10-Q
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 ______________________________________
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission file number: 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) 578-9500
(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 October 30, 2015, 1,111,626,481 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.
 
 



Table of Contents
 
 
Page
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (at September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014 and for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited))
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

As used in this Form 10Q, “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, or are tied to future periods, 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. These factors include: (1) difficult conditions in the global capital markets; (2) increased volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, which may affect our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital, including through our credit facilities, 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, including assets supporting risks ceded to certain of our captive reinsurers or hedging arrangements associated with those risks; (3) exposure to financial and capital market risks, including as a result of the disruption in Europe and possible withdrawal of one or more countries from the Euro zone; (4) impact of comprehensive financial services regulation reform on us, as a non-bank systemically important financial institution, or otherwise; (5) numerous rulemaking initiatives required or permitted by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which may impact how we conduct our business, including those compelling the liquidation of certain financial institutions; (6) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our insurance, 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; (7) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (8) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (9) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (10) changes in assumptions related to investment valuations, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (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) economic, political, legal, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (15) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (16) a deterioration in the experience of the “closed block” established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (17) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance or indemnification arrangements, as well as any default or failure of counterparties to perform; (18) differences between actual claims experience and underwriting and reserving assumptions; (19) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (20) catastrophe losses; (21) increasing cost and limited market capacity for statutory life insurance reserve financings; (22) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, and for personnel; (23) 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; (24) our ability to address difficulties, unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, or rating agency actions arising from business acquisitions and integrating and managing the growth of such acquired businesses, or arising from dispositions of businesses or legal entity reorganizations; (25) regulatory and other restrictions affecting MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase common stock; (26) 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; (27) the possibility that MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors may influence the outcome of stockholder votes through the voting provisions of the MetLife Policyholder Trust; (28) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (29) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (30) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; (31) inability to attract and retain sales representatives; (32) provisions of laws and our incorporation documents may delay, deter or prevent takeovers and corporate combinations involving MetLife; (33) 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 the value of our investment portfolio, our disaster recovery systems, cyber- or other information security systems and management continuity planning; (34) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; and (35) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Corporate Information
We announce financial and other information about MetLife to our investors through the MetLife Investor Relations web page at www.metlife.com, as well as U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. MetLife encourages investors to visit the Investor Relations web page from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted. The information found on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in any other report or document we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
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.

2

Table of Contents
Part I — Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
MetLife, Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014
(In millions, except share and per share data)



 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $329,203 and $334,780, respectively; includes $4,293 and $4,266, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
$
351,578

 
$
365,425

Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $3,096 and $3,076, respectively)
 
3,399

 
3,631

Fair value option and trading securities, at estimated fair value (includes $696 and $704, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $14 and $60, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
15,361

 
16,689

Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $311 and $305, respectively; includes $290 and $280, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities; includes $315 and $308, respectively, under the fair value option)
 
63,553

 
60,118

Policy loans (includes $4 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
11,549

 
11,618

Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $0 and $8, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; includes $905 and $172, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)
 
9,923

 
10,525

Other limited partnership interests (includes $27 and $34, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
7,901

 
8,085

Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value (includes $26 and $20, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
14,957

 
8,621

Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $43 and $56, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
23,356

 
21,283

Total investments
 
501,577

 
505,995

Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $48 and $57, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
10,216

 
10,808

Accrued investment income (includes $26 and $21, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
4,187

 
4,120

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $21 and $21, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
25,808

 
22,244

Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired (includes $230 and $235, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
23,996

 
24,442

Goodwill
 
9,546

 
9,872

Other assets (includes $146 and $134, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
7,881

 
7,862

Separate account assets (includes $1,056 and $1,128, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
299,249

 
316,994

Total assets
 
$
882,460

 
$
902,337

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits (includes $670 and $579, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
$
190,754

 
$
189,586

Policyholder account balances (includes $21 and $33, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
202,291

 
209,294

Other policy-related balances (includes $225 and $198, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
14,521

 
14,422

Policyholder dividends payable
 
716

 
684

Policyholder dividend obligation
 
2,309

 
3,155

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
 
37,991

 
35,326

Short-term debt
 
100

 
100

Long-term debt (includes $162 and $151, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)
 
16,755

 
16,286

Collateral financing arrangements
 
4,152

 
4,196

Junior subordinated debt securities
 
3,194

 
3,193

Current income tax payable
 
21

 
184

Deferred income tax liability
 
11,363

 
11,821

Other liabilities (includes $71 and $80, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
27,977

 
24,437

Separate account liabilities (includes $1,056 and $1,128, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
299,249

 
316,994

Total liabilities
 
811,393

 
829,678

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 14)
 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries
 
79

 
99

Equity
 
 
 
 
MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference
 

 
1

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,159,310,431 and 1,153,998,144 shares issued, respectively; 1,114,764,365 and 1,131,927,894 shares outstanding, respectively
 
12

 
12

Additional paid-in capital
 
30,726

 
30,543

Retained earnings
 
35,153

 
32,020

Treasury stock, at cost; 44,546,066 and 22,070,250 shares, respectively
 
(2,279
)
 
(1,172
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
6,891

 
10,649

Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
 
70,503

 
72,053

Noncontrolling interests
 
485

 
507

Total equity
 
70,988

 
72,560

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
882,460

 
$
902,337

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)
(In millions, except per share data)

 
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
10,375

 
$
9,703

 
$
28,940

 
$
28,795

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
2,346

 
2,628

 
7,174

 
7,507

Net investment income
 
3,959

 
5,410

 
14,367

 
15,704

Other revenues
 
484

 
518

 
1,497

 
1,486

Net investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
 
(43
)
 
(17
)
 
(51
)
 
(40
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
 
16

 
(14
)
 
4

 
(16
)
Other net investment gains (losses)
 
409

 
140

 
582

 
(371
)
Total net investment gains (losses)
 
382

 
109

 
535

 
(427
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
 
485

 
478

 
394

 
1,132

Total revenues
 
18,031

 
18,846

 
52,907

 
54,197

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims
 
10,334

 
9,512

 
28,943

 
28,824

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
647

 
1,817

 
3,940

 
4,995

Policyholder dividends
 
354

 
347

 
1,024

 
1,047

Other expenses
 
4,533

 
4,218

 
12,665

 
12,603

Total expenses
 
15,868

 
15,894

 
46,572

 
47,469

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
 
2,163

 
2,952

 
6,335

 
6,728

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
965

 
858

 
1,855

 
1,916

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
1,198

 
2,094


4,480


4,812

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

 

 

 
(3
)
Net income (loss)
 
1,198

 
2,094

 
4,480

 
4,809

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(5
)
 

 
4

 
21

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
 
1,203

 
2,094

 
4,476

 
4,788

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

Preferred stock repurchase premium
 

 

 
42

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
 
$
1,197

 
$
2,064

 
$
4,367

 
$
4,697

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
1,653

 
$
1,972

 
$
760

 
$
10,682

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax
 
2

 
(56
)
 
42

 
6

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
 
$
1,651

 
$
2,028

 
$
718

 
$
10,676

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.07

 
$
1.83

 
$
3.90

 
$
4.17

Diluted
 
$
1.06

 
$
1.81

 
$
3.86

 
$
4.12

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.07

 
$
1.83

 
$
3.90

 
$
4.17

Diluted
 
$
1.06

 
$
1.81

 
$
3.86

 
$
4.12

Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.375

 
$
0.350

 
$
1.100

 
$
0.975

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.


