 Administrative Order on Consent does not resolve the EPA’s claim for past clean-up costs. The EPA may seek additional costs if the environmental testing identifies issues. The Company estimates that the aggregate cost to resolve this matter will not exceed $1 million.

Metco Site, Hicksville, Nassau County, New York. On February 22, 2012, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued a notice to MLIC, as purported successor in interest to New England Mutual, that it is a potentially responsible party with respect to hazardous substances and hazardous waste located on a property that New England Mutual owned for a time in 1978. MLIC has responded to the Department of Environmental Conservation and asserted that it is not a potentially responsible party under the law.

Sales Practices Regulatory Matters. Regulatory authorities in a small number of states and FINRA, and occasionally the SEC, have had investigations or inquiries relating to sales of individual life insurance policies or annuities or other products by MLIC, MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut (“MICC”), New England Life Insurance Company and General American Life Insurance Company, and four Company broker-dealers, which are MetLife Securities, Inc., New England Securities Corporation, Walnut Street Securities, Inc. and Tower Square Securities, Inc. These investigations often focus on the conduct of particular financial services representatives and the sale of unregistered or unsuitable products or the misuse of client assets. Over the past several years, these and a number of investigations by other regulatory authorities were resolved for monetary payments and certain other relief, including restitution payments. The Company may continue to resolve investigations in a similar manner. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for these sales practices-related investigations or inquiries.

Unclaimed Property Inquiries and Related Litigation

In April 2012, the Company reached agreements with representatives of the U.S. jurisdictions that were conducting audits of MetLife, Inc. and certain of its affiliates for compliance with unclaimed property laws, and with state insurance regulators directly involved in a multistate targeted market conduct examination relating to claim-payment practices and compliance with unclaimed property laws. The effectiveness of each agreement was conditioned upon the approval of a specified number of jurisdictions. In each case, the threshold for effectiveness has been reached. Pursuant to the agreements, the Company will, among other things, take specified action to identify liabilities under life insurance, annuity, and retained asset contracts, to adopt specified procedures for seeking to contact and pay owners of the identified liabilities, and, to the extent that it is unable to locate such owners, to escheat these amounts with interest at a specified rate to the appropriate states. Additionally, the Company has agreed to accelerate the final date of certain industrial life policies and to escheat unclaimed benefits of such policies. Pursuant to the agreement to resolve the market conduct examination, the Company made a $40 million multi-state examination payment to be allocated among the settling states. In the third quarter of 2011, the Company incurred a $117 million after tax charge to increase reserves in connection with the Company’s use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File and similar databases to identify potential life insurance claims that had not been presented to the Company. In the first quarter of 2012, the

 

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Company recorded a $52 million after tax charge for the multi-state examination payment and the expected acceleration of benefit payments to policyholders under the settlements. At least one other jurisdiction is pursuing a similar market conduct exam. It is possible that other jurisdictions may pursue similar exams or audits and that such exams or audits may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties, interest, and/or further changes to the Company’s procedures. The Company is not currently able to estimate these additional possible costs.

Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC on behalf of the State of Illinois v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (Cir. Ct. Cook County, IL, filed January 24, 2011). Alleging that MetLife, Inc. and another company have violated the Illinois Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act by failing to escheat to Illinois benefits of 4,766 life insurance contracts, Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC (“the Relator”) has brought an action under the Illinois False Claims Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act seeking to recover damages on behalf of Illinois. Based on the allegations in the complaint, it appears that plaintiff may have improperly named MetLife, Inc. as a defendant instead of MLIC. The action was sealed by court order until January 18, 2012. The Relator alleges that the aggregate damages, including statutory damages and treble damages, are $1.6 billion. The Relator does not allocate this claimed damage amount between MetLife, Inc. and the other defendant. The Relator also bases its damage calculation in part on its assumption that the average face amount of the subject policies is $110,000. MetLife, Inc. strongly disputes this assumption, the Relator’s alleged damages amounts, and other allegations in the complaint. MetLife, Inc. and MLIC have moved to dismiss the action.

Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC on behalf of the State of Minnesota v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (District Court, County of Hennepin, MN, filed January 31, 2011). Alleging that MetLife, Inc. and another company have violated the Minnesota Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act by failing to escheat to Minnesota benefits of 584 life insurance contracts, the Relator has brought an action under the Minnesota False Claims Act seeking to recover damages on behalf of Minnesota. Based on the allegations in the complaint, it appears that plaintiff may have improperly named MetLife, Inc. as a defendant instead of MLIC. The action was sealed by court order until March 22, 2012. The Relator alleges that the aggregate damages, including statutory damages and treble damages, are $228 million. The Relator does not allocate this claimed damage amount between MetLife, Inc. and the other defendant. The Relator also bases its damage calculation in part on its assumption that the average face amount of the subject policies is $130,000. MetLife, Inc. strongly disputes this assumption, the Relator’s alleged damages amounts, and other allegations in the complaint. MetLife, Inc. and MLIC have moved to dismiss the action.

City of Westland Police and Fire Retirement System v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (S.D.N.Y., filed January 12, 2012). Seeking to represent a class of persons who purchased MetLife, Inc. common shares between February 2, 2010, and October 6, 2011, the plaintiff filed an action alleging that MetLife, Inc. and several current and former executive officers of MetLife, Inc. violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by issuing, or causing MetLife, Inc. to issue, materially false and misleading statements concerning MetLife, Inc.’s potential liability for millions of dollars in insurance benefits that should have been paid to beneficiaries or escheated to the states. In May 2012, plaintiff amended the complaint to add defendants including members of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors and several other parties and to add claims for violations of the Securities Act of 1933. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.

City of Birmingham Retirement and Relief System v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Alabama, filed July 5, 2012). Seeking to represent a class of persons who purchased MetLife, Inc. common equity units in or traceable to a public offering in March 2011, the plaintiff filed an action alleging that MetLife, Inc., certain current and former directors and executive officers of MetLife, Inc., and various underwriters violated several provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 related to the filing of the registration statement by

 

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issuing, or causing MetLife, Inc. to issue, materially false and misleading statements and/or omissions concerning MetLife, Inc.’s potential liability for millions of dollars in insurance benefits that should have been paid to beneficiaries or escheated to the states. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.

Derivative Actions and Demands. Seeking to sue derivatively on behalf of MetLife, Inc., four shareholders have commenced separate actions against members of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors, alleging that they breached their fiduciary and other duties to the Company. The actions are Fishbaum v. Kandarian, et al. (Sup. Ct., New York County, filed January 27, 2012), Batchelder v. Burwell, et al. (Sup. Ct., New York County, filed March 6, 2012), Mallon v. Kandarian, et al. (S.D.N.Y., filed March 28, 2012), and Martino v. Kandarian, et al. (S.D.N.Y., filed April 19, 2012). The two federal court actions have been consolidated and have been stayed pending further order of the court. Plaintiffs in all four actions allege that the defendants failed to ensure that the Company complied with state unclaimed property laws and to ensure that the Company accurately reported its earnings. Plaintiffs allege that because of the defendants’ breaches of duty, MetLife, Inc. has incurred damage to its reputation and has suffered other unspecified damages. The defendants intend to defend these actions vigorously. A fifth shareholder, Western Pennsylvania Electrical Workers Pension Fund, has written to the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors demanding that MetLife, Inc. take action against current and former Board members, executive officers, and MetLife, Inc.’s independent auditor, for similar alleged breaches of duty with respect to the Company’s compliance with unclaimed property laws and financial disclosures. The MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors has appointed a Special Committee to investigate these allegations.

Total Control Accounts Litigation and Regulatory Actions

MLIC is a defendant in a consolidated lawsuit related to its use of retained asset accounts, known as Total Control Accounts (“TCA”), as a settlement option for death benefits.

Keife, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (D. Nev., filed in state court on July 30, 2010 and removed to federal court on September 7, 2010); and Simon v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (D. Nev., filed November 3, 2011). These putative class action lawsuits, which have been consolidated, raise breach of contract claims arising from MLIC’s use of the TCA to pay life insurance benefits under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (“FEGLI”) program. Specifically, plaintiffs allege that under the terms of the FEGLI policy, MLIC is required to make “immediate” payment of death benefits in “one sum.” MLIC, plaintiff alleges, breached this duty by instead retaining the death benefits in its general investment account and sending beneficiaries a “book of drafts” known as the “TCA Money Market Option” as the only means by which funds can be accessed. As damages, plaintiffs seek disgorgement of the difference between the interest paid to the account holders and the investment earnings on the assets backing the accounts. In September 2010, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification of the breach of contract claim, which the court has stayed. On April 28, 2011, the court denied MLIC’s motion to dismiss. On May 4, 2012, MLIC moved for summary judgment.

Various state regulators have also taken actions with respect to retained asset accounts. The Department of Financial Services issued a circular letter on March 29, 2012 stating that an insurer should only use a retained asset account when a policyholder or beneficiary affirmatively chooses to receive life insurance proceeds through such an account and providing for certain disclosures to a beneficiary, including that payment by a single check is an option. In connection with an ongoing market conduct exam, MLIC has entered into a consent order with the Minnesota Department of Commerce regarding MLIC’s use of TCAs as a default option.

The Company is unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss arising from the TCA matters.

 

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Other U.S. Litigation

Roberts, et al. v. Tishman Speyer Properties, et al. (Sup. Ct., N.Y. County, filed January 22, 2007). This lawsuit was filed by a putative class of market rate tenants at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village against parties including Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company (“MTL”) and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company. Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company has merged into MTL and no longer exists as a separate entity. These tenants claim that MTL, as former owner, and the current owner improperly deregulated apartments while receiving J-51 tax abatements. The lawsuit seeks declaratory relief and damages for rent overcharges. In October 2009, the New York State Court of Appeals issued an opinion denying MTL’s motion to dismiss the complaint. MTL has reached a settlement in principle, subject to finalizing the settlement terms and court approval. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for this lawsuit.

Merrill Haviland, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (E.D. Mich., removed to federal court on July 22, 2011). This lawsuit was filed by 45 retired General Motors (“GM”) employees against MLIC and the amended complaint includes claims for conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of contract, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraudulent insurance acts, unfair trade practices, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) claims based upon GM’s 2009 reduction of the employees’ life insurance coverage under GM’s ERISA-governed plan. The complaint includes a count seeking class action status. MLIC is the insurer of GM’s group life insurance plan and administers claims under the plan. According to the complaint, MLIC had previously provided plaintiffs with a “written guarantee” that their life insurance benefits under the GM plan would not be reduced for the rest of their lives. On June 26, 2012, the district court granted MLIC’s motion to dismiss the complaint.

Sales Practices Claims. Over the past several years, the Company has faced numerous claims, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper marketing or sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities, mutual funds or other products. Some of the current cases seek substantial damages, including punitive and treble damages and attorneys’ fees. The Company continues to vigorously defend against the claims in these matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for sales practices matters.

International Litigation

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (Super. Ct., Ontario, October 2006). In 2006, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (“Sun Life”), as successor to the purchaser of MLIC’s Canadian operations, filed this lawsuit in Toronto, seeking a declaration that MLIC remains liable for “market conduct claims” related to certain individual life insurance policies sold by MLIC and that have been transferred to Sun Life. Sun Life had asked that the court require MLIC to indemnify Sun Life for these claims pursuant to indemnity provisions in the sale agreement for the sale of MLIC’s Canadian operations entered into in June of 1998. In January 2010, the court found that Sun Life had given timely notice of its claim for indemnification but, because it found that Sun Life had not yet incurred an indemnifiable loss, granted MLIC’s motion for summary judgment. Both parties appealed. In September 2010, Sun Life notified MLIC that a purported class action lawsuit was filed against Sun Life in Toronto, Kang v. Sun Life Assurance Co. (Super. Ct., Ontario, September 2010), alleging sales practices claims regarding the same individual policies sold by MLIC and transferred to Sun Life. An amended class action complaint in that case was served on Sun Life, again without naming MLIC as a party. On August 30, 2011, Sun Life notified MLIC that a purported class action lawsuit was filed against Sun Life in Vancouver, Alamwala v. Sun Life Assurance Co. (Sup. Ct., British Columbia, August 2011), alleging sales practices claims regarding certain of the same policies sold by MLIC and transferred to Sun Life. Sun Life contends that MLIC is obligated to indemnify Sun Life for some or all of the claims in these lawsuits. The Company is unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss arising from this litigation.

 

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Italy Fund Redemption Suspension Complaints and Litigation. As a result of suspension of withdrawals and diminution in value in certain funds offered within certain unit-linked policies sold by the Italian branch of Alico Life International, Ltd. (“ALIL”), a number of policyholders invested in those funds have either commenced or threatened litigation against ALIL, alleging misrepresentation, inadequate disclosures and other related claims. These policyholders contacted ALIL beginning in July 2009 alleging that the funds operated at variance to the published prospectus and that prospectus risk disclosures were allegedly wrong, unclear, and misleading. The limited number of lawsuits or complaints that have been filed to date have either been resolved or are proceeding. In March 2011, ALIL implemented a plan to resolve policyholder claims. Under the plan, ALIL provided liquidity to the suspended funds so that policyholders may withdraw investments in these funds, and ALIL offered policyholders amounts in addition to the liquidation value of the suspended funds based on the performance of other relevant financial products. The settlement program achieved a 96% acceptance rate. Those policyholders who did not accept the settlement may still pursue other remedies or commence individual litigation. Under the terms of the stock purchase agreement dated as of March 7, 2010, as amended, by and among MetLife, Inc., AIG and AM Holdings LLC, AIG agreed to indemnify MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates for third party claims and regulatory fines associated with ALIL’s suspended funds. Due to the acknowledged indemnification obligation, this matter is not included in the aggregate estimate of range of reasonably possible loss.

Summary

Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation and claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed previously and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, mortgage lending bank, employer, investor, investment advisor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

Commitments

Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments

The Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $3.6 billion and $4.0 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company anticipates that these amounts will be invested in partnerships over the next five years.

Mortgage Loan Commitments

Prior to exiting the business of originating forward and reverse residential mortgage loans, in the ordinary course of business, the Company issued interest rate lock commitments on certain residential mortgage loan

 

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applications which totaled $5.6 billion at December 31, 2011. There were no outstanding interest rate lock commitments at June 30, 2012. The Company sells these originated residential mortgage loans. Interest rate lock commitments to fund mortgage loans that will be held-for-sale are considered derivatives and their estimated fair value and notional amounts are included within interest rate forwards. See Notes 2 and 4.

The Company also commits to lend funds under certain mortgage loan commitments that will be held-for-investment. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $3.9 billion and $4.1 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Commitments to Fund Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments

The Company commits to lend funds under bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $1.4 billion at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Guarantees

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded $2 million of additional liabilities for indemnities, guarantees and commitments. The Company’s recorded liabilities were $7 million and $5 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, for indemnities, guarantees and commitments.

12. Employee Benefit Plans

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Certain subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. (the “Subsidiaries”) sponsor and/or administer various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement employee benefit plans covering employees and sales representatives who meet specified eligibility requirements. The Subsidiaries also provide certain postemployment benefits and certain postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for retired employees. The Subsidiaries have issued group annuity and life insurance contracts supporting approximately 99% of all U.S. pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets, which are invested primarily in separate accounts sponsored by the Subsidiaries.

Measurement dates used for all of the Subsidiaries’ defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans correspond with the fiscal year ends of sponsoring Subsidiaries, which are December 31 for most Subsidiaries and November 30 for American Life.

The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Three Months
Ended
June  30,
    Three Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Service costs

   $ 56     $ 47     $ 16     $ 16     $ 6     $ 4     $ 1      $   

Interest costs

     102       101       5       4       25       27                 

Expected return on plan assets

     (121     (112     (2     (1     (19     (19               

Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses

     49       48                     14       10                 

Amortization of prior service costs (credit)

     1       1                     (26     (27               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 87     $ 85     $ 19     $ 19     $      $ (5   $ 1      $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Service costs

   $ 112     $ 94     $ 36     $ 32     $ 11     $ 8     $ 1      $ 1  

Interest costs

     203       202       9       8       51       53       1        1  

Expected return on plan assets

     (242     (224     (4     (3     (38     (38             (1

Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses

     98       97                     28       21                 

Amortization of prior service costs (credit)

     3       2                     (52     (54               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 174     $ 171     $ 41     $ 37     $      $ (10   $ 2      $ 1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

13. Equity

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Payout of 2009—2011 Performance Shares

Vested Performance Shares are multiplied by a performance factor of 0.0 to 2.0 based largely on MetLife, Inc.’s performance. For this purpose, MetLife Inc.’s performance is determined in terms of (a) the change in annual net operating earnings and (b) total shareholder return, in each case, over the applicable three-year performance period compared to the performance of its competitors. Final Performance Shares are paid in shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. The performance factor for the January 1, 2009 — December 31, 2011 performance period was 1.13. This factor has been applied to the 1,791,609 Performance Shares associated with that performance period that vested on December 31, 2011 and, as a result, 2,024,518 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (less withholding for taxes and other items, as applicable) were issued, aside from shares that payees chose to defer, during the second quarter of 2012.

Payout of 2009—2011 Performance Units

Vested Performance Units are multiplied by a performance factor of 0.0 to 2.0 based largely on MetLife, Inc.’s performance. For this purpose, MetLife Inc.’s performance is determined in terms of (a) the change in annual net operating earnings and (b) total shareholder return, in each case, over the applicable three-year performance period compared to the performance of its competitors. Final Performance Units which are payable in cash equal to the closing price of MetLife, Inc. common stock on a date following the last day of the three-year performance period. The performance factor for the January 1, 2009 — December 31, 2011 performance period was 1.13. This factor has been applied to the 51,144 Performance Units associated with that performance period that vested on December 31, 2011 and, as a result, the cash value of 57,793 units was paid during the second quarter of 2012.

 

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Dividend Restrictions

The table below sets forth the dividends permitted to be paid by the respective insurance subsidiary without insurance regulatory approval and the respective dividends paid:

 

     2012  

Company

   Paid     Permitted w/o
Approval (1)
 
     (In millions)  

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

   $      $ 1,350  

American Life Insurance Company

   $   1,000  (2)    $ 168  

MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut

   $ 202  (3)    $ 504  

Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company

   $      $ 82  

MetLife Investors Insurance Company

   $      $ 18  

Delaware American Life Insurance Company

   $      $ 12  

 

 

(1)

Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid during 2012 without prior regulatory approval. However, because dividend tests may be based on dividends previously paid over rolling 12-month periods, if paid before a specified date during 2012, some or all of such dividends may require regulatory approval. No available amounts were paid by the above subsidiaries to MetLife, Inc. during the six months ended June 30, 2012, except as described for American Life and MICC.

 

(2)

During May 2012, American Life received regulatory approval to pay an extraordinary dividend for an amount up to the funds remitted in connection with the Company’s restructuring of American Life’s business in Japan. The dividend may be paid in installments by November 30, 2012. Subsequently, $1.5 billion was remitted to American Life. See Note 2. Of this approved amount, $1.0 billion was paid to MetLife, Inc. as an extraordinary dividend, during May 2012, which included the $168 million otherwise permitted to be paid without approval later in 2012, due to the timing of such dividend.

 

(3)

During June 2012, MICC distributed shares of an affiliate to MetLife, Inc. as an in-kind extraordinary dividend of $202 million as calculated on a statutory basis. Regulatory approval for this extraordinary dividend was obtained due to the timing of payment. Remaining dividends permitted to be paid in 2012 without regulatory approval total $302 million.

See Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for additional information on dividend restrictions.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

14. Other Expenses

Information on other expenses was as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Compensation

   $ 1,395     $ 1,329     $ 2,889     $ 2,656  

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs

     110       95       228       190  

Commissions

     1,467       1,587       3,024       3,003  

Volume-related costs

     156       91       248       174  

Interest credited to bank deposits

     20       23       41       46  

Capitalization of DAC

     (1,315     (1,367     (2,679     (2,631

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     1,479       1,254       2,193       2,193  

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (181     (183     (336     (366

Interest expense on debt and debt issuance costs

     342       420       700       835  

Premium taxes, licenses and fees

     144       142       343       277  

Professional services

     363       400       778       683  

Rent, net of sublease income

     112       113       232       220  

Other

     683       795       1,435       1,509  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses

   $ 4,775     $ 4,699     $ 9,096     $ 8,789  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capitalization of DAC and Amortization of DAC and VOBA

See Note 6 for DAC and VOBA by segment and a rollforward of each including impacts of capitalization and amortization. See also Note 9 for a description of the DAC amortization impact associated with the closed block. See Note 1 for information on the retrospective application of the adoption of new accounting guidance related to DAC.

Costs Related to the Acquisition of ALICO

Integration-Related Expenses

Integration-related costs were $94 million and $179 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $102 million and $170 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Integration-related costs represent costs directly related to integrating American Life and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (collectively, “ALICO”), including expenses for consulting, rebranding and the integration of information systems. Such costs have been expensed as incurred and as the integration of ALICO is an enterprise-wide initiative, these expenses are reported within Corporate & Other.

Restructuring Charges

As part of the integration of ALICO’s operations, management initiated restructuring plans focused on increasing productivity and improving the efficiency of the Company’s operations. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report. Estimated restructuring charges may change as management continues to execute its restructuring plans. Management anticipates further restructuring charges, including severance, contract termination costs and other associated costs through the year ended December 31, 2013. However, such restructuring plans are not sufficiently developed to enable management to make an estimate of such restructuring charges at June 30, 2012.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Restructuring charges associated with restructuring plans related to the acquisition of ALICO are included in other expenses within Corporate & Other. Such restructuring charges included:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 11     $ 13     $ 13     $ 10  

Restructuring charges

     6       7       9       24  

Cash payments

     (9     (11     (14     (25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 8     $ 9     $ 8     $ 9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restructuring charges incurred in current period

   $ 6     $ 7     $ 9     $ 24  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total restructuring charges incurred since inception of restructuring plans

   $ 65     $ 34     $ 65     $ 34  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Restructuring Charges

The Company has commenced an enterprise-wide strategic initiative. This global strategy focuses on leveraging the Company’s scale to improve the value it provides to customers and shareholders in order to reduce costs, enhance revenues, achieve efficiencies and reinvest in its technology, platforms and functionality to improve its current operations and develop new capabilities.

These restructuring charges are included in other expenses. As the expenses relate to an enterprise-wide initiative, they are reported within Corporate & Other. Estimated restructuring costs may change as management continues to execute this enterprise-wide strategic initiative. Such restructuring changes were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2012  
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 27     $   

Severance charges

     20       47  

Cash payments

     (26     (26
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 21     $ 21  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restructuring charges incurred in current period

   $ 20     $ 47  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total restructuring charges incurred since inception of initiative

   $ 47     $ 47  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Management anticipates further restructuring charges including severance, lease and asset impairments, through the year ending December 31, 2014. However, such restructuring plans are not sufficiently developed to enable the Company to make an estimate of such restructuring charges at June 30, 2012.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

15. Earnings Per Common Share

The following table presents the weighted average shares used in calculating basic earnings per common share and those used in calculating diluted earnings per common share for each income category presented below:

 

    Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
    2012     2011     2012     2011  
    (In millions, except share and per share data)  

Weighted Average Shares:

       

Weighted average common stock outstanding for basic earnings per common share

    1,064,688,383       1,059,751,486       1,063,560,105       1,058,795,981  

Incremental common shares from assumed:

       

Stock purchase contracts underlying common equity units (1)

           4,015,640              3,282,889  

Exercise or issuance of stock-based awards

    5,291,235       7,208,779       5,971,776       7,832,099  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common stock outstanding for diluted earnings per common share

    1,069,979,618       1,070,975,905       1,069,531,881       1,069,910,969  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations:

       

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  $ 2,300     $ 1,062     $ 2,166     $ 1,986  

Less: Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests

    8       (7     32         

Less: Preferred stock dividends

    31       31       61       61  

         Preferred stock redemption premium

                         146  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

  $ 2,261     $ 1,038     $ 2,073     $ 1,779  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic

  $ 2.13     $ 0.98     $ 1.95     $ 1.68  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  $ 2.12     $ 0.97     $ 1.93     $ 1.66  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations:

       

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax

  $ 3     $ 31     $ 17     $ (9

Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests

                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

  $ 3     $ 31     $ 17     $ (9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic

  $      $ 0.03     $ 0.02     $ (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  $      $ 0.03     $ 0.02     $ (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss):

       

Net income (loss)

  $ 2,303     $ 1,093     $ 2,183     $ 1,977  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    8       (7     32         

Less: Preferred stock dividends

    31       31       61       61  

         Preferred stock redemption premium

                         146  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

  $ 2,264     $ 1,069     $ 2,090     $ 1,770  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic

  $ 2.13     $ 1.01     $ 1.97     $ 1.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  $ 2.12     $ 1.00     $ 1.95     $ 1.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for a description of the Company’s common equity units. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, all shares related to the assumed issuance of shares in settlement of the applicable purchase contracts have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as these assumed shares are anti-dilutive.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

16. Segment Information

As announced in November 2011, the Company reorganized its business from its former U.S. Business and International structure into three broad geographic regions to better reflect its global reach. As a result, in the first quarter of 2012, the Company reorganized into six segments, reflecting these broad geographic regions: Retail; Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits; Corporate Benefit Funding; and Latin America (collectively, “The Americas”); Asia; and EMEA. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other, which includes MetLife Bank and other business activities. Prior period results have been revised in connection with this reorganization.

The Americas. The Americas consists of the following segments:

 

   

    Retail. The Retail segment offers a broad range of protection products and services and a variety of annuities to individuals and employees of corporations and other institutions, and is organized into two businesses: Life and Annuities. Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life, term life and whole life products. Annuities include a variety of variable and fixed annuities which provide for both asset accumulation and asset distribution needs. Additionally, through our broker-dealer affiliates, we offer a full range of mutual funds and other securities products.

 

   

    Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits. The Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segment offers a broad range of protection products and services to individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, and is organized into three businesses: Group Life, Non-Medical Health and Property & Casualty. Group Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life and term life products. Non-Medical Health products and services include dental insurance, group short- and long-term disability, individual disability income, long-term care, critical illness and accidental death & dismemberment coverages. Property & Casualty provides personal lines property and casualty insurance, including private passenger automobile, homeowners and personal excess liability insurance.

 

   

    Corporate Benefit Funding. The Corporate Benefit Funding segment includes an array of annuity and investment products, including guaranteed interest products and other stable value products, income annuities, and separate account contracts for the investment management of defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets. This segment also includes certain products to fund postretirement benefits and company-, bank- or trust-owned life insurance used to finance non-qualified benefit programs for executives.

 

   

    Latin America. The Latin America segment offers a broad range of products to both individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, which include life insurance, accident and health insurance, group medical, dental, credit life insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products.

Asia. The Asia segment offers a broad range of products to both individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, which include whole life, term life, variable life, universal life, accident and health insurance, fixed and variable annuities and endowment products.

EMEA. The EMEA segment offers a broad range of products to both individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, which include life insurance, accident and health insurance, credit life insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products.

Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments, external integration costs, internal resource costs for associates committed to acquisitions and various start-up and certain run-off entities.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Corporate & Other also includes assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan. This in-force reinsurance agreement reinsures living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with variable annuity products. Additionally, Corporate & Other includes interest expense related to the majority of the Company’s outstanding debt, expenses associated with certain legal proceedings, the financial results of MetLife Bank (see Note 2) and income tax audit issues. Corporate & Other also includes the elimination of intersegment amounts, which generally relate to intersegment loans, which bear interest rates commensurate with related borrowings.

Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss the Company uses to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is the Company’s measure of segment performance and is reported below. Operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax. The Company believes the presentation of operating earnings as the Company measures it for management purposes enhances the understanding of its performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business.

Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, both net of income tax.

Operating revenues and operating expenses exclude results of discontinued operations and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife, Inc. (“Divested Businesses”). Operating revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses).

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP revenues, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating revenues:

 

   

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees excludes the amortization of unearned revenue related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and certain variable annuity GMIB fees (“GMIB Fees”);

 

   

Net investment income: (i) includes amounts for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, (ii) includes income from discontinued real estate operations, (iii) excludes post-tax operating earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iv) excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, and (v) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and

 

   

Other revenues are adjusted for settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges.

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP expenses, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating expenses:

 

   

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends excludes: (i) changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), (ii) inflation-indexed benefit adjustments associated with contracts backed by inflation-indexed investments and amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets, (iii) benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”), and (iv) market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market Value Adjustments”);

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

   

Interest credited to policyholder account balances includes adjustments for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of PABs but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and excludes amounts related to net investment income earned on contractholder-directed unit-linked investments;

 

   

Amortization of DAC and VOBA excludes amounts related to: (i) net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), (ii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs, and (iii) Market Value Adjustments;

 

   

Amortization of negative VOBA excludes amounts related to Market Value Adjustments;

 

   

Interest expense on debt excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and

 

   

Other expenses excludes costs related to: (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements, and (iii) acquisition and integration costs.

In 2011, management modified its definition of operating earnings to exclude the impacts of the Divested Businesses, which includes certain operations of MetLife Bank and the Caribbean Business, as these results are not relevant to understanding the Company’s ongoing operating results. Consequently, prior period results for Corporate & Other have been increased by $27 million, net of $15 million of income tax, and $54 million, net of $31 million of income tax, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Also, prior period results for Latin America have been decreased by $3 million, net of $1 million of income tax, and $7 million, net of $3 million of income tax, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. As a result of the modified definition, prior period consolidated operating earnings increased by $24 million, net of $14 million of income tax, and $47 million, net of $28 million of income tax, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

Set forth in the tables below is certain financial information with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The segment accounting policies are the same as those used to prepare the Company’s consolidated financial statements, except for operating earnings adjustments as defined above. In addition, segment accounting policies include the method of capital allocation described below.

Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in the Company’s business.

The Company’s economic capital model aligns segment allocated equity with emerging standards and consistent risk principles. Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact the Company’s consolidated net investment income, operating earnings or income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

 

    Operating Earnings              
    The Americas                                      

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012

  Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Total     Asia     EMEA     Corporate
&  Other
    Total     Adjustments     Total
Consolidated
 
    (In millions)  

Revenues

                     

Premiums

  $ 1,081     $ 4,178     $ 523     $ 652     $ 6,434     $ 2,011     $ 680     $ 14     $ 9,139     $ 22     $ 9,161  

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

    1,119       165       57       196       1,537       315       108       39       1,999       98       2,097  

Net investment income

    1,839       494       1,431       283       4,047       730       157       253       5,187       (468     4,719  

Other revenues

    213       116       65       3       397       (3     27       43       464       (71     393  

Net investment gains (losses)

                                                                   (64     (64

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                                   2,092       2,092  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    4,252       4,953       2,076       1,134       12,415       3,053       972       349       16,789       1,609       18,398  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

                     

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

    1,837       3,766       1,131       568       7,302       1,374       404       52       9,132       131       9,263  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    590       43       338       90       1,061       426       26       12       1,525       (503     1,022  

Capitalization of DAC

    (367     (112     (8     (71     (558     (538     (217            (1,313     (2     (1,315

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

    407       98       4       54       563       404       195              1,162       317       1,479  

Amortization of negative VOBA

                         (1     (1     (127     (36            (164     (17     (181

Interest expense on debt

                  2              2       4       1       292       299       43       342  

Other expenses

    1,201       724       120       323       2,368       1,097       478       170       4,113       337       4,450  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,668       4,519       1,587       963       10,737       2,640       851       526       14,754       306       15,060  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

    204       139       171       36       550       138       39       (149     578       460       1,038  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 380     $ 295     $ 318     $ 135     $ 1,128     $ 275     $ 82     $ (28     1,457      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

Adjustments to:

                     

Total revenues

  

    1,609      

Total expenses

  

    (306    

Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

  

    (460    
                 

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  

  $ 2,300       $ 2,300  
                 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Operating Earnings              
    The Americas                                      

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

  Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Total     Asia     EMEA     Corporate
&  Other
    Total     Adjustments     Total
Consolidated
 
    (In millions)  

Revenues

                     

Premiums

  $ 1,135     $ 4,028     $ 874     $ 647     $ 6,684     $ 1,884     $ 689     $ 13     $ 9,270     $ 24     $ 9,294  

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

    1,032       155       58       194       1,439       296       135       38       1,908       61       1,969  

Net investment income

    1,827       505       1,408       272       4,012       596       178       225       5,011       83       5,094  

Other revenues

    187       99       61       2       349       8       29       72       458       134       592  

Net investment gains (losses)

                                                                   (155     (155

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                                   352       352  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    4,181       4,787       2,401       1,115       12,484       2,784       1,031       348       16,647       499       17,146  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

                     

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

    1,876       3,725       1,446       534       7,581       1,272       395       24       9,272       223       9,495  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    595       45       331       94       1,065       398       45              1,508       (66     1,442  

Capitalization of DAC

    (499     (123     (5     (78     (705     (467     (193            (1,365     (2     (1,367

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

    368       119       5       62       554       401       181              1,136       118       1,254  

Amortization of negative VOBA

                         (2     (2     (141     (20            (163     (20     (183

Interest expense on debt

                  3       1       4       (1            325       328       92       420  

Other expenses

    1,324       692       122       339       2,477       1,063       514       118       4,172       403       4,575  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,664       4,458       1,902       950       10,974       2,525       922       467       14,888       748       15,636  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

    184       101       174       36       495       88       45       (107     521       (73     448  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 333     $ 228     $ 325     $ 129     $ 1,015     $ 171     $ 64     $ (12     1,238      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

Adjustments to:

                     

Total revenues

  

    499      

Total expenses

  

    (748    

Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

  

    73      
                 

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  

  $ 1,062       $ 1,062  
                 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Operating Earnings              
    The Americas                                      

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012

  Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Total     Asia     EMEA     Corporate
&  Other
    Total     Adjustments     Total
Consolidated
 
    (In millions)  

Revenues

                     

Premiums

  $ 2,217     $ 8,251     $ 1,030     $ 1,338     $ 12,836     $ 3,958     $ 1,424     $ 28     $ 18,246     $ 44     $ 18,290  

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

    2,233       331       108       392       3,064       638       227       79       4,008       167       4,175  

Net investment income

    3,695       985       2,832       582       8,094       1,383       342       453       10,272       647       10,919  

Other revenues

    418       228       129       8       783       13       63       94       953       37       990  

Net investment gains (losses)

                                                                   (174     (174

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                                   114       114  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    8,563       9,795       4,099       2,320       24,777       5,992       2,056       654       33,479       835       34,314  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

                     

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

    3,739       7,405       2,223       1,160       14,527       2,643       838       63       18,071       639       18,710  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    1,186       85       677       190       2,138       853       61       12       3,064       515       3,579  

Capitalization of DAC

    (772     (214     (15     (155     (1,156     (1,099     (420            (2,675     (4     (2,679

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

    740       199       14       109       1,062       759       359              2,180       13       2,193  

Amortization of negative VOBA

                         (3     (3     (257     (41            (301     (35     (336

Interest expense on debt

                  4       1       5       5       1       601       612       88       700  

Other expenses

    2,457       1,440       248       649       4,794       2,219       1,018       373       8,404       814       9,218  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,350       8,915       3,151       1,951       21,367       5,123       1,816       1,049       29,355       2,030       31,385  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

    425       281       332       86       1,124       297       82       (329     1,174       (411     763  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 788     $ 599     $ 616     $ 283     $ 2,286     $ 572     $ 158     $ (66     2,950      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

Adjustments to:

                     

Total revenues

  

    835      

Total expenses

  

    (2,030    

Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

  

    411      
                 

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  

  $ 2,166       $ 2,166  
                 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

    Operating Earnings              
    The Americas                                      

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

  Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Total     Asia     EMEA     Corporate
&  Other
    Total     Adjustments     Total
Consolidated
 
    (In millions)  

Revenues

                     

Premiums

  $ 2,160     $ 8,004     $ 1,297     $ 1,241     $ 12,702     $ 3,687     $ 1,386     $ 27     $ 17,802     $ 46     $ 17,848  

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

    2,023       314       112       383       2,832       593       239       76       3,740       118       3,858  

Net investment income

    3,635       990       2,794       438       7,857       1,109       351       477       9,794       612       10,406  

Other revenues

    369       200       121       6       696       20       55       155       926       232       1,158  

Net investment gains (losses)

                                                                   (254     (254

Net derivative gains (losses)

                                                                   37       37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    8,187       9,508       4,324       2,068       24,087       5,409       2,031       735       32,262       791       33,053  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

                     

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

    3,655       7,319       2,466       958       14,398       2,470       803       40       17,711       393       18,104  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    1,186       88       666       185       2,125       778       84              2,987       379       3,366  

Capitalization of DAC

    (920     (245     (17     (153     (1,335     (918     (374            (2,627     (4     (2,631

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

    706       233       10       109       1,058       730       345              2,133       60       2,193  

Amortization of negative VOBA

                         (4     (4     (287     (35            (326     (40     (366

Interest expense on debt

                  5       1       6              1       644       651       184       835  

Other expenses

    2,521       1,384       248       648       4,801       2,053       972       236       8,062       696       8,758  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,148       8,779       3,378       1,744       21,049       4,826       1,796       920       28,591       1,668       30,259  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

    365       228       332       74       999       188       92       (194     1,085       (277     808  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 674     $ 501     $ 614     $ 250     $ 2,039     $ 395     $ 143     $ 9       2,586      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

Adjustments to:

                     

Total revenues

  

    791      

Total expenses

  

    (1,668    

Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

  

    277      
                 

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  

  $ 1,986       $ 1,986  
                 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

The following table presents total assets with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other, at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Retail

   $ 310,874      $ 295,012  

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

     52,459        51,776  

Corporate Benefit Funding

     211,619        195,217  

Latin America

     23,426        20,315  

Asia

     118,073        112,955  

EMEA

     33,615        32,891  

Corporate & Other

     75,122        88,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 825,188      $ 796,226  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income is based upon the actual results of each segment’s specifically identifiable asset portfolio adjusted for allocated equity. Other costs are allocated to each of the segments based upon: (i) a review of the nature of such costs; (ii) time studies analyzing the amount of employee compensation costs incurred by each segment; and (iii) cost estimates included in the Company’s product pricing.