4

Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
 
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury
Stock
at Cost
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total
MetLife, Inc.’s
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests (1)
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
1

 
$
12

 
$
30,543

 
$
32,020

 
$
(1,172
)
 
$
10,649

 
$
72,053

 
$
507

 
$
72,560

Repurchase of preferred stock
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(1,459
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,460
)
 
 
 
(1,460
)
Preferred stock repurchase premium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(42
)
 
 
 
 
 
(42
)
 
 
 
(42
)
Preferred stock issuance
 

 
 
 
1,483

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,483

 
 
 
1,483

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
 
 
 

 


 
 
 
(1,107
)
 
 
 
(1,107
)
 
 
 
(1,107
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
159

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
159

 
 
 
159

Dividends on preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(67
)
 
 
 
 
 
(67
)
 
 
 
(67
)
Dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,234
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,234
)
 
 
 
(1,234
)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(64
)
 
(64
)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,476

 
 
 
 
 
4,476

 
4

 
4,480

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,758
)
 
(3,758
)
 
38

 
(3,720
)
Balance at September 30, 2015
 
$

 
$
12

 
$
30,726

 
$
35,153

 
$
(2,279
)
 
$
6,891

 
$
70,503

 
$
485

 
$
70,988

 
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury
Stock
at Cost
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total
MetLife, Inc.’s
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests (1)
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
1

 
$
11

 
$
29,277

 
$
27,332

 
$
(172
)
 
$
5,104

 
$
61,553

 
$
543

 
$
62,096

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(443
)
 
 
 
(443
)
 
 
 
(443
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
211

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
211

 
 
 
211

Dividends on preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(91
)
 
 
 
 
 
(91
)
 
 
 
(91
)
Dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,101
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,101
)
 
 
 
(1,101
)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(55
)
 
(55
)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,788

 
 
 
 
 
4,788

 
21

 
4,809

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,888

 
5,888

 
(15
)
 
5,873

Balance at September 30, 2014
 
$
1

 
$
11

 
$
29,488

 
$
30,928

 
$
(615
)
 
$
10,992

 
$
70,805

 
$
494

 
$
71,299

__________________
(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes losses of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries of less than $1 million at both September 30, 2015 and 2014.
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)
(In millions)

 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
9,527

 
$
10,950

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Sales, maturities and repayments of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
109,308

 
85,187

Equity securities
478

 
455

Mortgage loans
9,775

 
10,917

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
1,644

 
532

Other limited partnership interests
859

 
555

Purchases of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
(105,128
)
 
(94,085
)
Equity securities
(431
)
 
(455
)
Mortgage loans
(13,814
)
 
(11,772
)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
(977
)
 
(1,382
)
Other limited partnership interests
(935
)
 
(1,338
)
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives
2,376

 
977

Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives
(2,887
)
 
(2,530
)
Cash received under repurchase agreements (Note 5)
199

 

Cash paid under reverse repurchase agreements (Note 5)
(199
)
 

Sales of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed of $0 and $262, respectively

 
452

Purchases of investments in insurance joint ventures

 
(277
)
Net change in policy loans
10

 
(19
)
Net change in short-term investments
(6,644
)
 
1,496

Net change in other invested assets
(350
)
 
(251
)
Other, net
(191
)
 
(131
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(6,907
)
 
(11,669
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
Policyholder account balances:
 
 
 
Deposits
69,383

 
73,855

Withdrawals
(72,940
)
 
(71,301
)
Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
2,664

 
3,481

Net change in short-term debt

 
(75
)
Long-term debt issued
1,578

 
1,000

Long-term debt repaid
(1,078
)
 
(2,802
)
Collateral financing arrangements repaid
(44
)
 

Cash received (paid) in connection with collateral financing arrangements
6

 

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
(1,107
)
 
(443
)
Preferred stock issued, net of issuance costs
1,483

 

Repurchase of preferred stock
(1,460
)
 

Preferred stock repurchase premium
(42
)
 

Dividends on preferred stock
(67
)
 
(91
)
Dividends on common stock
(1,234
)
 
(1,101
)
Other, net
6

 
(546
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(2,852
)
 
1,977

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances
(360
)
 
(60
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
(592
)
 
1,198

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
10,808

 
7,585

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
10,216

 
$
8,783

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
Net cash paid (received) for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
836

 
$
841

Income tax
$
904

 
$
413

Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities received in connection with pension closeout transactions
$
903

 
$

Deconsolidation of MetLife Core Property Fund:
 
 
 
Reduction of redeemable noncontrolling interests
$

 
$
774

Reduction of long-term debt
$

 
$
413

Reduction of real estate and real estate joint ventures
$

 
$
1,132

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

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” and the “Company” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, its subsidiaries and affiliates. MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. 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”).
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. In applying these policies and estimates, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptions 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 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. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Certain international subsidiaries have a fiscal year cutoff of November 30th. Accordingly, the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries as of August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014 and the operating results of such subsidiaries for the three months and nine months ended August 31, 2015 and 2014.
The Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity securities when it has significant influence or at least 20% interest and for real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests (“investees”) when it has more than a minor ownership interest or more than a minor influence over the investee’s operations, but does not have a controlling financial interest. The Company generally recognizes its share of the investee’s earnings on a three-month lag in instances where the investee’s financial information is not sufficiently timely or when the investee’s reporting period differs from the Company’s reporting period. The Company uses the cost method of accounting for investments in which it has virtually no influence over the investee’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 2015 presentation as discussed throughout the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented in conformity with GAAP. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year performance. The December 31, 2014 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, 2014, as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 21, 2015 (as revised, the “2014 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 2014 Annual Report.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted guidance requiring repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase financing arrangements to be accounted for as secured borrowings and providing for enhanced disclosures, including the nature of collateral pledged and the time to maturity. Certain interim period disclosures for repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions were not required until the second quarter of 2015. The Company has provided these enhanced disclosures in Note 5. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

7

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on short-duration insurance contracts (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-09, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts). The amendments in this new guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The new guidance should be applied retrospectively by providing comparative disclosures for each period presented, except for those requirements that apply only to the current period. The new guidance requires insurance entities to provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about initial claim estimates and subsequent adjustments to these estimates, including information on: (i) reconciling from the claim development table to the balance sheet liability, (ii) methodologies and judgments in estimating claims, and (iii) the timing, and frequency of claims. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on fair value measurement (ASU 2015‑07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years and which should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Earlier application is permitted. The new amendments in this ASU remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value (“NAV”) per share practical expedient. In addition, the amendments remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement (ASU 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the new guidance is permitted and an entity can elect to adopt the guidance either: (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date; or (2) retrospectively. The new guidance provides that all software licenses included in cloud computing arrangements be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. However, if a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract, the accounting for which did not change. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued certain amendments to the consolidation analysis to improve consolidation guidance for legal entities (ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. The new standard is intended to improve targeted areas of the consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures. The amendments in this ASU affect the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations. In addition, the amendments in this ASU simplify and improve current GAAP by reducing the number of consolidation models. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years and should be applied retrospectively. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of this ASU by one year, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The new guidance will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP; however, it will not impact the accounting for insurance contracts, leases, financial instruments and guarantees. For those contracts that are impacted by the new guidance, the guidance will require an entity to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
2. Segment Information
MetLife is organized into six segments, reflecting three 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.

8

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company implemented certain segment reporting changes related to the (i) measurement of segment operating earnings, which included revising the Company’s capital allocation methodology, and (ii) the realignment of consumer direct business. These changes were applied retrospectively and did not have an impact on total consolidated operating earnings or net income.
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 & Other and Annuities. Life & Other insurance products and services include variable life, universal life, term life and whole life products. Additionally, through broker-dealer affiliates, the Company offers a full range of mutual funds and other securities products. Life & Other products and services also include individual disability income products and personal lines property & casualty insurance, including private passenger automobile, homeowners and personal excess liability insurance. Annuities includes a variety of variable and fixed annuities which provide for both asset accumulation and asset distribution needs.
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. Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits insurance products and services include life, dental, group short- and long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment (“AD&D”) coverages. In addition, the Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segment offers property & casualty insurance, including private passenger automobile, homeowners and personal excess liability, which is offered to employees on a voluntary basis, long-term care, critical illness and accident & health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans.
Corporate Benefit Funding
The Corporate Benefit Funding segment offers a broad range 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 structured settlements and 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 & health insurance, group medical, dental, credit insurance, endowment and retirement & savings products written in Latin America. The Latin America segment also includes U.S. direct business, comprised of group and individual products sold through sponsoring organizations, affinity groups and direct to consumer. Products included are life, dental, group short- and long-term disability, AD&D coverages, property & casualty and other accident & health coverages, as well as non-insurance products such as identity protection.
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 & health insurance, fixed and variable annuities, credit insurance 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 & health insurance, credit insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products.