17. Discontinued Operations

Real Estate

The Company actively manages its real estate portfolio with the objective of maximizing earnings through selective acquisitions and dispositions. Income related to real estate classified as held-for-sale or sold is presented in discontinued operations. These assets are carried at the lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs. Income from discontinued real estate operations, net of income tax, was $3 million and $17 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $30 million and $51 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

The carrying value of real estate related to discontinued operations was $12 million and $123 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

 

Operations

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company Limited (“MetLife Taiwan”), to a third party, and the sale occurred in November 2011. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report. The following table presents the amounts related to the operations of MetLife Taiwan that have been reflected as discontinued operations in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
 
     (In millions)  

Total revenues

   $ 129     $ 236  

Total expenses

     116       214  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before provision for income tax

     13       22  

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     5       8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax

     8       14  

Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax

     (7     (74
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax

   $ 1     $ (60
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

18. Subsequent Event

American Life U.K. Assumption Reinsurance

During July 2012, the Company completed the disposal, through assumption reinsurance, of certain closed blocks of business in the U.K., to a third party. Simultaneously, the Company recaptured from the third party the indemnity reinsurance agreement related to this business, previously reinsured as of July 1, 2011. These transactions resulted in a decrease in insurance and reinsurance assets and liabilities of approximately $4.1 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively. In the third quarter of 2012, the Company will recognize a gain of approximately $31 million, net of income tax, on the transactions.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2.

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

For purposes of this discussion, “MetLife,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Following this summary is a discussion addressing the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company for the periods indicated. This discussion should be read in conjunction with MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2012 (as revised, the “2011 Annual Report”), the forward-looking statement information included below, the “Risk Factors” set forth in Part II, Item 1A, and the additional risk factors referred to therein, and the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results. Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

The following discussion includes references to our performance measures, operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders, that are not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss we use to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is our measure of segment performance. Operating earnings is also a measure by which senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans.

Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, both net of income tax. Operating earnings available to common shareholders is defined as operating earnings less preferred stock dividends.

Operating revenues and operating expenses exclude results of discontinued operations and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife, Inc. (“Divested Businesses”). Operating revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses).

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP revenues, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating revenues:

 

   

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees excludes the amortization of unearned revenue related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and certain variable annuity guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”) fees (“GMIB Fees”);

 

   

Net investment income: (i) includes amounts for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, (ii) includes income from discontinued real estate operations, (iii) excludes post-tax operating earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iv) excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, and (v) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) consolidated under GAAP; and

 

   

Other revenues are adjusted for settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges.

 

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Table of Contents

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP expenses, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating expenses:

 

   

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends excludes: (i) changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), (ii) inflation-indexed benefit adjustments associated with contracts backed by inflation-indexed investments and amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets, (iii) benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”), and (iv) market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market Value Adjustments”);

 

   

Interest credited to policyholder account balances includes adjustments for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances (“PABs”) but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and excludes amounts related to net investment income earned on contractholder-directed unit-linked investments;

 

   

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) excludes amounts related to: (i) net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), (ii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs, and (iii) Market Value Adjustments;

 

   

Amortization of negative VOBA excludes amounts related to Market Value Adjustments;

 

   

Interest expense on debt excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and

 

   

Other expenses excludes costs related to: (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements, and (iii) acquisition and integration costs.

We believe the presentation of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders as we measure it for management purposes enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business. Operating revenues, operating expenses, operating earnings, and operating earnings available to common shareholders, should not be viewed as substitutes for the following financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP: GAAP revenues, GAAP expenses, GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, and GAAP net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, respectively. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in “— Results of Operations.”

In 2011, management modified its definition of operating earnings to exclude the impacts of the Divested Businesses, which includes certain operations of MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”) and our insurance operations in the Caribbean region, Panama and Costa Rica (the “Caribbean Business”), as these results are not relevant to understanding the Company’s ongoing operating results. Consequently, prior period results for Corporate & Other have been increased by $27 million, net of $15 million of income tax, and $54 million, net of $31 million of income tax, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Also, prior period results for Latin America have been decreased by $3 million, net of $1 million of income tax, and $7 million, net of $3 million of income tax, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. As a result of the modified definition, prior period consolidated operating earnings increased by $24 million, net of $14 million of income tax, and $47 million, net of $28 million of income tax, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

In this discussion, we sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity. Additionally, the impact of changes in our foreign currency exchange rates is calculated using the average foreign currency exchange rates for the current period and is applied to the prior period. Also, operating return on common equity is defined as operating earnings available to common shareholders divided by average GAAP common equity.

 

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Executive Summary

MetLife is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs throughout the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife offers life insurance, annuities, property & casualty insurance, and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions.

Our well-recognized brand, leading market positions, competitive and innovative product offerings and financial strength and expertise should help drive future growth and enhance shareholder value, building on a long history of fairness, honesty and integrity. Over the course of the next several years, we will pursue the following objectives to position the Company for continued growth and achieve our vision of being recognized as the leading global life insurance and employee benefits provider:

 

   

Refocus our U.S. businesses

 

  Manage mature markets for cash flow

 

  Shift product mix away from capital intensive products

 

  Invest in growth initiatives for the voluntary/worksite and direct channels

 

  Drive margin improvement

 

   

Build the Global Employee Benefits business

 

  Accelerate our local employee benefits businesses outside the United States

 

  Grow our global benefits businesses through multinational and expatriate solutions

 

   

Grow emerging markets presence

 

  Seek opportunistic mergers and acquisitions opportunities to complement our organic growth

 

  Accelerate our base of earnings in emerging markets in which we already have a strong presence

 

   

Drive toward customer centricity and a global brand

 

  Develop a deep understanding of our customers’ needs and expectations

 

  Capture unique market and industry consumer insights

 

  Build a global brand with a singular global brand promise

As announced in November 2011, the Company reorganized its business from its former U.S. Business and International structure into three broad geographic regions to better reflect its global reach. As a result, in the first quarter of 2012, the Company reorganized into six segments, reflecting these broad geographic regions: Retail; Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits; Corporate Benefit Funding; and Latin America (collectively, “The Americas”); Asia; and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”). In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other, which includes MetLife Bank and other business activities. Management continues to evaluate the Company’s segment performance and allocated resources and may adjust such measurements in the future to better reflect segment profitability.

 

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The Americas. The Americas consists of the following segments:

 

   

Retail. Our Retail segment offers a broad range of protection products and services and a variety of annuities to individuals and employees of corporations and other institutions, and is organized into two businesses: Life and Annuities. Our Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life, term life and whole life products. Annuities include a variety of variable and fixed annuities which provide for both asset accumulation and asset distribution needs. Additionally, through our broker-dealer affiliates, we offer a full range of mutual funds and other securities products.

 

   

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits. Our Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segment offers a broad range of protection products and services to individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, and is organized into three businesses: Group Life, Non-Medical Health and Property & Casualty. Group Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life and term life products. Our Non-Medical Health products and services include dental insurance, group short- and long-term disability, individual disability income, long-term care, critical illness and accidental death & dismemberment coverages. Property & Casualty provides personal lines property and casualty insurance, including private passenger automobile, homeowners and personal excess liability insurance.

 

   

Corporate Benefit Funding. Our Corporate Benefit Funding segment includes an array of annuity and investment products, including guaranteed interest products and other stable value products, income annuities, and separate account contracts for the investment management of defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets. This segment also includes certain products to fund postretirement benefits and company-, bank- or trust-owned life insurance used to finance non-qualified benefit programs for executives.

 

   

Latin America. Our Latin America segment offers a broad range of products to both individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, which include life insurance, accident and health insurance, group medical, dental, credit life insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products.

Asia. Our Asia segment offers a broad range of products to both individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, which include whole life, term life, variable life, universal life, accident and health insurance, fixed and variable annuities and endowment products.

EMEA. Our EMEA segment offers a broad range of products to both individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, which include life insurance, accident and health insurance, credit life insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products.

Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments, external integration costs, internal resource costs for associates committed to acquisitions and various start-up and certain run-off entities. Corporate & Other also includes assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan. This in-force reinsurance agreement reinsures living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with variable annuity products. Additionally, Corporate & Other includes interest expense related to the majority of the Company’s outstanding debt, expenses associated with certain legal proceedings, the financial results of MetLife Bank (see “Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments” and Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding MetLife Bank’s exit from certain of its businesses (the “MetLife Bank Events”)) and income tax audit issues. Corporate & Other also includes the elimination of intersegment amounts, which generally relate to intersegment loans, which bear interest rates commensurate with related borrowings.

Also in the first quarter of 2012, the Company adopted new guidance regarding accounting for DAC. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for further information. As a result, prior period results have been revised in connection with the Company’s reorganization and the retrospective application of the first quarter 2012 adoption of new guidance regarding accounting for DAC.

 

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We continue to experience an increase in market share and sales in several of our businesses; however, global economic conditions continue to negatively impact the demand for some of our products. Portfolio growth resulting from strong sales from the majority of our businesses drove positive investment results and higher asset-based fee revenue. In addition, declining interest rates resulted in significant derivative gains.

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

   $ 2,300     $ 1,062     $ 2,166     $ 1,986  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

     (64     (155     (174     (254

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

     2,092       352       114       37  

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)

     (725     (446     (1,135     (660

Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

     (460     73       411       277  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings

     1,457       1,238       2,950       2,586  

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     31       31       61       61  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

   $ 1,426     $ 1,207     $ 2,889     $ 2,525  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, increased $1.2 billion over the prior period. The change was predominantly due to a $1.7 billion ($1.1 billion, net of income tax) favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) primarily driven by declining interest rates and the impact of nonperformance risk, and by a $219 million, net of income tax, favorable change in operating earnings available to common shareholders. Also included in income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, were the unfavorable results of the Divested Businesses which decreased $186 million ($123 million, net of income tax) over the prior period.

The increase in operating earnings available to common shareholders was primarily driven by improved investment results and higher asset-based fee revenue as strong sales levels drove portfolio growth. In addition, market factors contributed to lower average crediting rates. Catastrophe losses were lower in the current period as compared to the significant weather-related claims in the prior period.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, increased $180 million over the prior period. The change was predominantly due to a $364 million, net of income tax, favorable change in operating earnings available to common shareholders. Also included in income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, were the unfavorable results of the Divested Businesses which decreased $309 million ($202 million, net of income tax) over the prior period.

The favorable change in operating earnings available to common shareholders was primarily driven by improved investment results and higher asset-based fee revenue as strong sales levels drove portfolio growth. In addition, market factors contributed to lower average crediting rates and higher investment yields. Net cash flows from operations and reinvestment proceeds have been invested in longer duration and higher yielding assets, including privately-placed investments, which also improved yields. Favorable claims experience resulted from lower catastrophe losses in the current period as compared to the significant weather-related claims in the prior period.

 

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Consolidated Company Outlook

In 2012, we expect a solid improvement in the operating earnings of the Company over 2011, driven primarily by the following:

 

   

Growth in premiums, fees and other revenues driven by:

 

 

Rational pricing strategy in the group insurance marketplace;

 

 

Higher fees earned on separate accounts primarily due to favorable net flows of variable annuities, which are expected to remain strong in 2012, thereby increasing the value of those separate accounts; and

 

 

Increases in our businesses outside of the U.S., notably accident and health, from continuing organic growth throughout our various geographic regions and leveraging of our multichannel distribution network.

 

   

Expanding our presence in emerging markets.

 

   

Focus on disciplined underwriting. We see no significant changes to the underlying trends that drive underwriting results and continue to anticipate solid results in 2012; however, unanticipated catastrophes, similar to those that occurred during 2011, could result in a high volume of claims.

 

   

Focus on expense management. We continue to focus on expense control throughout the Company, and managing the costs associated with the integration of American Life Insurance Company and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (collectively, “ALICO”).

 

   

Continued disciplined approach to investing and asset/liability management (“ALM”), including significant hedging to protect against low interest rates.

As a result of new financial accounting guidance for DAC which we adopted in the first quarter of 2012, we estimate that there will be a negative impact on our 2012 operating earnings primarily in the Asia segment, with no impact on our future cash flows. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We expect only modest investment losses in 2012, but more difficult to predict is the impact of potential changes in fair value of freestanding and embedded derivatives as even relatively small movements in market variables, including interest rates, equity levels and volatility, can have a large impact on the fair value of derivatives and net derivative gains (losses). Additionally, changes in fair value of embedded derivatives within certain insurance liabilities may have a material impact on net derivative gains (losses) related to the inclusion of an adjustment for nonperformance risk.

As part of an enterprise-wide strategic initiative, by 2016, the Company expects to increase its operating return on common equity to between 12% and 14%, up from 10.3% at December 31, 2011, driven by higher operating earnings. The Company will leverage its scale to improve the value it provides to customers and shareholders in order to achieve $1 billion in efficiencies, $600 million of which is related to net pre-tax expense savings, and $400 million of which will be reinvested in our technology, platforms and functionality to improve our current operations and develop new capabilities. Additionally, the Company will shift its product mix toward protection products and away from more capital-intensive products, in order to generate more predictable operating earnings and cash flows, and improve its risk profile and free cash flow. The Company expects that by 2016, more than 20% of its operating earnings will come from emerging markets.

Industry Trends

We continue to be impacted by the unstable global financial and economic environment that has been affecting the industry.

 

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Financial and Economic Environment

Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally. Stressed conditions, volatility and disruptions in global capital markets, particular markets, or financial asset classes can have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and our insurance liabilities are sensitive to changing market factors. Global market factors, including interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, real estate markets, foreign currency exchange rates, consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, deflation and inflation, all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of our business. Disruptions in one market or asset class can also spread to other markets or asset classes. Upheavals in the financial markets can also affect our business through their effects on general levels of economic activity, employment and customer behavior. While our diversified business mix and geographically diverse business operations partially mitigate these risks, correlation across regions, countries and global market factors may reduce the benefits of diversification.

For the last several quarters, concerns about capital markets and the solvency of certain European Union member states, including Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain (“Europe’s perimeter region”), and of financial institutions that have significant direct or indirect exposure to debt issued by these countries, have been a cause of elevated levels of market volatility. See “— Investments — Current Environment” for information regarding credit ratings downgrades, support programs for Europe’s perimeter region and our exposure to obligations of European governments and private obligors. The financial markets have also been affected by concerns that other European Union member states could experience similar financial troubles, that some countries could default on their obligations, have to restructure their outstanding debt, or be unable or unwilling to comply with the terms of any aid provided to them, that financial institutions with significant holdings of sovereign or private debt issued by borrowers in Europe’s perimeter region could experience financial stress, or that one or more countries may exit the Euro zone, any of which could have significant adverse effects on the European and global economies and on financial markets, generally. See “Risk Factors — We Are Exposed to Significant Financial and Capital Markets Risk Which May Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations, Financial Condition and Liquidity, and May Cause Our Net Investment Income to Vary from Period to Period” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Financial markets have also been affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal policy, including the uncertainty regarding the “fiscal cliff” composed of tax increases and automatic government spending cuts that will become effective at the end of 2012 unless steps are taken to delay or offset them, as well as the need to again raise the U.S. federal government’s debt ceiling by the end of 2012 and reduce the federal deficit. These issues could, on their own, or combined with the slowing of the global economy generally, have severe repercussions to the U.S. and global credit and financial markets, further exacerbate concerns over sovereign debt of other countries and disrupt economic activity in the U.S. and elsewhere. See “Risk Factors — Concerns Over U.S. Fiscal Policy and the “Fiscal Cliff” in the U.S., as well as Rating Agency Downgrades of U.S. Treasury Securities, Could Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

In June 2012, Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) announced that it downgraded the long-term ratings and standalone credit for a number of banks and securities firms with global capital markets operations. Through our ongoing credit evaluation process, we have been closely monitoring our financial institution investment holdings, including the impact of the Moody’s downgrades to these institutions, and do not expect these downgrades to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment. As a financial holding company with significant operations in the U.S., we are affected by the monetary policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “FRB of NY” and, collectively with the Federal Reserve Board, the “Federal Reserve”). The Federal Reserve Board has taken a number of actions in recent years to spur economic activity by keeping interest rates low and may take further actions to influence interest rates in the future, which may have an impact on the pricing levels of risk-bearing investments, and may adversely impact the level of product sales. On June 20, 2012, the Federal Reserve Board

 

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reiterated its plans to keep interest rates low until at least through late 2014, in order to revive the slow recovery from stressed economic conditions. It also extended to the end of 2012 “Operation Twist,” a program announced in September 2011 by the Federal Open Market Committee to purchase U.S. Treasury securities with remaining maturities of six to 30 years and to sell, over the same period, an equal par value of U.S. Treasury securities with remaining maturities of approximately three years or less. By reducing the supply of longer-term securities in the market, Operation Twist is intended to put downward pressure on longer-term interest rates relative to levels that would otherwise prevail. The reduction in longer-term interest rates, in turn, is intended to contribute to a broad easing of financial market conditions that could provide additional stimulus to support the economic recovery. As a global insurance company, we are also affected by the monetary policy of central banks around the world. Central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Australia, the Central Bank of Brazil and the Central Bank of China, followed the recent actions of the Federal Reserve Board to lower interest rates. The collective effort globally to lower interest rates was in response to concerns about Europe’s sovereign debt crisis and slowing global economic growth. See “Risk Factors — Governmental and Regulatory Actions for the Purpose of Stabilizing and Revitalizing the Financial Markets and Protecting Investors and Consumers May Not Achieve the Intended Effect or Could Adversely Affect Our Competitive Position” included in the 2011 Annual Report and “— Investments — Current Environment.”

Some of our products expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce our investment margin or “spread,” or the difference between the amounts that we are required to fund under contracts in our general account liabilities and the rate of return we are able to earn on general account investments intended to support obligations under the contracts. Our spread is a key component of our net income.

In periods of declining interest rates, we may have to invest insurance cash flows and to reinvest the cash flows we received as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower yielding instruments. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the fixed income securities, commercial or agricultural mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates. In periods of changing interest rates, net derivative gains (losses) will also be impacted, particularly when changes in interest rates are highly volatile. Our expectation for future spreads is an important component in the amortization of DAC and VOBA, and significantly lower spreads may cause us to accelerate amortization, thereby reducing net income in the affected reporting period. Lower net income and operating earnings may also impact the carrying value of certain assets such as goodwill or potentially result in loss recognition on certain policy liabilities.

Mitigating Actions. The Company has been and continues to be proactive in its investment strategies, product designs, and crediting rate strategies to mitigate the risk of unfavorable consequences in this type of environment. Lowering interest crediting rates can help offset decreases in investment margins on some products. Our ability to lower interest crediting rates could be limited by competition, regulatory approval, or contractual guarantees of minimum rates and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset yields. As a result, our spread could decrease or potentially become negative. The Company applies disciplined asset-liability management strategies, including the use of derivatives, to protect spreads on products subject to these risks as part of its investment strategy in mitigating the risk of sustained low interest rates in the U.S. In addition, business actions, such as shifting the sales focus to less interest rate sensitive products, can also mitigate this risk. As a result of these actions, the Company expects to be able to substantially mitigate the negative impact of a sustained low interest rate environment in the U.S. on the Company’s profitability. Based on a near to intermediate term analysis of sustained lower interest rate environment in the U.S., the Company anticipates operating earnings will continue to increase, although at a slower growth rate.

In addition, the Company is well diversified across product, distribution, and geography. Our non-U.S. businesses, reported within our Latin America, Asia and EMEA segments, which account for approximately 35% of our operating earnings, are not significantly interest rate or market sensitive. The Company’s primary exposure within these segments is insurance risk. We expect our non-U.S. businesses to grow faster than our U.S. businesses and, over time, to become a larger percentage of our total business.

 

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The products that have significant sensitivity to U.S. interest rates are concentrated in the Company’s Retail and Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segments.

Competitive Pressures

The life insurance industry remains highly competitive. The product development and product life-cycles have shortened in many product segments, leading to more intense competition with respect to product features. Larger companies have the ability to invest in brand equity, product development, technology and risk management, which are among the fundamentals for sustained profitable growth in the life insurance industry. In addition, several of the industry’s products can be quite homogeneous and subject to intense price competition. Sufficient scale, financial strength and financial flexibility are becoming prerequisites for sustainable growth in the life insurance industry. Larger market participants tend to have the capacity to invest in additional distribution capability and the information technology needed to offer the superior customer service demanded by an increasingly sophisticated industry client base. We believe that the turbulence in financial markets that began in the second half of 2007, its impact on the capital position of many competitors, and subsequent actions by regulators and rating agencies have highlighted financial strength as a significant differentiator from the perspective of customers and certain distributors. In addition, the financial market turbulence and the economic recession have led many companies in our industry to re-examine the pricing and features of the products they offer and may lead to consolidation in the life insurance industry.

Regulatory Developments

The U.S. life insurance industry is regulated primarily at the state level, with some products and services also subject to Federal regulation. As life insurers introduce new and often more complex products, regulators refine capital requirements and introduce new reserving standards for the life insurance industry. Regulations recently adopted or currently under review can potentially impact the statutory reserve and capital requirements of the industry. In addition, regulators have undertaken market and sales practices reviews of several markets or products, including equity-indexed annuities, variable annuities and group products, as well as reviews of the utilization of affiliated captives or off-shore entities to reinsure insurance risks. The regulation of the financial services industry in the U.S. and internationally has received renewed scrutiny as a result of the disruptions in the financial markets. Significant regulatory reforms have been recently adopted and additional reforms proposed, and these or other reforms could be implemented. See “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth,” as well as “Risk Factors — Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws and Regulations, and State Insurance Regulations Regarding Suitability of Annuity Product Sales, May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), which was signed by President Obama in July 2010, effected the most far-reaching overhaul of financial regulation in the U.S. in decades. The full impact of Dodd-Frank on us will depend on the numerous rulemaking initiatives required or permitted by Dodd-Frank which have begun to be implemented, but which are not scheduled to be completed for several years. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

As a federally chartered national banking association, MetLife Bank is subject to a wide variety of banking laws, regulations and guidelines, as is MetLife, Inc., as a bank holding company. Numerous other proposed or recently adopted enhanced regulatory requirements will apply to MetLife, Inc. if it remains a bank holding company, as discussed below. If MetLife is able to deregister as a bank holding company, it may be subject to some of the same or other enhanced regulatory requirements if, in the future, it is designated as a non-bank systemically important financial institution subject to enhanced supervision by the Federal Reserve (a “non-bank systemically important financial institution” or “non-bank SIFI”) or as a global systemically important insurer (“G-SII”), as described below.

 

 

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In December 2011, MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to sell most of the depository business of MetLife Bank to GE Capital Financial Inc. (“GE Capital Bank”). The transaction is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Utah Department of Financial Institutions has approved the transaction and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) has granted approval of a change in the composition of all or substantially all of MetLife Bank’s assets in connection with the transaction. GE Capital Bank has filed an application with the FDIC seeking approval of the assumption of the deposits to be transferred to it, and MetLife Bank has filed an application with the FDIC to terminate MetLife Bank’s FDIC deposit insurance contingent upon certification that MetLife Bank has no remaining deposits (which is dependent on the assumption by GE Capital Bank of the deposits to be transferred to it). The parties have each responded to questions on their applications from the staff of the FDIC, and GE Capital Bank is in the process of responding to recent additional requests from the FDIC. The parties are awaiting action by the FDIC on their applications. Additionally, in January 2012, MetLife, Inc. announced it was exiting the business of originating forward residential mortgages and, in April 2012, announced it was exiting the businesses of originating and servicing reverse residential mortgages and that it and MetLife Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing portfolio. On June 29, 2012, the Company sold the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights and related assets and liabilities. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Once MetLife Bank has completely exited its depository business, MetLife, Inc. plans to terminate MetLife Bank’s FDIC insurance, putting MetLife, Inc. in a position to be able to deregister as a bank holding company. Upon completion of the foregoing, MetLife, Inc. will no longer be regulated as a bank holding company or subject to enhanced supervision and prudential standards as a bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more. However, if, in the future, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) designates MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI, we would once again be subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and enhanced supervision and prudential standards, such as Regulation YY. See “— Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — Regulatory Developments Relating to Non-Bank SIFIs and G-SIIs.”

Regulatory Developments Applicable to Bank Holding Companies. The Federal Reserve’s capital plans rule requires all bank holding companies with assets of more than $50 billion, including MetLife, Inc., to submit annual capital plans which include projections of the company’s capital levels under baseline and stress scenarios over a nine-quarter period. The Federal Reserve will approve or object to a company’s proposed capital actions, such as dividends and stock repurchases, based on the results of those capital plans and the Federal Reserve’s assessment of the robustness of the company’s capital planning processes. In addition, in recent years, the Federal Reserve has conducted the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (“CCAR”), an assessment of the internal capital planning processes, capital adequacy and proposed capital distributions of large holding companies, including MetLife, Inc. See “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” In January 2012, MetLife submitted to the Federal Reserve a comprehensive capital plan, as mandated by the capital plans rule, and additional information required by the 2012 CCAR. The capital plan projected MetLife’s capital levels to the end of 2013 under baseline and stress scenarios, including a stress scenario developed and provided by the Federal Reserve as part of the 2012 CCAR. In March 2012, the Federal Reserve, based on its assessment, objected to the incremental capital actions described in MetLife’s capital distribution plan, which included a proposed stock repurchase and dividend increase. In June 2012, the Federal Reserve Board granted MetLife, Inc. an extension of time until September 30, 2012 to resubmit its capital plan under the capital plans rule.

In June 2012, the OCC, Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC published three notices of proposed rulemaking (the “Bank Capital NPRs”) that would revise and replace the agencies’ current capital rules with rules consistent with (i) the final rules for increased capital and liquidity requirements for bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc., published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”) in December 2010 (“Basel III”), as well as the applicable sections of Dodd-Frank, (ii) a series of revisions adopted by the Basel Committee to the market risk capital requirements for exposures in a banking organization’s trading book in 2005, 2009 and 2010 (collectively, “Basel II.5”), and (iii) the market risk capital requirements as initially

 

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published by the Basel Committee in June 2004 (“Basel II”). The first Bank Capital NPR, to be phased in from 2013 through 2019, focuses on establishing new risk-based and leverage capital ratios, and would revise rules on what constitutes “capital” in accordance with Basel III. The second Bank Capital NPR, to be effective on January 1, 2015, focuses primarily on the risk-weighting of assets and activities of banking organizations in accordance with Basel II. The third Bank Capital NPR includes revisions to the advanced approaches risk-based capital rules of Basel II, applicable to the largest banking organizations, to make them consistent with Basel III and Dodd-Frank. Finally, the agencies finalized the market risk capital rule, implementing Basel II.5. These capital requirements would not apply to MetLife, Inc. if it succeeds in de-registering as a bank holding company before the rules become effective.

The Basel Committee has also published rules requiring a capital surcharge for globally systemically important banks. The Bank Capital NPRs did not implement this capital surcharge. Rules implementing the capital surcharge are expected to be finalized by 2014, with a phase-in from 2016 to 2019. As currently proposed, this surcharge would not apply to global non-bank SIFIs. However, international regulatory bodies are currently engaged in evaluating standards to identify such companies and to develop a regulatory regime that would apply to them, which may include enhanced capital requirements or other measures, as discussed below.

In December 2011, the Federal Reserve Board issued a notice of proposed rulemaking relating to enhanced prudential standards required by Dodd-Frank for bank holding companies with assets of $50 billion or more and non-bank SIFIs, known as Regulation YY. Regulation YY would impose (i) enhanced risk-based capital requirements, (ii) leverage limits, (iii) liquidity requirements, (iv) single counterparty exposure limits, (v) governance requirements for risk management, (vi) stress test requirements, and (vii) special debt-to-equity limits for certain companies, and would establish a procedure for early remediation based on the failure to comply with these requirements.

The ability of MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc., as a bank holding company, to pay dividends, repurchase common stock or other securities or engage in other transactions that could affect its capital or need for capital could be reduced by any additional capital requirements that might be imposed as a result of the enactment of Dodd-Frank, Regulation YY and/or the adoption of the Bank Capital NPRs and other regulatory initiatives, if MetLife Inc. is unable to de-register as a bank holding company before the requirements become effective. See “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”

In April 2011, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC proposed a rule regarding the implementation of the Dodd-Frank requirement that (i) each non-bank SIFI and each bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more report periodically to the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the FSOC the plan of such company for rapid and orderly resolution in the event of material financial distress or failure (sometimes referred to as a “living will”), and (ii) that each such company report on the nature and extent of credit exposures of such company to significant bank holding companies and significant non-bank financial companies and the nature and extent of credit exposures of significant bank holding companies and significant non-bank financial companies to such covered company. In November 2011, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC adopted a final rule implementing the resolution plan requirement, effective November 30, 2011, but deferred finalizing the credit exposure reporting requirement until a later date. MetLife, Inc. was not among the institutions that were required to submit a resolution plan on July 2, 2012, but the requirement may apply to MetLife, Inc. if it remains a bank holding company, or if, in the future, the FSOC designates MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI. See “Risk Factors — Dodd-Frank Provides for the Resolution or Liquidation of Certain Types of Financial Institutions, Including Bank Holding Companies Like MetLife, Inc.”

Regulatory Developments Relating to Non-Bank SIFIs and G-SIIs. If MetLife, Inc. is able to deregister as a bank holding company, many of the foregoing requirements will not apply to it. However, if, in the future, the FSOC designates MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI, it could once again be subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and enhanced supervision and prudential standards, such as enhanced prudential standards pursuant to Regulation YY and the requirements relating to resolution planning and (when adopted) credit exposure reporting. Although non-bank SIFIs are not subject to the capital plans rule, they would be subject to the stress

 

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testing requirements in proposed Regulation YY. As proposed, Regulation YY would apply the same enhanced regulatory standards to non-bank SIFIs as would apply to systemically important banks; the Federal Reserve Board has solicited and is considering comments on the appropriateness of this treatment. For further information regarding enhanced prudential standards and Regulation YY, see “Business — U.S. Regulation — Dodd Frank and Other Legislative and Regulatory Developments – Enhanced Prudential Standards” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

In April 2012, the FSOC adopted final rules setting forth the process it will follow and the criteria it will use to assess whether a non-bank financial company should be subject to enhanced supervision by the Federal Reserve as a non-bank SIFI. The FSOC will follow a three-stage process. In Stage 1, a set of uniform quantitative metrics will be applied to a broad group of non-bank financial companies in order to identify non-bank financial companies for further evaluation. If MetLife, Inc. meets the total consolidated assets threshold and at least one of the other five quantitative thresholds used in the first stage, the FSOC will continue with two stages of further analysis using additional sources of data and qualitative and quantitative factors. MetLife, Inc. is currently a bank holding company and, as a result, it is not subject to designation as a non-bank SIFI. However, if MetLife, Inc. succeeds in deregistering as a bank holding company, it could be considered for designation as a non-bank SIFI. As of June 30, 2012, MetLife, Inc. met the total consolidated assets threshold and at least one of the other Stage 1 quantitative thresholds.

As part of the global initiative to identify global systemically important financial institutions (“G-SIFIs”), in May 2012, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (“IAIS”) published a proposed assessment methodology for designating G-SIIs. The proposed methodology is intended to identify those insurers whose distress or disorderly failure, because of their size, complexity and interconnectedness, would cause significant disruption to the global financial system and economic activity. The proposed methodology has three steps: (i) data collection; (ii) indicator-based assessment addressing five categories: size, extent of global activity, degree of interconnectedness within the financial system, amount of non-traditional and non-insurance activities and substitutability; and (iii) supervisory judgment and validation process, including quantitative and qualitative assessments. Any insurers identified by the IAIS as G-SIIs would be subject to additional policy measures. These policy measures will be the subject to a subsequent IAIS consultation paper to be released later in 2012, but the IAIS has indicated that they could include higher capital requirements, enhanced supervision (including more detailed and frequent reporting and removal of barriers to orderly resolution of the G-SII), as well as additional measures to improve the degree of self-sufficiency of a G-SII’s different business segments (including separate legal structures for traditional insurance and non-traditional or non-insurance activities, and restrictions on intercompany subsidies). Comments on the proposal were due by July 31, 2012. The IAIS expects to publish the first list of G-SIIs in November 2013, with annual updates thereafter, enabling insurers to move on and off the list, in order to incentivize insurers to reduce their systemic importance. If MetLife, Inc. were identified as a G-SII, its competitive position relative to other life insurers that were not so designated could be adversely affected. See “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”

If and when MetLife Bank’s FDIC insurance is terminated, MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates will not be subject to the bans on proprietary trading and fund activities under the Volcker Rule (as discussed more fully below under “— Regulatory Developments Affecting Investment Activities and Derivatives, including the Volcker Rule.” However, because the Volcker Rule nevertheless imposes additional capital requirements and quantitative limits on such trading and activities by a non-bank SIFI, MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates could be subject to such requirements and limits were they to be designated non-bank SIFIs, Regulations defining and governing such requirements and limits on non-bank SIFIs have not been proposed. Commencing from the date of designation, a non-bank SIFI will have a two-year period, subject to further extension by the Federal Reserve, to conform with any such requirements and limits. Subject to safety and soundness determinations as part of rulemaking that could require additional capital requirements and quantitative limits, Dodd-Frank provides that the exemptions under the Volcker Rule also are available to exempt any additional capital requirements and quantitative limits on non-bank SIFIs.

 

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Regulatory Developments Affecting Investment Activities and Derivatives, including the Volcker Rule. Dodd-Frank also includes provisions that may impact the investments and investment activities of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the federal regulation of such activities. Such provisions include the regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives markets and the prohibitions on FDIC-insured depository institutions and their affiliates engaging in proprietary trading or sponsoring or investing in hedge funds or private equity funds (commonly known as the Volcker Rule). Dodd-Frank provides an exemption to the Volcker Rule for investment activity by a regulated insurance company or its affiliate solely for the general account of such insurance company if such activity is in compliance with the insurance company investment laws of the state or jurisdiction in which such company is domiciled and the appropriate Federal regulators after consultation with relevant insurance commissioners have not jointly determined such laws to be insufficient to protect the safety and soundness of the institution or the financial stability of the U.S. Other exemptions to the Volcker Rule, including, but not limited to, activities for risk-mitigating hedging and activities on behalf of customers, may be available for the general account or separate account activities of insurance companies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the appropriate Federal regulatory authorities are permitted under Dodd-Frank to impose, as part of rulemaking, additional capital requirements and other restrictions on any exempted activity to protect the safety and soundness of an entity engaged in such activity. Dodd-Frank provides for a period of rulemaking during which the effects of the statutory language may be clarified. Among other things, one task of the rulemaking is to appropriately accommodate the business of insurance within an insurance company subject to regulation in accordance with relevant insurance company investments laws. Pursuant to Dodd-Frank, the Volcker Rule has become effective on July 21, 2012, notwithstanding the fact that final regulations on the Volcker Rule were not implemented by such date. On April 19, 2012, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a statement clarifying that a covered banking entity has the full two-year period provided by Dodd-Frank (i.e., until July 21, 2014) to fully conform its activities and investments to the Volcker Rule, subject to further extensions (up to three one-year extensions) by the Board in accordance with the statute. According to the statement, during the conformance period, every covered banking entity is expected to engage in good-faith efforts, appropriate for its activities and investments, that will result in the conformance of all its activities and investments to such restrictions by no later than the end of the conformance period. Although MetLife believes that the statutory exemptions apply to the activities and investments of its insurance companies and other applicable affiliates, while it remains subject to the Volcker Rule and, until the rulemaking is complete, including the scope of the statutory exemptions to be applied to insurance companies for each of the prohibitions on proprietary trading and fund sponsoring or investing, it is unclear whether MetLife, Inc. may have to alter any of its future activities to comply, including continuing to invest in private investment funds for its general accounts or to issue certain insurance products backed by its separate accounts. See “Risk Factors – Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Mortgage and Foreclosure-Related Exposures

Since 2008, MetLife Bank has been engaged in the forward and reverse residential mortgage origination and servicing business. In January 2012, MetLife, Inc. announced that it was exiting the business of originating forward residential mortgages and, in April 2012, announced it was exiting the businesses of originating and servicing reverse residential mortgages and that it and MetLife Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing portfolio. On June 29, 2012, the Company sold the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights and related assets and liabilities. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, MetLife Bank continues to have obligations to repurchase loans or compensate for losses upon demand by investors due to claims alleging defects in servicing of the loans or that material representations made in connection with the sale of the loans (relating, for example, to the underwriting and origination of the loans) are incorrect. MetLife Bank is indemnified by the sellers of the acquired assets, for various periods depending on the transaction and the nature of the claim, for origination and servicing deficiencies that occurred prior to MetLife Bank’s acquisition, including indemnification for any repurchase claims made from investors who purchased mortgage loans from the sellers. Substantially all mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) that were acquired by MetLife Bank relate to loans sold to Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

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(“FHLMC”). MetLife Bank has originated and sold conventional residential mortgage loans primarily to FNMA and FHLMC and government residential mortgage loans (insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs) into mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) (collectively, the “Agency Investors”) and, to a limited extent, a small number of private investors. Substantially all of MetLife Bank’s $76.0 billion servicing portfolio consists of Agency Investors’ product. Other than repurchase obligations, MetLife Bank’s exposure to repurchase obligations and losses related to origination deficiencies is limited to the approximately $68.2 billion of loans originated by MetLife Bank (all of which have been originated since August 2008). Reserves for representation and warranty repurchases and indemnifications were $80 million and $69 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. MetLife Bank is exposed to losses due to claims alleging servicing deficiencies on loans originated and sold, as well as servicing acquired, to the extent such servicing deficiencies occurred while MetLife Bank was the servicer of record. Management is satisfied that adequate provision has been made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable repurchase obligations and losses.

Currently, MetLife Bank services approximately 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the mortgage loans serviced in the U.S. State and federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities have initiated various inquiries, investigations or examinations of alleged irregularities in the foreclosure practices of the residential mortgage servicing industry. Mortgage servicing practices have also been the subject of Congressional attention. Authorities have publicly stated that the scope of the investigations extends beyond foreclosure documentation practices to include mortgage loan modification and loss mitigation practices.

On April 13, 2011, the OCC entered into consent decrees with several banks, including MetLife Bank. The consent decrees require an independent review of foreclosure practices and set forth new residential mortgage servicing standards, including a requirement for a designated point of contact for a borrower during the loss mitigation process. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board entered into consent decrees with the affiliated bank holding companies of these banks, including MetLife, Inc., to enhance the supervision of the mortgage servicing activities of their banking subsidiaries. On August 6, 2012, the Federal Reserve Board issued an Order of Assessment of a Civil Monetary Penalty Issued Upon Consent against MetLife, Inc. that will impose a penalty of up to $3,200,000 for the deficiencies in servicing of residential mortgage loans and processing foreclosures at MetLife Bank that were the subject of the 2011 consent decree.

MetLife Bank also had a meeting with the Department of Justice regarding mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices. It is possible that various state or federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities may seek monetary penalties from MetLife Bank relating to foreclosure practices.

MetLife Bank has also responded to a subpoena issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department of Financial Services”) regarding hazard insurance and flood insurance that MetLife Bank obtains to protect the lienholder’s interest when the borrower’s insurance has lapsed. In April and May 2012, MetLife Bank received two subpoenas issued by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) insured loans. In June 2012, MetLife Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand that the U.S. Department of Justice issued as part of a False Claims Act investigation of allegations that MetLife Bank had improperly originated and/or underwritten loans insured by the FHA.

The consent decrees, as well as the inquiries or investigations referred to above, could adversely affect MetLife’s reputation or result in material fines, penalties, equitable remedies or other enforcement actions, and result in significant legal costs in responding to governmental investigations or other litigation. In addition, the changes to the mortgage servicing business required by the consent decrees and the resolution of any other inquiries or investigations may affect the profitability of such business.

The MetLife Bank Events may not relieve MetLife from complying with the consent decrees, or protect it from the inquiries and investigations relating to residential mortgage servicing and foreclosure activities, or any

 

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fines, penalties, equitable remedies or enforcement actions that may result, the costs of responding to any such governmental investigations, or other litigation.

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The most critical estimates include those used in determining:

 

  (i)

estimated fair values of investments in the absence of quoted market values;

 

  (ii)

investment impairments;

 

  (iii)

estimated fair values of freestanding derivatives and the recognition and estimated fair value of embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation;

 

  (iv)

capitalization and amortization of DAC and the establishment and amortization of VOBA;

 

  (v)

measurement of goodwill and related impairment, if any;

 

  (vi)

liabilities for future policyholder benefits and the accounting for reinsurance;

 

  (vii)

measurement of income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets;

 

  (viii)

measurement of employee benefit plan liabilities; and

 

  (ix)

liabilities for litigation and regulatory matters.

In addition, the application of acquisition accounting requires the use of estimation techniques in determining the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed — the most significant of which relate to aforementioned critical accounting estimates. In applying the Company’s accounting policies, we make subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to the Company’s business and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The above critical accounting estimates are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” and Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Also, for a discussion of the new accounting guidance on DAC, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Economic Capital

Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in the Company’s business.

The Company’s economic capital model aligns segment allocated equity with emerging standards and consistent risk principles. Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact the Company’s consolidated net investment income, operating earnings or income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

See Notes 2 and 18 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

On July 31, 2012, the previously announced acquisition to acquire, from members of the Aviva Plc group (“Aviva”), Aviva’s life insurance business in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania closed. The acquisition of Aviva’s Romanian pension business is expected to close in the next six months, subject to regulatory approvals.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

Consolidated Results

We have experienced growth and an increase in market share in several of our businesses. In the U.S., the economy has shown some signs of improvement and, as a result, our group term life and disability businesses exhibited growth from new sales, and our dental business continued to benefit from strong enrollments and renewals along with a large new customer. Sales of annuities declined in response to actions taken to manage sales volume in order to strike the right balance among growth, profitability and risk. While we continue to experience strong sales in our pension closeout business in the U.K, weak equity market returns and lower interest rates adversely impacted sales of our pension closeouts in the U.S. Policy sales of our property and casualty products decreased as the housing and automobile markets remained sluggish; however, average premiums for new policies increased. We also experienced steady growth and improvement in sales of the majority of our products abroad.

 

    Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Change     % Change  
    2012     2011      
          (In millions)              

Revenues

       

Premiums

  $ 9,161     $ 9,294     $ (133     (1.4 )% 

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

    2,097       1,969       128       6.5

Net investment income

    4,719       5,094       (375     (7.4 )% 

Other revenues

    393       592       (199     (33.6 )% 

Net investment gains (losses)

    (64     (155     91       58.7

Net derivative gains (losses)

    2,092       352       1,740    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenues

    18,398       17,146       1,252       7.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Expenses

       

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

    9,263       9,495       (232     (2.4 )% 

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    1,022       1,442       (420     (29.1 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

    (1,315     (1,367     52       3.8

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

    1,479       1,254       225       17.9

Amortization of negative VOBA

    (181     (183     2       1.1

Interest expense on debt

    342       420       (78     (18.6 )% 

Other expenses

    4,450       4,575       (125     (2.7 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total expenses

    15,060       15,636       (576     (3.7 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax

    3,338       1,510       1,828    

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

    1,038       448       590    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

    2,300       1,062       1,238    

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax

    3       31       (28     (90.3 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income (loss)

    2,303       1,093       1,210    

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    8       (7     15    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

    2,295       1,100       1,195    

Less: Preferred stock dividends

    31       31             

         Preferred stock redemption premium

                      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

  $ 2,264     $ 1,069     $ 1,195    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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During the three months ended June 30, 2012, income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, increased $1.8 billion ($1.2 billion, net of income tax) over the prior period primarily driven by a favorable change in net derivative gains (losses). This was partially offset by an unfavorable change in the results of the Divested Businesses over the prior period.

We manage our investment portfolio using disciplined ALM principles, focusing on cash flow and duration to support our current and future liabilities. Our intent is to match the timing and amount of liability cash outflows with invested assets that have cash inflows of comparable timing and amount, while optimizing risk-adjusted net investment income and risk-adjusted total return. Our investment portfolio is heavily weighted toward fixed income investments, with over 80% of our portfolio invested in fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans. These securities and loans have varying maturities and other characteristics which cause them to be generally well suited for matching the cash flow and duration of insurance liabilities. Other invested asset classes including, but not limited to, equity securities, other limited partnership interests and real estate and real estate joint ventures, provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement in addition to supporting the cash flow and duration objectives of our investment portfolio. We also use derivatives as an integral part of our management of the investment portfolio to hedge certain risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currencies, credit spreads and equity market levels. Additional considerations for our investment portfolio include current and expected market conditions and expectations for changes within our specific mix of products and business segments. In addition, the general account investment portfolio includes, within trading and other securities, contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities, which do not qualify as separate account assets. The returns on these contractholder-directed investments, which can vary significantly period to period, include changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase, inure to contractholders and are offset in earnings by a corresponding change in PABs through interest credited to policyholder account balances.

The composition of the investment portfolio of each business segment is tailored to the specific characteristics of its insurance liabilities, causing certain portfolios to be shorter in duration and others to be longer in duration. Accordingly, certain portfolios are more heavily weighted in longer duration, higher yielding fixed maturity securities, or certain sub-sectors of fixed maturity securities, than other portfolios.

Investments are purchased to support our insurance liabilities and not to generate net investment gains and losses. However, net investment gains and losses are incurred and can change significantly from period to period due to changes in external influences, including changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign currencies, credit spreads and equity markets; counterparty specific factors such as financial performance, credit rating and collateral valuation; and internal factors such as portfolio rebalancing. Changes in these factors from period to period can significantly impact the levels of both impairments and realized gains and losses on investments sold.

We use freestanding interest rate, equity, credit and currency derivatives to hedge certain invested assets and insurance liabilities. Certain of these hedges are designated and qualify as accounting hedges, which reduce volatility in earnings. For those hedges not designated as accounting hedges, changes in market factors lead to the recognition of fair value changes in net derivative gains (losses) generally without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.

Certain variable annuity products with minimum benefit guarantees contain embedded derivatives that are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). The Company uses freestanding derivatives to hedge the market risks inherent in these variable annuity guarantees. The valuation of these embedded derivatives includes a nonperformance risk adjustment, which is unhedged and can be a significant driver of net derivative gains (losses) but does not have an economic impact on the Company.

The variable annuity embedded derivatives and associated freestanding derivative hedges are collectively referred to as “VA program derivatives” in the following table. All other derivatives that are economic hedges of

 

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certain invested assets and insurance liabilities are referred to as “non-VA program derivatives” in the following table. The table below presents the impact on net derivative gains (losses) from non-VA program derivatives and VA program derivatives:

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
    Change  
     2012     2011    
     (In millions)  

Non-VA program derivatives

      

Interest rate

   $ 1,355     $ 404     $ 951  

Foreign currency

     164       (76     240  

Credit

     (25     29       (54

Equity

     (4     (11     7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-VA program derivatives

     1,490       346       1,144  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

VA program derivatives

      

Market and other risks in embedded derivatives

     (1,962     (499     (1,463

Nonperformance risk on embedded derivatives

     608       108       500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total embedded derivatives

     (1,354     (391     (963

Freestanding derivatives hedging embedded derivatives

     1,956       397       1,559  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total VA program derivatives

     602       6       596  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)

   $ 2,092     $ 352     $ 1,740  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $1.1 billion ($744 million, net of income tax). This reflects long-term interest rates decreasing more in the current period than in the prior period, which primarily impacted receive-fixed interest rate swaps, long interest rate futures, long interest rate floors and receiver swaptions. These freestanding derivatives are primarily hedging long duration liability portfolios. In addition, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen relative to other key currencies favorably impacted foreign currency swaps and forwards, which primarily hedge certain foreign denominated bonds. Because certain of these hedging strategies are not designated or do not qualify as accounting hedges, the changes in the estimated fair value of these freestanding derivatives are recognized in net derivative gains (losses) without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.

The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on VA program derivatives was $596 million ($387 million, net of income tax). This was due to a favorable change of $500 million ($325 million, net of income tax) related to the change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives, and a favorable change of $96 million ($62 million, net of income tax) in freestanding derivatives that hedge market risks in embedded derivatives, net of market and other risks in our embedded derivatives.

The additional favorable change of $96 million is comprised of a $1.6 billion ($1.0 billion, net of income tax) favorable change in freestanding derivatives that hedge market risks in embedded derivatives and a $1.5 billion ($951 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in market and other risks in our embedded derivatives which were driven by changes in market factors. The primary changes in market factors are summarized as follows:

 

   

Equity index levels decreased more in the current period than in the prior period and equity volatility increased more in the current period than in the prior period. These changes contributed to a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives and unfavorable changes in our embedded derivatives.

 

   

Long-term interest rates decreased more in the current period than in the prior period and contributed to a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives and unfavorable changes in our embedded derivatives.

 

   

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed to a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives and unfavorable changes in our embedded derivatives.

 

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The decrease in net investment losses primarily reflects a decrease in losses on sales of fixed maturity and equity securities combined with decreases in impairments in fixed maturity and equity securities, primarily in the financial services and consumer industries.

Income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, related to the Divested Businesses, excluding net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), decreased $186 million to a loss of $224 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to a loss of $38 million in the prior period. Included in this loss was a decrease in total revenues of $165 million and an increase in total expenses of $21 million. As previously mentioned, the Divested Businesses include certain operations of MetLife Bank and the Caribbean Business.

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was $1.0 billion, or 31% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, compared with income tax expense of $448 million, or 30% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, for the prior period. The Company’s second quarter 2012 and 2011 effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of certain permanent tax differences, including non-taxable investment income and tax credits for investments in low income housing, in relation to income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, as well as certain foreign permanent tax differences.

As more fully described in the discussion of performance measures above, we use operating earnings, which does not equate to income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, as determined in accordance with GAAP, to analyze our performance, evaluate segment performance, and allocate resources. We believe that the presentation of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders, as we measure it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders should not be viewed as substitutes for GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, and GAAP net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, respectively. Operating earnings available to common shareholders increased $219 million, net of income tax, to $1.4 billion, net of income tax, for the second quarter of 2012 from $1.2 billion, net of income tax, in the prior period.

 

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Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, to operating earnings available to common shareholders

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  $ 869     $ 649     $ 595     $ 18     $ 270     $ 87     $ (188   $ 2,300  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    52       19       144       (13     (36     (25     (205     (64

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    960       567       288       (14     50       14       227       2,092  

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)

    (260     (40     (7     (128     5       (23     (272     (725

Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

    (263     (192     (148     38       (24     39       90       (460
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 380     $ 295     $ 318     $ 135     $ 275     $ 82       (28     1,457  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Less: Preferred stock dividends

                31       31  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

              $ (59   $ 1,426  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  $   504     $ 313     $ 303     $ 5     $ 197     $ (10   $ (250   $ 1,062  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    47       (8     (10     (13     (32     (34     (105     (155

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    336       177       (37     8       5       (12     (125     352  

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)

    (121     (37     15       (175     43       (34     (137     (446

Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

    (91     (47     10       56       10       6       129       73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 333     $ 228     $ 325     $ 129     $ 171     $ 64       (12     1,238  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Less: Preferred stock dividends

                31       31  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

              $ (43   $ 1,207  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.

 

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Reconciliation of GAAP revenues to operating revenues and GAAP expenses to operating expenses

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Total revenues

  $ 5,254     $ 5,499     $ 2,518     $ 1,160     $ 2,714     $    797     $ 456     $ 18,398  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    52       19       144       (13     (36     (25     (205     (64

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    960       567       288       (14     50       14       227       2,092  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    8                            (1     13              20  

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)

    (18     (40     10       53       (352     (177     85       (439
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

  $ 4,252     $ 4,953     $ 2,076     $ 1,134     $ 3,053     $ 972     $ 349     $ 16,789  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

  $ 3,918     $ 4,519     $ 1,604     $ 1,144     $ 2,282     $ 710     $ 883     $ 15,060  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    242                            (1     16              257  

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)

    8              17       181       (357     (157     357       49  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  $ 3,668     $ 4,519     $ 1,587     $ 963     $ 2,640     $ 851     $ 526     $ 14,754  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Total revenues

  $ 4,572     $ 4,919     $ 2,388     $ 1,159     $ 2,584     $ 1,106     $ 418     $ 17,146  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    47       (8     (10     (13     (32     (34     (105     (155

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    336       177       (37     8       5       (12     (125     352  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    1                                                 1  

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)

    7       (37     34       49       (173     121       300       301  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

  $ 4,181     $ 4,787     $ 2,401     $ 1,115     $ 2,784     $ 1,031     $ 348     $ 16,647  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

  $ 3,793     $ 4,458     $ 1,921     $ 1,174     $ 2,309     $ 1,077     $ 904     $ 15,636  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    112                                                 112  

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)

    17              19       224       (216     155       437       636  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  $ 3,664     $ 4,458     $ 1,902     $ 950     $ 2,525     $ 922     $ 467     $ 14,888  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.

 

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Consolidated Results—Operating

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Change     % Change  
     2012     2011      
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 9,139     $ 9,270     $ (131     (1.4 )% 

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     1,999       1,908       91       4.8

Net investment income

     5,187       5,011       176       3.5

Other revenues

     464       458       6       1.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     16,789       16,647       142       0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     9,132       9,272       (140     (1.5 )% 

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     1,525       1,508       17       1.1

Capitalization of DAC

     (1,313     (1,365     52       3.8

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     1,162       1,136       26       2.3

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (164     (163     (1     (0.6 )% 

Interest expense on debt

     299       328       (29     (8.8 )% 

Other expenses

     4,113       4,172       (59     (1.4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     14,754       14,888       (134     (0.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     578       521       57       10.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

     1,457       1,238       219       17.7

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     31       31             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

   $ 1,426     $ 1,207     $ 219       18.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Stronger investment results and higher policy fee income were the primary drivers of the increase in operating earnings. In addition, the prior period included $44 million of insurance claims and operating expenses related to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a negative impact on results compared to the prior period.

Positive net flows from strong sales led to growth in our investment portfolio which generated higher net investment income of $118 million. Since many of our products are interest spread-based, the growth in our individual life and structured settlement businesses also resulted in a $70 million increase to interest credited expenses. In addition, strong variable annuity sales, primarily in 2011, increased our average separate account assets which resulted in higher policy fee income of $104 million. Commission expenses decreased $45 million as lower annuity sales in the U.S. in the current period were partially offset by increased sales in the international businesses. This was slightly offset by related DAC capitalization. In addition, DAC amortization was up $45 million due to growth in our existing businesses.

The low interest rate environment continued to impact interest credited to certain insurance liabilities which are tied to market indices. As a result of the low interest rate environment, we set lower interest credited rates on new business and on existing business with terms that can fluctuate. The positive impact of lower interest credited rates was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expense resulting from the impact of derivatives that are used to hedge certain liabilities. Market factors and portfolio management actions mitigated the low interest rate environment driving higher yields on the investment portfolio, excluding the Divested Businesses. Market factors that contributed to increased yields included higher returns in the private equity and real estate markets on our equity method private equity and real estate joint venture investments. The combined impact of lower interest credited expense and higher investment returns resulted in a $28 million increase in operating earnings.

Although still high in the current period, severity of property & casualty catastrophe claims decreased $79 million mainly as a result of severe storm activity in the second quarter of 2011. However, this was largely offset

 

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by unfavorable claims experience, primarily in our Asia and Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segments, which reduced operating earnings by $58 million.

Results from our mortgage loan servicing business were down $27 million as a result of an increase in expenses, higher run-off in a lower interest rate environment and a decrease in service fees. Operating earnings associated with the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan decreased $18 million. This was primarily due to an increase in benefit liabilities resulting from lower returns in the underlying funds. In addition, the current period benefited $19 million from favorable liability refinements, partially offset by an unfavorable DAC capitalization adjustment. The second quarter of 2012 also included $13 million of employee-related costs associated with the Company’s enterprise-wide strategic initiative.

The Company benefited from a $39 million higher tax benefit in the second quarter of 2012 over the prior period as a result of higher utilization of tax preferenced investments, which provide tax credits and deductions.

Retail

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
    Change     % Change  
     2012     2011      
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 1,081     $ 1,135     $ (54     (4.8 )% 

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     1,119       1,032       87       8.4

Net investment income

     1,839       1,827       12       0.7

Other revenues

     213       187       26       13.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     4,252       4,181       71       1.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     1,837       1,876       (39     (2.1 )% 

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     590       595       (5     (0.8 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

     (367     (499     132       26.5

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     407       368       39       10.6

Other expenses

     1,201       1,324       (123     (9.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     3,668       3,664       4       0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     204       184       20       10.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 380     $ 333     $ 47       14.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

The Company implemented several changes to product pricing and variable annuity riders as we continued to manage sales volume in order to strike the right balance among growth, profitability and risk. These actions resulted in a net decrease in the overall segment sales in the current period, most notably a $2.4 billion, before income tax, or 33%, decrease in annuity sales. Consistent with the decrease in sales, total retail net flows were down $2.4 billion, before income tax, compared to the prior period. The negative impact of the sales decline was mitigated by strong sales in 2011 as asset-based fee revenues are based on average assets.

Stronger sales of variable annuities in the prior period increased our average separate account assets and, as a result, generated higher asset-based fee revenue. This, coupled with positive net flows from the life products, as well as the impact of an increase in allocated equity for the annuity business, bolstered invested assets, increasing net investment income. The reduction of sales levels from the prior period resulted in lower deferrable expenses, which were directly offset by lower DAC capitalization; however, stronger annuity sales in the prior period significantly increased our in-force business contributing to an increase in non-deferrable expenses. In addition, our business growth generated increased DAC amortization, and higher interest credited on certain insurance liabilities. The net impact of these items resulted in a $52 million increase in operating earnings.

 

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Interest rates continued to remain low while equity markets showed some improvement from the prior period. The low interest rate environment resulted in a net $16 million unfavorable impact on our operating earnings. This was driven by lower net investment income due to lower yields, partially offset by a decrease in DAC amortization, coupled with lower interest credited on certain insurance liabilities.

Slightly less favorable mortality in our life businesses, coupled with unfavorable mortality in our income annuities business, resulted in a $7 million decrease to operating earnings.

The impact of the reduction in our closed block dividend scale, which was announced in the fourth quarter of 2011, increased operating earnings by $6 million, net of DAC amortization. In addition, certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC refinements in both the current and prior periods resulted in a $9 million increase to operating earnings.

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Change     % Change  
     2012     2011      
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 4,178     $ 4,028     $ 150       3.7

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     165       155       10       6.5

Net investment income

     494       505       (11     (2.2 )% 

Other revenues

     116       99       17       17.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     4,953       4,787       166       3.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     3,766       3,725       41       1.1

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     43       45       (2     (4.4 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

     (112     (123     11       8.9

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     98       119       (21     (17.6 )% 

Other expenses

     724       692       32       4.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     4,519       4,458       61       1.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     139       101       38       37.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 295     $ 228     $ 67       29.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Each of our businesses experienced growth in the second quarter of 2012, as the economy has continued to show some signs of improvement. Our group term life and disability businesses grew as a result of new sales, and our dental business continued to benefit from strong enrollments and renewals, as well as revenues associated with the implementation of a new dental contract from a large customer in the current period. Although we have discontinued selling our long-term care (“LTC”) product, we continue to collect premiums and administer the existing block of business, contributing to asset growth in the segment. As housing and automobile markets remained sluggish, property & casualty policy sales decreased in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the prior period; however, the impact of an increase in the average premium for new policies sold more than offset the decline in policy sales.

The increase in average premium per policy in both our homeowners and auto businesses improved operating earnings by $24 million and a decrease in exposures resulted in a $7 million decrease in operating earnings. Exposures are generally defined as each covered automobile, for the auto line of business, and each covered residence, for the homeowners line of business.

Current period premiums and deposits, together with growth in the securities lending program, partially offset by a reduction in allocated equity, have resulted in an increase in our average invested assets, contributing

 

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$12 million to operating earnings. Consistent with the growth in average invested assets, primarily in our LTC business, interest credited on long-duration contracts increased by $6 million. Increased expenses associated with the implementation of the new dental contract in the current period, along with growth across our businesses, reduced operating earnings by $4 million.

Although still high in the current period, severity of property & casualty catastrophe claims decreased mainly as a result of severe storm activity in the second quarter of 2011, which improved operating earnings by $79 million. Also contributing to the increase in operating earnings was additional favorable development of prior year losses of $7 million. Favorable morbidity experience from across our non-medical health businesses contributed $30 million to operating earnings. This favorable result stems primarily from a decrease in claims in our dental, disability and accidental death and dismemberment businesses and an increase in claims closed in our individual disability insurance business. Less favorable claims experience in our group life business resulted in a decrease in operating earnings of $49 million. The group life mortality ratio has returned to a more historically representative level of 87.3% in the second quarter of 2012, from a record low of 82.1% in the prior period. The impact of the items discussed above related to the property & casualty business, can be seen in the favorable change in the combined ratio, excluding catastrophes, to 83.4% in the second quarter of 2012 from 85.9% in the prior period, as well as the favorable change in the combined ratio, including catastrophes, to 102.3% in the second quarter of 2012 from 121.7% in the prior period.

The low interest rate environment and lower prepayment fees resulted in a decline in investment yields, primarily in our fixed maturity securities and mortgage loan portfolios. Unlike in the Retail and Corporate Benefit Funding segments, a reduction in investment yield does not necessarily drive a corresponding change in the rates credited on certain insurance liabilities. The reduction in investment yield, partially offset by marginally lower crediting rates in the current period, resulted in an $18 million decrease in operating earnings.

Corporate Benefit Funding

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
    Change     % Change  
     2012     2011      
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 523     $ 874     $ (351     (40.2 )% 

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     57       58       (1     (1.7 )% 

Net investment income

     1,431       1,408       23       1.6

Other revenues

     65       61       4       6.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     2,076       2,401       (325     (13.5 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     1,131       1,446       (315     (21.8 )% 

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     338       331       7       2.1

Capitalization of DAC

     (8     (5     (3     (60.0 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     4       5       (1     (20.0 )% 

Interest expense on debt

     2       3       (1     (33.3 )% 

Other expenses

     120       122       (2     (1.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     1,587       1,902       (315     (16.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     171       174       (3     (1.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 318     $ 325     $ (7     (2.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

A combination of weak equity market returns and the low interest rate environment has resulted in underfunded pension plans, which reduces our customers’ flexibility to engage in transactions such as pension closeouts. While this is predominantly impacting sales in the U.S., sales in the U.K. remain strong. However, our

 

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U.K. sales decreased $235 million, before income tax, as a result of the impact of a significant sale in the prior period. Structured settlement sales have decreased $137 million, before income tax, reflecting a more competitive market and a decrease in demand due to the low interest rate environment. Changes in premiums for these businesses were almost entirely offset by the related change in policyholder benefits. The impact of current period premiums, deposits, and funding agreement issuances contributed to an increase in invested assets, partially offset by a decrease in allocated equity, resulting in an increase of $31 million to operating earnings. The growth in premiums, deposits and funding agreement issuances resulted in a corresponding increase in interest credited on certain insurance liabilities, which decreased operating earnings by $39 million.

The low interest rate environment continued to have an impact on our investment returns, as well as our interest credited on certain insurance liabilities. Lower investment returns on fixed maturities, mortgage loans, and our securities lending program were partially offset by higher returns in the equity markets on our private equity investments. Many of our funding agreement and guaranteed interest contract liabilities are tied to market indices and, as a result, interest credited rates on new business were set lower, as were the rates on existing business with terms that can fluctuate. The positive impact of lower interest credited rates was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expense resulting from the impact of derivatives that are used to hedge certain liabilities. The net impact of lower interest credited expense and lower investment returns resulted in an increase in operating earnings of $5 million.

Mortality results across various products and the net impact of insurance liability refinements in both periods had an $11 million unfavorable impact on operating earnings.

Latin America

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 652     $ 647     $ 5       0.8

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     196       194       2       1.0

Net investment income

     283       272       11       4.0

Other revenues

     3       2       1       50.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     1,134       1,115       19       1.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     568       534       34       6.4

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     90       94       (4     (4.3 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

     (71     (78     7       9.0

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     54       62       (8     (12.9 )% 

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (1     (2     1       50.0

Interest expense on debt

            1       (1     (100.0 )% 

Other expenses

     323       339       (16     (4.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     963       950       13       1.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     36       36             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 135     $ 129     $ 6       4.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings increased by $6 million over the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $16 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to the prior period.

 

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Latin America experienced sales growth driven primarily by retirement products in Chile and Mexico and by accident and health products in Argentina and Chile. The resulting growth in premiums was offset by a corresponding increase in policyholder benefits. The growth in our businesses drove an increase in average invested assets, which generated higher net investment income and higher policy fee income. The increase in sales also generated higher commission expense, which was partially offset by related DAC capitalization. The combined impact of the items discussed above were the primary drivers of the $12 million improvement in operating earnings.

Market factors favorably impacted operating earnings by $12 million. The increase in yields reflects improved fixed maturity securities returns related to a repositioning to higher yielding investments and improved returns on variable rate investments, primarily in Brazil. The resulting increase in net investment income was partially offset by a corresponding increase in policyholder benefits, and higher interest credited expense.

The current period results include an unfavorable DAC capitalization adjustment of $8 million, partially offset by a favorable liability refinement of $4 million.

Asia

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 2,011     $ 1,884     $ 127       6.7

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     315       296       19       6.4

Net investment income

     730       596       134       22.5

Other revenues

     (3     8       (11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     3,053       2,784       269       9.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     1,374       1,272       102       8.0

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     426       398       28       7.0

Capitalization of DAC

     (538     (467     (71     (15.2 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     404       401       3       0.7

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (127     (141     14       9.9

Interest expense on debt

     4       (1     5    

Other expenses

     1,097       1,063       34       3.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     2,640       2,525       115       4.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     138       88       50       56.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 275     $ 171     $ 104       60.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings increased by $104 million over the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates improved operating earnings by $6 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to the prior period.

Asia experienced sales growth in ordinary and universal life products in Japan which drove higher premiums and universal life fees over the prior period. This was partially offset by a decline in life product sales and persistency in Hong Kong, which drove lower premiums. The changes in premiums were offset by corresponding changes in policyholder benefits. In addition, average invested assets increased over the prior period, reflecting positive cash flows from continued strong annuity sales in Japan generating increases in both net investment income and policy fee income. The increase in sales also generated higher commission expense, which was largely offset by an increase in related DAC capitalization. The combined impact of the items discussed above improved operating earnings by $60 million.

 

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The repositioning of the Japan portfolio to longer duration and higher yielding investments contributed to an increase in investment yields. In addition, yields improved as a result of growth in the Australian dollar annuity business with the funds invested in higher yielding Australian dollar investments, as well as higher returns on our alternative investments. However, these increases in yields were partially offset by higher interest credited expense and lower joint venture income from China resulting in a net increase to operating earnings of $24 million.

Unfavorable claims experience decreased operating earnings by $29 million. Prior period results in Japan included $44 million of insurance claims and operating expenses related to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The unfavorable impact of changes in actuarial assumptions was almost entirely offset by the positive impact of favorable liability refinements.

EMEA

 

     Three Months
Ended

June  30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 680     $ 689     $ (9     (1.3 )% 

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     108       135       (27     (20.0 )% 

Net investment income

     157       178       (21     (11.8 )% 

Other revenues

     27       29       (2     (6.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     972       1,031       (59     (5.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     404       395       9       2.3

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     26       45       (19     (42.2 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

     (217     (193     (24     (12.4 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     195       181       14       7.7

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (36     (20     (16     (80.0 )% 

Interest expense on debt

     1              1    

Other expenses

     478       514       (36     (7.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     851       922       (71     (7.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     39       45       (6     (13.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 82     $ 64     $ 18       28.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings increased by $18 million over the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $8 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to the prior period. The fourth quarter 2011 purchase of a Turkish life insurance and pension company increased operating earnings by $3 million.

The segment experienced overall business growth; however, certain European countries in the region continued to be challenged by the prevailing economic environment. Retirement sales in western Europe increased due to strong sales of fixed and variable annuity products and credit life sales in Russia increased due to a modest recovery in credit markets, both of which resulted in higher premiums and policyholder benefits. Despite dividends paid to MetLife, Inc. at the end of 2011, the growth in our businesses drove an increase in average invested assets, which generated higher net investment income. These increases were largely offset by a decrease in policy fee income in western Europe. The items discussed above, on a combined basis, did not have a significant impact on operating earnings.

 

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Operating earnings decreased $5 million reflecting lower yields. The decrease in yields reflects lower returns on our alternative investments driven by declining equity markets.

Current period results benefited by $16 million primarily due to a release of negative VOBA associated with the conversion of certain policies. In addition, certain tax items in both periods improved results by $13 million.

Corporate & Other

 

     Three Months
Ended

June  30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 14     $ 13     $ 1       7.7

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     39       38       1       2.6

Net investment income

     253       225       28       12.4

Other revenues

     43       72       (29     (40.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     349       348       1       0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     52       24       28    

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     12              12    

Interest expense on debt

     292       325       (33     (10.2 )% 

Other expenses

     170       118       52       44.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     526       467       59       12.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     (149     (107     (42     (39.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

     (28     (12     (16  

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     31       31             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

   $ (59   $ (43   $ (16     (37.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings available to common shareholders and operating earnings each decreased $16 million, primarily due to lower earnings from our mortgage loan servicing business and the assumed reinsurance of a variable annuity business. These decreases were partially offset by higher net investment income and a higher tax benefit in the second quarter of 2012.

Results from our mortgage loan servicing business were lower, driven by an increase in expenses of $19 million due to higher regulatory oversight and expenses related to the processing of foreclosed loans. In addition, revenues decreased by $8 million due to higher run-off in a lower interest rate environment and a decrease in service fees due to the termination of sub-servicing contracts.

Operating earnings associated with the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan decreased $18 million. This was primarily due to an increase in benefit liabilities resulting from lower returns in the underlying funds.

Net investment income increased $18 million driven by improving real estate markets on our real estate joint venture investments and higher private equity returns, partially offset by the impact of lower interest rates on fixed maturity securities and an increase in the amount credited to the segments due to growth in the economic capital managed by Corporate & Other on their behalf.

In the second quarter of 2012, the Company incurred $13 million of employee-related costs associated with the Company’s enterprise-wide strategic initiative.

 

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Corporate & Other benefited in the second quarter of 2012 from a higher tax benefit of $22 million over the prior period primarily due to higher utilization of tax preferenced investments, which provide tax credits and deductions.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

Consolidated Results

 

    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
    2012     2011     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        

Revenues

       

Premiums

  $ 18,290     $ 17,848     $ 442       2.5

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

    4,175       3,858       317       8.2

Net investment income

    10,919       10,406       513       4.9

Other revenues

    990       1,158       (168     (14.5 )% 

Net investment gains (losses)

    (174     (254     80       31.5

Net derivative gains (losses)

    114       37       77    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenues

    34,314       33,053       1,261       3.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Expenses

       

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

    18,710       18,104       606       3.3

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    3,579       3,366       213       6.3

Capitalization of DAC

    (2,679     (2,631     (48     (1.8 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

    2,193       2,193             

Amortization of negative VOBA

    (336     (366     30       8.2

Interest expense on debt

    700       835       (135     (16.2 )% 

Other expenses

    9,218       8,758       460       5.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total expenses

    31,385       30,259       1,126       3.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax

    2,929       2,794       135       4.8

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

    763       808       (45     (5.6 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

    2,166       1,986       180       9.1

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax

    17       (9     26    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income (loss)

    2,183       1,977       206       10.4

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    32              32      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

    2,151       1,977       174       8.8

Less: Preferred stock dividends

    61       61             

 Preferred stock redemption premium

           146       (146     (100.0 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

  $ 2,090     $ 1,770     $ 320       18.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, increased $135 million ($180 million, net of income tax) over the prior period primarily driven by favorable operating results, and favorable changes in net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses). These favorable changes were partially offset by an unfavorable change in the results of the Divested Businesses over the prior period.

 

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The variable annuity embedded derivatives and associated freestanding derivative hedges are collectively referred to as “VA program derivatives” in the following table. All other derivatives that are economic hedges of certain invested assets and insurance liabilities are referred to as “non-VA program derivatives” in the following table. The table below presents the impact on net derivative gains (losses) from non-VA program derivatives and VA program derivatives:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
       
     2012     2011     Change  
     (In millions)  

Non-VA program derivatives

      

Interest rate

   $ 544     $ 273     $ 271  

Foreign currency

     13       (259     272  

Credit

     (107     (20     (87

Equity

     (3     4       (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-VA program derivatives

     447       (2     449  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

VA program derivatives

      

Market and other risks in embedded derivatives

     1,129       494       635  

Nonperformance risk on embedded derivatives

     (636     34       (670
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total embedded derivatives

     493       528       (35

Freestanding derivatives hedging embedded derivatives

     (826     (489     (337
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total VA program derivatives

     (333     39       (372
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)

   $ 114     $ 37     $ 77  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $449 million ($292 million, net of income tax). This was primarily due to a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other key currencies, favorably impacting foreign currency swaps and forwards, which primarily hedge certain foreign denominated bonds. In addition, long-term interest rates decreasing more in the current period than in the prior period favorably impacted receive-fixed interest rate swaps, long interest rate floors and receiver swaptions. These freestanding derivatives are primarily hedging long duration liability portfolios. Because certain of these hedging strategies are not designated or do not qualify as accounting hedges, the changes in the estimated fair value of these freestanding derivatives are recognized in net derivative gains (losses) without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.

The unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on VA program derivatives was $372 million ($242 million, net of income tax). This was due to an unfavorable change of $670 million ($436 million, net of income tax) related to the change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives, partially offset by a favorable change of $298 million ($194 million, net of income tax) on market and other risks in embedded derivatives, net of the impact of freestanding derivatives hedging those risks.

The favorable change of $298 million is comprised of a $337 million ($219 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in freestanding derivatives that hedge market risks in embedded derivatives which was more than offset by a $635 million ($413 million, net of income tax) favorable change in market and other risks in our embedded derivatives, driven by changes in market factors. The primary changes in market factors are summarized as follows:

 

   

Equity index levels improved more in the current period than in the prior period and equity volatility decreased more in the current period than in the prior period. These changes contributed to an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives and favorable changes in our embedded derivatives.

 

   

Long-term interest rates decreased more in the current period than in the prior period and contributed to a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives and unfavorable changes in our embedded derivatives.

 

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The decrease in net investment losses primarily reflects a decrease in losses on sales of equity securities, a decrease in intent-to-sell impairments on fixed maturity and equity securities, primarily in foreign government and financial services industry, combined with an increase in gains on fixed maturity securities sold in connection with the planned disposition of MetLife Bank. These were partially offset by a decrease in gains on mortgage loan sales.

Income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, related to the Divested Businesses, excluding net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), decreased $309 million to a loss of $384 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a loss of $75 million in the prior period. Included in this loss was an increase in total expenses of $211 million and a decrease in total revenues of $98 million. As previously mentioned, the Divested Businesses include certain operations of MetLife Bank and the Caribbean Business.

Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $763 million, or 26% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, compared with income tax expense of $808 million, or 29% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, for the prior period. The Company’s 2012 and 2011 effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of certain permanent tax differences, including non–taxable investment income and tax credits for investments in low income housing, in relation to income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, as well as certain foreign permanent tax differences.

As more fully described in the discussion of performance measures above, we use operating earnings, which does not equate to income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, as determined in accordance with GAAP, to analyze our performance, evaluate segment performance, and allocate resources. We believe that the presentation of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders, as we measure it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders should not be viewed as substitutes for GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, and GAAP net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, respectively. Operating earnings available to common shareholders increased $364 million, net of income tax, to $2.9 billion, net of income tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $2.5 billion, net of income tax, in the prior period.

 

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Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, to operating earnings available to common shareholders

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  $ 913     $ 679     $ 684     $ 147     $ 485     $ 191     $ (933   $ 2,166  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    118       13       46       (10     (139     (18     (184     (174

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    438       188       45       23       20       43       (643     114  

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)

    (364     (78     14       (197     (1     (5     (504     (1,135

Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

    (67     (43     (37     48       33       13       464       411  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 788     $ 599     $ 616     $ 283     $ 572     $ 158       (66     2,950  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Less: Preferred stock dividends

                61       61  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

              $ (127   $ 2,889  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

  $ 763     $ 508     $ 542     $ 115     $ 365     $ 41     $ (348   $ 1,986  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    82       3       2       7       (158     (88     (102     (254

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    262       78       (167     3       61       7       (207     37  

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)

    (207     (69     55       (184     29       (47     (237     (660

Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

    (48     (5     38       39       38       26       189       277  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings

  $ 674     $ 501     $ 614     $ 250     $ 395     $ 143       9       2,586  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Less: Preferred stock dividends

                61       61  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

              $ (52   $ 2,525  
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.

 

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Table of Contents

Reconciliation of GAAP revenues to operating revenues and GAAP expenses to operating expenses

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Total revenues

  $ 9,094     $ 9,918     $ 4,229     $ 2,462     $ 6,031     $ 2,376     $ 204     $ 34,314  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    118       13       46       (10     (139     (18     (184     (174

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    438       188       45       23       20       43       (643     114  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    3                            (2     13              14  

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)

    (28     (78     39       129       160       282       377       881  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

  $ 8,563     $ 9,795     $ 4,099     $ 2,320     $ 5,992     $ 2,056     $ 654     $ 33,479  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

  $ 7,689     $ 8,915     $ 3,176     $ 2,277     $ 5,282     $ 2,116     $ 1,930     $ 31,385  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    51                            (2     16              65  

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)

    288              25       326       161       284       881       1,965  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  $ 7,350     $ 8,915     $ 3,151     $ 1,951     $ 5,123     $ 1,816     $ 1,049     $ 29,355  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

 

    Retail     Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
    Corporate
Benefit
Funding
    Latin
America
    Asia     EMEA     Corporate
& Other
    Total  
    (In millions)  

Total revenues

  $ 8,541     $ 9,520     $ 4,233     $ 2,165     $ 5,383     $ 2,211     $ 1,000     $ 33,053  

Less: Net investment gains (losses)

    82       3       2       7       (158     (88     (102     (254

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)

    262       78       (167     3       61       7       (207     37  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    (2                                               (2

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)

    12       (69     74       87       71       261       574       1,010  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

  $ 8,187     $ 9,508     $ 4,324     $ 2,068     $ 5,409     $ 2,031     $ 735     $ 32,262  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

  $ 7,365     $ 8,779     $ 3,397     $ 2,015     $ 4,868     $ 2,104     $ 1,731     $ 30,259  

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

    84                                                 84  

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)

    133              19       271       42       308       811       1,584  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  $ 7,148     $ 8,779     $ 3,378     $ 1,744     $ 4,826     $ 1,796     $ 920     $ 28,591  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.