9

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

Corporate & Other
Corporate & Other contains the excess capital, as well as certain charges and activities, not allocated to the segments, including external integration costs, internal resource costs for associates committed to acquisitions, enterprise-wide strategic initiative restructuring charges, various start-up businesses (including expatriate benefits insurance and the investment management business through which the Company offers fee-based investment management services to institutional clients) and certain run-off businesses. Corporate & Other also includes assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan. Under this in-force reinsurance agreement, the Company 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 and expenses associated with certain legal proceedings 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.
Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies
Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss the Company uses to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP 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 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 and are referred to as divested businesses. Operating revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses). Operating expenses also excludes goodwill impairments.
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 (“GMIBs”) 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 or that are used to replicate certain 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.

10

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

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 and other pass through adjustments, (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 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.
Operating earnings also excludes the recognition of certain contingent assets and liabilities that could not be recognized at acquisition or adjusted for during the measurement period under GAAP business combination accounting guidance. In addition to the tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above, provision for income tax expense (benefit) also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.
In the first quarter of 2015, the Company implemented certain segment reporting changes related to the (i) measurement of segment operating earnings, which included revising the Company’s capital allocation methodology, and (ii) the realignment of consumer direct business. Consequently, prior period results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were impacted as follows:
Retail’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by $86 million and $135 million, net of ($111) million and ($200) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits’ operating earnings increased (decreased) by $4 million and $10 million, net of ($2) million and $2 million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Corporate Benefit Funding’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($13) million and ($39) million, net of ($10) million and ($32) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Latin America’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($30) million and ($79) million, net of ($16) million and ($46) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Asia’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by $4 million and $14 million, net of $3 million and $5 million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
EMEA’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($18) million and ($56) million, net of ($13) million and ($31) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively; and
Corporate & Other’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($33) million and $15 million, net of $149 million and $302 million of income tax expense (benefit), 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. 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.

11

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

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, coupled with considerations of local capital requirements, aligns segment allocated equity with emerging standards and consistent risk principles. The model applies statistics-based risk evaluation principles to the material risks to which the Company is exposed. These consistent risk principles include calibrating required economic capital shock factors to a specific confidence level and time horizon while applying an industry standard method for the inclusion of diversification benefits among risk types. The Company’s management is responsible for the ongoing production and enhancement of the economic capital model and reviews its approach periodically to ensure that it remains consistent with emerging industry practice standards.
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.
Net investment income is based upon the actual results of each segment’s specifically identifiable investment portfolios 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.

12

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

 
 
Operating Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Retail
 
Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
 
Corporate
Benefit
Funding
 
Latin
America
 
Total
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
1,806

 
$
4,092

 
$
1,555

 
$
668

 
$
8,121

 
$
1,736

 
$
501

 
$
18

 
$
10,376

 
$
(1
)
 
$
10,375

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
1,229

 
188

 
55

 
261

 
1,733

 
382

 
106

 
26

 
2,247

 
99

 
2,346

Net investment income
 
1,930

 
485

 
1,391

 
279

 
4,085

 
670

 
82

 
12

 
4,849

 
(890
)
 
3,959

Other revenues
 
241

 
113

 
70

 
11

 
435

 
26

 
11

 
23

 
495

 
(11
)
 
484

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
382

 
382

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
485

 
485

Total revenues
 
5,206

 
4,878

 
3,071

 
1,219

 
14,374

 
2,814

 
700

 
79

 
17,967

 
64

 
18,031

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
2,607

 
3,805

 
2,154

 
630

 
9,196

 
1,331

 
233

 
20

 
10,780

 
(92
)
 
10,688

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
550

 
39

 
295

 
88

 
972

 
327

 
27

 
5

 
1,331

 
(684
)
 
647

Capitalization of DAC
 
(266
)
 
(41
)
 
(1
)
 
(105
)
 
(413
)
 
(435
)
 
(107
)
 

 
(955
)
 

 
(955
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
432

 
40

 
6

 
57

 
535

 
309

 
127

 

 
971

 
160

 
1,131

Amortization of negative VOBA
 

 

 

 

 

 
(77
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(82
)
 
(8
)
 
(90
)
Interest expense on debt
 
(1
)
 

 
1

 

 

 

 

 
294

 
294

 
8

 
302

Other expenses
 
1,197

 
666

 
113

 
410

 
2,386

 
896

 
352

 
492

 
4,126

 
19

 
4,145

Total expenses
 
4,519

 
4,509

 
2,568

 
1,080

 
12,676

 
2,351

 
627

 
811

 
16,465

 
(597
)
 
15,868

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
164

 
131

 
177

 
(37
)
 
435

 
125

 
7

 
224

 
791

 
174

 
965

Operating earnings
 
$
523

 
$
238

 
$
326

 
$
176

 
$
1,263

 
$
338

 
$
66

 
$
(956
)
 
711

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64

 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
597

 
 
 
 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
(174
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
$
1,198

 
 
 
$
1,198


13

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

 
 
Operating Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Retail
 
Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
 
Corporate
Benefit
Funding
 
Latin
America
 
Total
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
1,869

 
$
4,010

 
$
451

 
$
812

 
$
7,142

 
$
1,939

 
$
581

 
$
23

 
$
9,685

 
$
18

 
$
9,703

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
1,311

 
180

 
60

 
328

 
1,879

 
487

 
127

 
29

 
2,522

 
106

 
2,628

Net investment income
 
1,965

 
475

 
1,464

 
317

 
4,221

 
738

 
109

 
125

 
5,193

 
217

 
5,410

Other revenues
 
275

 
103

 
71

 
7

 
456

 
27

 
22

 
13

 
518

 

 
518

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
109

 
109

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
478

 
478

Total revenues
 
5,420

 
4,768

 
2,046

 
1,464

 
13,698

 
3,191

 
839

 
190

 
17,918

 
928

 
18,846

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
2,555

 
3,729

 
1,033

 
735

 
8,052

 
1,535

 
252

 
15

 
9,854

 
5

 
9,859

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
567

 
38

 
279

 
97

 
981

 
394

 
43

 
8

 
1,426

 
391

 
1,817

Capitalization of DAC
 
(239
)
 
(37
)
 
(11
)
 
(112
)
 
(399
)
 
(507
)
 
(165
)
 

 
(1,071
)
 

 
(1,071
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
335

 
38

 
5

 
102

 
480

 
367

 
152

 

 
999

 
55

 
1,054

Amortization of negative VOBA
 

 

 

 

 

 
(89
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(96
)
 
(11
)
 
(107
)
Interest expense on debt
 
(1
)
 

 
2

 

 
1

 

 

 
291

 
292

 
3

 
295

Other expenses
 
1,163

 
634

 
133

 
450

 
2,380

 
1,027

 
463

 
133

 
4,003

 
44

 
4,047

Total expenses
 
4,380

 
4,402

 
1,441

 
1,272

 
11,495

 
2,727

 
738

 
447

 
15,407

 
487

 
15,894

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
255

 
125

 
210

 
70

 
660

 
154

 
23

 
(181
)
 
656

 
202

 
858

Operating earnings
 
$
785

 
$
241

 
$
395

 
$
122

 
$
1,543

 
$
310

 
$
78

 
$
(76
)
 
1,855

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
928

 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(487
)
 
 
 
 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
(202
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
$
2,094

 
 
 
$
2,094


14

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)



Operating Results






Americas












Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

Retail

Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits

Corporate
Benefit
Funding

Latin
America

Total

Asia

EMEA

Corporate
& Other

Total

Adjustments

Total
Consolidated


(In millions)
Revenues






















Premiums

$
5,302


$
12,313


$
2,292


$
2,150


$
22,057


$
5,297


$
1,534


$
54


$
28,942


$
(2
)