 

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Consolidated Results - Operating

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 18,246     $ 17,802     $ 444       2.5

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     4,008       3,740       268       7.2

Net investment income

     10,272       9,794       478       4.9

Other revenues

     953       926       27       2.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     33,479       32,262       1,217       3.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     18,071       17,711       360       2.0

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     3,064       2,987       77       2.6

Capitalization of DAC

     (2,675     (2,627     (48     (1.8 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     2,180       2,133       47       2.2

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (301     (326     25       7.7

Interest expense on debt

     612       651       (39     (6.0 )% 

Other expenses

     8,404       8,062       342       4.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     29,355       28,591       764       2.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     1,174       1,085       89       8.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

     2,950       2,586       364       14.1

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     61       61             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

   $ 2,889     $ 2,525     $ 364       14.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Higher policy fee income, stronger investment results and favorable claims experience were the primary drivers of the increase in operating earnings. These positive impacts on operating earnings were partially offset by a $52 million charge taken in the first quarter of 2012 representing a multi–state examination payment related to unclaimed property and MetLife’s use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File to identify potential life insurance claims, as well as the expected acceleration of benefit payments to policyholders under the settlements. In addition, the prior period included $44 million of insurance claims and operating expenses related to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a negative impact on results compared to the prior period.

We benefited from strong sales, as well as growth and higher persistency in our business across many of our products. In addition, as a result of stronger sales of variable annuities in 2011, we experienced growth in both our average separate account assets and our investment portfolio. The growth in the average separate account assets generated higher policy fee income of $217 million. The growth in our investment portfolio generated higher net investment income of $208 million. Since many of our products are interest spread–based, the growth in our individual life and structured settlement businesses also resulted in a $118 million increase to interest credited expenses. These increased sales also generated an increase in commissions which was offset by an increase in related DAC capitalization. In addition, other non–variable expenses increased $84 million and DAC amortization was up $83 million due to growth in our existing businesses. Higher premiums, partially offset by higher policyholder benefits in our international businesses improved operating earnings by $40 million. Operating earnings from our property & casualty business improved $48 million from an increase in average premium per policy; however, this was partially offset by a decrease in exposures which reduced operating earnings by $11 million.

 

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The low interest rate environment continued to impact interest credited to certain insurance liabilities which are tied to market indices. As a result of the low interest rate environment, we set lower interest credited rates on new business and on existing business with terms that can fluctuate. The positive impact of lower interest credited rates was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expense resulting from the impact of derivatives that are used to hedge certain liabilities. Market factors and portfolio management actions mitigated the low interest rate environment driving higher yields on the investment portfolio, excluding the Divested Businesses. Market factors that contributed to increased yields included higher returns in the real estate and private equity markets on our equity method real estate joint venture and private equity investments. The combined impact of lower interest credited expense and higher investment returns resulted in a $68 million increase in operating earnings.

Lower severity of property & casualty catastrophe claims in the current period increased operating earnings by $92 million as a result of severe storm activity in the second quarter of 2011. Favorable morbidity experience from our non-medical health business and favorable mortality results in our Retail segment were more than offset by less favorable claims experience in our group life business and our Asia segment, reducing operating earnings by $30 million.

Results from our mortgage loan servicing business were down $55 million as a result of an increase in expenses, higher run–off in a lower interest rate environment and a decrease in service fees. In addition, the current period benefited $50 million from favorable liability refinements, partially offset by an unfavorable DAC capitalization adjustment. The first half of 2012 also included $31 million of employee–related costs associated with the Company’s enterprise-wide strategic initiative. Operating earnings associated with the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan decreased $13 million. This was primarily due to an increase in benefit liabilities resulting from lower returns in the underlying funds.

The Company also benefited from a $69 million higher tax benefit in the first half of 2012 over the prior period as a result of higher utilization of tax preferenced investments, which provide tax credits and deductions.

Retail

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 2,217     $ 2,160     $ 57       2.6

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     2,233       2,023       210       10.4

Net investment income

     3,695       3,635       60       1.7

Other revenues

     418       369       49       13.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     8,563       8,187       376       4.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     3,739       3,655       84       2.3

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     1,186       1,186             

Capitalization of DAC

     (772     (920     148       16.1

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     740       706       34       4.8

Other expenses

     2,457       2,521       (64     (2.5 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     7,350       7,148       202       2.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     425       365       60       16.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 788     $ 674     $ 114       16.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Stronger sales of variable annuities in the prior period increased our average separate account assets and, as a result, generated higher asset-based fee revenue. This, coupled with positive net flows from the life products as

 

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well as the impact of an increase in allocated equity for annuities, led to growth in the investment portfolio, increasing net investment income. The reduction of sales levels from the prior period resulted in lower deferrable expenses, which were directly offset by lower DAC capitalization; however, stronger annuity sales in the prior period significantly increased our in-force business contributing to an increase in non-deferrable expenses. Our 2011 business growth also generated higher DAC amortization and interest credited on certain insurance liabilities. The net impact of these items resulted in a $99 million increase in operating earnings.

Interest rates continued to remain low while equity markets showed some improvement from the prior period. The low interest rate environment resulted in a net $3 million unfavorable impact on operating earnings. This was driven by lower net investment income due to lower yields, partially offset by a decrease in DAC amortization, coupled with lower interest credited on certain insurance liabilities.

Favorable mortality experience in the traditional life and variable and universal life businesses was more than offset by a $26 million charge for the expected acceleration of benefit payments to policyholders under a multi-state examination related to unclaimed property and MetLife’s use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. Also offsetting the favorable mortality in the traditional life and variable and universal life businesses was unfavorable mortality in income annuities. The net impact of these items resulted in a $10 million decrease in operating earnings.

The impact of the reduction in our closed block dividend scale, which was announced in the fourth quarter of 2011, increased operating earnings by $14 million, net of DAC amortization. In addition, certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC refinements in both the current and prior periods resulted in a $13 million increase to operating earnings.

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 8,251     $ 8,004     $ 247       3.1

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     331       314       17       5.4

Net investment income

     985       990       (5     (0.5 )% 

Other revenues

     228       200       28       14.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     9,795       9,508       287       3.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     7,405       7,319       86       1.2

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     85       88       (3     (3.4 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

     (214     (245     31       12.7

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     199       233       (34     (14.6 )% 

Other expenses

     1,440       1,384       56       4.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     8,915       8,779       136       1.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     281       228       53       23.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 599     $ 501     $ 98       19.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

The increase in average premium per policy in both our auto and homeowners businesses improved operating earnings by $48 million and a decrease in exposures reduced operating earnings by $11 million.

Current period premiums and deposits, together with growth in the securities lending program, partially offset by a reduction in allocated equity, have resulted in an increase in our average invested assets, contributing $18 million to operating earnings. Consistent with the growth in average invested assets, primarily in our LTC

 

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business, interest credited on long-duration contracts increased by $11 million. Increased expenses associated with the implementation of the new dental contract in the current period, along with growth across our businesses, reduced operating earnings by $18 million.

Lower severity of property & casualty catastrophe claims in the current period increased operating earnings by $92 million, mainly as a result of severe storm activity in the second quarter of 2011. While property & casualty non-catastrophe claims experience was relatively flat period over period, lower claims frequency in both our auto and homeowners businesses of $26 million was mostly offset by an increase in severity in the auto business of $23 million. Favorable morbidity experience from across our non-medical health businesses contributed $45 million to operating earnings. This favorable result stems primarily from a decrease in claims in our disability, accidental death and dismemberment and dental businesses. Less favorable claims experience in our group life business resulted in a decrease in operating earnings of $55 million. The group life mortality ratio has returned to a more historically representative level of 88.2% in 2012, from a record low of 85.2% in the prior period. The impact of the items discussed above related to the property & casualty business, can be seen in the favorable change in the combined ratio, excluding catastrophes, to 85.8% in 2012 from 89.2% in the prior period, as well as the favorable change in the combined ratio, including catastrophes, to 97.0% in 2012 from 110.2% in the prior period.

The low interest rate environment and lower prepayment fees resulted in a decline in investment yields, primarily in our fixed maturity securities and mortgage loan portfolios. Unlike in the Retail and Corporate Benefit Funding segments, a reduction in investment yield does not necessarily drive a corresponding change in the rates credited on certain insurance liabilities. The reduction in investment yield, partially offset by marginally lower crediting rates in the current period, resulted in a $19 million decrease in operating earnings.

Corporate Benefit Funding

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 1,030     $ 1,297     $ (267     (20.6 )% 

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     108       112       (4     (3.6 )% 

Net investment income

     2,832       2,794       38       1.4

Other revenues

     129       121       8       6.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     4,099       4,324       (225     (5.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     2,223       2,466       (243     (9.9 )% 

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     677       666       11       1.7

Capitalization of DAC

     (15     (17     2       11.8

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     14       10       4       40.0

Interest expense on debt

     4       5       (1     (20.0 )% 

Other expenses

     248       248             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     3,151       3,378       (227     (6.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     332       332             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 616     $ 614     $ 2       0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

The impact of current year premiums, deposits, and funding agreement issuances contributed to an increase in invested assets, partially offset by a decrease in allocated equity, resulting in an increase of $30 million to

 

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operating earnings. The growth in premiums, deposits and funding agreement issuances resulted in a corresponding increase in interest credited on certain insurance liabilities, which decreased operating earnings by $60 million.

The low interest rate environment continued to have an impact on our investment returns, as well as our interest credited on certain insurance liabilities. Lower investment returns on fixed maturity securities and our securities lending program were partially offset by higher returns in the equity markets on our private equity and real estate investments. Many of our funding agreement and guaranteed interest contract liabilities are tied to market indices and, as a result, interest credited rates on new business were set lower, as were the rates on existing business with terms that can fluctuate. The positive impact of lower interest credited rates was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expense resulting from the impact of derivatives that are used to hedge certain liabilities. The net impact of lower interest credited expense and lower investment returns resulted in an increase in operating earnings of $25 million.

Mortality results across various products and the net impact of insurance liability refinements in both periods had a $4 million favorable impact on operating earnings.

Latin America

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 1,338     $ 1,241     $ 97       7.8

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     392       383       9       2.3

Net investment income

     582       438       144       32.9

Other revenues

     8       6       2       33.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     2,320       2,068       252       12.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     1,160       958       202       21.1

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     190       185       5       2.7

Capitalization of DAC

     (155     (153     (2     (1.3 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     109       109             

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (3     (4     1       25.0

Interest expense on debt

     1       1             

Other expenses

     649       648       1       0.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     1,951       1,744       207       11.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     86       74       12       16.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 283     $ 250     $ 33       13.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings increased by $33 million over the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $23 million for the first half of 2012 compared to the prior period.

Latin America experienced strong sales growth driven primarily by retirement products in Chile and Mexico and by accident and health products in Argentina and Chile. The resulting growth in premiums was partially offset by a corresponding increase in policyholder benefits. The growth in our businesses drove an increase in average invested assets, which generated higher net investment income and higher policy fee income. The increase in sales also generated higher commission expense, which was partially offset by related DAC

 

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capitalization. The combined impact of the items discussed above were the primary drivers of the $47 million improvement in operating earnings.

Market factors favorably impacted operating earnings by $12 million. An increase in yields reflects the period over period change from lower yields in the prior period due to the impact of changes in assumptions for measuring the effects of inflation on certain inflation-indexed investments, primarily in Chile, offset by lower inflation on inflation-linked investments, mainly in Chile and Brazil. The decrease in net investment income from lower inflation was substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in policyholder benefits and lower interest credited expense.

Current period results include an unfavorable DAC capitalization adjustment of $8 million, which was partially offset by a favorable liability refinement of $4 million.

Asia

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 3,958     $ 3,687     $ 271       7.4

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     638       593       45       7.6

Net investment income

     1,383       1,109       274       24.7

Other revenues

     13       20       (7     (35.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     5,992       5,409       583       10.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     2,643       2,470       173       7.0

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     853       778       75       9.6

Capitalization of DAC

     (1,099     (918     (181     (19.7 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     759       730       29       4.0

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (257     (287     30       10.5

Interest expense on debt

     5              5    

Other expenses

     2,219       2,053       166       8.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     5,123       4,826       297       6.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     297       188       109       58.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 572     $ 395     $ 177       44.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings increased by $177 million over the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates improved operating earnings by $12 million for the first half of 2012 compared to the prior period.

Asia experienced sales growth in ordinary and universal life products in Japan, which drove higher premiums and universal life fees over the prior period. This was partially offset by a decline in life product sales and persistency in Hong Kong, which drove lower premiums. The changes in premiums were offset by corresponding changes in policyholder benefits. In addition, average invested assets increased over the prior period, reflecting positive cash flows from continued strong annuity sales in Japan generating increases in both net investment income and policy fee income. The increase in sales also generated higher commission expense, which was largely offset by an increase in related DAC capitalization. The combined impact of the items discussed above were the primary drivers of the $103 million improvement in operating earnings.

 

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The repositioning of the Japan portfolio to longer duration and higher yielding investments contributed to an increase in investment yields. In addition, yields improved as a result of growth in the Australian dollar annuity business with the funds invested in higher yielding Australian dollar investments, as well as higher returns on our alternative investments. These increases in yields improved net investment income and were partially offset by higher interest credited expense resulting in a net increase to operating earnings of $51 million.

The positive impact of liability refinements in both the current and prior periods was partially offset by unfavorable changes in actuarial assumptions in the current period which, combined, resulted in a $19 million increase to operating earnings.

Unfavorable claims experience in the current period decreased operating earnings by $39 million. Prior period results included $44 million of insurance claims and operating expenses related to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and a tax benefit of $13 million.

EMEA

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 1,424     $ 1,386     $ 38       2.7

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     227       239       (12     (5.0 )% 

Net investment income

     342       351       (9     (2.6 )% 

Other revenues

     63       55       8       14.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     2,056       2,031       25       1.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     838       803       35       4.4

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     61       84       (23     (27.4 )% 

Capitalization of DAC

     (420     (374     (46     (12.3 )% 

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

     359       345       14       4.1

Amortization of negative VOBA

     (41     (35     (6     (17.1 )% 

Interest expense on debt

     1       1             

Other expenses

     1,018       972       46       4.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     1,816       1,796       20       1.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     82       92       (10     (10.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

   $ 158     $ 143     $ 15       10.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings increased by $15 million over the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $12 million for the first half of 2012 compared to the prior period. The fourth quarter 2011 purchase of a Turkish life insurance and pension company increased operating earnings by $7 million.

The segment experienced overall business growth; however, certain European countries in the region continued to be challenged by the prevailing economic environment. Retirement sales in western Europe increased due to strong sales of fixed and variable annuity products and credit life sales in Russia increased due to a modest recovery in credit markets both of which resulted in higher premiums and policyholder benefits. Consistent with the business growth, operating expenses increased, most notably through higher compensation and administrative costs. The increased sales generated an increase in commissions, which was largely offset by

 

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related DAC capitalization. DAC amortization also increased. Fee income increased largely due to growth in India and the Middle East. Despite dividends paid to MetLife, Inc. at the end of 2011, the growth in our business drove an increase in average invested assets, which generated higher net investment income. The combined impact of the items discussed above reduced earnings by $18 million over the prior period.

Operating earnings increased $5 million reflecting higher positive mark to market on certain of our alternative investments, partially offset by decreased yields driven by declining equity markets.

Current period results benefited by $16 million primarily due to a release of negative VOBA associated with the conversion of certain policies. In addition, certain tax items in both periods improved results by $17 million.

Corporate & Other

 

     Six Months
Ended

June 30,
             
     2012     2011     Change     % Change  
     (In millions)        

OPERATING REVENUES

        

Premiums

   $ 28     $ 27     $ 1       3.7

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     79       76       3       3.9

Net investment income

     453       477       (24     (5.0 )% 

Other revenues

     94       155       (61     (39.4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

     654       735       (81     (11.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSES

        

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

     63       40       23       57.5

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     12              12    

Interest expense on debt

     601       644       (43     (6.7 )% 

Other expenses

     373       236       137       58.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     1,049       920       129       14.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     (329     (194     (135     (69.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings

     (66     9       (75  

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     61       61             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating earnings available to common shareholders

   $ (127   $ (52   $ (75  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

Operating earnings available to common shareholders and operating earnings each decreased $75 million, primarily due to lower earnings from our mortgage loan servicing business and the assumed reinsurance of a variable annuity business, lower net investment income, and higher corporate expenses. These increases were partially offset by a higher tax benefit and lower interest expense on debt.

Results from our mortgage loan servicing business were lower, driven by an increase in expenses of $35 million due to higher regulatory oversight and expenses related to the processing of foreclosed loans. In addition, revenues decreased by $20 million due to higher run-off in a lower interest rate environment and a decrease in service fees due to the termination of sub-servicing contracts.

Operating earnings associated with the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan decreased $13 million. This was primarily due to an increase in benefit liabilities resulting from lower returns in the underlying funds.

 

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Net investment income decreased $16 million driven by an increase in the amount credited to the segments due to growth in the economic capital managed by Corporate & Other on their behalf, lower private equity returns and lower investment returns realized from the impact of lower interest rates on our fixed maturity securities. These decreases were partially offset by a higher return on real estate joint venture investments due to improving real estate markets.

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company incurred a $26 million charge representing a multi-state examination payment related to unclaimed property and MetLife’s use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. The Company also incurred $31 million of employee-related costs associated with the Company’s enterprise-wide strategic initiative. In addition, advertising costs were $7 million higher compared to the prior period, partially offset by a $13 million decline in interest expense on debt.

Corporate & Other benefited in the first half of 2012 from a higher tax benefit of $62 million over the prior period primarily due to higher utilization of tax preferenced investments, which provide tax credits and deductions.

Investments

Investment Risks

The Company’s primary investment objective is to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return while ensuring that assets and liabilities are managed on a cash flow and duration basis. The Company is exposed to five primary sources of investment risk:

 

   

credit risk, relating to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make timely payments of principal and interest;

 

   

interest rate risk, relating to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in market interest rates;

 

   

liquidity risk, relating to the diminished ability to sell certain investments in times of strained market conditions;

 

   

market valuation risk, relating to the variability in the estimated fair value of investments associated with changes in market factors such as credit spreads; and

 

   

currency risk, relating to the variability in currency exchange rates for foreign denominated investments.

The Company manages risk through in-house fundamental analysis of the underlying obligors, issuers, transaction structures and real estate properties. The Company also manages credit risk, market valuation risk and liquidity risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation. For real estate and agricultural assets, the Company manages credit risk and market valuation risk through geographic, property type and product type diversification and asset allocation. The Company manages interest rate risk as part of its asset and liability management strategies; through product design, such as the use of market value adjustment features and surrender charges; and through proactive monitoring and management of certain non-guaranteed elements of its products, such as the resetting of credited interest and dividend rates for policies that permit such adjustments. The Company also uses certain derivative instruments in the management of credit, interest rate, currency and equity market risks.

The Company generally enters into market standard purchased credit default swap contracts to mitigate the credit risk of its investment portfolio. Payout under such contracts is generally triggered by certain credit events experienced by the referenced entities. For credit default swaps covering North American corporate issuers, credit events typically include bankruptcy and failure to pay on borrowed money. For European corporate issuers, credit events typically also include involuntary restructuring. With respect to credit default contracts on

 

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western European sovereign debt, credit events typically include failure to pay debt obligations, repudiation, moratorium, or involuntary restructuring. In each case, payout on a credit default swap is triggered only after the relevant Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association deems that a credit event has occurred.

Current Environment

The global economy and markets are still affected by a period of significant stress that began in the second half of 2007. This disruption adversely affected the financial services sector in particular and global capital markets. As a financial holding company with significant operations in the U.S., we are affected by the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve Board has taken a number of actions in recent years to spur economic activity by keeping interest rates low and, on June 20, 2012, reiterated its plans to keep interest rates low until at least through late 2014. The Federal Reserve may take further actions to influence interest rates in the future, which may have an impact on the pricing levels of risk-bearing investments. It extended to the end of 2012 “Operation Twist,” a program announced in September 2011 by the Federal Open Market Committee to purchase U.S. Treasury securities with remaining maturities of six to 30 years and to sell, over the same period, an equal par value of U.S. Treasury securities with remaining maturities of approximately three years or less. By reducing the supply of longer-term securities in the market, Operation Twist is intended to put downward pressure on longer-term interest rates relative to levels that would otherwise prevail. The reduction in longer-term interest rates, in turn, is intended to contribute to a broad easing of financial market conditions that could provide additional stimulus to support the economic recovery.

As a global insurance company, we are also affected by the monetary policy of central banks around the world. Central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Australia, the Central Bank of Brazil and the Central Bank of China, followed the recent actions of the Federal Reserve Board to lower interest rates. The collective effort globally to lower interest rates was in response to concerns about Europe’s sovereign debt crisis and slowing global economic growth. See “Risk Factors — Governmental and Regulatory Actions for the Purpose of Stabilizing and Revitalizing the Financial Markets and Protecting Investors and Consumers May Not Achieve the Intended Effect or Could Adversely Affect Our Competitive Position” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

During the second quarter of 2012, concerns about the economic conditions, the capital markets and the solvency of certain European Union member states, including Europe’s perimeter region, and of financial institutions that have significant direct or indirect exposure to their sovereign debt, continued to create market volatility. This market volatility will likely continue to affect the performance of various asset classes in 2012, and perhaps longer, until there is an ultimate resolution of these European Union sovereign debt-related concerns.

As a result of concerns about the ability of Europe’s perimeter region to service its sovereign debt, certain countries have experienced credit ratings downgrades. Despite official financial support programs for the most stressed governments in Europe’s perimeter region, concerns about sovereign debt sustainability subsequently expanded to other European Union member states. As a result, in late 2011 and during 2012, several other European Union member states experienced sovereign credit ratings downgrades or had their credit ratings outlook revised to negative. As summarized below, at June 30, 2012, the Company did not have significant exposure to the sovereign debt of Europe’s perimeter region. Accordingly, we do not expect such investments to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Outside of Europe’s perimeter region, the Company’s holdings of sovereign debt, corporate debt and perpetual hybrid securities in certain European Union member states and other countries in the region that are not members of the European Union (collectively, the “European Region”) were concentrated in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Norway, the sovereign debt of which continues to maintain the highest credit ratings from all major rating agencies.

 

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Greece Support Program. In March 2012, the leaders of the European Union member states nations approved Greece’s second support program. In connection with this €130 billion support program, Greece exchanged €177 billion of its domestic law sovereign debt with private sector holders in exchange for a package of four new securities issued by Greece and the public sector supported European Financial Stability Facility (“EFSF”). The debt exchange resulted in a loss to private sector holders of approximately 70% on a net present value basis. In the exchange, private sector holders received new Greece longer-dated sovereign debt maturing in 11 to 30 years with a face amount of 31.5% of the former debt; detachable Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”)-linked Greece warrants; short-dated EFSF bonds maturing in two years or less with a face amount of 15% of the former debt; and six-month EFSF notes in payment of accrued interest. Greece’s newly issued sovereign debt is rated C by Moody’s, CCC by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) and CCC by Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”).

Europe’s Perimeter Region Sovereign Debt Securities. Our holdings of Greece sovereign debt were acquired in the acquisition of ALICO and our amortized cost basis reflects recording such securities at estimated fair value on November 1, 2010, which was substantially below par, partially mitigating our exposure. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we sold a significant portion of our Europe’s perimeter region sovereign debt, thereby substantially reducing our exposure. During 2011, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $405 million on our holdings of Greece sovereign debt. In 2012, we recorded an insignificant gain on the exchange of our holdings of Greece sovereign debt. As described above, in the exchange we received both EFSF debt and Greece sovereign debt, which reduced our exposure to Greece sovereign debt from $158 million to $57 million on the date of the exchange, while the short-dated EFSF debt, which was rated Aaa by Moody’s and Fitch and AA+ by S&P was valued at $115 million on the date of exchange. The par value (excluding the notional amount of the detachable GDP-linked Greece warrants), amortized cost and estimated fair value of holdings in sovereign debt of Europe’s perimeter region were $257 million, $88 million and $55 million at June 30, 2012, respectively, and $874 million, $254 million and $264 million at December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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Select European Countries — Investment Exposures. Due to the current level of economic, fiscal and political strain in Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus, the Company continually monitors and adjusts its level of investment exposure in these countries. We manage direct and indirect investment exposure in these countries through fundamental credit analysis. The following table presents a summary of investments by invested asset class and related purchased credit default protection across Europe’s perimeter region, by country, and Cyprus.

 

    Summary of Select European Country Investment Exposure at June 30, 2012 (1) (2)  
    Fixed maturity securities (3)                          
    Sovereign     Financial
Services
    Non-
Financial
Services
    Total     All Other
General Account
Investment
Exposure (4) (5)
    Total
Exposure
    %     Purchased
Credit
Default
Protection (5)
    Net
Exposure
    %  
    (In millions)  

Europe’s perimeter region:

                   

Portugal

  $ 3     $      $ 55     $ 58     $ 6     $ 64       2   $ (12   $ 52       1

Italy

    23       188       738       949       106        1,055       30        (9     1,046        30   

Ireland

           23       199       222       1,176       1,398       39               1,398       40  

Greece

    27                     27       160       187       5              187       5  

Spain

    2       103       591       696       46        742       21              742        21  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Europe’s perimeter region

    55       314       1,583       1,952       1,494       3,446       97       (21     3,425       97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cyprus

    60                     60       30       90       3              90        3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 115     $ 314     $ 1,583     $ 2,012     $ 1,524     $ 3,536       100   $ (21   $ 3,515       100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As percent of total cash and invested assets

    0.0     0.1     0.3     0.4            

Investment grade percent

    38     94     92              

Non investment grade percent

    62     6     8              

 

 

(1)

Information is presented on a country of risk basis (e.g. the country where the issuer primarily conducts business).

 

(2)

The Company has not written any credit default swaps with an underlying risk related to any of these six countries. For Greece, the Company has $2 million of commitments to fund partnership investments at June 30, 2012.

 

(3)

Presented at estimated fair value. The par value and amortized cost of the fixed maturity securities were $2.2 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, at June 30, 2012.

 

(4)

Comprised of equity securities, fair value option (“FVO”) general account securities, real estate and real estate joint ventures, other limited partnership interests, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and other invested assets at carrying value. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for an explanation of the carrying value for these invested asset classes. Excludes FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments of $522 million, which support unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities and do not qualify for separate account summary total assets and liabilities. The contractholder, and not the Company, directs the investment of these funds. The related variable annuity type liability is satisfied from the contractholder’s account balance and not from the general account investments of the Company.

 

(5)

Purchased credit default protection is stated at the estimated fair value of the swap. For Portugal, the purchased credit default protection relates to sovereign securities and this swap had a notional amount of $60 million and an estimated fair value of $12 million as of June 30, 2012. For Italy, the purchased credit default protection relates to financial services corporate securities and these swaps had a notional amount of $80 million and an estimated fair value of $9 million at June 30, 2012. The counterparties to these swaps are financial institutions with S&P credit ratings ranging from A+ to A- as of June 30, 2012.

 

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European Region Investments. The Company has investments across the European Region. We have proactively mitigated risk in both direct and indirect exposures in the European Region by investing in a diversified portfolio of high quality investments with a focus on the higher-rated countries, reducing our holdings through sales of financial services securities during 2010, 2011 and 2012 and sales of Europe’s perimeter region sovereign debt in 2011 and 2012, and by purchasing certain single name credit default protection in 2010 and 2011. Our sales of financial services securities were focused on institutions with exposure to Europe’s perimeter region, lower preference capital structure instruments and larger positions. Investments in sovereign debt and corporate securities (fixed maturity and perpetual hybrid securities) were $39.8 billion at June 30, 2012. Sovereign debt issued by countries outside of Europe’s perimeter region comprised $8.7 billion, or 99% of European Region sovereign fixed maturity securities, at estimated fair value, at June 30, 2012. The European Region corporate securities are invested in a diversified portfolio of primarily non-financial services securities, which comprised $23.5 billion, or 76% of European Region total corporate securities, at estimated fair value, at June 30, 2012. Of these European Region sovereign fixed maturity and corporate securities, 91% were investment grade and, for the 9% that were below investment grade, the majority were non-financial services corporate securities, at June 30, 2012. European Region financial services corporate securities, at estimated fair value, were $7.6 billion, including $5.8 billion within the banking sector, with 92% invested in investment grade rated corporate securities, at June 30, 2012.

Japan Investments. The Japanese economy, to which we face substantial exposure given our operations there, continues to be weak. Disruptions to the Japanese economy are possible and may have negative impacts on the overall global economy, not all of which can be foreseen. The Company’s investment in fixed maturity and equity securities in Japan were $29.3 billion, of which $21.7 billion, or 74%, were Japan government and agency fixed maturity securities, at estimated fair value, at June 30, 2012.

Rating Actions — U.S. Treasury Securities. As a result of a special Congressional committee failing to agree on certain deficit-reduction measures, in August 2011, U.S. Treasury securities were downgraded to AA+ by S&P with negative outlook. Financial markets continue to be affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal policy, including the uncertainty regarding the “fiscal cliff” composed of tax increases and automatic government spending cuts that will become effective at the end of 2012 unless steps are taken to delay or offset them, as well as the need to again raise the U.S. federal government’s debt ceiling by the end of 2012 and reduce the federal deficit. These issues could result in the future downgrade of U.S. credit ratings. We continue to closely evaluate the implications on our investment portfolio of further rating agency downgrades of U.S. Treasury securities and believe our investment portfolio is well positioned. See “Risk Factors — Concerns Over U.S. Fiscal Policy and the “Fiscal Cliff” in the U.S., as well as Rating Agency Downgrades of U.S. Treasury Securities, Could Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Summary. All of these factors have had and could continue to have an adverse effect on the financial results of companies in the financial services industry, including MetLife. Such global economic conditions, as well as the global financial markets, continue to impact our net investment income, our net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), level of unrealized gains and (losses) within the various asset classes within our investment portfolio and our allocation to lower yielding cash equivalents and short-term investments. See “— Industry Trends” and “Risk Factors – Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations and These Conditions May Not Improve in the Near Future” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

 

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Composition of Investment Portfolio and Investment Portfolio Results

The composition of the investment portfolio, the related investment portfolio results and gains (losses) on derivative instruments which are used to manage risk for certain invested assets and certain insurance liabilities is presented in the yield table below:

 

     At or For the
Three  Months
Ended
June 30,
    At or For the
Six  Months
Ended
June 30,
 
    2012     2011     2012     2011  
    (In millions)  

Fixed Maturity Securities:

       

Yield (1)

    4.76     4.94     4.86     4.93

Investment income (2),(3),(4)

  $ 3,720     $ 3,794     $ 7,560     $ 7,487  

Investment gains (losses) (3)

    (19     (105     (155     (268

Ending carrying value (2),(3)

    367,138       342,607       367,138       342,607  

Mortgage Loans:

       

Yield (1)

    5.44     5.50     5.53     5.52

Investment income (3),(4)

    764       765       1,594       1,524  

Investment gains (losses) (3)

    13       68       49       115  

Ending carrying value (3)

    55,750       56,927       55,750       56,927  

Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures:

       

Yield (1)

    8.75     4.85     6.25     3.85

Investment income (3)

    185       99       265       156  

Investment gains (losses) (3)

    (12     47       5       76  

Ending carrying value

    8,477       8,234       8,477       8,234  

Policy Loans:

       

Yield (1)

    5.27     5.41     5.28     5.41

Investment income

    156       160       314       320  

Ending carrying value

    11,912       11,858       11,912       11,858  

Equity Securities:

       

Yield (1)

    5.24     6.04     4.69     4.70

Investment income

    38       48       70       78  

Investment gains (losses)

    19       (70     10       (34

Ending carrying value

    2,882       3,238       2,882       3,238  

Other Limited Partnership Interests:

       

Yield (1)

    16.07     9.90     13.74     12.52

Investment income

    266       159       448       402  

Investment gains (losses)

    (9     5       (11     8  

Ending carrying value

    6,726       6,453       6,726       6,453  

Cash and Short-Term Investments:

       

Yield (1),(7)

    0.65     1.09     0.67     1.09

Investment income

    34       41       66       84  

Investment gains (losses)

           1              1  

Ending carrying value (3)

    34,540       22,026       34,540       22,026  

Other Invested Assets: (1)

       

Investment income (7)

    197       163       329       173  

Investment gains (losses) (3)

    (10     (7     (35     (3

Ending carrying value (7)

    24,288       14,866       24,288       14,866  

Total Investments:

       

Investment income yield (1),(3),(5),(7)

    5.05     5.08     5.03     5.00

Investment fees and expenses yield

    (0.13     (0.13     (0.13     (0.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income Yield (1),(3),(5),(7)

    4.92     4.95     4.90     4.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income (5),(7)

  $ 5,360     $ 5,229     $ 10,646     $ 10,224  

Investment fees and expenses

    (139     (138     (279     (266
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income including certain Divested Businesses (5),(7)

    5,221       5,091       10,367       9,958  

Less: net investment income from certain Divested Businesses (5)

    34       80       95       164  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (3),(6),(7)

  $ 5,187     $ 5,011     $ 10,272     $ 9,794  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending Carrying Value (3),(5),(7)

  $ 511,713     $ 466,209     $ 511,713     $ 466,209  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment portfolio gains (losses) including Divested Businesses

  $ (18   $ (61   $ (137   $ (105

Less: investment portfolio gains (losses) from Divested Businesses (5)

    (35     (6     61       (9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment portfolio gains (losses) (3),(5),(6)

  $ 17     $ (55   $ (198   $ (96
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     At or For the
Three  Months
Ended
June 30,
    At or For the
Six  Months
Ended
June 30,
 
    2012     2011     2012     2011  
    (In millions)  

Gross investment gains

  $ 255     $ 348     $ 533     $ 633  

Gross investment losses

    (182     (288     (517     (531

Writedowns

    (56     (115     (214     (198
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Portfolio Gains (Losses) (3),(5),(6)

    17       (55     (198     (96

Investment portfolio gains (losses) income tax (expense) benefit

    (13     21       57       35  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Portfolio Gains (Losses), Net of Income Tax

  $ 4     $ (34   $ (141   $ (61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative gains (losses) including Divested Businesses

  $ 1,984     $ 293     $ (80   $ (93

Less: derivative gains (losses) from Divested Businesses (5)

    (2     (9     (7     (11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative gains (losses) (3),(5),(6)

    1,986       302       (73     (82

Derivative gains (losses) income tax (expense) benefit

    (699     (107     28       24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative Gains (Losses), Net of Income Tax

  $ 1,287     $ 195     $ (45   $ (58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

As described in the footnotes below, the yield table reflects certain differences from the GAAP presentation of invested assets, net investment income, net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) as presented in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. This yield table presentation is consistent with how we measure our investment performance for management purposes, and we believe it enhances understanding of our investment portfolio results.

 

(1)

Yields are calculated as investment income as a percent of average quarterly asset carrying values. Investment income excludes recognized gains and losses and reflects GAAP adjustments related to net investment income. Asset carrying values exclude unrealized gains (losses), collateral received in connection with our securities lending program, freestanding derivative assets, collateral received from derivative counterparties, the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”), contractholder-directed unit-linked investments and securitized reverse residential mortgage loans. A yield is not presented for other invested assets, as it is not considered a meaningful measure of performance for this asset class.

 

(2)

Fixed maturity securities include $799 million and $863 million at estimated fair value of trading and other securities at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Fixed maturity securities include ($1) million and $44 million of investment income (loss) related to trading and other securities for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $16 million and $44 million of investment income related to trading and other securities for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

 

(3)

As described in footnote (1) above, ending carrying values exclude contractholder-directed unit-linked investments — reported within trading and other securities, securities held by CSEs — reported within trading and other securities, and securitized reverse residential mortgage loans– reported within mortgage loans. The related adjustments to ending carrying value, investment income and investment gains (losses) by invested asset class are presented below. The adjustments to investment income, net investment income and investment gains (losses) in the aggregate are as shown in footnote (6) to this yield table. The adjustment to investment gains (losses) presented below and in footnote (6) to this yield table includes the effects of remeasuring both the invested assets and long-term debt in accordance with the FVO.

 

     At or For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012     At or For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012  
     As Reported in the
Yield Table
    Excluded
Amounts
    Total     As Reported in the
Yield Table
     Excluded
Amounts
    Total  
     (In millions)     (In millions)  

Trading and Other Securities:

             

(included within Fixed Maturity Securities):

             

Ending carrying value

   $ 799     $ 17,529     $ 18,328     $ 799      $ 17,529     $ 18,328  

Investment income

   $ (1   $ (516   $ (517   $ 44      $ 501     $ 545  

Investment gains (losses)

   $ (1   $ 1     $      $ 3      $ (10   $ (7

Mortgage Loans:

             

Ending carrying value

   $ 55,750     $ 3,191     $ 58,941     $ 55,750      $ 3,191     $ 58,941  

Investment income

   $ 764     $ 44     $ 808     $ 1,594      $ 89     $ 1,683  

Investment gains (losses)

   $ 13     $ 3     $ 16     $ 49      $ 9     $ 58  

Cash and Short-Term Investments:

             

Ending carrying value

   $ 34,540     $ 21     $ 34,561     $ 34,540      $ 21     $ 34,561  

Total Investments:

             

Ending carrying value

   $ 511,713     $ 20,741     $ 532,454     $ 511,713      $ 20,741     $ 532,454  

 

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Table of Contents
     At or For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011     At or For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011  
     As Reported in the
Yield Table
     Excluded
Amounts
    Total     As Reported in the
Yield Table
     Excluded
Amounts
    Total  
     (In millions)     (In millions)  

Trading and Other Securities:

              

(included within Fixed Maturity Securities):

              

Ending carrying value

   $ 863      $ 18,837     $ 19,700     $ 863      $ 18,837     $ 19,700  

Investment income

   $ 16      $ (32   $ (16   $ 44      $ 388     $ 432  

Investment gains (losses)

   $       $ (15   $ (15   $       $ (8   $ (8

Mortgage Loans:

              

Ending carrying value

   $ 56,927      $ 6,697     $ 63,624     $ 56,927      $ 6,697     $ 63,624  

Investment income

   $ 765      $ 96     $ 861     $ 1,524      $ 191     $ 1,715  

Investment gains (losses)

   $ 68      $ (1   $ 67     $ 115      $ 17     $ 132  

Cash and Short-Term Investments:

              

Ending carrying value

   $ 22,026      $ 21     $ 22,047     $ 22,026      $ 21     $ 22,047  

Total Investments:

              

Ending carrying value

   $ 466,209      $ 25,555     $ 491,764     $ 466,209      $ 25,555     $ 491,764  

 

 

(4) Investment income from fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans includes prepayment fees.

 

(5)

Yields are calculated including net investment income of certain of the Divested Businesses and related ending carrying values. The net investment income adjustment in footnote (6) to this yield table for the Divested Businesses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 includes $88 million and $173 million, respectively, for securitized reverse residential mortgage loans that was excluded from the Mortgage Loans and total yield sections presented above. For further information on the Divested Businesses, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents
(6)

Net investment income, investment portfolio gains (losses) and derivative gains (losses) presented in this yield table vary from the most directly comparable measures presented in the GAAP consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income due to certain reclassifications affecting net investment income, net investment gains (losses), net derivative gains (losses), interest credited to policyholder account balances, and other revenues, and excludes the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs. Such reclassifications are presented in the tables below.

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (In millions)  

Net investment income — in above yield table

   $ 5,187     $ 5,011     $ 10,272     $ 9,794  

Real estate discontinued operations — deduct from net investment income

     (2     (2     (2     (6

Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting —deduct from net investment income, add to net derivative gains (losses)

     (113     (55     (202     (94

Equity method operating joint ventures— add to net investment income, deduct from net derivative gains (losses)

                          (23

Net investment income on contractholder-directed unit-linked investments — reported within trading and other securities — add to net investment income

     (517     (32     498       387  

Divested Businesses — add to net investment income

     122       80       268       164  

Incremental net investment income from CSEs — add to net investment income

     42       92       85       184  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income — GAAP consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income

   $ 4,719     $ 5,094     $ 10,919     $ 10,406  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment portfolio gains (losses) including Divested Businesses — in above yield table

   $ (18   $ (61   $ (137   $ (105

Real estate discontinued operations — deduct from net investment gains (losses)

     (4     (43     (25     (71

Investment gains (losses) related to CSEs — add to net investment gains (losses)

     4       (16     (1     9  

Other gains (losses) — add to net investment gains (losses)

     (46     (35     (11     (87
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses) — GAAP consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income

   $ (64   $ (155   $ (174   $ (254
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative gains (losses) including Divested Businesses — in above yield table

   $ 1,984     $ 293     $ (80   $ (93

Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting —add to net derivative gains (losses), deduct from net investment income

     113       55       202       94  

Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting — add to net derivative gains (losses), deduct from interest credited to policyholder account balances

     1       8       3       16  

Settlement of foreign currency earnings — add to net derivative gains (losses), deduct from other revenues

     (6     (4     (11     (3

Equity method operating joint ventures— add to net investment income, deduct from net derivative gains (losses)

                          23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses) — GAAP consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income

   $ 2,092     $ 352     $ 114     $ 37  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

Certain amounts in the prior periods have been revised in connection with the retrospective application of the first quarter 2012 adoption of the new guidance regarding accounting for DAC. Prior period yields have been recast to conform to the current presentation to exclude from asset carrying values freestanding derivatives and collateral received from derivative counterparties.

See “— Results of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 — Consolidated Results” and “— Results of Operations — Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 — Consolidated Results” for analyses of the period over period changes in net investment income, net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses).

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

Fixed maturity securities, which consisted principally of publicly-traded and privately placed fixed maturity securities, were $366.3 billion and $350.3 billion, at estimated fair value, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, or 69% and 67% of total cash and invested assets at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Publicly-traded fixed maturity securities represented $318.8 billion and $303.6 billion, at estimated fair value, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, or 87% of total fixed maturity securities, at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Privately placed fixed maturity securities represented $47.5 billion and $46.7 billion, at estimated fair value, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, or 13% of total fixed maturity securities, at estimated fair value, at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

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Equity securities, which consisted principally of publicly-traded and privately-held common and preferred stocks, including certain perpetual hybrid securities and mutual fund interests, were $2.9 billion and $3.0 billion, at estimated fair value, or 0.5% and 0.6%, of total cash and invested assets, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Publicly-traded equity securities represented $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion, at estimated fair value, or 55% and 57% of total equity securities, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Privately-held equity securities represented $1.3 billion, at estimated fair value, at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, or 45% and 43%, of total equity securities, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Valuation of Securities” included in the 2011 Annual Report for a discussion of the processes we use to value securities and the related controls.

Fair Value Hierarchy and Level 3 Rollforward — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities. Fixed maturity securities and equity securities available-for-sale measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value pricing sources and fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012  
Pricing Source:    Fixed
Maturity
Securities
     % of
Total
    Equity
Securities
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Level 1:

          

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   $ 24,916        6.8   $ 820        28.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 2:

          

Independent pricing source

     283,161        77.3       456        15.8  

Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques

     37,438        10.2       892        31.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Significant other observable inputs

     320,599        87.5       1,348        46.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 3:

          

Independent pricing source

     8,978        2.5       487        16.9  

Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques

     10,765        2.9       218        7.6  

Independent broker quotations

     1,081        0.3       9        0.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Significant unobservable inputs

     20,824        5.7       714        24.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total estimated fair value

   $ 366,339        100.0   $ 2,882        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Fair Value Measurements Using  
Fair Value Hierarchy:    Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
     (In millions)  

Fixed Maturity Securities:

           

U.S. corporate securities

   $       $ 102,979      $ 7,394      $ 110,373  

Foreign corporate securities

             58,532        4,813        63,345  

Foreign government securities

             53,807        2,386        56,193  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     24,916        22,851        74        47,841  

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

             38,701        2,363        41,064  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

             17,979        1,038        19,017  

State and political subdivision securities

             14,538        76        14,614  

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

             11,212        2,680        13,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 24,916      $ 320,599      $ 20,824      $ 366,339  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

           

Common stock

   $ 820      $ 992      $ 282      $ 2,094  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

             356        432        788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

   $ 820      $ 1,348      $ 714      $ 2,882  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The composition of fair value pricing sources for and significant changes in Level 3 securities at June 30, 2012 are as follows:

 

   

The majority of the Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities (91%, as presented above) were concentrated in five sectors: U.S. and foreign corporate securities, ABS, foreign government securities and RMBS.

 

   

Level 3 fixed maturity securities are priced principally through market standard valuation methodologies, independent pricing services and, to a much lesser extent, independent non-binding broker quotations using inputs that are not market observable or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 fixed maturity securities consist of less liquid securities with very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation methodologies including alternative residential mortgage loan (“Alt-A”) and sub-prime RMBS, certain below investment grade private securities and less liquid investment grade corporate securities (included in U.S. and foreign corporate securities), less liquid ABS and foreign government securities.

 

   

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, Level 3 fixed maturity securities increased by $1.3 billion, or 7%. The increase was driven by net purchases in excess of sales, partially offset by net transfers out of Level 3.

 

   

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, Level 3 fixed maturity securities increased by $3.1 billion, or 17%. The increase was driven by net purchases in excess of sales.

An analysis of transfers into and/or out of Level 3, purchases and sales on a sector basis as well as additional information about the valuation techniques and inputs by level by major classes of invested assets that affect the amounts reported above, is presented within Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

A rollforward of the fair value measurements for fixed maturity securities and equity securities available-for-sale measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs is as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     Fixed
Maturity
Securities
    Equity
Securities
    Fixed
Maturity
Securities
    Equity
Securities
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 19,476     $ 714     $ 17,765     $ 719  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

        

Earnings (1)

     (16     1       (45     (9

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     35       (11     112       27  

Purchases

     3,219       41       5,338       57  

Sales

     (1,316     (34     (1,871     (72

Transfers into Level 3

     317       3       442       5  

Transfers out of Level 3

     (891            (917     (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 20,824     $ 714     $ 20,824     $ 714  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Total gains and losses in earnings and other comprehensive income (loss) are calculated assuming transfers into or out of Level 3 occurred at the beginning of the period. Items transferred into and out during the same period are excluded from the rollforward. Total gains (losses) for fixed maturity securities included in other comprehensive income (loss) of $1 million and $(4) million, were incurred on these securities subsequent to their transfer into Level 3, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. No gains (losses) were included in earnings.

 

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See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Estimated Fair Value of Investments” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.

Fixed Maturity Securities. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about:

 

   

Fixed maturity and equity securities on a sector basis;

 

   

Government and agency securities holdings in excess of 10% of the Company’s equity; and

 

   

Maturities of fixed maturity securities.

Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality — Ratings. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality — Ratings” included in the 2011 Annual Report for a discussion of the ratings methodologies used by rating agencies and the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) for fixed maturity securities.

The following table presents total fixed maturity securities by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) designation and the equivalent designations of the NAIC, except for certain structured securities, which utilize NAIC rating methodologies, as well as the percentage, based on estimated fair value that each designation is comprised of at:

 

          June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

NAIC
Rating

  

Rating Agency Designation

   Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
    Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
 
          (In millions)            (In millions)         

1

   Aaa/Aa/A    $ 236,547      $ 258,302        70.5   $ 230,195      $ 246,786        70.5

2

   Baa      77,127        83,515        22.8       73,352        78,531        22.4  

3

   Ba      14,841        14,848        4.1       14,604        14,375        4.1  

4

   B      8,762        8,503        2.3       9,437        8,849        2.5  

5

   Caa and lower      1,544        1,121        0.3       2,142        1,668        0.5  

6

   In or near default      50        50               81        62          
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total fixed maturity securities    $ 338,871      $ 366,339        100.0   $ 329,811      $ 350,271        100.0
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present total fixed maturity securities, based on estimated fair value, by sector classification and by NRSRO designation and the equivalent designations of the NAIC, except for certain structured securities, which are presented as described above, that each designation is comprised of at:

 

     Fixed Maturity Securities — by Sector & Credit Quality Rating at June 30, 2012  

NAIC Rating:

   1     2     3     4     5     6     Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 

Rating Agency Designation:

   Aaa/Aa/A     Baa     Ba     B     Caa and
Lower
    In or Near
Default
   
     (In millions)  

U.S. corporate securities

   $ 52,132     $ 45,036     $ 8,569     $ 4,347     $ 269     $ 20     $ 110,373  

Foreign corporate securities

     31,699       27,119       3,263       1,207       53       4       63,345  

Foreign government securities

     45,117       8,476       1,305       1,259       36              56,193  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     47,841                                          47,841  

RMBS (1)

     35,720       1,469       1,562       1,607       684       22       41,064  

CMBS (1)

     18,612       207       111       30       57              19,017  

State and political subdivision securities

     13,753       834       18       9                     14,614  

ABS (1)

     13,428       374       20       44       22       4       13,892  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 258,302     $ 83,515     $ 14,848     $ 8,503     $ 1,121     $ 50     $ 366,339  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Percentage of total

     70.5     22.8     4.1     2.3     0.3         100.0

 

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     Fixed Maturity Securities — by Sector & Credit Quality Rating at December 31, 2011  

NAIC Rating:

       1             2             3             4             5                 6             Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 

Rating Agency Designation:

   Aaa/Aa/A     Baa     Ba     B     Caa and
Lower
    In or Near
Default
   
     (In millions)  

U.S. corporate securities

   $ 51,045     $ 41,533     $ 8,677     $ 4,257     $ 271     $ 2     $ 105,785  

Foreign corporate securities

     33,403       26,383       2,915       1,173       140       4       64,018  

Foreign government securities

     42,360       7,553       1,146       1,281       196              52,536  

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     40,012                                          40,012  

RMBS (1)

     36,699       1,477       1,450       2,026       933       52       42,637  

CMBS (1)

     18,403       388       125       57       96              19,069  

State and political subdivision securities

     12,357       842       23       5       8              13,235  

ABS (1)

     12,507       355       39       50       24       4       12,979  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 246,786     $ 78,531     $ 14,375     $ 8,849     $ 1,668     $ 62     $ 350,271  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Percentage of total

     70.5     22.4     4.1     2.5     0.5         100.0

 

 

(1)

Presented using the revised NAIC rating methodologies described above.

The Company held below investment grade fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of $24.5 billion and $25.0 billion, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, with unrealized gains (losses) of ($675) million and ($1.3) billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

U.S. and Foreign Corporate Fixed Maturity Securities. The Company maintains a diversified portfolio of corporate fixed maturity securities across many industries and issuers. This portfolio does not have an exposure to any single issuer in excess of 1% of total investments. The tables below present information about U.S. and foreign corporate securities at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
    Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Corporate fixed maturity securities — by sector:

          

Foreign corporate fixed maturity securities (1)

   $ 63,345        36.5   $ 64,018        37.7

U.S. corporate fixed maturity securities — by industry:

          

Industrial

     28,980        16.7       26,962        15.9  

Consumer

     28,526        16.4       26,739        15.7  

Finance

     21,180        12.2       20,854        12.3  

Utility

     19,820        11.4       19,508        11.5  

Communications

     8,348        4.8       8,178        4.8  

Other

     3,519        2.0       3,544        2.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 173,718        100.0   $ 169,803        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes U.S. dollar and foreign denominated fixed maturity securities of foreign obligors.

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of Total
Investments
    Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of Total
Investments
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Concentrations within corporate fixed maturity securities:

          

Largest exposure to a single issuer

   $ 1,557        0.3   $ 1,642        0.3

Holdings in ten issuers with the largest exposures

   $ 10,461        2.0   $ 10,716        2.1

 

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Structured Securities. The following table presents information about structured securities at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
    Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

RMBS

   $ 41,064        55.5   $ 42,637        57.1

CMBS

     19,017        25.7       19,069        25.5  

ABS

     13,892        18.8       12,979        17.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total structured securities

   $ 73,973        100.0   $ 74,685        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratings profile:

          

RMBS rated Aaa

   $ 30,300        73.8   $ 31,690        74.3

RMBS rated NAIC 1

   $ 35,720        87.0   $ 36,699        86.1

CMBS rated Aaa

   $ 15,677        82.4   $ 15,785        82.8

CMBS rated NAIC 1

   $ 18,612        97.9   $ 18,403        96.5

ABS rated Aaa

   $ 8,612        62.0   $ 8,223        63.4

ABS rated NAIC 1

   $ 13,428        96.7   $ 12,507        96.4

RMBS. The table below presents information about RMBS at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
    Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

By security type:

          

Collateralized mortgage obligations

   $ 21,851        53.2   $ 23,392        54.9

Pass-through securities

     19,213        46.8       19,245        45.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total RMBS

   $ 41,064        100.0   $ 42,637        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

By risk profile:

          

Agency

   $ 28,945        70.5   $ 31,055        72.8

Prime

     5,805        14.1       5,959        14.0  

Alt-A

     4,818        11.7       4,648        10.9  

Sub-prime

     1,496        3.7       975        2.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total RMBS

   $ 41,064        100.0   $ 42,637        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Structured Securities” for further information about collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through mortgage-backed securities; and agency, prime, Alt-A and sub-prime RMBS.

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s Alt-A RMBS portfolio has no exposure to option adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”) and a minimal exposure to hybrid ARMs. The Company’s Alt-A RMBS portfolio is comprised primarily of fixed rate mortgages (94% and 93% at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) which have performed better than both option ARMs and hybrid ARMs in the Alt-A market. The Company’s Alt-A RMBS holdings had unrealized losses of $664 million and $871 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company’s sub-prime RMBS holdings are comprised primarily of vintage year 2005 and prior holdings (56% and 79% at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively). These older vintages from 2005 and prior benefit from better underwriting, improved credit enhancement levels and higher residential property price appreciation. The Company’s sub-prime RMBS holdings had unrealized losses of $313 million and $347 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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CMBS. The following tables present our CMBS by rating agency designation and by vintage year at:

 

    June 30, 2012  
    Aaa     Aa     A     Baa     Below
Investment
Grade
    Total  
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
 
    (In millions)  

2004 & Prior

  $ 8,088     $ 8,318     $ 527     $ 542     $ 197     $ 193     $ 90     $ 86     $ 46     $ 42     $ 8,948     $ 9,181  

2005

    3,139       3,414       396       419       294       296       109       101       20       18       3,958       4,248  

2006

    2,056       2,219       226       236       62       59       54       53       35       28       2,433       2,595  

2007

    908       943       218       213       204       213       84       71       36       32       1,450       1,472  

2008

                                                            26       23       26       23  

2009

                                                                                   

2010

    3       3                                   59       64                     62       67  

2011

    577       605       1       1       92       96                     8       7       678       709  

2012

    175       175       302       306       199       199                     39       42       715       722  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 14,946     $ 15,677     $ 1,670     $ 1,717     $ 1,048     $ 1,056     $ 396     $ 375     $ 210     $ 192     $ 18,270     $ 19,017  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratings Distribution

      82.4       9.0       5.6       2.0       1.0       100.0
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    December 31, 2011  
    Aaa     Aa     A     Baa     Below
Investment
Grade
    Total  
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Estimated
Fair
Value
 
    (In millions)  

2004 & Prior

  $ 9,160     $ 9,407     $ 606     $ 616     $ 226     $ 217     $ 137     $ 132     $ 61     $ 52     $ 10,190     $ 10,424  

2005

    3,081       3,318       427       432       277       269       184       175       31       28       4,000       4,222  

2006

    1,712       1,835       245       237       89       83       118       110       123       106       2,287       2,371  

2007

    643       665       395       332       163       138       67       71       94       88       1,362       1,294  

2008

                                                            25       27       25       27  

2009

                                                                                   

2010

    3       3                                   60       66                     63       69  

2011

    536       557       1       1       92       96                     9       8       638       662  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 15,135     $ 15,785     $ 1,674     $ 1,618     $ 847     $ 803     $ 566     $ 554     $ 343     $ 309     $ 18,565     $ 19,069  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratings Distribution

      82.8       8.5       4.2       2.9       1.6       100.0
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

The above tables reflect rating agency designations assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and Realpoint, LLC.

ABS. The Company’s ABS are diversified both by collateral type and by issuer. The following table presents information about ABS held at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
    Estimated
Fair

Value
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

By collateral type:

          

Credit card loans

   $ 2,856        20.6   $ 4,038        31.1

Foreign residential loans

     2,558        18.4       1,771        13.7  

Collateralized debt obligations

     2,404        17.3       2,575        19.8  

Automobile loans

     2,156        15.5       977        7.5  

Student loans

     2,066        14.9       2,434        18.8  

Other loans

     1,852        13.3       1,184        9.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 13,892        100.0   $ 12,979        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Evaluation of Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

See the following sections within Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the evaluation of fixed maturity securities and equity securities available-for-sale for other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”):

 

   

Evaluating available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary impairment;

 

   

Net unrealized investment gains (losses);

 

   

Continuous gross unrealized losses and OTTI losses for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale by sector;

 

   

Aging of gross unrealized losses and OTTI losses for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale;

 

   

Concentration of gross unrealized losses and OTTI losses for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale; and

 

   

Evaluating temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities.

Trading and Other Securities

The Company has a trading securities portfolio, principally invested in fixed maturity securities, to support investment strategies that involve the active and frequent purchase and sale of securities (“Actively Traded Securities”) and the execution of short sale agreements. Trading and other securities also include securities for which the FVO has been elected (“FVO Securities”). See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Investments – Trading and Other Securities” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information about composition of Actively Traded Securities and FVO Securities. Trading and other securities were $18.3 billion, at estimated fair value, at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, or 3.4% and 3.5% of total cash and invested assets, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the Actively Traded Securities and FVO Securities, related short sale agreement liabilities and investments pledged to secure short sale agreement liabilities:

Trading and other securities and trading (short sale agreement) liabilities, measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy, are presented as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Trading and Other
Securities
     % of
Total
    Trading
Liabilities
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

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

   $ 8,372        46   $ 140        100

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)

     8,821        48                 

Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)

     1,135        6                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total estimated fair value

   $ 18,328        100   $ 140        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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A rollforward of the fair value measurements for trading and other securities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, is as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 1,280     $ 1,409  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings

     (50     (28

Purchases

     846       857  

Sales

     (910     (1,070

Transfers into Level 3

     5       5  

Transfers out of Level 3

     (36     (38
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 1,135     $ 1,135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.

See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the valuation techniques and inputs by level of major classes of invested assets that affect the amounts reported above.

Net Investment Gains (Losses) Including OTTI Losses Recognized in Earnings

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present:

 

   

The components of net investment gains (losses);

 

   

Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains (losses);

 

   

Fixed maturity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings by sector and industry within the U.S. and foreign corporate securities sector; and

 

   

Equity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings by sector and industry.

Overview of Fixed Maturity and Equity Security OTTI Losses Recognized in Earnings. Impairments of fixed maturity and equity securities were $93 million and $241 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $170 million and $299 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Impairments of fixed maturity securities were $91 million and $224 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $123 million and $246 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Impairments of equity securities were $2 million and $17 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $47 million and $53 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

The Company’s credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities were $68 million and $141 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $70 million and $113 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

The Company’s three largest impairments totaled $35 million and $73 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $56 million and $92 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

 

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The Company sold or disposed of fixed maturity and equity securities at a loss that had an estimated fair value of $5.4 billion and $14.0 billion for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $8.0 billion and $18.4 billion for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Gross losses excluding impairments for fixed maturity and equity securities were $154 million and $490 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $266 million and $505 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

Explanations of period over period changes in fixed maturity and equity securities impairments are as follows:

Three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011 — Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $93 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to $170 million in the prior period. The decrease in OTTI losses in the current period, as compared to the prior period, primarily reflects intent-to-sell impairments of $91 million in the prior period from the continuing diversification of the portfolio. The most significant decreases were in the financial services and consumer industries within U.S. and foreign corporate fixed maturity securities and the financial services industry within equity securities, which comprised $9 million in fixed maturity and equity impairments in the three months ended June 30, 2012, as compared to $105 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.

Six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 — Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $241 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to $299 million in the prior period. The most significant decrease in the current period, as compared to the prior period, was in foreign government securities primarily attributable to prior period intent-to-sell impairments of $89 million, while utility industry impairments within U.S. and foreign corporate securities increased $50 million in the current period.

Future Impairments. Future OTTIs will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit ratings, changes in collateral valuation, changes in interest rates and changes in credit spreads. If economic fundamentals or any of the above factors deteriorate, additional OTTIs may be incurred in upcoming quarters.

Credit Loss Rollforward

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the credit loss rollforward.

Securities Lending

The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities, short-term investments, equity securities and cash and cash equivalents, are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for certain information regarding the Company’s securities lending program.

Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a table of the invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral.

Mortgage Loans

The Company’s mortgage loans are principally collateralized by commercial real estate, agricultural real estate and residential properties. The carrying value of mortgage loans was $58.9 billion and $72.1 billion, or 11.1% and 13.8% of total cash and invested assets, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The decrease of $13.2 billion since December 31, 2011 is primarily due to the Company’s exit from the businesses of originating forward and reverse residential mortgage loans and the de-recognition of the majority of the securitized reverse residential mortgage loans in connection with the sale of the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial

 

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Statements for a table that presents the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-investment of $57.2 billion and $56.9 billion by portfolio segment at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, as well as the components of the mortgage loans held-for-sale of $1.7 billion and $15.2 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The information presented below excludes the effects of consolidating certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs and securitized reverse residential mortgage loans. Such amounts are presented in the aforementioned table.

The Company diversifies its mortgage loan portfolio by both geographic region and property type to reduce the risk of concentration. Of the Company’s commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, 90% are collateralized by properties located in the U.S., with the remaining 10% collateralized by properties located outside the U.S., calculated as a percent of the total mortgage loans held-for-investment (excluding commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs) at June 30, 2012. The three locations with the most commercial and agricultural mortgage loans were California, New York and Texas at 18%, 10% and 7%, respectively, of total mortgage loans held for investment (excluding commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs) at June 30, 2012. Additionally, the Company manages risk when originating commercial and agricultural mortgage loans by generally lending only up to 75% of the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate collateral.

Commercial Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region and Property Type. Commercial mortgage loans are the largest component of the mortgage loan invested asset class as it represents over 75% of total mortgage loans held-for-investment (excluding the effects of consolidating certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs) at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The tables below present the diversification across geographic regions and property types of commercial mortgage loans held-for-investment at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Amount      % of
Total
    Amount      % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Region:

          

South Atlantic

   $ 8,966        21.9   $ 9,022        22.3

Pacific

     7,973        19.4       8,209        20.3  

Middle Atlantic

     6,412        15.6       6,370        15.8  

International

     4,955        12.1       4,713        11.7  

West South Central

     3,492        8.5       3,220        8.0  

East North Central

     3,110        7.6       2,984        7.3  

New England

     1,553        3.8       1,563        3.9  

Mountain

     992        2.4       746        1.8  

East South Central

     460        1.1       487        1.2  

West North Central

     338        0.8       365        0.9  

Multi-Region and Other

     2,784        6.8       2,761        6.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total recorded investment

     41,035        100.0     40,440        100.0
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Less: valuation allowances

     300          398     
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

Carrying value, net of valuation allowances

   $ 40,735        $ 40,042     
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

Property Type:

          

Office

   $ 18,502        45.1   $ 18,582        45.9

Retail

     9,669        23.6       9,524        23.6  

Apartments

     4,303        10.5       4,011        9.9  

Industrial

     3,224        7.9       3,102        7.7  

Hotel

     3,181        7.7       3,114        7.7  

Other

     2,156        5.2       2,107        5.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total recorded investment

     41,035        100.0     40,440        100.0
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Less: valuation allowances

     300          398     
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

Carrying value, net of valuation allowances

   $ 40,735        $ 40,042     
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

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Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Restructured, Potentially Delinquent, Delinquent or Under Foreclosure. The Company monitors its mortgage loan investments on an ongoing basis, including reviewing loans that are restructured, potentially delinquent, and delinquent or under foreclosure. These loan classifications are consistent with those used in the insurance industry.

We define restructured mortgage loans as loans in which we, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. We define potentially delinquent loans as loans that, in management’s opinion, have a high probability of becoming delinquent in the near term. We define delinquent mortgage loans consistent with industry practice, when interest and principal payments are past due as follows: commercial and residential mortgage loans — 60 days or more and agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days or more. We define mortgage loans under foreclosure as loans in which foreclosure proceedings have formally commenced.

The following table presents the recorded investment and valuation allowance for all mortgage loans held-for-investment distributed by the above stated loan classifications at:

 

    June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
    Recorded
Investment
    % of
Total
    Valuation
Allowance
    % of
Recorded
Investment
    Recorded
Investment
    % of
Total
    Valuation
Allowance
    % of
Recorded
Investment
 
    (In millions)     (In millions)  

Commercial:

               

Performing

  $ 40,800       99.4   $ 256       0.6   $ 40,106       99.1   $ 339       0.8

Restructured (1)

    175       0.4       44       25.1     248       0.6       44       17.7

Potentially delinquent

    60       0.2                  23       0.1       15       65.2

Delinquent or under foreclosure

                             63       0.2             
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ 41,035       100.0   $ 300       0.7   $ 40,440       100.0   $ 398       1.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Agricultural (2):

               

Performing

  $ 12,655       98.4   $ 34       0.3   $ 12,899       98.3   $ 41       0.3

Restructured (3)

    47       0.4       7       14.9     58       0.4       7       12.1

Potentially delinquent

    7       0.1                  25       0.2       4       16.0

Delinquent or under foreclosure (3)

    139       1.1       18       12.9     147       1.1       29       19.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ 12,848       100.0   $ 59       0.5   $ 13,129       100.0   $ 81       0.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Residential (4):

               

Performing

  $ 724       96.9   $ 1       0.1   $ 664       96.4   $ 1       0.2

Restructured

                                                 

Potentially delinquent

                                                 

Delinquent or under foreclosure

    23       3.1       1       4.3     25       3.6       1       4.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ 747       100.0   $ 2       0.3   $ 689       100.0   $ 2       0.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

(1)

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, restructured commercial mortgage loans were comprised of eight and 10 restructured loans, respectively, all of which were performing.

 

(2)

Of the $12.8 billion of agricultural mortgage loans outstanding at June 30, 2012, 49% were subject to rate resets prior to maturity. A substantial portion of these mortgage loans have been successfully reset, refinanced or extended at market terms.

 

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(3)

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, restructured agricultural mortgage loans were comprised of 12 and 11 restructured loans, respectively, all of which were performing. Additionally, as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, delinquent or under foreclosure agricultural mortgage loans included one and four restructured loans with a recorded investment of $23 million and $13 million, respectively, which were not performing.

 

(4)

Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment consist primarily of first lien residential mortgage loans.

See Notes 3 and 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present, by portfolio segment, mortgage loans by credit quality indicator, impaired mortgage loans, past due and nonaccrual mortgage loans, loans modified through troubled debt restructurings, the activity in the Company’s valuation allowances, the Company’s valuation allowances by type of credit loss and information on impairments of mortgage loans and the related carrying value after impairments.

Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Monitoring Process — Commercial and Agricultural Mortgage Loans. The Company reviews all commercial mortgage loans on an ongoing basis. These reviews may include an analysis of the property financial statements and rent roll, lease rollover analysis, property inspections, market analysis, estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, loan-to-value ratios, debt service coverage ratios, and tenant creditworthiness. The monitoring process focuses on higher risk loans, which include those that are classified as restructured, potentially delinquent, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios and lower debt service coverage ratios. The monitoring process for agricultural mortgage loans is generally similar, with a focus on higher risk loans, such as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios, including reviews on a geographic and property type basis.

Loan-to-value ratios and debt service coverage ratios are common measures in the assessment of the quality of commercial mortgage loans. Loan-to-value ratios are a common measure in the assessment of the quality of agricultural mortgage loans. Loan-to-value ratios compare the amount of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. A loan-to-value ratio greater than 100% indicates that the loan amount is greater than the collateral value. A loan-to-value ratio of less than 100% indicates an excess of collateral value over the loan amount. The debt service coverage ratio compares a property’s net operating income to amounts needed to service the principal and interest due under the loan. For commercial mortgage loans, the average loan-to-value ratio was 59% and 61% at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and the average debt service coverage ratio was 2.1x at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The commercial mortgage loan debt service coverage ratio and loan-to-value ratio, as well as the values utilized in calculating these ratios, are updated annually, on a rolling basis, with a portion of the commercial mortgage loan portfolio updated each quarter. For agricultural mortgage loans, the average loan-to-value ratio was 46% and 48% at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The values utilized in calculating the agricultural mortgage loan loan-to-value ratio are developed in connection with the ongoing review of the agricultural loan portfolio and are routinely updated.

Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Monitoring Process — Residential Mortgage Loans. The Company has a conservative residential mortgage loan portfolio and does not hold any option ARMs, sub-prime or low teaser rate loans. Higher risk loans include those that are classified as restructured, potentially delinquent, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios and interest-only loans. The Company’s investment in residential junior lien loans and residential mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or more was $34 million and $74 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and certain of the higher loan-to-value residential mortgage loans have mortgage insurance coverage which reduces the loan-to-value ratio to less than 80%.

Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Mortgage Loans — Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowance” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on our mortgage valuation allowance policy.

 

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Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures

Real estate holdings by type consisted of the following:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Value
     % of
Total
    Carrying
Value
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Traditional

   $ 7,071        83.4   $ 5,836        68.2

Real estate joint ventures and funds

     1,109        13.1       2,340        27.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Real estate and real estate joint ventures

     8,180        96.5       8,176        95.5  

Foreclosed (commercial, agricultural and residential)

     285        3.4       264        3.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Real estate held-for-investment

     8,465        99.9       8,440        98.6  

Real estate held-for-sale

     12        0.1       123        1.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate and real estate joint ventures

   $ 8,477        100.0   $ 8,563        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

See also Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for a discussion of the types of investments reported within traditional real estate and real estate joint ventures and funds. The estimated fair value of the traditional real estate investment portfolio was $9.0 billion and $7.6 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company diversifies its real estate investments by both geographic region and property type to reduce risk of concentration. Of the Company’s real estate investments, 83% are located in the United States, with the remaining 17% located outside the United States, at June 30, 2012. The three locations with the largest real estate investments were California, Japan and Florida at 20%, 15%, and 12%, respectively, at June 30, 2012.

Impairments recognized on real estate held-for-investment were $3 million for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012. There were no impairments recognized on real estate held-for-investment for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011. There were no impairments recognized on real estate held-for-sale for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Impairments recognized on real estate held-for-sale were $1 million for both three months and six months ended June 30, 2011. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about impairments on real estate joint ventures and the related carrying value after impairment.

Other Limited Partnership Interests

The carrying value of other limited partnership interests (which primarily represent ownership interests in pooled investment funds that principally make private equity investments in companies in the United States and overseas) was $6.7 billion and $6.4 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which included $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion of hedge funds, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about impairments on other limited partnerships and the related carrying value after impairment.

 

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Other Invested Assets

The following table that presents the Company’s other invested assets by type at:

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Value
     % of
Total
    Carrying
Value
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

Freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values

   $ 16,602        68.4   $ 16,200        68.7

Leveraged leases, net of non-recourse debt

     2,209        9.1       2,248        9.5  

Tax credit partnerships

     1,821        7.5       1,531        6.5  

Funds withheld

     620        2.6       608        2.6  

MSRs

     564        2.3       666        2.8  

Joint venture investments

     213        0.9       171        0.7  

Other

     2,259        9.2       2,157        9.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 24,288        100.0   $ 23,581        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Short-term Investments and Cash Equivalents

The carrying value of short-term investments, which includes securities and other investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of purchase was $18.5 billion and $17.3 billion, or 3.5% and 3.3% of total cash and invested assets, at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The carrying value of cash equivalents, which includes securities and other investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, was $5.3 billion and $5.0 billion, or 1.0% of total cash and invested assets, at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivatives. The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk and equity market risk. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivative instruments. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for:

 

   

A comprehensive description of the nature of the Company’s derivative instruments, including the strategies for which derivatives are used in managing various risks.

 

   

Information about the notional amount, estimated fair value, and primary underlying risk exposure of the Company’s derivative financial instruments, excluding embedded derivatives held at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Hedging. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about:

 

   

The notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives and non-derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments by type of hedge designation at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

   

The notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives that were not designated or do not qualify as hedging instruments by derivative type at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

   

The statement of operations effects of derivatives in cash flow, fair value, or non-qualifying hedge relationships for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Management of Market Risk Exposures — Hedging Activities” for more information about the Company’s use of derivatives by major hedge program.

 

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Fair Value Hierarchy. Derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy, are presented as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Derivative
Assets
     % of
Total
    Derivative
Liabilities
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

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

   $ 19          $ 289        6

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)

     15,515        94       3,863        89  

Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)

     1,068        6       201        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total estimated fair value

   $ 16,602        100   $ 4,353        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The valuation of Level 3 derivatives involves the use of significant unobservable inputs and generally requires a higher degree of management judgment or estimation than the valuations of Level 1 and Level 2 derivatives. Although Level 3 inputs are unobservable, management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments and are considered appropriate given the circumstances. The use of different inputs or methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair value of Level 3 derivatives and could materially affect net income.

Derivatives categorized as Level 3 at June 30, 2012 include: interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the yield curve; foreign currency swaps which are cancelable and priced through independent broker quotations; foreign currency swaps and forwards with certain unobservable inputs, including unobservable portion of the yield curve; credit default swaps priced using unobservable credit spreads, or that are priced through independent broker quotations; equity variance swaps with unobservable volatility inputs; and equity contracts that are priced through independent broker quotations. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 5% of the net derivative estimated fair value was priced through independent broker quotations.

A rollforward of the fair value measurements for derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 627     $ 1,234  

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

    

Earnings

     215       (280

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     99       9  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

     (74     (96

Transfer into and/or out of Level 3

              
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 867     $ 867  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The $215 million and ($280) million gain (loss) for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 in the table above primarily relates to certain purchased equity options that are valued using models dependent on an unobservable market correlation input and equity variance swaps that are valued using observable equity volatility data plus an unobservable equity variance spread. The unobservable equity variance spread is calculated from a comparison between broker offered variance swap volatility levels and observable plain vanilla equity option volatility. Other significant inputs, which are observable, include equity index levels, equity volatility and the swap yield curve. The Company validates the reasonableness of these inputs by valuing the positions using internal models and comparing the results to broker quotations. The primary drivers of the gain

 

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during the three months ended June 30, 2012 were increases in equity volatility, both historical and implied, and decreases in equity index levels, which in total accounted for approximately 104% of the gain. Changes in the unobservable inputs accounted for an offsetting decline in the gain of approximately (4)%. The primary drivers of the loss during the six months ended June 30, 2012 were decreases in equity volatility, both historical and implied, and increases in equity index levels, which in total accounted for approximately 92% of the loss. Changes in the unobservable inputs accounted for approximately 8% of the loss.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivative Financial Instruments” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.

Credit Risk. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how the Company manages credit risk related to its freestanding derivatives, including the use of master netting agreements and collateral arrangements.

The Company’s policy is not to offset the fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement. This policy applies to the recognition of derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets, and does not affect the Company’s legal right of offset. The estimated fair value of the Company’s net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral were as follows at June 30, 2012:

 

    June 30, 2012  
    Net Derivative
Assets
    Net Derivative
Liabilities
 
    (In millions)  

Estimated Fair Value of OTC Derivatives After Application of Master Netting Agreements (1)

  $ 13,310     $ 624  

Cash collateral on OTC Derivatives

    (10,817     (4
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Estimated Fair Value of OTC Derivatives After Application of Master Netting Agreements and Cash Collateral (1)

    2,493       620  

Securities Collateral on OTC Derivatives (2)

    (2,959     (396
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Estimated Fair Value of OTC Derivatives After Application of Master Netting Agreements and Cash and Securities Collateral (1)

    (466     224  

Estimated Fair Value of Exchange-Traded Derivatives

    19       288  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Fair Value of Derivatives After Application of Master Netting Agreements and Cash and Securities Collateral (1),(3)

  $ (447   $ 512  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes income accruals on derivatives.

 

(2)

The collateral is held in separate custodial accounts and is not recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

(3)

The negative asset value is due to the customary delay in the timing of collateral movements.

Credit Derivatives. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the estimated fair value and maximum amount at risk related to the Company’s written credit default swaps.