$
28,940

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

3,717


559


168


856


5,300


1,179


322


75


6,876


298


7,174

Net investment income

5,913


1,444


4,347


780


12,484


2,033


249


250


15,016


(649
)

14,367

Other revenues

755


340


218


28


1,341


82


40


62


1,525


(28
)

1,497

Net investment gains (losses)



















535


535

Net derivative gains (losses)



















394


394

Total revenues

15,687

 
14,656

 
7,025

 
3,814

 
41,182

 
8,591

 
2,145

 
441

 
52,359

 
548

 
52,907

Expenses









 







 



 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

7,429


11,445


4,078


1,955


24,907


4,046


737


40


29,730


237


29,967

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

1,643


114


882


263


2,902


992


91


19


4,004


(64
)

3,940

Capitalization of DAC

(770
)

(113
)

(11
)

(316
)

(1,210
)

(1,268
)

(372
)



(2,850
)



(2,850
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA

1,207


120


17


221


1,565


971


388


1


2,925


128


3,053

Amortization of negative VOBA







(1
)

(1
)

(241
)

(13
)



(255
)

(27
)

(282
)
Interest expense on debt

(2
)



3




1






897


898


10


908

Other expenses

3,593


2,011


367


1,254


7,225


2,669


1,103


811


11,808


28


11,836

Total expenses

13,100

 
13,577

 
5,336

 
3,376

 
35,389

 
7,169

 
1,934

 
1,768

 
46,260

 
312

 
46,572

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

721


382


588


15


1,706


332


25


(139
)

1,924


(69
)

1,855

Operating earnings

$
1,866

 
$
697

 
$
1,101

 
$
423

 
$
4,087

 
$
1,090

 
$
186

 
$
(1,188
)

4,175





Adjustments to:

















 



 
Total revenues

















548




 
Total expenses

















(312
)



 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit

69




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

$
4,480




$
4,480


15

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

 
 
Operating Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Retail
 
Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
 
Corporate
Benefit
Funding
 
Latin
America
 
Total
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
5,405

 
$
12,050

 
$
1,438

 
$
2,293

 
$
21,186

 
$
5,742

 
$
1,762

 
$
65

 
$
28,755

 
$
40

 
$
28,795

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
3,814

 
538

 
172

 
956

 
5,480

 
1,276

 
353

 
96

 
7,205

 
302

 
7,507

Net investment income
 
5,906

 
1,396

 
4,259

 
915

 
12,476

 
2,162

 
328

 
407

 
15,373

 
331

 
15,704

Other revenues
 
785

 
314

 
214

 
23

 
1,336

 
78

 
49

 
39

 
1,502

 
(16
)
 
1,486

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(427
)
 
(427
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,132

 
1,132

Total revenues
 
15,910

 
14,298

 
6,083

 
4,187

 
40,478

 
9,258

 
2,492

 
607

 
52,835

 
1,362

 
54,197

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
7,400

 
11,299

 
3,194

 
2,100

 
23,993

 
4,357

 
784

 
57

 
29,191

 
680

 
29,871

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
1,683

 
117

 
844

 
295

 
2,939

 
1,175

 
112

 
26

 
4,252

 
743

 
4,995

Capitalization of DAC
 
(722
)
 
(107
)
 
(30
)
 
(320
)
 
(1,179
)
 
(1,458
)
 
(511
)
 

 
(3,148
)
 
(1
)
 
(3,149
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
1,142

 
109

 
15

 
265

 
1,531

 
1,067

 
476

 

 
3,074

 
100

 
3,174

Amortization of negative VOBA
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(275
)
 
(22
)
 

 
(298
)
 
(35
)
 
(333
)
Interest expense on debt
 
(1
)
 

 
6

 

 
5

 

 

 
880

 
885

 
34

 
919

Other expenses
 
3,486

 
1,900

 
377

 
1,322

 
7,085

 
2,995

 
1,383

 
470

 
11,933

 
59

 
11,992

Total expenses
 
12,988

 
13,318

 
4,406

 
3,661

 
34,373

 
7,861

 
2,222

 
1,433

 
45,889

 
1,580

 
47,469

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
824

 
340

 
579

 
110

 
1,853

 
430

 
49

 
(454
)
 
1,878

 
38

 
1,916

Operating earnings
 
$
2,098

 
$
640

 
$
1,098

 
$
416

 
$
4,252

 
$
967

 
$
221

 
$
(372
)
 
5,068

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,362

 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,580
)
 
 
 
 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
(38
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
$
4,812

 
 
 
$
4,812


16

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

The following table presents total assets with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other, at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Retail
$
347,126

 
$
359,188

Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
47,443

 
46,483

Corporate Benefit Funding
227,297

 
228,543

Latin America
64,949

 
72,259

Asia
112,456

 
117,894

EMEA
27,698

 
29,217

Corporate & Other
55,491

 
48,753

Total
$
882,460

 
$
902,337

3. Insurance
Guarantees
As discussed in Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report, the Company issues variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. The portions of both non-life-contingent guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWBs”) and the GMIBs that do not require annuitization are accounted for as embedded derivatives in policyholder account balances and are further discussed in Note 6.
The Company also issues two tier annuity contracts that apply a lower rate on funds deposited if the contractholder elects to surrender the contract for cash (the “lower tier”) and a higher rate if the contractholder elects to annuitize (the “upper tier”). These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death, maturity or at annuitization. Certain other annuity contracts contain guaranteed annuitization benefits that may be above what would be provided by the current account value of the contract. 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 ceded reinsurance, if any.
Variable Annuities
In the Event of Death
Defined as the 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 and includes any additional contractual claims associated with riders purchased to assist with covering income taxes payable upon death.
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 allow annuitization of the guaranteed amount only after the 10th anniversary of the contract, which not all contractholders have achieved.
Two Tier and Other Annuities
Two tier annuities are defined as the excess of the upper tier, adjusted for a profit margin, less the lower tier, as of the balance sheet date. Other annuities are 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.

17

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
3. Insurance (continued)

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 types of guarantees relating to annuity contracts and universal and variable life contracts was as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
(In millions)
Annuity Contracts (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable Annuities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total contract account value (2)
$
179,887

 
$
90,852

 
$
196,595

 
$
99,000

Separate account value
$
149,829

 
$
87,417

 
$
163,566

 
$
95,963

Net amount at risk (2)
$
11,374

 
$
2,909

 
$
4,230

 
$
1,770

Average attained age of contractholders
66 years

 
66 years

 
65 years

 
65 years

Two Tier and Other Annuities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Account value
N/A

 
$
1,621

 
N/A

 
$
1,040

Net amount at risk
N/A

 
$
444

 
N/A

 
$
340

Average attained age of contractholders
N/A

 
53 years

 
N/A

 
50 years

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Secondary
Guarantees
 
Paid-Up
Guarantees
 
Secondary
Guarantees
 
Paid-Up
Guarantees
 
(In millions)
Universal and Variable Life Contracts (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Account value (general and separate account)
$
16,994

 
$
3,490

 
$
16,875

 
$
3,587

Net amount at risk
$
177,022

 
$
19,360

 
$
180,069

 
$
20,344

Average attained age of policyholders
57 years

 
62 years

 
56 years

 
61 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)
Includes amounts, which are not reported on the consolidated balance sheets, from assumed business of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan.
4. Closed Block
On April 7, 2000 (the “Demutualization Date”), Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“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 of Reorganization”). 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.
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.