 

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Embedded Derivatives. The embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy, are presented as follows:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Net Embedded Derivatives Within  
     Asset Host
Contracts
     % of
Total
    Liability
Host
Contracts
     % of
Total
 
     (In millions)            (In millions)         

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

   $           $        

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)

     1               19          

Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)

     411        100       4,372        100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total estimated fair value

   $ 412        100   $ 4,391        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

A rollforward of the fair value measurements for net embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs is as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     (In millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ (2,413   $ (4,203

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

    

Earnings

     (1,320     506  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (64     39  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

     (164     (303

Transfer into and/or out of Level 3

              
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ (3,961   $ (3,961
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The amounts included in net derivative gains (losses), in connection with this adjustment, were $608 million and ($636) million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $108 million and $34 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivative Financial Instruments” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Credit and Committed Facilities

The Company maintains unsecured credit facilities and committed facilities with various financial institutions. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” for further descriptions of such arrangements.

Collateral for Securities Lending and Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company participates in a securities lending program in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s total return on its investment portfolio. The Company has non-cash collateral for securities lending from counterparties on deposit from customers, which cannot be sold or repledged, and which has not been recorded on its consolidated balance sheets. The amount of this collateral was $165 million and $371 million at estimated fair value at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. See “Management’s Discussion and

 

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Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Securities Lending” and “Securities Lending” in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on discussion of the Company’s securities lending program and the classification of revenues and expenses and the nature of the secured financing arrangement and associated liability.

The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage various risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The Company has non-cash collateral from counterparties for derivative financial instruments, which can be sold or repledged subject to certain constraints, and has not been recorded on its consolidated balance sheets. The amount of this collateral was $3.0 billion and $2.5 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which were held in separate custodial accounts and not recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources —The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Collateral Financing Arrangements” included in the 2011 Annual Report and “Derivatives” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the earned income on and the gross notional amount, estimated fair value of assets and liabilities and primary underlying risk exposure of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.

Guarantees

See “Guarantees” in Note 11 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other

Additionally, the Company has the following commitments in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s total return on its investment portfolio:

 

   

Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments;

 

   

Mortgage Loan Commitments; and

 

   

Commitments to Fund Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments.

See “Net Investment Income” and “Net Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the investment income, investment expense, gains and losses from such investments. See also “Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale,” and “Mortgage Loans” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and “ — Investments — Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnerships” for information on our investments in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans and partnership investments.

Other than the commitments disclosed in Note 11 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, there are no other material obligations or liabilities arising from the commitments to fund partnership investments, mortgage loans, bank credit facilities, bridge loans, and private corporate bond investments.

See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Contractual Obligations” included in the 2011 Annual Report for further information on commitments to fund partnership investments, mortgage loans, bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. In addition, see “Primary Risks Managed by Derivative Financial Instruments and Non-Derivative Financial Instruments” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on interest rate lock commitments.

 

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Policyholder Liabilities

Policyholder Account Balances

PABs are generally equal to the account value, which includes accrued interest credited, but exclude the impact of any applicable surrender charge that may be incurred upon surrender. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report and Note 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Retail. The Life PABs are held for death benefit disbursement retained asset accounts, universal life policies, the fixed account of variable life insurance policies and general account universal life policies. PABs are credited interest at a rate set by the Company, which are influenced by current market rates. The majority of the PABs have a guaranteed minimum credited rates between 4.0% and 6.0%. A sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings as a result of the minimum credited rate guarantees. The Company has various derivative positions, primarily interest rate floors, to partially mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario. For Annuities, PABs are held for fixed deferred annuities and the fixed account portion of variable annuities, for certain income annuities, and for certain portions of guaranteed benefits. PABs are credited interest at a rate set by the Company. Credited rates for deferred annuities are influenced by current market rates, and most of these contracts have a minimum guaranteed rate between 1.0% and 4.0%. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”

The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed credited rates for Retail:

 

     June 30, 2012  

Guaranteed Minimum Credited Rate

   Account
Value
     Account
Value at
Guarantee
 
     (In millions)  

Life:

     

Greater than 0% but less than 2%

   $ 53      $ 53  

Equal to 2% but less than 4%

   $ 10,284      $ 4,068  

Equal to or greater than 4%

   $ 10,974      $ 5,707  

Annuities:

     

Greater than 0% but less than 2%

   $ 3,663      $ 1,780  

Equal to 2% but less than 4%

   $ 34,476      $ 26,801  

Equal to or greater than 4%

   $ 3,047      $ 2,930  

As a result of acquisitions, the Company establishes additional liabilities known as excess interest reserves for policies with credited rates in excess of market rates as of the acquisition date. At June 30, 2012, excess interest reserves were $152 million and $398 million for Life and Annuities, respectively.

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits. PABs are held for death benefit disbursement retained asset accounts, universal life policies, the fixed account of variable life insurance policies, specialized life insurance products for benefit programs and general account universal life policies. PABs are credited interest at a rate set by the Company, which are influenced by current market rates. The majority of the PABs have a guaranteed minimum credited rates between 0.5% and 6.0%. A sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings as a result of the minimum credited rate guarantees. The Company has various derivative positions, primarily interest rate floors, to partially mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario.

 

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The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed credited rates for Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits:

 

     June 30, 2012  

Guaranteed Minimum Credited Rate

   Account
Value
     Account
Value at
Guarantee
 
     (In millions)  

Greater than 0% but less than 2%

   $ 5,511      $ 5,511  

Equal to 2% but less than 4%

   $ 2,446      $ 2,435  

Equal to or greater than 4%

   $ 585      $ 559  

Corporate Benefit Funding. PABs are comprised of funding agreements. Interest crediting rates vary by type of contract, and can be fixed or variable. Variable interest crediting rates are generally tied to an external index, most commonly (1-month or 3-month) London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”). MetLife is exposed to interest rate risks, as well as foreign exchange risk when guaranteeing payment of interest and return of principal at the contractual maturity date. The Company may invest in floating rate assets or enter into floating rate swaps, also tied to external indices, as well as caps, to mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates. The Company also mitigates its risks by implementing an asset/liability matching policy and seeks to hedge all foreign currency exchange rate risk through the use of foreign currency hedges, including cross currency swaps.

Latin America. PABs are held largely for deferred annuities mainly in Mexico and Brazil, and for universal life products mainly in Mexico. Some of the deferred annuities in Brazil are unit-linked-type funds that do not meet the GAAP definition of separate accounts. The rest of the deferred annuities have minimum credited rate guarantees, and these liabilities and the universal life liabilities are generally impacted by sustained periods of low interest rates. Liabilities for unit-linked-type funds are impacted by changes in the fair value of the associated underlying investments, as the return on assets is generally passed directly to the policyholder.

Asia. PABs are held largely for fixed income retirement and savings plans and, to a lesser degree, amounts for unit-linked-type funds in certain countries that do not meet the GAAP definition of separate accounts. Also included are certain liabilities for retirement and savings products sold in certain countries in Asia that generally are sold with minimum credited rate guarantees. Liabilities for guarantees on certain variable annuities in Asia are established in accordance with derivatives and hedging guidance and are also included within PABs. These liabilities are generally impacted by sustained periods of low interest rates, where there are interest rate guarantees. The Company mitigates its risks by implementing an asset/liability matching policy and by hedging its variable annuity guarantees and with reinsurance. Liabilities for unit-linked-type funds are impacted by changes in the fair value of the associated underlying investments, as the return on assets is generally passed directly to the policyholder. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”

EMEA. PABs are held mostly for universal life, deferred annuity, pension products, and unit-linked-type funds that do not meet the GAAP definition of separate accounts. They are also held for endowment products without significant mortality risk. Where there are interest rate guarantees, these liabilities are generally impacted by sustained periods of low interest rates. The Company mitigates its risks by implementing an asset/liability matching policy. Liabilities for unit-linked-type funds are impacted by changes in the fair value of the associated underlying investments, as the return on assets is generally passed directly to the policyholder.

Corporate & Other. Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits were assumed from a former operating joint venture in Japan. Liabilities for these guarantees are recorded at estimated fair value and included in PABs. The Company mitigates its risks by hedging its variable annuity guarantees. Liabilities are impacted by changes in the fair value of the associated underlying investments of variable annuity funds, lapse experience and capital market volatility. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”

 

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Variable Annuity Guarantees

The Company issues, directly and through assumed reinsurance, certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits that provide the policyholder a minimum return based on their initial deposit (i.e., the benefit base) less withdrawals. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report and Note 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Guarantees, including portions thereof, accounted for as embedded derivatives, are recorded at estimated fair value and included in PABs. Guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives include guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits, the non-life-contingent portion of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) and the portion of certain GMIB that do not require annuitization.

The estimated fair values of guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives are determined based on the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees. The projections of future benefits and future fees require capital market and actuarial assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used to project the cash flows from the guarantees under multiple capital market scenarios to determine an economic liability. The reported estimated fair value is then determined by taking the present value of these risk-free generated cash flows using a discount rate that incorporates a spread over the risk free rate to reflect the Company’s nonperformance risk and adding a risk margin. For more information on the determination of estimated fair value, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The table below contains the carrying value for guarantees included in PABs at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

The Americas:

     

Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit

   $ 41      $ 52  

Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit

     650        710  

Guaranteed minimum income benefit

     640        988  

Asia:

     

Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit

     9        11  

Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit

     209        175  

EMEA:

     

Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit

     138        168  

Corporate & Other:

     

Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit

     463        515  

Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit

     2,097        1,825  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,247      $ 4,444  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amounts above include a nonperformance risk adjustment of $2.2 billion and $2.9 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The nonperformance risk adjustments represent the impact of including a credit spread when discounting the underlying risk neutral cash flows to determine the estimated fair values. Therefore, the amount of the nonperformance risk adjustment is a function of both the size of the economic liability and credit spreads. In certain periods, changes in the nonperformance risk adjustment can be a significant driver of net derivative gains (losses). Additionally, changes in the underlying cash flows can have a greater impact on the nonperformance risk adjustment than changes in credit spreads. The nonperformance risk adjustment does not have an economic impact on the Company as it cannot be monetized given the nature of these policyholder liabilities.

The estimated fair value of guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, equity volatility, interest rates or foreign

 

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currency exchange rates. The Company uses derivative instruments and reinsurance to mitigate the risk of loss and the volatility of net income arising from these market factors. The change in valuation arising from the nonperformance risk adjustment is not hedged.

The table below presents the estimated fair value of the derivatives hedging guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives:

 

        June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Primary Underlying

Risk Exposure

      Notional
Amount
    Estimated Fair Value     Notional
Amount
    Estimated Fair Value  
 

Instrument Type

    Assets     Liabilities       Assets     Liabilities  
        (In millions)  

Interest rate

  Interest rate swaps   $ 23,489     $ 2,246     $ 725     $ 22,719     $ 1,869     $ 598  
 

Interest rate futures

    10,408       12       23       11,126       17       16  
 

Interest rate options

    11,440       552       5       11,372       567       6  

Foreign currency

 

Foreign currency forwards

    2,287       61       10       2,311       41       4  
 

Foreign currency futures

    281       2       1       177                

Equity market

  Equity futures     5,321       1       173       4,916       15       10  
 

Equity options

    18,306       3,261       196       16,367       3,239       177  
 

Variance swaps

    19,112       196       143       18,402       390       75  
 

Total rate of return swaps

    1,252       22       29       1,274       8       31  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

  $ 91,896     $ 6,353     $ 1,305     $ 88,664     $ 6,146     $ 917  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Guarantees, including portions thereof, have liabilities established that are included in future policy benefits. Guarantees accounted for in this manner include Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits, the life-contingent portion of certain GMWB, and the portion of GMIB that requires annuitization. These liabilities are accrued over the life of the contract in proportion to actual and future expected policy assessments based on the level of guaranteed minimum benefits generated using multiple scenarios of separate account returns. The scenarios use best estimate assumptions consistent with those used to amortize deferred acquisition costs. When current estimates of future benefits exceed those previously projected or when current estimates of future assessments are lower than those previously projected, liabilities will increase, resulting in a current period charge to net income. The opposite result occurs when the current estimates of future benefits are lower than that previously projected or when current estimates of future assessments exceed those previously projected. At each reporting period, the Company updates the actual amount of business remaining in-force, which impacts expected future assessments and the projection of estimated future benefits resulting in a current period charge or increase to earnings.

The table below contains the carrying value for guarantees included in future policy benefits at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

The Americas:

     

Guaranteed minimum death benefit

   $ 307      $ 260  

Guaranteed minimum income benefit

     826        722  

Asia:

     

Guaranteed minimum death benefit

     11        12  

Guaranteed minimum income benefit

     139        133  

EMEA:

     

Guaranteed minimum death benefit

     4        4  

Guaranteed minimum income benefit

     15        17  

Corporate & Other:

     

Guaranteed minimum death benefit

     127        102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,429      $ 1,250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The carrying amount of guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, increased equity volatility, or changes in interest rates. The Company uses reinsurance in combination with derivative instruments to mitigate the liability exposure, risk of loss and the volatility of net income associated with these liabilities. Derivative instruments used for risk mitigation are primarily equity futures, equity options and variance swaps.

The net amount at risk (“NAR”) for guarantees can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, increased equity volatility, or changes in interest rates. The NAR disclosed in Note 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements represents management’s estimate of the current value of the benefits under these guarantees if they were all exercised simultaneously at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. However, there are features, such as deferral periods and benefits requiring annuitization or death, that limit the amount of benefits that will be payable in the near future.

While the Company believes that the reinsurance and hedging strategies employed for guarantees included in both PABs and in future policy benefits, as well as other risk management actions, have mitigated the risks related to these benefits, the Company remains liable for the guaranteed benefits in the event that reinsurers or derivative counterparties are unable or unwilling to pay. Certain of the Company’s reinsurance agreements and most derivative positions are collateralized and derivatives positions are subject to master netting agreements, both of which significantly reduce the exposure to counterparty risk. In addition, the Company is subject to the risk that hedging and other risk management actions prove ineffective or that unanticipated policyholder behavior or mortality, combined with adverse market events, produces economic losses beyond the scope of the risk management techniques employed.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy, generally. Stressed conditions, volatility and disruptions in global capital markets, particular markets, or financial asset classes can have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and our insurance liabilities are sensitive to changing market factors. The global economy and global markets continue to experience significant volatility that may affect our financing costs and market interest for our securities.

For the last several quarters, concerns about capital markets and the solvency of certain European Union member states and of financial institutions that have significant direct or indirect exposure to debt issued by these countries have been a cause of elevated levels of market volatility. The Japanese economy, to which we face substantial exposure given our operations there, continues to be weak. Disruptions to the Japanese economy are possible and may have negative impacts on the overall global economy, not all of which can be foreseen. Financial markets continue to be affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal policy, including the uncertainty regarding the “fiscal cliff” composed of tax increases and automatic government spending cuts that will become effective at the end of 2012 unless steps are taken to delay or offset them, as well as the need to again raise the U.S. federal government’s debt ceiling by the end of 2012 and reduce the federal deficit. These issues could, on their own, or combined with the slowing of the global economy generally, have severe repercussions to the U.S. and global credit and financial markets, further exacerbate concerns over sovereign debt of other countries and disrupt economic activity in the U.S. and elsewhere. All of these factors could affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs and obtain capital. See “— Industry Trends” and “— Investments — Current Environment.” See also “Risk Factors — Concerns Over U.S. Fiscal Policy and the “Fiscal Cliff” in the U.S., as well as Rating Agency Downgrades of U.S. Treasury Securities, Could Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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Liquidity Management

Based upon the strength of its franchise, diversification of its businesses and strong financial fundamentals, we continue to believe the Company has ample liquidity to meet business requirements under current market conditions and unlikely but reasonably possible stress scenarios. The Company’s short-term liquidity position includes cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, excluding: (i) cash collateral received under the Company’s securities lending program that has been reinvested in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities, and (ii) cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivative instruments. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s short-term liquidity position was $20.4 billion and $16.2 billion, respectively. We continuously monitor and adjust our liquidity and capital plans for MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries in light of changing needs and opportunities. See “ — Investments — Current Environment.”

Capital Management

The Company has established several senior management committees as part of its capital management process. These committees, including the Capital Management Committee and the Enterprise Risk Committee (comprised of members of senior management, including MetLife, Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer and, in the case of the Enterprise Risk Committee, MetLife, Inc.’s Chief Investment Officer), regularly review actual and projected capital levels (under a variety of scenarios including stress scenarios) and MetLife’s capital plan in accordance with its capital policy.

MetLife’s Board and senior management are directly involved in the development and maintenance of MetLife’s capital policy. The capital policy sets forth, among other things, minimum and target capital levels and the governance of the capital management process. All capital actions, including proposed changes to the capital plan, capital targets or capital policy, are reviewed by the Finance and Risk Committee of the Board prior to obtaining full Board approval. The Board approves the capital policy and the annual capital plan and authorizes capital actions, as required.

MetLife’s 2012 capital plan, as submitted to the Federal Reserve for approval in January 2012 as part of the Federal Reserve Board’s 2012 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, was created in accordance with MetLife’s capital policy. In June 2012, the Federal Reserve Board granted MetLife, Inc. an extension of time until September 30, 2012 to resubmit its capital plan under the capital plans rule. See “— Industry Trends.”

The Company

Liquidity

Liquidity refers to a company’s ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs. In the event of significant cash requirements beyond anticipated liquidity needs, the Company has various alternatives available depending on market conditions and the amount and timing of the liquidity need. These options include cash flows from operations, the sale of liquid assets, global funding sources and various credit facilities.

Capital

The Company’s capital position is managed to maintain its financial strength and credit ratings and is supported by its ability to generate strong cash flows at the operating companies, borrow funds at competitive rates and raise additional capital to meet its operating and growth needs.

 

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Summary of Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital

The Company’s primary sources and uses of liquidity and capital are summarized as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011  
     (In millions)  

Sources:

     

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 12,102      $ 6,788  

Net cash provided by changes in policyholder account balances

     4,335        3,829  

Net cash provided by changes in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

     6,586        2,807  

Long-term debt issued

             1,221  

Cash received in connection with collateral financing arrangements

             100  

Net change in liability for securitized reverse residential mortgage loans

     1,116          

Common stock issued, net of issuance costs

             2,950  

Stock options exercised

     79        73  

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances

             146  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total sources

     24,218        17,914  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Uses:

     

Net cash used in investing activities

     12,777        16,893  

Net cash used for changes in bank deposits

     3,717        341  

Net cash used for short-term debt repayments

     585        204  

Long-term debt repaid

     1,022        715  

Collateral financing arrangements repaid

     349          

Cash paid in connection with collateral financing arrangements

     44          

Debt issuance costs

             1  

Redemption of convertible preferred stock

             2,805  

Preferred stock redemption premium

             146  

Dividends on preferred stock

     61        61  

Net cash used in other, net

     47        121  

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances

     42          
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total uses

     18,644        21,287  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,574      $ (3,373
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Sources

Cash Flows from Operations. The Company’s principal cash inflows from its insurance activities come from insurance premiums, annuity considerations and deposit funds. A primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash inflows is the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal.

Cash Flows from Investments. The Company’s principal cash inflows from its investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities, sales of invested assets, settlements of freestanding derivatives and net investment income. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash inflows are the risk of default by debtors and market disruption. The Company closely monitors and manages these risks through its credit risk management process.

Liquid Assets. An integral part of the Company’s liquidity management is the amount of liquid assets it holds. Liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities,

 

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excluding: (i) cash collateral received under the Company’s securities lending program that has been reinvested in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities; (ii) cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivative instruments; (iii) cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and securities on deposit with regulatory agencies; and (iv) securities held in trust in support of collateral financing arrangements and pledged in support of debt and funding agreements. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had $284.2 billion and $258.9 billion, respectively, in liquid assets. For further discussion of invested assets on deposit with regulatory agencies, held in trust in support of collateral financing arrangements and pledged in support of debt and funding agreements, see “— Investments — Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral.”

Global Funding Sources. Liquidity is provided by a variety of short-term instruments, including funding agreements, credit facilities and commercial paper. Capital is provided by a variety of instruments, including short-term and long-term debt, preferred securities, junior subordinated debt securities and equity and equity-linked securities. The diversity of the Company’s funding sources enhances funding flexibility, limits dependence on any one market or source of funds and generally lowers the cost of funds. The Company’s global funding sources include:

 

   

MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc. (“MetLife Funding”) each have commercial paper programs supported by $4.0 billion in general corporate credit facilities (see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities”). MetLife Funding, a subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), serves as a centralized finance unit for the Company. MetLife Funding raises cash from its commercial paper program and uses the proceeds to extend loans, through MetLife Credit Corp., another subsidiary of MLIC, to MetLife, Inc., MLIC and other affiliates in order to enhance the financial flexibility and liquidity of these companies. Outstanding balances for the commercial paper program fluctuate in line with changes to affiliates’ financing arrangements. Pursuant to a support agreement, MLIC has agreed to cause MetLife Funding to have a tangible net worth of at least one dollar. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife Funding had a tangible net worth of $12 million. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife Funding had total outstanding liabilities for its commercial paper program, including accrued interest payable, of $101 million. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife, Inc. had no outstanding liabilities for its commercial paper program.

 

   

MetLife Bank is a depository institution that is approved to use the FRB of NY Discount Window borrowing privileges. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife Bank had no liability for advances from the FRB of NY under this facility. For further discussion of MetLife, Inc.’s status as a bank holding company, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

MetLife Bank has historically taken advantage of collateralized borrowing opportunities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB of NY”) to meet variable funding requirements from residential mortgage originations, to term fund certain assets, and as an alternate source of liquidity. In January 2012, MetLife Bank discontinued taking advances from the FHLB of NY. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife Bank had outstanding advances from the FHLB of NY of $0 and $4.8 billion, respectively. In April 2012, MetLife Bank transferred cash to MLIC related to $3.8 billion of outstanding advances, and MLIC assumed the associated obligations under terms similar to those of the transferred advances. In connection with the MetLife Bank Events, there will be timing differences in MetLife Bank’s cash flows giving rise to short-term liquidity needs. In order to meet these needs, MetLife, Inc. will provide MetLife Bank with temporary liquidity support through a combination of internally and externally sourced funds. See “— MetLife, Inc. — Capital” and “— MetLife, Inc. — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Support Agreements.”

 

   

The Company had obligations under advances evidenced by funding agreements with the FHLB of NY of $13.9 billion and $11.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, for MLIC, which are included in PABs. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued $11.7 billion

 

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and $3.9 billion and repaid $9.5 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively, of such funding agreements. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report. In connection with the aforementioned MetLife Bank transfer of advances agreements and associated transfer of cash to MLIC in April 2012, MLIC issued funding agreements to the FHLB of NY under similar terms, which are included in the total issuances for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

   

The Company had obligations under advances evidenced by funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB of Boston”) of $450 million at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, for MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut (“MICC”), which are included in PABs. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued $0 and $325 million and repaid $0 and $25 million, respectively, of such funding agreements. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

 

   

The Company had obligations under advances evidenced by funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLB of Des Moines”) of $1.5 billion and $695 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, for General American Life Insurance Company and MetLife Investors Insurance Company, which are included in PABs. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued $1.5 billion and $650 million and repaid $775 million and $50 million, respectively, of such funding agreements. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

 

   

The Company issues fixed and floating rate funding agreements, which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, to certain special purpose entities (“SPEs”) that have issued either debt securities or commercial paper for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued $20.6 billion and $20.3 billion and repaid $17.3 billion and $18.8 billion, respectively, of such funding agreements. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, funding agreements outstanding, which are included in PABs, were $29.0 billion and $25.5 billion, respectively. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

 

   

The Company issued funding agreements to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”) and to certain SPEs that have issued debt securities for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements; such debt securities are also guaranteed as to payment of interest and principal by Farmer Mac. The obligations under all such funding agreements are secured by a pledge of certain eligible agricultural real estate mortgage loans and may, under certain circumstances, be secured by other qualified collateral. The amount of the Company’s liability for funding agreements issued was $2.8 billion at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, which is included in PABs. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued $0 and $500 million and repaid $0 and $500 million, respectively, of such funding agreements. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Outstanding Debt. The following table summarizes the outstanding debt of the Company at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Short-term debt

   $ 101      $ 686  

Long-term debt (1)

   $ 16,058      $ 20,624  

Collateral financing arrangements

   $ 4,196      $ 4,647  

Junior subordinated debt securities

   $ 3,192      $ 3,192  

 

 

(1)

Excludes $2.8 billion and $3.1 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, of long-term debt relating to CSEs. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MetLife Bank received advances related to long-term borrowings totaling $0 and $1.2 billion, respectively, from the FHLB of NY. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MetLife Bank received advances related to short-term borrowings totaling $150 million and $5.4 billion, respectively, from the FHLB of NY.

Collateral Financing Arrangements. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Credit and Committed Facilities. The Company maintains unsecured credit facilities and committed facilities, which aggregated $4.0 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively, at June 30, 2012. When drawn upon, these facilities bear interest at varying rates in accordance with the respective agreements. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

The unsecured credit facilities are used for general corporate purposes, to support the borrowers’ commercial paper programs and for the issuance of letters of credit. At June 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding $3.0 billion in letters of credit and no drawdowns against these facilities. Remaining unused commitments were $1.0 billion at June 30, 2012.

The committed facilities are used for collateral for certain of the Company’s affiliated reinsurance liabilities. At June 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding $5.9 billion in letters of credit and $2.8 billion in aggregate drawdowns against these facilities. Remaining unused commitments were $3.7 billion at June 30, 2012.

We have no reason to believe that our lending counterparties will be unable to fulfill their respective contractual obligations under these facilities. As commitments associated with letters of credit and financing arrangements may expire unused, these amounts do not necessarily reflect the Company’s actual future cash funding requirements.

Covenants. Certain of the Company’s debt instruments, credit facilities and committed facilities contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. The Company believes it was in compliance with all such covenants at June 30, 2012.

Common Stock. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Holding Company issued 4,229,541 and 2,983,291 new shares of common stock for $135 million and $97 million, respectively, to satisfy various stock option exercises and other stock-based awards.

Liquidity and Capital Uses

Debt Repayments. On June 29, 2012, MetLife, Inc. repaid its $397 million senior note with an interest rate of three-month LIBOR + 0.32%. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MetLife Bank made repayments of $374 million and $340 million, respectively, to the FHLB of NY related to long-term borrowings. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MetLife Bank made repayments to the FHLB of NY related to short-term borrowings of $735 million and $5.5 billion, respectively.

Debt Repurchases. We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges will be dependent upon several factors, including our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, general market conditions, and applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not to repurchase any debt and the size and timing of any such repurchases will be determined in the Company’s discretion.

Insurance Liabilities. The Company’s principal cash outflows primarily relate to the liabilities associated with its various life insurance, property and casualty, annuity and group pension products, operating expenses and income tax, as well as principal and interest on its outstanding debt obligations. Liabilities arising from its insurance activities primarily relate to benefit payments under the aforementioned products, as well as payments

 

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for policy surrenders, withdrawals and loans. For annuity or deposit type products, surrender or lapse product behavior differs somewhat by segment. In the Retail segment, which includes individual annuities, lapses and surrenders tend to occur in the normal course of business. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, general account surrenders and withdrawals from annuity products were $2.3 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. In Corporate Benefit Funding, which includes pension closeouts, bank-owned life insurance and other fixed annuity contracts, as well as funding agreements (including funding agreements with the FHLB of NY, the FHLB of Des Moines and the FHLB of Boston) and other capital market products, most of the products offered have fixed maturities or fairly predictable surrenders or withdrawals. With regard to Corporate Benefit Funding liabilities that provide customers with limited liquidity rights, at June 30, 2012 there were $3.2 billion of funding agreements and other capital market products that could be put back to the Company after a period of notice. Of these liabilities, $535 million were subject to a notice period of 90 days. The remainder was subject to a notice period of five months or greater. An additional $63 million of Corporate Benefit Funding liabilities were subject to credit ratings downgrade triggers that permit early termination subject to a notice period of 90 days.

Dividends. Common stock dividend decisions are determined by MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors after taking into consideration factors such as the Company’s current earnings, expected medium-term and long-term earnings, financial condition, regulatory capital position, and applicable governmental regulations and policies. The payment of dividends and other distributions by MetLife, Inc. to its security holders is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Financial Holding Company Regulation” and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Information on the declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for Preferred Stock is as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

     Record Date      Payment Date      Dividend  

Declaration Date

         Series A Per
Share
     Series A
Aggregate
     Series B
Per Share
     Series B
Aggregate
 
                   (In millions, except per share data)  

May 15, 2012

     May 31, 2012         June 15, 2012       $ 0.2555555      $ 7      $ 0.4062500      $ 24  

March 5, 2012

     February 29, 2012         March 15, 2012       $ 0.2527777        6      $ 0.4062500        24  
           

 

 

       

 

 

 
            $ 13         $ 48  
           

 

 

       

 

 

 

Residential Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company held $1.7 billion and $15.2 billion, respectively, in residential mortgage loans held-for-sale. Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans were funded through issuance of GNMA securities, for which the corresponding liability at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $259 million and $7.7 billion, respectively, is included in other liabilities. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investment and Other. Additional cash outflows include those related to obligations of securities lending activities, investments in real estate, limited partnerships and joint ventures, as well as litigation-related liabilities. Also, the Company pledges collateral to, and has collateral pledged to it by, counterparties under the Company’s current derivative transactions. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was obligated to return cash collateral under its control of $10.8 billion and $9.5 billion, respectively. See “— Investments — Derivative Financial Instruments — Credit Risk.” With respect to derivative transactions with credit ratings downgrade triggers, a two-notch downgrade would have increased the Company’s derivative collateral requirements by $100 million at June 30, 2012. In addition, the Company has pledged collateral and has had collateral pledged to it, and may be required from time to time to pledge additional collateral or be entitled to have additional collateral pledged to it, in connection with collateral financing arrangements related to the reinsurance of closed block liabilities and universal life secondary guarantee liabilities.

Securities Lending. The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities, short-term investments, equity securities and cash and cash equivalents, are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. The Company obtains

 

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collateral, usually cash, from the borrower, which must be returned to the borrower when the loaned securities are returned to the Company. Under the Company’s securities lending program, the Company was liable for cash collateral under its control of $29.5 billion and $24.2 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Of these amounts, $5.9 billion and $2.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, were on open, meaning that the related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day upon return of cash collateral. The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at June 30, 2012 was $22.4 billion, of which $13.9 billion were U.S. Treasury and agency securities which, if put to the Company, can be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirements. See “— Investments — Securities Lending” for further information.

Contractual Obligations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Contractual Obligations” included in the 2011 Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations.

Support Agreements. MetLife, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries (each, an “Obligor”) are parties to various capital support commitments, guarantees and contingent reinsurance agreements with certain subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. Under these arrangements, each Obligor, with respect to the applicable entity, has agreed to cause such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels, has guaranteed certain contractual obligations or has agreed to provide, upon the occurrence of certain contingencies, reinsurance for such entity’s insurance liabilities. We anticipate that in the event that these arrangements place demands upon the Company, there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable the Company to meet anticipated demands.

In July 2012, in connection with an operating agreement with the OCC governing MetLife Bank’s operations during its wind-down process, MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc. entered into a capital support agreement with the OCC and MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Bank entered into an indemnification and capital maintenance agreement under which agreements MetLife, Inc. will provide financial and other support to MetLife Bank to ensure that MetLife Bank can wind down its operations in a safe and sound manner. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — MetLife, Inc. — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Support Agreements.”

Litigation. Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation, and claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, mortgage lending bank, employer, investor, investment advisor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company establishes liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. For material matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible but not probable, no accrual is made but the Company discloses the nature of the contingency and an aggregate estimate of the reasonably possible range of loss in excess of amounts accrued, when such an estimate can be made. It is not possible to predict or determine the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to herein, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcome of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

 

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MetLife, Inc.

Capital

Restrictions and Limitations on Bank Holding Companies and Financial Holding Companies. MetLife, Inc. and its insured depository institution subsidiary, MetLife Bank, are subject to risk-based and leverage capital guidelines issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies for banks and bank and financial holding companies. The federal banking regulatory agencies are required by law to take specific prompt corrective actions with respect to institutions that do not meet minimum capital standards. As of June 30, 2012, all of MetLife, Inc.’s and MetLife Bank’s risk-based and leverage capital ratios met the federal banking regulatory agencies’ “well capitalized” standards. In addition to requirements which may be imposed in connection with the implementation of Dodd-Frank, such as the enhanced prudential standards under proposed Regulation YY, the adoption of the Bank Capital NPRs and other regulatory initiatives will also lead to increased capital and liquidity requirements for bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc. See “— Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — Regulatory Developments Applicable to Bank Holding Companies,” “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth,” as well as “Business — U.S. Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report. See Note 2 to the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s progress toward deregistering as a bank holding company. If MetLife is able to deregister as a bank holding company, it may be subject to some of the same or other enhanced regulatory requirements if, in the future, it is designated as a non-bank SIFI or as a G-SII. See “— Industry Trends – Regulatory Developments – Regulatory Developments Relating to Non-Bank SIFIs and G-SIIs.”

Liquidity and Capital Sources

Dividends from Subsidiaries. MetLife, Inc. relies in part on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet its cash requirements. MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the regulators of their respective domiciles. The dividend limitation for U.S. insurance subsidiaries is generally based on the surplus to policyholders at the end of the immediately preceding calendar year and statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year. Statutory accounting practices, as prescribed by insurance regulators of various states in which the Company conducts business, differ in certain respects from accounting principles used in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. The significant differences relate to the treatment of DAC, certain deferred income tax, required investment liabilities, statutory reserve calculation assumptions, goodwill and surplus notes.

The table below sets forth the dividends permitted to be paid by the respective insurance subsidiary without insurance regulatory approval and the respective dividends paid:

 

     2012  

Company

   Paid     Permitted w/o
Approval (1)
 
     (In millions)  

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

   $      $ 1,350  

American Life Insurance Company

   $ 1,000 (2)    $ 168  

MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut

   $ 202 (3)    $ 504  

Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company

   $      $ 82  

MetLife Investors Insurance Company

   $      $ 18  

Delaware American Life Insurance Company

   $      $ 12  

 

 

(1)

Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid during 2012 without prior regulatory approval. However, because dividend tests may be based on dividends previously paid over rolling 12-month periods, if paid before a specified date during 2012, some or all of such dividends may require regulatory approval. No

 

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available amounts were paid by the above subsidiaries to MetLife, Inc. during the six months ended June 30, 2012, except as described for American Life and MICC.

 

(2)

During May 2012, American Life received regulatory approval to pay an extraordinary dividend for an amount up to the funds remitted in connection with the Company’s restructuring of American Life’s business in Japan. The dividend may be paid in installments by November 30, 2012. Subsequently, $1.5 billion was remitted to American Life. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Of this approved amount, $1.0 billion was paid to MetLife, Inc. as an extraordinary dividend, during May 2012, which included the $168 million otherwise permitted to be paid without approval later in 2012, due to the timing of such dividend.

 

(3)

During June 2012, MICC distributed shares of an affiliate to MetLife, Inc. as an in-kind extraordinary dividend of $202 million as calculated on a statutory basis. Regulatory approval for this extraordinary dividend was obtained due to the timing of payment. Remaining dividends permitted to be paid in 2012 without regulatory approval total $302 million.

The dividend capacity of our non-U.S. operations is subject to similar restrictions established by the local regulators. The non-U.S. regulatory regimes also commonly limit the dividend payments to the parent to a portion of the prior year’s statutory income, as determined by the local accounting principles. The regulators of our non-U.S. operations, including Japan’s Financial Services Agency, may also limit or not permit profit repatriations or other transfers of funds to the U.S. if such transfers are deemed to be detrimental to the solvency or financial strength of the non-U.S. operations, or for other reasons. Most of the non-U.S. subsidiaries are second tier subsidiaries which are owned by various non-U.S. holding companies. The capital and rating considerations applicable to the first tier subsidiaries may also impact the dividend flow into MetLife, Inc.

The Company’s management actively manages its target and excess capital levels and dividend flows on a proactive basis and forecasts local capital positions as part of the financial planning cycle. The dividend capacity of certain U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries is also subject to business targets in excess of the minimum capital necessary to maintain the desired rating or level of financial strength in the relevant market. Management of MetLife, Inc. cannot provide assurances that MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries will have statutory earnings to support payment of dividends to MetLife, Inc. in an amount sufficient to fund its cash requirements and pay cash dividends and that the applicable regulators will not disapprove any dividends that such subsidiaries must submit for approval. See Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Liquid Assets. An integral part of MetLife, Inc.’s liquidity management is the amount of liquid assets it holds. Liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities, excluding: (i) cash collateral received under the Company’s securities lending program that has been reinvested in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities; and (ii) cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivative instruments. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife, Inc. and other MetLife holding companies had $5.3 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively, in liquid assets. In addition, MetLife, Inc. has pledged collateral and has had collateral pledged to it, and may be required from time to time to pledge additional collateral or be entitled to have additional collateral pledged to it. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, MetLife, Inc. had pledged $434 million and $449 million, respectively, of liquid assets under collateral support agreements.

Global Funding Sources. Liquidity is also provided by a variety of short-term instruments, including commercial paper. Capital is provided by a variety of instruments, including medium- and long-term debt, junior subordinated debt securities, collateral financing arrangements, capital securities and stockholders’ equity. The diversity of MetLife, Inc.’s funding sources enhances funding flexibility, limits dependence on any one source of funds and generally lowers the cost of funds. Other sources of MetLife, Inc.’s liquidity include programs for short-term and long-term borrowing, as needed.

We continuously monitor and adjust our liquidity and capital plans in light of changing requirements and market conditions.

 

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Long-term Debt. The following table summarizes the outstanding long-term debt of MetLife, Inc. at:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     (In millions)  

Long-term debt — unaffiliated

   $ 15,280      $ 15,666  

Long-term debt — affiliated

   $ 500      $ 500  

Collateral financing arrangements

   $ 2,797      $ 2,797  

Junior subordinated debt securities

   $ 1,748      $ 1,748  

Covenants. Certain of MetLife, Inc.’s debt instruments, credit facilities and committed facilities contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. MetLife, Inc. believes it was in compliance with all such covenants at June 30, 2012.

Common Stock. For information on common stock issued by MetLife, Inc., see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Common Stock.”

Liquidity and Capital Uses

The primary uses of liquidity of MetLife, Inc. include debt service, cash dividends on common and preferred stock, capital contributions to subsidiaries, payment of general operating expenses and acquisitions. Based on our analysis and comparison of our current and future cash inflows from the dividends we receive from subsidiaries that are permitted to be paid without prior insurance regulatory approval, our asset portfolio and other cash flows and anticipated access to the capital markets, we believe there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable MetLife, Inc. to make payments on debt, make cash dividend payments on its common and preferred stock, contribute capital to its subsidiaries, pay all general operating expenses and meet its cash needs.

Affiliated Capital Transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MetLife, Inc. invested an aggregate of $826 million and $1.1 billion, respectively, in various subsidiaries.

MetLife, Inc. lends funds, as necessary, to its subsidiaries, some of which are regulated, to meet their capital requirements. In March 2012, American Life issued a note to MetLife, Inc. for $175 million which American Life repaid on June 29, 2012. At December 31, 2011, MetLife, Inc. did not have any loans to subsidiaries outstanding.

Debt Repayments. On June 29, 2012, MetLife, Inc. repaid a $397 million senior note with an interest rate of three-month LIBOR + 0.32%. MetLife, Inc. intends to repay all or refinance in whole or in part the debt that is due in 2012. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — MetLife, Inc. — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Senior Notes” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Support Agreements. The Holding Company is party to various capital support commitments and guarantees with certain of its subsidiaries. Under these arrangements, the Holding Company has agreed to cause each such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels or has guaranteed certain contractual obligations.

In July 2012, in connection with an operating agreement with the OCC governing MetLife Bank’s operations during its wind-down process, MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc. entered into a capital support agreement with the OCC and MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Bank entered into an indemnification and capital maintenance agreement under which agreements MetLife, Inc. will provide financial and other support to MetLife Bank to ensure that MetLife Bank can wind down its operations in a safe and sound manner. Pursuant to the agreements, MetLife, Inc. is required to ensure that MetLife Bank meets or exceeds certain minimum capital and liquidity requirements once its FDIC insurance has been terminated and make indemnification payments to MetLife Bank in connection with MetLife Bank’s obligation under the April 2011 consent decree between MetLife Bank and the OCC.

 

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Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Risk Management

The Company must effectively manage, measure and monitor the market risk associated with its assets and liabilities. It has developed an integrated process for managing risk, which it conducts through its Global Risk Management Department, Asset/Liability Management Unit, Treasury Department and Investments Department along with the management of the business segments. The Company has established and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures at both the corporate and business segment level to minimize the effects of potential market volatility.

The Company regularly analyzes its exposure to interest rate, equity market price and foreign currency exchange rate risks. As a result of that analysis, the Company has determined that the estimated fair values of certain assets and liabilities are materially exposed to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and changes in the equity markets.

Global Risk Management. MetLife has established several financial and non-financial senior management committees as part of its risk management process. These committees manage capital and risk positions, approve ALM strategies and establish appropriate corporate business standards. Further enhancing its committee structure, during the second quarter of 2010, MetLife created an Enterprise Risk Committee including the following voting members: the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer and the Chief Risk Officer. This committee is responsible for reviewing all material risks to the enterprise and deciding on actions if necessary, in the event risks exceed desirable targets, taking into consideration best practices to resolve or mitigate those risks.

MetLife also has a separate Global Risk Management Department, which is responsible for risk management throughout MetLife and reports to MetLife’s Chief Risk Officer, who reports to MetLife’s Chief Executive Officer. The Global Risk Management Department’s primary responsibilities consist of:

 

   

implementing a corporate risk framework, which outlines the Company’s approach for managing risk on an enterprise-wide basis;

 

   

developing policies and procedures for managing, measuring, monitoring and controlling those risks identified in the corporate risk framework;

 

   

establishing appropriate corporate risk tolerance levels;

 

   

deploying capital on an economic capital basis; and

 

   

reporting on a periodic basis to the Finance and Risk Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; with respect to credit risk, reporting to the Investment Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; and reporting on various aspects of risk to financial and non-financial senior management committees.

Asset/Liability Management. The Company actively manages its assets using an approach that balances quality, diversification, asset/liability matching, liquidity, concentration and investment return. The goals of the investment process are to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return while ensuring that the assets and liabilities are reasonably managed on a cash flow and duration basis.

 

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The ALM process is the shared responsibility of the Financial Risk Management and Asset/Liability Management Unit, Global Risk Management, the Portfolio Management Unit, and the senior members of the business segments and is governed by the ALM Committees. The ALM Committees’ duties include reviewing and approving target portfolios, establishing investment guidelines and limits and providing oversight of the ALM process on a periodic basis. The directives of the ALM Committees are carried out and monitored through ALM Working Groups which are set up to manage by product type. In addition, an ALM Steering Committee oversees the activities of the underlying ALM Committees.

MetLife establishes target asset portfolios for each major insurance product, which represent the investment strategies used to profitably fund its liabilities within acceptable levels of risk. These strategies are monitored through regular review of portfolio metrics, such as effective duration, yield curve sensitivity, convexity, liquidity, asset sector concentration and credit quality by the ALM Working Groups.

Market Risk Exposures

The Company has exposure to market risk through its insurance operations and investment activities. For purposes of this disclosure, “market risk” is defined as the risk of loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity markets.

Interest Rates. The Company’s exposure to interest rate changes results most significantly from its holdings of fixed maturity securities, as well as its interest rate sensitive liabilities. The fixed maturity securities include U.S. and foreign government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities, all of which are mainly exposed to changes in medium- and long-term interest rates. The interest rate sensitive liabilities for purposes of this disclosure include debt, PABs related to certain investment type contracts, and net embedded derivatives on variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits which have the same type of interest rate exposure (medium- and long-term interest rates) as fixed maturity securities. The Company employs product design, pricing and ALM strategies to reduce the adverse effects of interest rate movements. Product design and pricing strategies include the use of surrender charges or restrictions on withdrawals in some products and the ability to reset credited rates for certain products. ALM strategies include the use of derivatives and duration mismatch limits. See “Risk Factors — Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability.”

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates. The Company’s exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar results from its holdings in non-U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturity and equity securities, mortgage loans, and certain liabilities, as well as through its investments in foreign subsidiaries. The principal currencies that create foreign currency exchange rate risk in the Company’s investment portfolios and liabilities are the Euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound and the Mexican peso. Selectively, the Company uses U.S. dollar assets to support certain long duration foreign currency liabilities. Through its investments in foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures, the Company is primarily exposed to the Japanese yen, the Polish zloty, the Mexican peso, the British pound, the Australian dollar, the Euro and the Korean won. In addition to hedging with foreign currency swaps, forwards and options, local surplus in some countries is held entirely or in part in U.S. dollar assets which further minimizes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation risk. The Company has matched much of its foreign currency liabilities in its foreign subsidiaries with their respective foreign currency assets, thereby reducing its risk to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation. See “Risk Factors — Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Profitability” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Equity Market. The Company has exposure to equity market risk through certain liabilities that involve long-term guarantees on equity performance such as net embedded derivatives on variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits, certain PABs, along with investments in equity securities. We manage this risk on an integrated basis with other risks through our ALM strategies including the dynamic hedging of certain variable annuity guarantee benefits. The Company also manages equity market risk exposure in its investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. Equity exposures associated with other limited partnership interests are excluded from this section as they are not considered financial instruments under GAAP.

 

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Management of Market Risk Exposures

The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market risk, including the use of derivative instruments.

Interest Rate Risk Management. To manage interest rate risk, the Company analyzes interest rate risk using various models, including multi-scenario cash flow projection models that forecast cash flows of the liabilities and their supporting investments, including derivative instruments. These projections involve evaluating the potential gain or loss on most of the Company’s in-force business under various increasing and decreasing interest rate environments. The Department of Financial Services regulations require that MetLife perform some of these analyses annually as part of MetLife’s review of the sufficiency of its regulatory reserves. For several of its legal entities, the Company maintains segmented operating and surplus asset portfolios for the purpose of ALM and the allocation of investment income to product lines. For each segment, invested assets greater than or equal to the GAAP liabilities and any non-invested assets allocated to the segment are maintained, with any excess swept to the surplus segment. The business segments may reflect differences in legal entity, statutory line of business and any product market characteristic which may drive a distinct investment strategy with respect to duration, liquidity or credit quality of the invested assets. Certain smaller entities make use of unsegmented general accounts for which the investment strategy reflects the aggregate characteristics of liabilities in those entities. The Company measures relative sensitivities of the value of its assets and liabilities to changes in key assumptions utilizing Company models. These models reflect specific product characteristics and include assumptions based on current and anticipated experience regarding lapse, mortality and interest crediting rates. In addition, these models include asset cash flow projections reflecting interest payments, sinking fund payments, principal payments, bond calls, mortgage prepayments and defaults.

Common industry metrics, such as duration and convexity, are also used to measure the relative sensitivity of assets and liability values to changes in interest rates. In computing the duration of liabilities, consideration is given to all policyholder guarantees and to how the Company intends to set indeterminate policy elements such as interest credits or dividends. Each asset portfolio has a duration target based on the liability duration and the investment objectives of that portfolio. Where a liability cash flow may exceed the maturity of available assets, as is the case with certain retirement and non-medical health products, the Company may support such liabilities with equity investments, derivatives or curve mismatch strategies.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Management. Foreign currency exchange rate risk is assumed primarily in three ways: investments in foreign subsidiaries, purchases of foreign currency denominated investments in the investment portfolio and the sale of certain insurance products.

 

   

The Company’s Foreign Exchange Committee, in coordination with the Treasury Department, is responsible for managing the exposure to investments in foreign subsidiaries. Limits to exposures are established and monitored by the Treasury Department and managed by the Investments Department.

 

   

The Investments Department is responsible for managing the exposure to foreign currency investments. Exposure limits to unhedged foreign currency investments are incorporated into the standing authorizations granted to management by the Board of Directors and are reported to the Board of Directors on a periodic basis.

 

   

The segments’ management is responsible for establishing limits and managing any foreign exchange rate exposure caused by the sale or issuance of insurance products.

MetLife uses foreign currency swaps, forwards and options to mitigate the liability exposure, risk of loss and the volatility of net income associated with its investments in foreign subsidiaries, foreign currency denominated fixed income investments and the sale of certain insurance products.

Equity Market Risk Management. Equity market risk exposure through the issuance of variable annuities is managed by the Company’s Asset/Liability Management Unit in partnership with the Investments Department. Equity market risk is realized through its investment in equity securities and is managed by its Investments

 

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Department. MetLife uses derivatives to mitigate its equity exposure both in certain liability guarantees such as variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefit and equity securities. These derivatives include exchange-traded equity futures, equity index options contracts and equity variance swaps. The Company also employs reinsurance to manage these exposures.

Hedging Activities. MetLife uses derivative contracts primarily to hedge a wide range of risks including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, and equity market risk. Derivative hedges are designed to reduce risk on an economic basis while considering their impact on accounting results and GAAP and Statutory capital. The construction of the Company’s derivative hedge programs vary depending on the type of risk being hedged. Some hedge programs are asset or liability specific while others are portfolio hedges that reduce risk related to a group of liabilities or assets. The Company’s use of derivatives by major hedge programs is as follows:

 

   

Risks Related to Living Guarantee Benefits — The Company uses a wide range of derivative contracts to hedge the risk associated with variable annuity living guarantee benefits. These hedges include equity and interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, currency futures/forwards, equity indexed options and interest rate option contracts and equity variance swaps.

 

   

Minimum Interest Rate Guarantees — For certain liability contracts, the Company provides the contractholder a guaranteed minimum interest rate. These contracts include certain fixed annuities and other insurance liabilities. The Company purchases interest rate floors to reduce risk associated with these liability guarantees.

 

   

Reinvestment Risk in Long Duration Liability Contracts — Derivatives are used to hedge interest rate risk related to certain long duration liability contracts, such as deferred annuities. Hedges include zero coupon interest rate swaps and swaptions.

 

   

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk — The Company uses currency swaps, forwards and options to hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk. These hedges primarily swap foreign currency exchange rate denominated bonds, investments in foreign subsidiaries or equity market exposures to U.S. dollars.

 

   

General ALM Hedging Strategies — In the ordinary course of managing the Company’s asset/liability risks, the Company uses interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate floors and inflation swaps. These hedges are designed to reduce interest rate risk or inflation risk related to the existing assets or liabilities or related to expected future cash flows.

Risk Measurement: Sensitivity Analysis

The Company measures market risk related to its market sensitive assets and liabilities based on changes in interest rates, equity market prices and foreign currency exchange rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. This analysis estimates the potential changes in estimated fair value based on a hypothetical 10% change (increase or decrease) in interest rates, equity market prices and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes that a 10% change (increase or decrease) in these market rates and prices is reasonably possible in the near-term. In performing the analysis summarized below, the Company used market rates at June 30, 2012. The sensitivity analysis separately calculates each of the Company’s market risk exposures (interest rate, equity market and foreign currency exchange rate) relating to its trading and non-trading assets and liabilities. The Company modeled the impact of changes in market rates and prices on the estimated fair values of its market sensitive assets and liabilities as follows:

 

   

the net present values of its interest rate sensitive exposures resulting from a 10% change (increase or decrease) in interest rates;

 

   

the U.S. dollar equivalent estimated fair values of the Company’s foreign currency exposures due to a 10% change (increase or decrease) in foreign currency exchange rates; and

 

   

the estimated fair value of its equity positions due to a 10% change (increase or decrease) in equity market prices.

 

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The sensitivity analysis is an estimate and should not be viewed as predictive of the Company’s future financial performance. The Company cannot ensure that its actual losses in any particular period will not exceed the amounts indicated in the table below. Limitations related to this sensitivity analysis include:

 

   

the market risk information is limited by the assumptions and parameters established in creating the related sensitivity analysis, including the impact of prepayment rates on mortgages;

 

   

for the derivatives that qualify as hedges, the impact on reported earnings may be materially different from the change in market values;

 

   

the analysis excludes liabilities pursuant to insurance contracts and real estate holdings; and

 

   

the model assumes that the composition of assets and liabilities remains unchanged throughout the period.

Accordingly, the Company uses such models as tools and not as substitutes for the experience and judgment of its management. Based on its analysis of the impact of a 10% change (increase or decrease) in market rates and prices, MetLife has determined that such a change could have a material adverse effect on the estimated fair value of certain assets and liabilities from interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market exposures.

The table below illustrates the potential loss in estimated fair value for each market risk exposure of the Company’s market sensitive assets and liabilities at June 30, 2012:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     (In millions)  

Non-trading:

  

Interest rate risk

   $ 5,502  

Foreign currency exchange rate risk

   $ 4,948  

Equity market risk

   $ 275  

Trading:

  

Interest rate risk

   $ 4  

Foreign currency exchange rate risk

   $ 539  

 

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Sensitivity Analysis: Interest Rates. The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in fair value of the Company’s trading and non-trading interest sensitive financial instruments at June 30, 2012 by type of asset or liability:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Notional
Amount
     Estimated
Fair
Value (1)
    Assuming a
10% Increase
in the Yield
Curve
 
     (In millions)  

Assets:

       

Fixed maturity securities

      $ 366,339     $ (4,700

Equity securities

        2,882         

Trading and other securities

        18,328       (4

Mortgage loans:

       

Held-for-investment

        57,129        (206

Held-for-sale

        1,481         
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

        58,610        (206

Policy loans

        14,432       (110

Other limited partnership interests (2)

        1,426         

Short-term investments

        18,526       (1

Other invested assets:

       

Mortgage servicing rights

        564       37  

Other

        1,472         

Cash and cash equivalents

        16,035         

Accrued investment income

        4,404         

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables

        4,883       (262

Other assets

        282       (8

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (3)

        412       (16

Mortgage loan commitments

   $ 3,858        35       (27

Commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments

   $ 1,426        22         
       

 

 

 

Total Assets

        $ (5,297
       

 

 

 

Liabilities (4):

       

Policyholder account balances

      $ 160,388     $ 720  

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

        40,302         

Bank deposits

        6,832         

Short-term debt

        101         

Long-term debt

        18,144        171  

Collateral financing arrangements

        3,792         

Junior subordinated debt securities

        3,620       103  

Other liabilities:

       

Trading liabilities

        140       3  

Other

        6,432         

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (3)

        4,391       458  
       

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

        $ 1,455  
       

 

 

 

Derivative Instruments:

       

Interest rate swaps

   $ 95,755      $ 6,875     $ (1,142

Interest rate floors

   $ 23,866        1,119       (79

Interest rate caps

   $ 46,045        54       14  

Interest rate futures

   $ 14,350        (35     (74

Interest rate options

   $ 16,002        922       (215

Interest rate forwards

   $ 1,377        185       (45

Synthetic GICs

   $ 4,506                 

Foreign currency swaps

   $ 16,841        (28     6  

Foreign currency forwards

   $ 9,237        154       1  

Currency futures

   $ 934        1         

Currency options

   $ 2,551        (19     (1

Credit default swaps

   $ 13,803        88         

Equity futures

   $ 7,682        (235       

Equity options

   $ 20,315        3,106       (126

Variance swaps

   $ 19,833        72       (3

Total rate of return swaps

   $ 2,007        (10       
       

 

 

 

Total Derivative Instruments

        $ (1,664
       

 

 

 

Net Change

        $ (5,506
       

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Separate account assets and liabilities which are interest rate sensitive are not included herein as any interest rate risk is borne by the holder of the separate account.

 

(2)

Represents only those investments accounted for using the cost method.

 

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(3)

Embedded derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.

 

(4)

The table above excludes $204.2 billion of liabilities pursuant to insurance contracts reported within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances. These liabilities would economically offset a significant portion of the net change in fair value of our financial instruments resulting from a 10% increase in the yield curve.

The measurement of sensitivity to interest rate risk has increased by $1.2 billion, or 28%, to $5.5 billion at June 30, 2012 from $4.3 billion at December 31, 2011. This change was primarily driven by net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts and the use of derivatives employed by the Company. This was partially offset by a decrease in interest rates across the long end of the swaps and U.S. Treasury curves.

Sensitivity Analysis: Foreign Currency Exchange Rates. The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of the Company’s portfolio due to a 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates at June 30, 2012 by type of asset or liability:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Notional
Amount
     Estimated
Fair
Value (1)
    Assuming a
10% Increase
in the Foreign
Exchange Rate
 
     (In millions)  

Assets:

       

Fixed maturity securities

      $ 366,339     $ (8,338

Equity securities

        2,882       (118

Trading and other securities

        18,328       (539

Mortgage loans:

       

Held-for-investment

        57,129       (401

Held-for-sale

        1,481         
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mortgage loans, net

        58,610       (401

Policy loans

        14,432       (195

Other limited partnership interests

        1,426       (12

Short-term investments

        18,526       (238

Other invested assets:

       

Mortgage servicing rights

        564         

Other

        1,472       (116

Cash and cash equivalents

        16,035       (110

Accrued investment income

        4,404       (11

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables

        4,883       (144

Other assets

        282       (7
       

 

 

 

Total Assets

        $ (10,229
       

 

 

 

Liabilities (2):

       

Policyholder account balances

      $ 160,388     $ 3,470  

Bank deposits

        6,832         

Long-term debt

        18,144        132  

Payable for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

        40,302       53  

Other liabilities

        6,432       160  

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (3)

        4,391       249  
       

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

        $ 4,064  
       

 

 

 

Derivative Instruments:

       

Interest rate swaps

   $ 95,755      $ 6,875     $ (42

Interest rate floors

   $ 23,866        1,119         

Interest rate caps

   $ 46,045        54         

Interest rate futures

   $ 14,350        (35     (5

Interest rate options

   $ 16,002        922       (19

Interest rate forwards

   $ 1,377        185         

Synthetic GICs

   $ 4,506                 

Foreign currency swaps

   $ 16,841        (28     779  

Foreign currency forwards

   $ 9,237        154       97  

Currency futures

   $ 934        1       (85

Currency options

   $ 2,551        (19     78  

Credit default swaps

   $ 13,803        88         

Equity futures

   $ 7,682        (235     13  

Equity options

   $ 20,315        3,106       (138

Variance swaps

   $ 19,833        72         

Total rate of return swaps

   $ 2,007        (10       
       

 

 

 

Total Derivative Instruments

        $ 678  
       

 

 

 

Net Change

        $ (5,487
       

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Estimated fair value presented in the table above represents the estimated fair value of all financial instruments within this financial statement caption, not necessarily those solely subject to foreign exchange risk. Additionally, separate account assets and liabilities which are foreign currency exchange rate sensitive are not included herein as any foreign currency exchange rate risk is borne by the holder of the separate account.

 

(2)

The table above excludes $204.2 billion of liabilities pursuant to insurance contracts reported within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances. These liabilities would economically offset a significant portion of the net change in fair value of our financial instruments resulting from a 10% increase in the foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(3)

Embedded derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.

The measurement of sensitivity to foreign currency exchange rate risk increased by $454 million, or 9%, to $5.5 billion at June 30, 2012 from $5.0 billion at December 31, 2011. This change was due to an increase in exchange rate risk relating to fixed maturity securities (including trading and other securities) policyholder account balances and net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts. The Company has higher net exposures primarily to the Australian dollar. This was partially offset by a decrease in risk due to the use of derivatives employed by the Company.

Sensitivity Analysis: Equity Market Prices. The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of the Company’s portfolio due to a 10% change in equity at June 30, 2012 by type of asset or liability:

 

     June 30, 2012  
     Notional
Amount
     Estimated
Fair

Value (1)
    Assuming a
10% Decrease
in Equity
Prices
 
     (In millions)  

Assets:

       

Equity securities

      $ 2,882     $ 354  

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2)

        412       (18
       

 

 

 

Total Assets

        $ 336  
       

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Policyholder account balances

      $ 160,388     $   

Bank deposits

        6,832         

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2)

        4,391       780  
       

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

        $ 780  
       

 

 

 

Derivative Instruments:

       

Interest rate swaps

   $ 95,755      $ 6,875     $   

Interest rate floors

   $ 23,866        1,119         

Interest rate caps

   $ 46,045        54         

Interest rate futures

   $ 14,350        (35       

Interest rate options

   $ 16,002        922         

Interest rate forwards

   $ 1,377        185         

Synthetic GICs

   $ 4,506                 

Foreign currency swaps

   $ 16,841        (28       

Foreign currency forwards

   $ 9,237        154         

Currency futures

   $ 934        1         

Currency options

   $ 2,551        (19       

Credit default swaps

   $ 13,803        88         

Equity futures

   $ 7,682        (235     (773

Equity options

   $ 20,315        3,106       (431

Variance swaps

   $ 19,833        72       14  

Total rate of return swaps

   $ 2,007        (10     (201
       

 

 

 

Total Derivative Instruments

        $ (1,391
       

 

 

 

Net Change

        $ (275
       

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Estimated fair value presented in the table above represents the estimated fair value of all financial instruments within this financial statement caption not necessarily those solely subject to equity price risk. Additionally, separate account assets and liabilities which are equity market sensitive are not included herein as any equity market risk is borne by the holder of the separate account.

 

(2)

Embedded derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.

The measurement of sensitivity to equity price risk increased by $238 million to $275 million at June 30, 2012 from $37 million at December 31, 2011. This change was primarily due to the use of derivatives employed by the Company, partially offset by net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts.

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II — Other Information

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

The following should be read in conjunction with (i) Part I, Item 3, of MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 23, 2012 (as revised, the “2011 Annual Report”); (ii) Part II, Item 1, of MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and (iii) Note 11 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this report.

Asbestos-Related Claims

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) is and has been a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts. These suits principally allege that the plaintiff or plaintiffs suffered personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos and seek both actual and punitive damages.

As reported in the 2011 Annual Report, MLIC received approximately 4,972 asbestos-related claims in 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, MLIC received approximately 2,491 and 2,306 new asbestos-related claims, respectively. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report for historical information concerning asbestos claims and MLIC’s increase in its recorded liability at December 31, 2002. The number of asbestos cases that may be brought, the aggregate amount of any liability that MLIC may incur, and the total amount paid in settlements in any given year are uncertain and may vary significantly from year to year.

MLIC reevaluates on a quarterly and annual basis its exposure from asbestos litigation, including studying its claims experience, reviewing external literature regarding asbestos claims experience in the U.S., assessing relevant trends impacting asbestos liability and considering numerous variables that can affect its asbestos liability exposure on an overall or per claim basis. These variables include bankruptcies of other companies involved in asbestos litigation, legislative and judicial developments, the number of pending claims involving

 

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serious disease, the number of new claims filed against it and other defendants and the jurisdictions in which claims are pending. Based upon its regular reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through June 30, 2012.

Regulatory Matters

MetLife Bank Mortgage Regulatory and Law Enforcement Authorities’ Inquiries. Since 2008, MetLife, through its affiliate, MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”), has significantly increased its mortgage servicing activities by acquiring servicing portfolios. Currently, MetLife Bank services approximately 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the mortgage loans serviced in the U.S. State and federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities have initiated various inquiries, investigations or examinations of alleged irregularities in the foreclosure practices of the residential mortgage servicing industry. Mortgage servicing practices have also been the subject of Congressional attention. Authorities have publicly stated that the scope of the investigations extends beyond foreclosure documentation practices to include mortgage loan modification and loss mitigation practices.

On April 13, 2011, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) entered into consent decrees with several banks, including MetLife Bank. The consent decrees require an independent review of foreclosure practices and set forth new residential mortgage servicing standards, including a requirement for a designated point of contact for a borrower during the loss mitigation process. In addition, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) entered into consent decrees with the affiliated bank holding companies of these banks, including MetLife, Inc., to enhance the supervision of the mortgage servicing activities of their banking subsidiaries. On August 6, 2012, the Federal Reserve Board issued an Order of Assessment of a Civil Monetary Penalty Issued Upon Consent against MetLife, Inc. that will impose a penalty of up to $3,200,000 for the deficiencies in servicing of residential mortgage loans and processing foreclosures at MetLife Bank that were the subject of the 2011 consent decree.

MetLife Bank also had a meeting with the Department of Justice regarding mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices. It is possible that various state or federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities may seek monetary penalties from MetLife Bank relating to foreclosure practices.

MetLife Bank has also responded to a subpoena issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department of Financial Services”) regarding hazard insurance and flood insurance that MetLife Bank obtains to protect the lienholder’s interest when the borrower’s insurance has lapsed. In April and May 2012, MetLife Bank received two subpoenas issued by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) insured loans. In June 2012, MetLife Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand that the U.S. Department of Justice issued as part of a False Claims Act investigation of allegations that MetLife Bank had improperly originated and/or underwritten loans insured by the FHA.

The consent decrees, as well as the inquiries or investigations referred to above, could adversely affect MetLife’s reputation or result in material fines, penalties, equitable remedies or other enforcement actions, and result in significant legal costs in responding to governmental investigations or other litigation. In addition, the changes to the mortgage servicing business required by the consent decrees and the resolution of any other inquiries or investigations may affect the profitability of such business. The Company is unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss arising from the MetLife Bank regulatory matters. Management believes that the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole will not be materially affected by the MetLife Bank regulatory matters.

In the Matter of Chemform, Inc. Site, Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida. In July 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) advised MLIC that it believed payments were due under two settlement agreements, known as “Administrative Orders on Consent,” that New England Mutual Life Insurance Company (“New England Mutual”) signed in 1989 and 1992 with respect to the cleanup of a Superfund site in

 

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Florida (the “Chemform Site”). The EPA originally contacted MLIC (as successor to New England Mutual) and a third party in 2001, and advised that they owed additional clean-up costs for the Chemform Site. The matter was not resolved at that time. The EPA is requesting payment of an amount under $1 million from MLIC and such third party for past costs and an additional amount for future environmental testing costs at the Chemform Site. In June 2012, the EPA, MLIC, and the third party executed an Administrative Order on Consent under which MLIC and the third party have agreed to be responsible for certain environmental testing at the Chemform site. The Company estimates that its costs for the environmental testing will not exceed $100,000. The June 2012 Administrative Order on Consent does not resolve the EPA’s claim for past clean-up costs. The EPA may seek additional costs if the environmental testing identifies issues. The Company estimates that the aggregate cost to resolve this matter will not exceed $1 million.

Metco Site, Hicksville, Nassau County, New York. On February 22, 2012, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued a notice to MLIC, as purported successor in interest to New England Mutual, that it is a potentially responsible party with respect to hazardous substances and hazardous waste located on a property that New England Mutual owned for a time in 1978. MLIC has responded to the Department of Environmental Conservation and asserted that it is not a potentially responsible party under the law.

Unclaimed Property Inquiries and Related Litigation

In April 2012, the Company reached agreements with representatives of the U.S. jurisdictions that were conducting audits of MetLife, Inc. and certain of its affiliates for compliance with unclaimed property laws, and with state insurance regulators directly involved in a multistate targeted market conduct examination relating to claim-payment practices and compliance with unclaimed property laws. The effectiveness of each agreement was conditioned upon the approval of a specified number of jurisdictions. In each case, the threshold for effectiveness has been reached. Pursuant to the agreements, the Company will, among other things, take specified action to identify liabilities under life insurance, annuity, and retained asset contracts, to adopt specified procedures for seeking to contact and pay owners of the identified liabilities, and, to the extent that it is unable to locate such owners, to escheat these amounts with interest at a specified rate to the appropriate states. Additionally, the Company has agreed to accelerate the final date of certain industrial life policies and to escheat unclaimed benefits of such policies. Pursuant to the agreement to resolve the market conduct examination, the Company made a $40 million multi-state examination payment to be allocated among the settling states. In the third quarter of 2011, the Company incurred a $117 million after tax charge to increase reserves in connection with the Company’s use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File and similar databases to identify potential life insurance claims that had not been presented to the Company. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a $52 million after tax charge for the multi-state examination payment and the expected acceleration of benefit payments to policyholders under the settlements. At least one other jurisdiction is pursuing a similar market conduct exam. It is possible that other jurisdictions may pursue similar exams or audits and that such exams or audits may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties, interest, and/or further changes to the Company’s procedures. The Company is not currently able to estimate these additional possible costs.

Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC on behalf of the State of Illinois v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (Cir. Ct. Cook County, IL, filed January 24, 2011). Alleging that MetLife, Inc. and another company have violated the Illinois Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act by failing to escheat to Illinois benefits of 4,766 life insurance contracts, Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC (“the Relator”) has brought an action under the Illinois False Claims Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act seeking to recover damages on behalf of Illinois. Based on the allegations in the complaint, it appears that plaintiff may have improperly named MetLife, Inc. as a defendant instead of MLIC. The action was sealed by court order until January 18, 2012. The Relator alleges that the aggregate damages, including statutory damages and treble damages, are $1.6 billion. The Relator does not allocate this claimed damage amount between MetLife, Inc. and the other defendant. The Relator also bases its damage calculation in part on its assumption that the average face amount of the subject policies is $110,000. MetLife, Inc. strongly disputes this assumption, the Relator’s alleged damages amounts, and other allegations in the complaint. MetLife, Inc. and MLIC have moved to dismiss the action.

 

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Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC on behalf of the State of Minnesota v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (District Court, County of Hennepin, MN, filed January 31, 2011). Alleging that MetLife, Inc. and another company have violated the Minnesota Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act by failing to escheat to Minnesota benefits of 584 life insurance contracts, the Relator has brought an action under the Minnesota False Claims Act seeking to recover damages on behalf of Minnesota. Based on the allegations in the complaint, it appears that plaintiff may have improperly named MetLife, Inc. as a defendant instead of MLIC. The action was sealed by court order until March 22, 2012. The Relator alleges that the aggregate damages, including statutory damages and treble damages, is $228 million. The Relator does not allocate this claimed damage amount between MetLife, Inc. and the other defendant. The Relator also bases its damage calculation in part on its assumption that the average face amount of the subject policies is $130,000. MetLife, Inc. strongly disputes this assumption, the Relator’s alleged damages amounts, and other allegations in the complaint. MetLife, Inc. and MLIC have moved to dismiss the action.

City of Westland Police and Fire Retirement System v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (S.D.N.Y., filed January 12, 2012). Seeking to represent a class of persons who purchased MetLife, Inc. common shares between February 2, 2010, and October 6, 2011, the plaintiff filed an action alleging that MetLife, Inc. and several current and former executive officers of MetLife, Inc. violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by issuing, or causing MetLife, Inc. to issue, materially false and misleading statements concerning MetLife, Inc.’s potential liability for millions of dollars in insurance benefits that should have been paid to beneficiaries or escheated to the states. In May 2012, plaintiff amended the complaint to add defendants including members of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors and several other parties and to add claims for violations of the Securities Act of 1933. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.

City of Birmingham Retirement and Relief System v. MetLife, Inc., et. al. (Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Alabama, filed July 5, 2012). Seeking to represent a class of persons who purchased MetLife, Inc. common equity units in or traceable to a public offering in March 2011, the plaintiff filed an action alleging that MetLife, Inc., certain current and former directors and executive officers of MetLife, Inc., and various underwriters violated several provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 related to the filing of the registration statement by issuing, or causing MetLife, Inc. to issue, materially false and misleading statements and/or omissions concerning MetLife, Inc.’s potential liability for millions of dollars in insurance benefits that should have been paid to beneficiaries or escheated to the states. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.

Derivative Actions and Demands. Seeking to sue derivatively on behalf of MetLife, Inc., four shareholders have commenced separate actions against members of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors, alleging that they breached their fiduciary and other duties to the Company. The actions are Fishbaum v. Kandarian, et al. (Sup. Ct., New York County, filed January 27, 2012), Batchelder v. Burwell, et al. (Sup. Ct., New York County, filed March 6, 2012), Mallon v. Kandarian, et al. (S.D.N.Y., filed March 28, 2012), and Martino v. Kandarian, et al. (S.D.N.Y., filed April 19, 2012).The two federal court actions have been consolidated and have been stayed pending further order of the court. Plaintiffs in all four actions allege that the defendants failed to ensure that the Company complied with state unclaimed property laws and to ensure that the Company accurately reported its earnings. Plaintiffs allege that because of the defendants’ breaches of duty, MetLife, Inc. has incurred damage to its reputation and has suffered other unspecified damages. The defendants intend to defend these actions vigorously. A fifth shareholder, Western Pennsylvania Electrical Workers Pension Fund, has written to the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors demanding that MetLife, Inc. take action against current and former Board members, executive officers, and MetLife, Inc.’s independent auditor, for similar alleged breaches of duty with respect to the Company’s compliance with unclaimed property laws and financial disclosures. The MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors has appointed a Special Committee to investigate these allegations.

Total Control Accounts Litigation and Regulatory Actions

MLIC is a defendant in a consolidated lawsuit related to its use of retained asset accounts, known as Total Control Accounts (“TCA”), as a settlement option for death benefits.

 

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Keife, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (D. Nev., filed in state court on July 30, 2010 and removed to federal court on September 7, 2010); and Simon v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (D. Nev., filed November 3, 2011). These putative class action lawsuits, which have been consolidated, raise breach of contract claims arising from MLIC’s use of the TCA to pay life insurance benefits under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (“FEGLI”) program. Specifically, plaintiffs allege that under the terms of the FEGLI policy, MLIC is required to make “immediate” payment of death benefits in “one sum.” MLIC, plaintiff alleges, breached this duty by instead retaining the death benefits in its general investment account and sending beneficiaries a “book of drafts” known as the “TCA Money Market Option” as the only means by which funds can be accessed. As damages, plaintiffs seek disgorgement of the difference between the interest paid to the account holders and the investment earnings on the assets backing the accounts. In September 2010, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification of the breach of contract claim, which the court has stayed. On April 28, 2011, the court denied MLIC’s motion to dismiss. On May 4, 2012, MLIC moved for summary judgment.

Various state regulators have also taken actions with respect to retained asset accounts. The Department of Financial Services issued a circular letter on March 29, 2012 stating that an insurer should only use a retained asset account when a policyholder or beneficiary affirmatively chooses to receive life insurance proceeds through such an account and providing for certain disclosures to a beneficiary, including that payment by a single check is an option. In connection with an ongoing market conduct exam, MLIC has entered into a consent order with the Minnesota Department of Commerce regarding MLIC’s use of TCAs as a default option.

Other U.S. Litigation

Merrill Haviland, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (E.D. Mich., removed to federal court on July 22, 2011). This lawsuit was filed by 45 retired General Motors (“GM”) employees against MLIC and the amended complaint includes claims for conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of contract, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraudulent insurance acts, unfair trade practices, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) claims based upon GM’s 2009 reduction of the employees’ life insurance coverage under GM’s ERISA-governed plan. The complaint includes a count seeking class action status. MLIC is the insurer of GM’s group life insurance plan and administers claims under the plan. According to the complaint, MLIC had previously provided plaintiffs with a “written guarantee” that their life insurance benefits under the GM plan would not be reduced for the rest of their lives. On June 26, 2012, the district court granted MLIC’s motion to dismiss the complaint.

Summary

Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation and claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed previously and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, mortgage lending bank, employer, investor, investment advisor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

 

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Item 1A.

Risk Factors

The following, together with the information under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference, should be read in conjunction with, and supplements and amends, the factors that may affect the Company’s business or operations described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of the 2011 Annual Report.

Concerns Over U.S. Fiscal Policy and the “Fiscal Cliff” in the U.S., as well as Rating Agency Downgrades of U.S. Treasury Securities, Could Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial markets have recently been affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal policy, including the uncertainty regarding the “fiscal cliff” composed of tax increases and automatic spending cuts that will become effective at the end of 2012 unless steps are taken to delay or offset them, as well as the need to again raise the U.S. federal government’s debt ceiling by the end of 2012 and reduce the federal deficit. These issues could, on their own, or combined with the slowing of the global economy generally, send the U.S. into a new recession, have severe repercussions to the U.S. and global credit and financial markets, further exacerbate concerns over sovereign debt of other countries and disrupt economic activity in the U.S. and elsewhere. All of these factors could affect our ability to meet liquidity needs and obtain capital. In addition, a recession in the U.S. could adversely impact the demand for our products, negatively impact earnings, adversely affect the performance of our investments or result in impairments and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Risk Factors — Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations and These Conditions May Not Improve in the Near Future” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

In August 2011, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services downgraded the AAA rating on U.S. Treasury securities to AA+ with a negative outlook, while Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) affirmed the Aaa rating on U.S. Treasury securities, but with a negative outlook. In October 2011, Moody’s affirmed its August 2011 ratings, but revised its negative outlook to stable. In November 2011, Fitch Ratings affirmed its AAA rating on U.S. Treasury securities but changed its U.S. credit rating outlook to negative from stable, citing the failure of a special Congressional committee to agree on certain deficit reduction measures. Further rating agency downgrades of U.S. Treasury securities are possible.