18

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
4. Closed Block (continued)

Information regarding the closed block liabilities and assets designated to the closed block was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Closed Block Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
$
41,280

 
$
41,667

Other policy-related balances
 
275

 
265

Policyholder dividends payable
 
498

 
461

Policyholder dividend obligation
 
2,309

 
3,155

Current income tax payable
 
29

 
1

Other liabilities
 
474

 
646

Total closed block liabilities
 
44,865

 
46,195

Assets Designated to the Closed Block
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
 
27,739

 
29,199

Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
 
94

 
91

Mortgage loans
 
6,122

 
6,076

Policy loans
 
4,641

 
4,646

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
 
601

 
666

Other invested assets
 
1,203

 
1,065

Total investments
 
40,400

 
41,743

Cash and cash equivalents
 
266

 
227

Accrued investment income
 
484

 
477

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
106

 
67

Deferred income tax assets
 
286

 
289

Total assets designated to the closed block
 
41,542

 
42,803

Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block
 
3,323

 
3,392

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”)
 
 
 
 
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax
 
1,712

 
2,291

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of income tax
 
63

 
28

Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax
 
(1,501
)
 
(2,051
)
Total amounts included in AOCI
 
274

 
268

Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities
 
$
3,597

 
$
3,660

Information regarding the closed block policyholder dividend obligation was as follows:
 
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Year 
 Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
3,155

 
$
1,771

Change in unrealized investment and derivative gains (losses)
 
(846
)
 
1,384

Balance, end of period
 
$
2,309

 
$
3,155


19

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
4. Closed Block (continued)

Information regarding the closed block revenues and expenses was as follows:
 
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
447

 
$
461

 
$
1,334

 
$
1,380

Net investment income
 
487

 
516

 
1,500

 
1,568

Net investment gains (losses)
 
(9
)
 

 
(8
)
 
8

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
13

 
17

 
25

 
13

Total revenues
 
938

 
994

 
2,851

 
2,969

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims
 
635

 
620

 
1,886

 
1,889

Policyholder dividends
 
273

 
255

 
757

 
731

Other expenses
 
36

 
39

 
109

 
118

Total expenses
 
944

 
914

 
2,752

 
2,738

Revenues, net of expenses before provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
(6
)
 
80

 
99

 
231

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
(1
)
 
28

 
36

 
81

Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
52

 
$
63

 
$
150

MLIC charges the closed block with federal income taxes, state and local premium taxes and other state or local taxes, as well as investment management expenses relating to the closed block as provided in the Plan of Reorganization. MLIC also charges the closed block for expenses of maintaining the policies included in the closed block.
5. Investments
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale by Sector
The following table presents the fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale (“AFS”) by sector. Redeemable preferred stock is reported within U.S. corporate and foreign corporate fixed maturity securities and non-redeemable preferred stock is reported within equity securities. Included within fixed maturity securities are structured securities including residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”).

20

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 

Gains
 
Temporary
Losses
 
OTTI
Losses
 

Gains
 
Temporary
Losses
 
OTTI
Losses
 
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$
95,156

 
$
7,525

 
$
1,717

 
$
7

 
$
100,957

 
$
96,235

 
$
10,343

 
$
624

 
$

 
$
105,954

Foreign corporate
56,545

 
3,465

 
1,606

 

 
58,404

 
57,695

 
4,651

 
664

 
7

 
61,675

U.S. Treasury and agency
53,624

 
6,216

 
169

 

 
59,671

 
54,654

 
6,892

 
30

 

 
61,516

Foreign government
45,346

 
5,361

 
184

 

 
50,523

 
47,327

 
5,500

 
161

 

 
52,666

RMBS
38,696

 
1,720

 
288

 
78

 
40,050

 
38,064

 
2,102

 
214

 
106

 
39,846

State and political subdivision
13,678

 
1,863

 
53

 
9

 
15,479

 
12,922

 
2,291

 
26

 

 
15,187

CMBS (1)
12,001

 
437

 
77

 
(1
)
 
12,362

 
13,762

 
615

 
46

 
(1
)
 
14,332

ABS
14,157

 
162

 
181

 
6

 
14,132

 
14,121

 
240

 
112

 

 
14,249

Total fixed maturity securities
$
329,203

 
$
26,749

 
$
4,275

 
$
99

 
$
351,578

 
$
334,780

 
$
32,634

 
$
1,877

 
$
112

 
$
365,425

Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
$
2,040

 
$
375

 
$
99

 
$

 
$
2,316

 
$
1,990

 
$
554

 
$
28

 
$

 
$
2,516

Non-redeemable preferred stock
1,056

 
75

 
48

 

 
1,083

 
1,086

 
68

 
39

 

 
1,115

Total equity securities
$
3,096

 
$
450

 
$
147

 
$

 
$
3,399

 
$
3,076

 
$
622

 
$
67

 
$

 
$
3,631

__________________
(1)
The noncredit loss component of other-than-temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) losses for CMBS was in an unrealized gain position of $1 million at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of noncredit losses on such securities. See also “— Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses).”
The Company held non-income producing fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of $77 million and $64 million with unrealized gains (losses) of $28 million and $28 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity date, were as follows at September 30, 2015:
 
Due in One Year or Less
 
Due After One Year Through Five Years
 
Due After Five Years Through Ten Years
 
Due After Ten Years
 
Structured Securities
 
Total Fixed Maturity Securities
 
(In millions)
Amortized cost
$
13,401

 
$
72,334

 
$
70,970

 
$
107,644

 
$
64,854

 
$
329,203

Estimated fair value
$
13,476

 
$
75,724

 
$
74,741

 
$
121,093

 
$
66,544

 
$
351,578

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 presented in the year of final contractual maturity. Structured securities (RMBS, CMBS and ABS) are shown separately, as they are not due at a single maturity.
Continuous Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS by Sector
The following table presents the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity and equity securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by sector and by length of time that the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

21

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Less than 12 Months
 
Equal to or Greater than 12 Months
 
Less than 12 Months
 
Equal to or Greater than 12 Months
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
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
$
23,232

 
$
1,323

 
$
3,027

 
$
401

 
$
11,389

 
$
331

 
$
4,658

 
$
293

Foreign corporate
14,386

 
1,043

 
3,343

 
563

 
9,410

 
505

 
2,074

 
166

U.S. Treasury and agency
3,180

 
167

 
303

 
2

 
8,927

 
12

 
1,314

 
18

Foreign government
2,881

 
118

 
433

 
66

 
1,085

 
80

 
630

 
81

RMBS
6,431

 
179

 
2,077

 
187

 
4,180

 
92

 
2,534

 
228

State and political subdivision
1,415

 
43

 
100

 
19

 
83

 
1

 
297

 
25

CMBS
2,401

 
46

 
600

 
30

 
1,268

 
23

 
934

 
22

ABS
5,772

 
116

 
2,240

 
71

 
4,456

 
57

 
1,440

 
55

Total fixed maturity securities
$
59,698

 
$
3,035

 
$
12,123

 
$
1,339

 
$
40,798

 
$
1,101

 
$
13,881

 
$
888

Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
$
292

 
$
98

 
$
9

 
$
1

 
$
111

 
$
28

 
$
1

 
$

Non-redeemable preferred stock
89

 
3

 
183

 
45

 
67

 
2

 
192

 
37

Total equity securities
$
381

 
$
101

 
$
192

 
$
46

 
$
178

 
$
30

 
$
193

 
$
37

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position
5,256

 
 
 
1,275

 
 
 
3,153

 
 
 
1,435

 
 
Evaluation of AFS Securities for OTTI and Evaluating Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities
As described more fully in Notes 1 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report, the Company performs a regular evaluation of all investment classes for impairment, including fixed maturity securities and equity securities, in accordance with its impairment policy, in order to evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.
Current Period Evaluation
Based on the Company’s current evaluation of its AFS 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 concluded that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2015. Future OTTI 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, collateral valuation, interest rates and credit spreads. If economic fundamentals deteriorate or if there are adverse changes in the above factors, OTTI may be incurred in upcoming periods.
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities increased $2.4 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $4.4 billion. The increase in gross unrealized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily attributable to widening credit spreads, and to a lesser extent, the impact of weakening foreign currencies on non-functional currency denominated fixed maturity securities.
At September 30, 2015, $295 million of the total $4.4 billion of gross unrealized losses were from 62 fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss position of 20% or more of amortized cost for six months or greater.
Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities
Of the $295 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss of 20% or more of amortized cost for six months or greater, $217 million, or 74%, were related to gross unrealized losses on 34 investment grade fixed maturity securities. Unrealized losses on investment grade fixed maturity securities are principally related to widening credit spreads and, with respect to fixed-rate fixed maturity securities, rising interest rates since purchase.