As a result of downgrades of U.S. Treasury securities, the market value of some of our investments may decrease, and our capital adequacy could be adversely affected, which could require us to raise additional capital during a period of distress in financial markets, potentially at a higher cost. Further downgrades, together with uncertainty regarding the fiscal cliff, would significantly exacerbate the risks we face and any resulting adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including those described under “Risk Factors — Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations and These Conditions May Not Improve in the Near Future,” “Risk Factors — Adverse Capital and Credit Market Conditions May Significantly Affect Our Ability to Meet Liquidity Needs, Access to Capital and Cost of Capital,” “Risk Factors — Our Participation in a Securities Lending Program Subjects Us to Potential Liquidity and Other Risks” and “Risk Factors — The Determination of the Amount of Allowances and Impairments Taken on Our Investments is Subjective and Could Materially Impact Our Results of Operations or Financial Position” included in the 2011 Annual Report. We cannot predict whether or when these adverse consequences may occur, what other unforeseen consequences may result, or the extent, severity and duration of the impact of such consequences on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth

Insurance Regulation — U.S. Our insurance operations are subject to a wide variety of insurance and other laws and regulations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Regulatory Developments.” State insurance laws regulate most aspects of our U.S. insurance businesses, and our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance regulators of the states in which they are domiciled and the states in which they are licensed.

State laws in the U.S. grant insurance regulatory and other state authorities broad administrative powers with respect to, among other things:

 

   

licensing companies and agents to transact business;

 

   

calculating the value of assets to determine compliance with statutory requirements;

 

   

mandating certain insurance benefits;

 

   

regulating certain premium rates;

 

   

reviewing and approving policy forms;

 

   

regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales practices, distribution arrangements and payment of inducements, and identifying and paying to the states benefits and other property that is not claimed by the owners;

 

   

regulating advertising;

 

   

protecting privacy;

 

   

establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and solvency standards;

 

   

fixing maximum interest rates on insurance policy loans and minimum rates for guaranteed crediting rates on life insurance policies and annuity contracts;

 

   

approving changes in control of insurance companies;

 

   

restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions between affiliates; and

 

   

regulating the types, amounts and valuation of investments.

State insurance guaranty associations have the right to assess insurance companies doing business in their state for funds to help pay the obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants. Because the amount and timing of an assessment is beyond our control, the liabilities that we have currently established for these potential liabilities may not be adequate. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation — Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

State insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, that are made for the benefit of the consumer sometimes lead to additional expense for the insurer and, thus, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In July 2012, our New York domestic insurers received, as part of an industry-wide inquiry, a request from the Department of Financial Services to provide information regarding their use of affiliated captives or off-shore entities to reinsure insurance risks. Like many life insurance companies, MetLife utilizes captive reinsurers in order to comply with certain reserve requirements related to universal life and term life insurance policies. The financing arrangements with the captives support non-economic reserves, representing

 

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reserves required by regulation but above our estimate of needed reserves. If the Department of Financial Services or other state insurance regulators determine to restrict the use of such captives for purposes of funding reserve requirements related to universal life and term life insurance policies, it could impair MetLife’s ability to write such products or require MetLife to increase prices on such products unless alternate reserve funding solutions are found.

U.S. Federal Regulation Affecting Insurance. Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the business of insurance. However, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) allows federal regulators to compel state insurance regulators to liquidate an insolvent insurer under some circumstances if the state regulators have not acted within a specific period. The Federal Reserve Board has also proposed that it be given authority to compel insurance companies to take prompt corrective action in certain circumstances if they are part of a large bank holding company or of a company that has been designated by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) as a non-bank SIFI. It also establishes the Federal Insurance Office within the Department of the Treasury, which has the authority to participate in the negotiations of international insurance agreements with foreign regulators for the U.S., as well as to collect information about the insurance industry and recommend prudential standards. While not having a general supervisory or regulatory authority over the business of insurance, the director of this office will perform various functions with respect to insurance, including serving as a non-voting member of the FSOC and making recommendations to the FSOC regarding insurers to be designated for more stringent regulation. The director is also required to submit a report to Congress regarding how to modernize and improve the system of insurance regulation in the United States, including by increasing national uniformity through either a federal charter or effective action by the states.

Federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly and adversely affect insurance companies. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, derivatives regulation, mortgage regulation, pension regulation, health care regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In addition, various forms of direct and indirect federal regulation of insurance have been proposed from time to time, including proposals for the establishment of an optional federal charter for insurance companies. Other aspects of our insurance operations could also be affected by Dodd-Frank. For example, effective July 21, 2012, Dodd-Frank imposes prohibitions on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) -insured depository institutions (such as MetLife Bank) and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading or sponsoring or investing in hedge funds or private equity funds (commonly known as the Volcker Rule). If and when MetLife Bank’s FDIC insurance is terminated, MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates will not be subject to the bans on proprietary trading and fund activities under the Volcker Rule. However, because the Volcker Rule nevertheless imposes additional capital requirements and quantitative limits on such trading and activities by a non-bank SIFI, MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates could be subject to such requirements and limits were they to be designated non-bank SIFIs. Regulations defining and governing such requirements and limits on non-bank SIFIs have not been proposed. Commencing from the date of designation, a non-bank SIFI will have a two-year period, subject to further extension by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Reserve Board, (collectively, the “Federal Reserve”), to conform to any such requirements and limits. Subject to safety and soundness determinations as part of rulemaking that could require additional capital requirements and quantitative limits, Dodd-Frank provides that the exemptions under the Volcker Rule also are available to exempt any additional capital requirements and quantitative limits on non-bank SIFIs. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — Regulatory Developments Affecting Investment Activities and Derivatives, including the Volcker Rule,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — Regulatory Developments Relating to Non-Bank SIFIs and G-SIIs,” as well as “Business — U.S. Regulation — Dodd-Frank and Other Legislative and Regulatory Developments — Volcker Rule” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Banking and Bank Holding Company Regulation. As a federally chartered national banking association, MetLife Bank is subject to a wide variety of banking laws, regulations and guidelines. Federal banking and

 

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consumer financial protection laws regulate most aspects of the business of MetLife Bank, but certain state laws may apply as well. MetLife Bank is principally regulated by the OCC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), and secondarily by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC.

 

   

Federal banking laws and regulations address various aspects of MetLife Bank’s business and operations with respect to, among other things:

 

   

chartering to carry on business as a bank;

 

   

the permissibility of certain activities;

 

   

maintaining minimum capital ratios;

 

   

capital management in relation to the bank’s assets;

 

   

dividend payments and repurchases of securities, including common stock;

 

   

safety and soundness standards;

 

   

loan loss and other related liabilities;

 

   

liquidity;

 

   

financial reporting and disclosure standards;

 

   

counterparty credit concentration;

 

   

restrictions on related party and affiliate transactions;

 

   

lending limits (and, in addition, Dodd-Frank includes the credit exposures arising from securities lending by MetLife Bank within lending limits otherwise applicable to loans);

 

   

payment of interest;

 

   

unfair or deceptive acts or practices;

 

   

mortgage servicing practices;

 

   

privacy; and

 

   

relationships with MetLife, Inc. in its capacity as a bank holding company and potentially with other investors in connection with a change in control of MetLife Bank.

Federal banking regulators regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to banks and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the consumer at the expense of the bank and, thus, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of MetLife Bank.

Since 2008, MetLife Bank has been engaged in the forward and reverse residential mortgage origination and servicing business. In January 2012, MetLife, Inc. announced that it was exiting the business of originating forward residential mortgages and, in April 2012, announced it was exiting the businesses of originating and servicing reverse residential mortgages and that it and MetLife Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing portfolio. On June 29, 2012, the Company sold the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights and related assets and liabilities. See Note 2 to the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

State and federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities have initiated various inquiries, investigations or examinations of alleged irregularities in the foreclosure practices of the residential mortgage servicing industry.

 

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Mortgage servicing practices have also been the subject of Congressional attention. Authorities have publicly stated that the scope of the investigations extends beyond foreclosure documentation practices to include mortgage loan origination, modification and loss mitigation practices. See “— The Resolution of Several Issues Affecting the Financial Services Industry Could Have a Negative Impact on Our Reported Results or on Our Relations with Current and Potential Customers” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Mortgage and Foreclosure-Related Exposures.”

In addition, Dodd-Frank established the CFPB, which supervises and regulates institutions providing certain financial products and services to consumers. Although the consumer financial services to which this legislation applies exclude insurance business of the kind in which we engage, the CFPB has authority to regulate consumer services provided by MetLife Bank and non-insurance consumer services provided elsewhere throughout MetLife. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Dodd-Frank and Other Legislative and Regulatory Developments — Consumer Protection Laws” included in the 2011 Annual Report. We cannot predict how regulation by the CFPB might affect our business.

In June 2012, the OCC, Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC published three notices of proposed rulemaking (the “Bank Capital NPRs”) that would revise and replace the agencies’ current capital rules with rules consistent with (i) the final rules for increased capital and liquidity requirements for bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc., published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”) in December 2010 (“Basel III”), as well as the applicable sections of Dodd-Frank, (ii) a series of revisions adopted by the Basel Committee to the market risk capital requirements for exposures in a banking organization’s trading book in 2005, 2009 and 2010 (collectively, “Basel II.5”), and (iii) the market risk capital requirements as initially published by the Basel Committee in June 2004 (“Basel II”). See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Regulatory Developments.” It is possible that even more stringent capital and liquidity requirements could be imposed on us if, in the future, MetLife, Inc. is designated by the FSOC as a non-bank SIFI.

In December 2011, the Federal Reserve Board issued a notice of proposed rulemaking related to enhanced prudential standards required by Dodd-Frank (“Regulation YY”). Regulation YY would apply to bank holding companies with assets of $50 billion or more and non-bank SIFIs. The ability of MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc., as a bank holding company, to pay dividends, repurchase common stock or other securities or engage in other transactions that could affect its capital or need for capital could be reduced by any additional capital requirements that might be imposed as a result of the enactment of Dodd-Frank, Regulation YY and/or the adoption of the Bank Capital NPRs and other regulatory initiatives if MetLife, Inc. is unable to de-register as a bank holding company before the requirements become effective. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends,” as well as “Business — U.S. Regulation” and “Business — International Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report. The Basel Committee has also published rules requiring a capital surcharge for globally systemically important banks, which are to be phased in for U.S. banks beginning in 2016 and will become fully effective in 2019 if they are endorsed and adopted by the U.S. banking regulators. These rules were not included in the Bank Capital NPRs.

The Federal Reserve’s capital plans rule requires all bank holding companies with assets of more than $50 billion, including MetLife, Inc., to submit annual capital plans which include projections of the company’s capital levels under baseline and stress scenarios over a nine-quarter period. The Federal Reserve will approve or object to a company’s proposed capital actions, such as dividends and stock repurchases, based on the results of those capital plans and the Federal Reserve’s assessment of the robustness of the company’s capital planning processes. In addition, in recent years, the Federal Reserve has conducted the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (“CCAR”), an assessment of the internal capital planning processes, capital adequacy and proposed capital distributions of large bank holding companies, including MetLife, Inc. In January 2012, we submitted to the Federal Reserve a comprehensive capital plan, as mandated by the capital plans rule, and additional information required by the 2012 CCAR. The capital plan projected MetLife’s capital levels to the end of 2013 under baseline and stress scenarios, including a stress scenario developed and provided by the Federal Reserve as part of the 2012 CCAR. In March 2012, the Federal Reserve, based on its assessment, objected to the incremental

 

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capital actions described in MetLife’s capital distribution plan, which included a proposed stock repurchase and dividend increase. In June 2012, the Federal Reserve Board granted MetLife, Inc. an extension of time until September 30, 2012 to resubmit its capital plan under the capital plans rule. If MetLife, Inc. remains a bank holding company, or if it is designated a non-bank systemically important financial institution and is required to submit capital plans to the Federal Reserve in the future, there can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve will approve its future capital plans. Capital planning requirements could have the effect, in practice, of increasing the amounts of capital held by companies subject to the requirements, including MetLife, which could affect their competitive position.

Under Dodd-Frank, all bank holding companies that have elected to be treated as financial holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc., are required to be “well capitalized” and “well managed” as defined by the Federal Reserve, on a consolidated basis, and not just at their depository institution(s), a higher standard than was applicable to financial holding companies before Dodd-Frank. If MetLife, Inc. or MetLife Bank is unable to meet these standards, we could be subject to activity restrictions, including restrictions on mergers and acquisitions, ultimately be required to divest certain operations and be restricted in our ability to pay dividends, repurchase common stock or other securities, or engage in transactions that could affect our capital or need for capital. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Dodd-Frank and Other Legislative and Regulatory Developments” included in the 2011 Annual Report and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Regulatory Developments – Regulatory Developments Applicable to Bank Holding Companies.”

In December 2011, MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to sell most of the depository business of MetLife Bank to GE Capital Bank. The transaction is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals from the FDIC and to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Utah Department of Financial Institutions has approved the transaction and the OCC has granted approval of a change in the composition of all or substantially all of MetLife Bank’s assets in connection with the transaction. GE Capital Bank has filed an application with the FDIC seeking approval of the assumption of the deposits to be transferred to it, and MetLife Bank has filed an application with the FDIC to terminate MetLife Bank’s FDIC deposit insurance contingent upon certification that MetLife Bank has no remaining deposits (which is dependent on the assumption by GE Capital Bank of the deposits to be transferred to it). The parties have each responded to questions on their applications from the staff of the FDIC, and GE Capital Bank is in the process of responding to recent additional requests from the FDIC. The parties are awaiting action by the FDIC on their applications. Additionally, in January 2012, MetLife, Inc. announced it was exiting the business of originating forward residential mortgages and, in April 2012, announced it was exiting the businesses of originating and servicing reverse residential mortgages and that it and MetLife Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing portfolio. On June 29, 2012, the Company sold the majority of MetLife Bank’s reverse mortgage servicing rights and related assets and liabilities. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Once MetLife Bank has completely exited its depository business, MetLife, Inc. plans to terminate MetLife Bank’s FDIC insurance, putting MetLife, Inc. in a position to be able to deregister as a bank holding company. Upon completion of the foregoing, MetLife, Inc. will no longer be regulated as a bank holding company or subject to enhanced supervision and prudential standards as a bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more. However, if, in the future, the FSOC designates MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI, we would once again be subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and enhanced supervision and prudential standards, such as Regulation YY.

In April 2012, the FSOC adopted final rules setting forth the process it will follow and the criteria it will use to assess whether a non-bank financial company should be subject to enhanced supervision by the Federal Reserve as a non-bank SIFI. The FSOC will follow a three-stage process. In Stage 1, a set of uniform quantitative metrics will be applied to a broad group of non-bank financial companies in order to identify non-bank financial companies for further evaluation. If MetLife, Inc. meets the total consolidated assets threshold and at least one of the other five quantitative thresholds used in the first stage, the FSOC will continue with two stages of further analysis using additional sources of data and qualitative and quantitative factors. MetLife, Inc. is currently a bank

 

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holding company and, as a result, it is not subject to designation as a non-bank SIFI. However, if MetLife, Inc. succeeds in deregistering as a bank holding company, it could be considered for designation as a non-bank SIFI. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — Regulatory Developments Relating to Non-Bank SIFIs and G-SIIs,” as well as “Business — U.S. Regulation — Financial Holding Company Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

The FDIC has the right to assess FDIC-insured banks for funds to help pay the obligations of insolvent banks to depositors. Because the amount and timing of an assessment is beyond our control, the liabilities that we have currently established for these potential liabilities may not be adequate. In addition, Dodd-Frank will result in increased assessments for banks with assets of $10 billion or more, which includes MetLife Bank. In addition, large bank holding companies and non-bank SIFIs can be assessed under Dodd-Frank for any uncovered costs arising in connection with the resolution of a systemically important financial company and, under a proposal of the U.S. Treasury published on January 3, 2012, will be assessed to cover the expenses of the Office of Financial Research, an agency established by Dodd-Frank to improve the quality of financial data available to policymakers and facilitate more robust and sophisticated analysis of the financial system. See “— Dodd-Frank Provides for the Resolution or Liquidation of Certain Types of Financial Institutions, Including Bank Holding Companies Like MetLife, Inc.”

Regulation of Brokers and Dealers. Dodd-Frank also authorizes the SEC to establish a standard of conduct applicable to brokers and dealers when providing personalized investment advice to retail and other customers. This standard of conduct would be to act in the best interest of the customer without regard to the financial or other interest of the broker or dealer providing the advice. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Securities, Broker-Dealer and Investment Adviser Regulation” and “Risk Factors — Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws and Regulations, and State Insurance Regulations Regarding Suitability of Annuity Product Sales, May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

International Regulation. Our international insurance operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are located or operate. See “Business — International Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report, as well as “— Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability.” A significant portion of our revenues is generated through operations in foreign jurisdictions, including many countries in early stages of economic and political development. Our international operations may be materially adversely affected by the actions and decisions of foreign authorities and regulators, such as through nationalization or expropriation of assets, the imposition of limits on foreign ownership of local companies, changes in laws (including tax laws and regulations), their application or interpretation, political instability, dividend limitations, price controls, changes in applicable currency, currency exchange controls or other restrictions that prevent us from transferring funds from these operations out of the countries in which they operate or converting local currencies we hold to U.S. dollars or other currencies. This may also impact many of our customers and independent sales intermediaries. Changes in the regulations that affect their operations also may affect our business relationships with them and their ability to purchase or distribute our products. Accordingly, these changes and actions may negatively affect our business in these jurisdictions.

We are also subject to the evolving Solvency II insurance regulatory directive for each of our insurance operations throughout the European Economic Area. As requirements are finalized by the regulators, capital requirements might be impacted in a number of jurisdictions. In addition, our legal entity structure throughout Europe may impact our capital requirements, risk management infrastructure and reporting by country.

In May 2012, as part of the global initiative to identify global systemically important financial institutions, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (“IAIS”) published a proposed assessment methodology for designating global systemically important insurers (“G-SIIs”). Any insurers identified by the IAIS as G-SIIs would be subject to additional policy measures. These policy measures will be subject to a subsequent IAIS consultation paper to be released later in 2012, but the IAIS has indicated that they could include higher capital

 

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requirements, enhanced supervision (including more detailed and frequent reporting and removal of barriers to orderly resolution of the G-SII), as well as additional measures to improve the degree of self-sufficiency of a G-SII’s different business segments (including separate legal structures for traditional insurance and non-traditional or non-insurance activities, and restrictions on intercompany subsidies). The IAIS expects to publish the first list of G-SIIs in November 2013. If MetLife, Inc. were identified as a G-SII, its competitive position relative to other life insurers that were not so designated could be adversely affected. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Regulatory Developments – Regulatory Developments Relating to Non-Bank SIFIs and G-SIIs.”

We expect the scope and extent of regulation outside of the U.S., as well as regulatory oversight, generally to continue to increase. The authority of our international operations to conduct business is subject to licensing requirements, permits and approvals, and these authorizations are subject to modification and revocation. The regulatory environment in the countries in which we operate and changes in laws could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See “— Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability,” as well as “Business — International Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Summary. From time to time, regulators raise issues during examinations or audits of MetLife, Inc.’s regulated subsidiaries that could, if determined adversely, have a material impact on us. We cannot predict whether or when regulatory actions may be taken that could adversely affect our operations. In addition, the interpretations of regulations by regulators may change and statutes may be enacted with retroactive impact, particularly in areas such as accounting or statutory reserve requirements. We are also subject to other regulations and may in the future become subject to additional regulations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation” and “Business — International Regulation” included in the 2011 Annual Report.

Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and indirect compliance and other expenses of doing business, thus having a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Dodd-Frank Provides for the Resolution or Liquidation of Certain Types of Financial Institutions, Including Bank Holding Companies Like MetLife, Inc.

Under the provisions of Dodd-Frank relating to the resolution or liquidation of certain types of financial institutions, including bank holding companies and non-bank SIFIs, if MetLife, Inc. remains a bank holding company or is designated a non-bank SIFI and if it were to become insolvent or were in danger of defaulting on its obligations, it could be compelled to undergo liquidation with the FDIC as receiver. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — Regulatory Developments Applicable to Bank Holding Companies.” For this new regime to be applicable, a number of determinations would have to be made, including that a default by MetLife, Inc. would have serious adverse effects on financial stability in the United States. In these circumstances, if the FDIC were to be appointed as the receiver for MetLife, Inc., liquidation would occur under the provisions of the new liquidation authority, and not under the Bankruptcy Code. Under the new liquidation authority, unsecured creditors and shareholders are intended to bear the failed institution’s losses, and the FDIC’s purpose under the liquidation regime is to mitigate the systemic risks the institution’s failure poses, which is different from the purpose of a bankruptcy trustee under the Bankruptcy Code. The final rule on orderly liquidation authority makes the priority of payments for unsecured creditors in such a liquidation substantially consistent with the Bankruptcy Code, and provides that contractual subordination agreements will be respected. These provisions could also affect our position as a creditor of other financial institutions that may be liquidated by the FDIC under these provisions of Dodd-Frank. Dodd-Frank also provides for the assessment of bank holding companies with assets of $50 billion or more, non-bank systematically important financial companies supervised by the Federal Reserve, and other financial companies with assets of $50 billion or more to cover the costs of liquidating any financial company subject to the new liquidation authority. If a financial company is liquidated under this authority, we could be assessed for a portion of the costs of the liquidation. See “— Our Insurance,

 

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Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” Although it is not possible to assess the full impact of the liquidation authority at this time, it could increase the funding costs of large bank holding companies or financial companies that might be viewed as systemically significant, such as MetLife, Inc. It could also lead to an increase in secured financings, rather than unsecured financings.

Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability

Our international operations are exposed to increased political, legal, financial, operational and other risks. Our international operations may be materially adversely affected by the actions and decisions of foreign authorities and regulators, such as through nationalization or expropriation of assets, the imposition of limits on foreign ownership of local companies, changes in laws (including tax laws and regulations), their application or interpretation, political instability, dividend limitations, price controls, changes in applicable currency, currency exchange controls or other restrictions that prevent us from transferring funds from these operations out of the countries in which they operate or converting local currencies we hold into U.S. dollars or other currencies, as well as other adverse actions by foreign governmental authorities and regulators, such as the retroactive application of new requirements to sales made prior to their introduction. Such actions may negatively affect our business in these jurisdictions and could indirectly affect our business in other jurisdictions as well. Some of our foreign insurance operations are, and are likely to continue to be, in emerging markets where these risks are heightened. See “Business — International Regulation” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” included in the 2011 Annual Report, as well as “— Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” In addition, we rely on local sales forces in these countries and may encounter labor problems resulting from workers’ associations and trade unions in some countries. In several countries, including China and India, we operate with local business partners with the resulting risk of managing partner relationships to the business objectives. If our business model is not successful in a particular country, we may lose all or most of our investment in building and training the sales force in that country.

We are expanding our international operations in certain markets where we operate and in selected new markets. This may require considerable management time, as well as start-up expenses for market development before any significant revenues and earnings are generated. Operations in new foreign markets may achieve low margins or may be unprofitable, and expansion in existing markets may be affected by local economic and market conditions. Therefore, as we expand internationally, we may not achieve expected operating margins and our results of operations may be negatively impacted.

In addition, in recent years, the operating environment in Argentina has been very challenging. In Argentina, we were formerly principally engaged in the pension business. In December 2008, the Argentine government nationalized the Social Security System and moved pension fund assets into the government-run system, effectively eliminating the private pension companies in Argentina. As a result, we have experienced and will continue to experience reductions in the operation’s revenues and cash flows. In February 2011, the Argentine Superintendent of Insurance (“SSN”) enacted a resolution effectively prohibiting cross-border reinsurance operations. In October 2011, the SSN enacted a resolution which affects our ability to invest and diversify abroad – as of December 31, 2011, all investments and funds must be located in Argentina. Further governmental or legal actions related to our operations in Argentina could negatively impact our operations in Argentina and result in future losses. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report.

We also have operations in the Middle East where the legal and political systems and regulatory frameworks are subject to instability and disruptions. Lack of legal certainty and stability in the region exposes our operations to increased risk of disruption and to adverse or unpredictable actions by regulators and may make it more difficult for us to enforce our contracts, which may negatively impact our business in this region.

 

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We have market presence in over 50 different countries and increased exposure to risks posed by local and regional economic conditions. Europe has recently experienced a deep recession and may be beginning another recession. A recession in Europe could adversely impact the demand for our products, negatively impact earnings, adversely affect the performance of our investments or result in impairments and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Risk Factors – Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations and These Conditions May Not Improve in the Near Future” included in the 2011 Annual Report. Countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland have been particularly affected by the recession, resulting in increased national debts and depressed economic activity. We have significant operations and investments in these countries which could be adversely affected by economic developments such as higher taxes, growing inflation, decreasing government spending, rising unemployment and currency instability. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment.”

We face increased exposure to the Japanese markets as a result of our considerable presence there. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment.” The Japanese economy continues to be weak. Disruptions to the Japanese economy are possible and may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Any weakening of the yen against the U.S. dollar would adversely affect the estimated fair value of our yen-denominated investments, our investments in Japanese subsidiaries and our net income from operations in Japan. See “Risk Factors — Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Profitability” included in the 2011 Annual Report. Changes in market interest rates may also have an adverse effect on our investments and operations in Japan. See “— Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability.”

The Resolution of Several Issues Affecting the Financial Services Industry Could Have a Negative Impact on Our Reported Results or on Our Relations with Current and Potential Customers

We will continue to be subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our business, both in the U.S. and internationally. This could result in a challenge of business sold in the past under previously acceptable market practices at the time. Regulators are increasingly interested in the approach that product providers use to select third-party distributors and to monitor the appropriateness of sales made by them. In some cases, product providers can be held responsible for the deficiencies of third-party distributors. In addition, regulators are auditing compliance by life insurers with state unclaimed property laws. See “— Litigation and Regulatory Investigations Are Increasingly Common in Our Businesses and May Result in Significant Financial Losses and/or Harm to Our Reputation.”

As a result of publicity relating to widespread perceptions of industry abuses, there have been numerous regulatory inquiries and proposals for legislative and regulatory reforms.

On April 13, 2011, the OCC entered into consent decrees with several banks, including MetLife Bank. The consent decrees require an independent review of foreclosure practices and set forth new residential mortgage servicing standards, including a requirement for a designated point of contact for a borrower during the loss mitigation process. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board entered into consent decrees with the affiliated bank holding companies of these banks, including MetLife, Inc., to enhance the supervision of the mortgage servicing activities of their banking subsidiaries. On August 6, 2012, the Federal Reserve Board issued an Order of Assessment of a Civil Monetary Penalty Issued Upon Consent against MetLife, Inc. that will impose a penalty of up to $3,200,000 for the deficiencies in servicing of residential mortgage loans and processing foreclosures at MetLife Bank that were the subject of the 2011 consent decree. MetLife Bank also had a meeting with the Department of Justice regarding mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices. It is possible that various state or federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities may seek monetary penalties from MetLife Bank relating to foreclosure practices. MetLife Bank has also responded to a subpoena issued by the Department of Financial Services regarding hazard insurance and flood insurance that MetLife Bank obtains to protect the lienholder’s

 

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interest when the borrower’s insurance has lapsed. In April and May 2012, MetLife Bank received two subpoenas issued by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding FHA insured loans. In June 2012, MetLife Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand that the U.S. Department of Justice issued as part of a False Claims Act investigation of allegations that MetLife Bank had improperly originated and/or underwritten loans insured by the FHA.

These consent decrees, as well as the inquiries or investigations referred to above, could adversely affect our reputation or result in material fines, penalties, equitable remedies or other enforcement actions, and result in significant legal costs in responding to governmental investigations or other litigation. We cannot predict the outcome of any such actions or reviews. In addition, the changes to the mortgage servicing business required by the consent decrees and the resolution of any other inquiries or investigations may affect the profitability of such business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Mortgage and Foreclosure-Related Exposures.”

The MetLife Bank Events may not relieve MetLife from complying with the consent decrees, or protect it from the inquiries and investigations relating to residential mortgage servicing and foreclosure activities, or any fines, penalties, equitable remedies or enforcement actions that may result, the costs of responding to any such governmental investigations, or other litigation.

Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability

Some of our products, principally traditional whole life insurance, fixed annuities and guaranteed interest contracts, expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce our investment margin or “spread,” or the difference between the amounts that we are required to pay under the contracts in our general account and the rate of return we are able to earn on general account investments intended to support obligations under the contracts. Our spread is a key component of our net income.

As interest rates decrease or remain at low levels, we may be forced to reinvest proceeds from investments that have matured or have been prepaid or sold at lower yields, reducing our investment margin. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the fixed income securities, commercial or agricultural mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates this risk. Lowering interest crediting rates can help offset decreases in investment margins on some products. However, our ability to lower these rates could be limited by competition or contractually guaranteed minimum rates and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset yields. As a result, our spread could decrease or potentially become negative. Our expectation for future spreads is an important component in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”), and significantly lower spreads may cause us to accelerate amortization, thereby reducing net income in the affected reporting period. In addition, during periods of declining interest rates, life insurance and annuity products may be relatively more attractive investments to consumers, resulting in increased premium payments on products with flexible premium features, repayment of policy loans and increased persistency, or a higher percentage of insurance policies remaining in force from year to year, during a period when our new investments carry lower returns. A decline in market interest rates could also reduce our return on investments that do not support particular policy obligations. During periods of sustained lower interest rates, policy liabilities may not be sufficient to meet future policy obligations and may need to be strengthened. Accordingly, declining and sustained lower interest rates may materially affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows and significantly reduce our profitability. In June 2012, the Federal Reserve Board reiterated its plans to keep interest rates low until at least through late 2014, in order to revive the slow recovery from stressed economic conditions. It also extended to the end of 2012 “Operation Twist.” Central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Australia, the Central Bank of Brazil and the Central Bank of China, followed the recent actions of the Federal Reserve Board to lower interest rates. The collective effort globally to lower interest rates was in response to concerns about Europe’s sovereign debt crisis and slowing global economic growth. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Investments – Current Environment.” For a discussion of the impact of the

 

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low interest environment on us, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Financial and Economic Environment – Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment” and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Industry Trends – Financial and Economic Environment – Mitigating Actions.”

Increases in market interest rates could also negatively affect our profitability. In periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, we may not be able to replace, in a timely manner, the investments in our general account with higher yielding investments needed to fund the higher crediting rates necessary to keep interest sensitive products competitive. We, therefore, may have to accept a lower spread and, thus, lower profitability or face a decline in sales and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets. In addition, policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals may tend to increase as policyholders seek investments with higher perceived returns as interest rates rise. This process may result in cash outflows requiring that we sell investments at a time when the prices of those investments are adversely affected by the increase in market interest rates, which may result in realized investment losses. Unanticipated withdrawals and terminations may cause us to accelerate the amortization of DAC and VOBA, which reduces net income and may also cause us to accelerate negative VOBA, which increases net income. An increase in market interest rates could also have a material adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio, for example, by decreasing the estimated fair values of the fixed income securities that comprise a substantial portion of our investment portfolio. Finally, an increase in interest rates could result in decreased fee income associated with a decline in the value of variable annuity account balances invested in fixed income funds.

Litigation and Regulatory Investigations Are Increasingly Common in Our Businesses and May Result in Significant Financial Losses and/or Harm to Our Reputation

We face a significant risk of litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating our businesses, including the risk of class action lawsuits. Our pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which we operate. In connection with our insurance operations, plaintiffs’ lawyers may bring or are bringing class actions and individual suits alleging, among other things, issues relating to sales or underwriting practices, claims payments and procedures, product design, disclosure, administration, denial or delay of benefits and breaches of fiduciary or other duties to customers. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may seek very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages. Modern pleading practice in the U.S. and other countries permits considerable variation in the assertion of money damages or other relief. This variability in pleadings, together with our actual experience in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may normally be difficult to ascertain. Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.

We establish liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities have been established for a number of matters noted in Note 11 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. It is possible that some of the matters could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated at June 30, 2012.

Over the past several years, we have faced numerous claims, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper marketing or sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities, mutual funds or other products.

 

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In addition, MLIC is and has been a defendant in a large number of lawsuits seeking both actual and punitive damages for personal injuries resulting from exposure to asbestos. These lawsuits principally have focused on allegations with respect to certain research, publication and other activities of one or more of MLIC’s employees during the period from the 1920’s through approximately the 1950’s and alleged that MLIC learned or should have learned of certain health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things, improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks. Additional litigation relating to these matters may be commenced in the future. The ability of MLIC to estimate its ultimate asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty, and the conditions impacting its liability can be dynamic and subject to change. The availability of reliable data is limited and it is difficult to predict the numerous variables that can affect liability estimates, including the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease in pending and future claims, the impact of the number of new claims filed in a particular jurisdiction and variations in the law in the jurisdictions in which claims are filed, the possible impact of tort reform efforts, the willingness of courts to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against MLIC when exposure to asbestos took place after the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known, and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts. The number of asbestos cases that may be brought, the aggregate amount of any liability that MLIC may incur, and the total amount paid in settlements in any given year are uncertain and may vary significantly from year to year.

The ability to make estimates regarding ultimate asbestos exposure declines significantly as the estimates relate to years further in the future. In our judgment, there is a future point after which losses cease to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is reasonably possible that our total exposure to asbestos claims may be materially greater than the asbestos liability currently accrued and that future charges to income may be necessary. The potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded.

We are also subject to various regulatory inquiries, such as information requests, subpoenas and books and record examinations, from state and federal regulators and other authorities. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation, regulatory action or investigation, we could suffer significant reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our ability to attract new customers, retain our current customers and recruit and retain employees. Regulatory inquiries and litigation may cause volatility in the price of stocks of companies in our industry.

In April 2012, we reached agreements with representatives of the U.S. jurisdictions that were conducting audits of MetLife, Inc. and certain of its affiliates for compliance with unclaimed property laws, and with state insurance regulators directly involved in a multistate targeted market conduct examination relating to claim-payment practices and compliance with unclaimed property laws. The effectiveness of each agreement was conditioned upon the approval of a specified number of jurisdictions. In each case, the threshold for effectiveness has been reached. Pursuant to the agreements, we will, among other things, take specified action to identify liabilities under life insurance, annuity, and retained asset contracts, to adopt specified procedures for seeking to contact and pay owners of the identified liabilities, and, to the extent that we are unable to locate such owners, to escheat these amounts with interest at a specified rate to the appropriate states. Additionally, we have agreed to accelerate the final date of certain industrial life policies and to escheat unclaimed benefits of such policies. Pursuant to the agreement to resolve the market conduct examination, the Company made a $40 million multi-state examination payment to be allocated among the settling states. In the third quarter of 2011, we incurred a $117 million after tax charge to increase reserves in connection with our use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File and similar databases to identify potential life insurance claims that had not been presented to us. In the first quarter of 2012, we recorded a $52 million after tax charge for the multi-state examination payment and the expected acceleration of benefit payments to policyholders under the settlements. At least one other jurisdiction is pursuing a similar market conduct exam. It is possible that other jurisdictions may pursue similar exams or audits and that such exams or audits may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties, interest, and/or further changes to our procedures.

 

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We cannot give assurance that current claims, litigation, unasserted claims probable of assertion, investigations and other proceedings against us will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. It is also possible that related or unrelated claims, litigation, unasserted claims probable of assertion, investigations and proceedings may be commenced in the future, and we could become subject to further investigations and have lawsuits filed or enforcement actions initiated against us. The number of countries in which we currently operate has greatly expanded as a result of the Acquisition and, consequently, we may be subject to additional investigations and lawsuits in such jurisdictions. Increased regulatory scrutiny and any resulting investigations or proceedings in any of the countries where we operate could result in new legal actions and precedents and industry-wide regulations that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Purchases of common stock made by or on behalf of MetLife, Inc. or its affiliates during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 are set forth below:

 

Period

   (a) Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
     (b) Average Price
Paid per Share
     (c) Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
     (d) Maximum Number
(or Approximate

Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (2)
 

April 1 — April 30, 2012

     46,449      $ 35.79              $ 1,260,735,127  

May 1 — May 31, 2012

     12,161      $ 32.11              $ 1,260,735,127  

June 1 — June 30, 2012

     6,908      $ 29.28              $ 1,260,735,127  

 

 

(1)

During the periods April 1 through April 30, 2012, May 1 through May 31, 2012 and June 1 through June 30, 2012, separate account and other affiliates of MetLife, Inc. purchased 46,449 shares, 12,161 shares and 6,908 shares, respectively, of common stock on the open market in nondiscretionary transactions to rebalance index funds. Except as disclosed above, there were no shares of common stock which were repurchased by the Company.

 

(2)

At June 30, 2012, MetLife, Inc. had $1.3 billion remaining under its common stock repurchase program authorizations. In April 2008, MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.0 billion common stock repurchase program, which will begin after the completion of the January 2008 $1.0 billion common stock repurchase program, of which $261 million remained outstanding at June 30, 2012. Under these authorizations, MetLife, Inc. may purchase its common stock from the MetLife Policyholder Trust, in the open market (including pursuant to the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and in privately negotiated transactions. Any future common stock repurchases will be dependent upon several factors, including the Company’s capital position, its liquidity, its financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions and the market price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock compared to management’s assessment of the stock’s underlying value and applicable regulatory approvals, as well as other legal and accounting factors. See “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth — Banking and Bank Holding Company Regulation.”

 

240


Table of Contents

Item 6.  Exhibits

(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and MetLife, Inc.’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.)

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  10.1   

Amendment Number Three to the Alico Overseas Pension Plan, dated May 1, 2012 (effective January 1, 2012). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2012).

  10.2   

Employment Agreement between Christopher G. Townsend and MetLife Asia Pacific Limited, dated May 11, 2012. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2012 (the “May 16, 2012 Form 8-K”)).

  10.3   

Member’s Explanatory Handbook for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of Hong Kong Limited Healthcare Plan (2011). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the May 16, 2012 Form 8-K).

  10.4   

Amendment Number Four to the MetLife Plan for Transition Assistance for Officers (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2010), dated April 4, 2012.

  31.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  31.2   

Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.2   

Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS   

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.LAB   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

241


Table of Contents

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

METLIFE, INC.

By

 

/s/ Peter M. Carlson

 

Name:

 

Peter M. Carlson

 

Title:

 

Executive Vice President, Finance

   

Operations and Chief Accounting Officer

   

(Authorized Signatory and Principal

   

Accounting Officer)

   

Date: August 7, 2012

 

242


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and MetLife, Inc.’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.)

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  10.1   

Amendment Number Three to the Alico Overseas Pension Plan, dated May 1, 2012 (effective January 1, 2012). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2012).

  10.2   

Employment Agreement between Christopher G. Townsend and MetLife Asia Pacific Limited, dated May 11, 2012. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2012 (the “May 16, 2012 Form 8-K”)).

  10.3   

Member’s Explanatory Handbook for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of Hong Kong Limited Healthcare Plan (2011). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the May 16, 2012 Form 8-K).

  10.4   

Amendment Number Four to the MetLife Plan for Transition Assistance for Officers (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2010), dated April 4, 2012.

  31.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  31.2   

Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.2   

Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS   

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.LAB   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

E-1