22

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Below Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities
Of the $295 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss of 20% or more of amortized cost for six months or greater, $78 million, or 26%, were related to gross unrealized losses on 28 below investment grade fixed maturity securities. Unrealized losses on below investment grade fixed maturity securities are principally related to non-agency RMBS (primarily alternative residential mortgage loans) and foreign and U.S. corporate securities (primarily utility industry securities) and are the result of significantly wider credit spreads resulting from higher risk premiums since purchase, largely due to economic and market uncertainties including concerns over valuations of residential real estate supporting non-agency RMBS. Management evaluates non-agency RMBS based on actual and projected cash flows after considering the quality of underlying collateral, expected prepayment speeds, current and forecasted loss severity, consideration of the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security; and evaluates foreign and U.S. corporate securities based on factors such as expected cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuers.
Equity Securities
Gross unrealized losses on equity securities increased $80 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $147 million. Of the $147 million, $31 million were from eight securities with gross unrealized losses of 20% or more of cost for 12 months or greater. Of the $31 million, 58% were from securities rated A or better, and all were from financial services industry investment grade non-redeemable preferred stock securities.
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
41,619

 
65.5
 %
 
$
41,088

 
68.3
 %
Agricultural
12,771

 
20.1

 
12,378

 
20.6

Residential
8,955

 
14.1

 
6,369

 
10.6

Subtotal (1)
63,345

 
99.7

 
59,835

 
99.5

Valuation allowances
(311
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(305
)
 
(0.5
)
Subtotal mortgage loans, net
63,034

 
99.2

 
59,530

 
99.0

Residential — fair value option (“FVO”)
315

 
0.5

 
308

 
0.5

Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs  FVO
204

 
0.3

 
280

 
0.5

Total mortgage loans, net
$
63,553

 
100.0
 %
 
$
60,118

 
100.0
 %
__________________
(1)
Purchases of mortgage loans were $1.0 billion and $3.2 billion for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Purchases of mortgage loans were $2.1 billion and $3.5 billion for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”).
Information on commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans is presented in the tables below. Information on residential — FVO and commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO is presented in Note 7. The Company elects the FVO for certain mortgage loans and related long-term debt that are managed on a total return basis.

23

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Mortgage Loans, Valuation Allowance and Impaired Loans by Portfolio Segment
Mortgage loans by portfolio segment, by method of evaluation of credit loss, impaired mortgage loans including those modified in a troubled debt restructuring, and the related valuation allowances, were as follows at:
 
Evaluated Individually for Credit Losses
 
Evaluated Collectively for Credit Losses
 
Impaired Loans
 
Impaired Loans with a Valuation Allowance
 
Impaired Loans without a Valuation Allowance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Valuation
Allowances
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Valuation
Allowances
 
Carrying
Value
 
(In millions)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
76

 
$
76

 
$
41,536

 
$
208

 
$
76

Agricultural
50

 
47

 
3

 
12

 
12

 
12,712

 
38

 
56

Residential

 

 

 
118

 
109

 
8,846

 
55

 
109

Total
$
57

 
$
54

 
$
10

 
$
206

 
$
197

 
$
63,094

 
$
301

 
$
241

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
75

 
$
75

 
$
24

 
$
101

 
$
100

 
$
40,913

 
$
200

 
$
151

Agricultural
51

 
48

 
2

 
14

 
13

 
12,317

 
37

 
59

Residential

 

 

 
40

 
37

 
6,332

 
42

 
37

Total
$
126

 
$
123

 
$
26

 
$
155

 
$
150

 
$
59,562

 
$
279

 
$
247

The average recorded investment for impaired commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans was $118 million, $62 million and $96 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2015; and $144 million, $62 million and $72 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
The average recorded investment for impaired commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans was $302 million, $69 million and $17 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2014; and $405 million, $84 million and $15 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Valuation Allowance Rollforward by Portfolio Segment
The changes in the valuation allowance, by portfolio segment, were as follows:
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Commercial
 
Agricultural
 
Residential
 
Total
 
Commercial
 
Agricultural
 
Residential
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
224

 
$
39

 
$
42

 
$
305

 
$
258

 
$
44

 
$
20

 
$
322

Provision (release)
3

 
2

 
27

 
32

 
(8
)
 
(5
)
 
25

 
12

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
(12
)
 

 
(14
)
 
(26
)
 
(23
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(27
)
Balance, end of period
$
215

 
$
41

 
$
55

 
$
311

 
$
227

 
$
38

 
$
42

 
$
307


24

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Credit Quality of Commercial Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of commercial mortgage loans was as follows at:
 
Recorded Investment
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
% of
Total
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratios
 
 
 
% of
Total
 
 
> 1.20x 
 
1.00x - 1.20x
 
< 1.00x
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-value ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 65%
$
34,881

 
$
1,034

 
$
527

 
$
36,442

 
87.6
%
 
$
37,984

 
88.0
%
65% to 75%
3,997

 
217

 
68

 
4,282

 
10.3

 
4,296

 
10.0

76% to 80%
47

 

 
8

 
55

 
0.1

 
55

 
0.1

Greater than 80%
356

 
258

 
226

 
840

 
2.0

 
838

 
1.9

Total
$
39,281

 
$
1,509

 
$
829

 
$
41,619

 
100.0
%
 
$
43,173

 
100.0
%
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-value ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 65%
$
33,933

 
$
1,105

 
$
1,101

 
$
36,139

 
88.0
%
 
$
38,166

 
88.4
%
65% to 75%
3,306

 
405

 
87

 
3,798

 
9.2

 
3,873

 
9.0

76% to 80%
130

 

 
15

 
145

 
0.4

 
153

 
0.3

Greater than 80%
562

 
281

 
163

 
1,006

 
2.4

 
987

 
2.3

Total
$
37,931

 
$
1,791

 
$
1,366

 
$
41,088

 
100.0
%
 
$
43,179

 
100.0
%
Credit Quality of Agricultural Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of agricultural mortgage loans was as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Loan-to-value ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 65%
$
12,093

 
94.7
%
 
$
11,743

 
94.9
%
65% to 75%
588

 
4.6

 
533

 
4.3

76% to 80%
22

 
0.2

 
17

 
0.1

Greater than 80%
68

 
0.5

 
85

 
0.7

Total
$
12,771

 
100.0
%
 
$
12,378

 
100.0
%
The estimated fair value of agricultural mortgage loans was $13.2 billion and $12.8 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Credit Quality of Residential Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of residential mortgage loans was as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Performance indicators
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing
$
8,696

 
97.1
%
 
$
6,196

 
97.3
%
Nonperforming
259

 
2.9

 
173

 
2.7

Total
$
8,955

 
100.0
%
 
$
6,369

 
100.0
%

25

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

The estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans was $9.2 billion and $6.6 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans
The Company has a high quality, well performing mortgage loan portfolio, with 99% of all mortgage loans classified as performing at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company defines delinquency consistent with industry practice, when mortgage loans are past due as follows: commercial and residential mortgage loans — 60 days and agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days. The past due and accrual status of mortgage loans at recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by portfolio segment, were as follows at:
 
Past Due
 
Nonaccrual Status
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Commercial
$
9

 
$
10

 
$
7

 
$
75

Agricultural
109

 
1

 
46

 
41

Residential
259

 
173

 
248

 
163

Total
$
377

 
$
184

 
$
301

 
$
279

Mortgage Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring
For a small portion of the mortgage loan portfolio, classified as troubled debt restructurings, concessions are granted related to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Generally, the types of concessions include: reduction of the contractual interest rate, extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than current market interest rates, and/or a reduction of accrued interest. The amount, timing and extent of the concession granted is considered in determining any impairment or changes in the specific valuation allowance. During both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have a significant amount of mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring.
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 $5.0 billion and $4.5 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity and equity securities AFS and the effect on DAC, VOBA, deferred sales inducements (“DSI”), future policy benefits and the policyholder dividend obligation, that would result from the realization of the unrealized gains (losses), are included in net unrealized investment gains (losses) in AOCI.
The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in AOCI, were as follows:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities
$
22,105

 
$
30,367

Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in AOCI
(99
)
 
(112
)
Total fixed maturity securities
22,006

 
30,255

Equity securities
372

 
608

Derivatives
2,145

 
1,761

Other
287

 
149

Subtotal
24,810

 
32,773

Amounts allocated from:
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
(183
)
 
(2,886
)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI

 
(4
)
DAC, VOBA and DSI
(1,456
)
 
(1,946
)
Policyholder dividend obligation
(2,309
)
 
(3,155
)
Subtotal
(3,948
)
 
(7,991
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
26

 
42

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
(7,210
)
 
(8,556
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
13,678

 
16,268

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(44
)
 
(33
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
$
13,634

 
$
16,235

The changes in fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses included in AOCI were as follows:
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Year 
 Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
(112
)
 
$
(218
)
Noncredit OTTI losses and subsequent changes recognized
(4
)
 
17

Securities sold with previous noncredit OTTI loss
107

 
53

Subsequent changes in estimated fair value
(90
)
 
36

Balance, end of period
$
(99
)
 
$
(112
)

26

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
16,235

Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized
13

Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period
(7,976
)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:
 
Future policy benefits
2,703

DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
4

DAC, VOBA and DSI
490

Policyholder dividend obligation
846

Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
(16
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
1,346

Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
13,645

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(11
)
Balance, end of period
$
13,634

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)
$
(2,590
)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(11
)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
$
(2,601
)
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Investments in any counterparty that were greater than 10% of the Company’s equity, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, were in fixed income securities of the Japanese government and its agencies with an estimated fair value of $20.9 billion and $20.3 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company’s investment in fixed maturity and equity securities to counterparties that primarily conduct business in Japan, including Japan government and agency fixed maturity securities, was $25.9 billion and $25.5 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Securities Lending
The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby securities are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. The Company obtains collateral, usually cash, in an amount generally equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned at inception of the loan. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee. The Company monitors the estimated fair value of the securities loaned on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary throughout the duration of the loan.
Elements of the securities lending program are presented below at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Securities on loan: (1)
 
 
 
Amortized cost
$
27,147

 
$
26,989

Estimated fair value
$
29,848

 
$
30,269

Cash collateral on deposit from counterparties (2)
$
30,384

 
$
30,826

Security collateral on deposit from counterparties (3)
$
175

 
$
83

Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value
$
30,560

 
$
31,314

__________________

27

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

(1)
Included within fixed maturity securities and short-term investments. At September 30, 2015, both amortized cost and estimated fair value also include $227 million, at estimated fair value, of securities which are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
(2)
Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions.
(3)
Security collateral on deposit from counterparties may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
The cash collateral liability by loaned security type and remaining tenor of the agreements were as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Remaining Tenor of Securities Lending Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
Open (1)
 
1 Month or Less
 
1 to 6 Months
 
6 Months to 1 Year
 
Total
 
% of Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
Cash collateral liability by loaned security type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and agency
$
10,199

 
$
11,215

 
$
5,398

 
$
435

 
$
27,247

 
89.7
%
Agency RMBS

 
986

 
658

 

 
1,644

 
5.4

Foreign government
2

 
979

 
216

 

 
1,197

 
3.9

U.S. corporate
10

 
285

 

 

 
295

 
1.0

Foreign corporate
1

 

 

 

 
1

 

Total
$
10,212

 
$
13,465

 
$
6,272

 
$
435

 
$
30,384

 
100.0
%
 
December 31, 2014
 
Remaining Tenor of Securities Lending Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
Open (1)
 
1 Month or Less
 
1 to 6 Months
 
6 Months to 1 Year
 
Total
 
% of Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
Cash collateral liability by loaned security type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and agency
$
10,371

 
$
10,423

 
$
5,239

 
$

 
$
26,033

 
84.5
%
Agency RMBS

 
482

 
2,572

 

 
3,054

 
9.9

Foreign government
30

 
1,034

 
81

 

 
1,145

 
3.7

U.S. corporate
125

 
182

 

 

 
307

 
1.0

Foreign corporate
175

 
112

 

 

 
287

 
0.9

Total
$
10,701

 
$
12,233

 
$
7,892

 
$

 
$
30,826

 
100.0
%
__________________
(1)
The related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day which would require the Company to immediately return the cash collateral.
If the Company is required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice and is forced to sell securities to meet the return obligation, it may have difficulty selling such collateral that is invested in securities in a timely manner, be forced to sell securities in a volatile or illiquid market for less than what otherwise would have been realized under normal market conditions, or both. The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at September 30, 2015 was $10.0 billion, over 99% of which were U.S. Treasury and agency securities which, if put back to the Company, could be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirement.
The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including U.S. Treasury and agency, agency RMBS, ABS, U.S. and foreign corporate securities and non-agency RMBS) with over 60% invested in U.S. Treasury and agency securities, agency RMBS, short-term investments, or held in cash and cash equivalents. If the securities on loan or the reinvestment portfolio become less liquid, the Company has the liquidity resources of most of its general account available to meet any potential cash demands when securities on loan are put back to the Company.

28

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Repurchase Agreement Transactions
Commencing in the first quarter of 2015, the Company began participating in short-term repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions. Under these agreements, the Company lends fixed maturity securities and contemporaneously borrows other fixed maturity securities (e.g., repurchase and reverse repurchase, respectively). The Company obtains cash collateral in an amount greater than or equal to 95% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned, and pledges cash collateral in an amount generally equal to 98% of the estimated fair value of the borrowed securities at the inception of the transaction. The Company monitors the estimated fair value of the securities loaned and borrowed on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary throughout the duration of the transaction.
The Company accounted for these transactions as collateralized borrowing and lending. The amount of fixed maturity securities lent and borrowed, at estimated fair value, was $524 million and $512 million, respectively, at September 30, 2015. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee. Securities borrowed under such transactions may be re-pledged and are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of borrowed securities which were re-pledged was $227 million, at estimated fair value, at September 30, 2015.
The Company has elected to offset amounts recognized as receivables and payables resulting from these transactions. The gross amounts of the receivables and payables related to these transactions at September 30, 2015 were both $499 million. After the effect of offsetting of $499 million, the net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2015 was a liability of less than $1 million. Amounts owed to and due from counterparties may be settled in cash or offset, in accordance with the agreements. Cash inflows and outflows for cash settlements are reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows. At September 30, 2015, all $499 million of payables from repurchase agreements had a remaining tenor of one to three months and were loans of U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
See Note 6 for information regarding the estimated fair value of the Company’s net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral.
Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral
Invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral are presented below at estimated fair value for all asset classes, except mortgage loans, which are presented at carrying value at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits)
$
9,146

 
$
9,437

Invested assets held in trust (collateral financing arrangements and reinsurance agreements)
10,285

 
10,069

Invested assets pledged as collateral (1)
24,646

 
25,996

Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral
$
44,077

 
$
45,502

__________________
(1)
The Company has pledged invested assets in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding agreements (see Notes 4 and 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report), collateral financing arrangements (see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report) and derivative transactions (see Note 6).
See “— Securities Lending” and “— Repurchase Agreement Transactions” for information regarding securities on loan and Note 4 for information regarding investments designated to the closed block.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company has invested in certain structured transactions (including CSEs), formed trusts to invest proceeds from certain collateral financing arrangements and has insurance operations 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.

29

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

The determination of the VIE’s primary beneficiary requires an evaluation of the contractual and implied rights and obligations associated with each party’s relationship with or involvement in the entity, an estimate of the entity’s expected losses and expected residual returns and the allocation of such estimates to each party involved in the entity. The Company generally uses a qualitative approach to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary. However, for VIEs that are investment companies or apply measurement principles consistent with those utilized by investment companies, the primary beneficiary is based on a risks and rewards model and is defined as the entity that will absorb a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of a VIE’s expected residual returns if no single entity absorbs a majority of expected losses, or both. The Company reassesses its involvement with VIEs on a quarterly basis. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs in the determination of the primary beneficiary could have a material effect on the amounts presented within the consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated VIEs
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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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.
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Total
Assets
 
Total
Liabilities
 
Total
Assets
 
Total
Liabilities
 
(In millions)
MRSC (collateral financing arrangement (primarily securities)) (1)
$
3,399

 
$

 
$
3,471

 
$

Operating joint venture (2)
2,445

 
2,045

 
2,405

 
1,999

CSEs (assets (primarily loans) and liabilities (primarily debt)) (3)
219

 
74

 
297

 
155

Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
86

 
86

 

 

Other invested assets
46

 

 
59

 

FVO and trading securities

 

 
45

 

Other limited partnership interests
29

 

 
37

 

Real estate joint ventures

 

 
9

 
15

Total
$
6,224

 
$
2,205

 
$
6,323

 
$
2,169

__________________
(1)
See Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for a description of the MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) collateral financing arrangement.
(2)
Assets of the operating joint venture are primarily fixed maturity securities and separate account assets. Liabilities of the operating joint venture are primarily future policy benefits, other policyholder funds and separate account liabilities.
(3)
The Company consolidates entities that are structured as CMBS and 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 these entities of $126 million and $123 million at estimated fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The long-term debt bears interest primarily at fixed rates ranging from 2.25% to 5.57%, payable primarily on a monthly basis. Interest expense related to these obligations, included in other expenses, was $8 million and $10 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $3 million and $34 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

30

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Unconsolidated VIEs
The carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs in which the Company holds a significant variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary and which have not been consolidated were as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Structured securities (RMBS, CMBS and ABS) (2)
$
66,544

 
$
66,544

 
$
68,427

 
$
68,427

U.S. and foreign corporate
3,324

 
3,324

 
3,829

 
3,829

Other limited partnership interests
6,004

 
8,162

 
6,250

 
8,402

Other invested assets
1,587

 
2,007

 
1,720

 
2,050

FVO and trading securities
577

 
577

 
565

 
565

Real estate joint ventures
72

 
90

 
100

 
125

Mortgage loans
34

 
34

 
51

 
51

Equity securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-redeemable preferred stock
39

 
39

 
41

 
41

Total
$
78,181

 
$
80,777

 
$
80,983

 
$
83,490

__________________
(1)
The maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity securities AFS, FVO and trading securities and equity securities AFS is equal to their carrying amounts or the carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to other limited partnership interests, mortgage loans and real estate joint ventures is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments. 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 creditworthy third parties. 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 $188 million and $212 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee.
(2)
For these variable interests, the Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor in mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities issued by trusts that do not have substantial equity.
As described in Note 14, 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 both the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

31

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income were as follows:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Investment income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
$
3,525

 
$
3,695

 
$
10,738

 
$
11,106

Equity securities
36

 
31

 
102

 
98

FVO and trading securities — Actively Traded and FVO general account securities (1)
(35
)
 
14

 
4

 
95

Mortgage loans
786

 
775

 
2,317

 
2,192

Policy loans
147

 
158

 
450

 
473

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
233

 
245

 
767

 
724

Other limited partnership interests
216

 
299

 
681

 
834

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
29

 
42

 
101

 
130

Operating joint ventures
(1
)
 
2

 
15

 
5

Other
28

 
60

 
180

 
136

Subtotal
4,964

 
5,321

 
15,355

 
15,793

Less: Investment expenses
308

 
298

 
923

 
873

Subtotal, net
4,656

 
5,023

 
14,432

 
14,920

FVO and trading securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments (1)
(701
)
 
379

 
(79
)
 
739

FVO CSEs — interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans
4

 
8

 
13

 
44

Securities

 

 
1

 
1

Subtotal
(697
)
 
387

 
(65
)
 
784

Net investment income
$
3,959

 
$
5,410

 
$
14,367

 
$
15,704

__________________
(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 as follows:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Actively Traded and FVO general account securities
$
(39
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(45
)
 
$
7

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
$
(833
)
 
$
248

 
$
(600
)
 
$
329

See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs.

32

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

FVO and trading securities are primarily comprised of securities for which the FVO has been elected (“FVO Securities”). FVO Securities include certain fixed maturity and equity securities held-for-investment by the general account to support asset and liability management strategies for certain insurance products and investments in certain separate accounts. FVO Securities are primarily comprised of contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities which do not qualify for presentation as separate account summary total assets and liabilities. The investment returns on these investments inure to the contractholders and are offset by a corresponding change in policyholder account balances through interest credited to policyholder account balances. FVO Securities also include securities held by CSEs. 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 actively traded securities and the execution of short sale agreements.

33

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector and industry:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and foreign corporate securities — by industry:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer
$
(17
)
 
$

 
$
(20
)
 
$
(7
)
Transportation

 

 

 
(2
)
Industrial
(3
)
 

 
(5
)
 

Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities
(20
)
 

 
(25
)
 
(9
)
RMBS
(1
)
 
(18
)
 
(16
)
 
(27
)
ABS

 

 

 
(7
)
CMBS

 
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
State and political subdivision
(6
)
 

 
(6
)
 

OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings
(27
)
 
(31
)
 
(47
)
 
(56
)
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals
115

 
184

 
383

 
349

Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
88

 
153

 
336

 
293

Total gains (losses) on equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-redeemable preferred stock
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(23
)
Common stock
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(15
)
 
(12
)
OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings
(7
)
 
(1
)
 
(16
)
 
(35
)
Equity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals
14

 
15

 
39

 
99

Total gains (losses) on equity securities
7

 
14

 
23

 
64

FVO and trading securities — FVO general account securities

 

 

 
8

Mortgage loans
(26
)
 
(30
)
 
(78
)
 
(25
)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
263

 
86

 
257

 
150

Other limited partnership interests
(59
)
 
(14
)
 
(52
)
 
(52
)
Other investment portfolio gains (losses)
18

 
(20
)
 
14

 
(26
)
Subtotal — investment portfolio gains (losses)
291

 
189

 
500

 
412

FVO CSEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans
(4
)
 
1

 
(6
)
 
(14
)
Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans
1

 
3

 
3

 
21

Long-term debt — related to securities

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) (1)
94

 
(83
)
 
38

 
(845
)
Subtotal FVO CSEs and non-investment portfolio gains (losses)
91

 
(80
)
 
35

 
(839
)
Total net investment gains (losses)
$
382

 
$
109

 
$
535

 
$
(427
)
__________________

34

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

(1)
There were no non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 related to the disposition of MetLife Assurance Limited (“MAL”). Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 includes a loss of $633 million related to the disposition of MAL. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs.
Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions included within net investment gains (losses) were $53 million and ($29) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and ($118) million and ($225) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
Sales or Disposals and Impairments of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains (losses) were as shown in the tables below. Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
(In millions)
Proceeds
$
27,264

 
$
20,105

 
$
55

 
$
96

Gross investment gains
$
371

 
$
297

 
$
20

 
$
21

Gross investment losses
(256
)
 
(113
)
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
OTTI losses
(27
)
 
(31
)
 
(7
)
 
(1
)
Net investment gains (losses)
$
88

 
$
153

 
$
7

 
$
14

 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
(In millions)
Proceeds
$
86,590

 
$
62,096

 
$
211

 
$
523

Gross investment gains
$
1,047

 
$
787

 
$
54

 
$
108

Gross investment losses
(664
)
 
(438
)
 
(15
)
 
(9
)
OTTI losses
(47
)
 
(56
)
 
(16
)
 
(35
)
Net investment gains (losses)
$
336

 
$
293

 
$
23

 
$
64


35

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Credit Loss Rollforward
The table below presents 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) (“OCI”):
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
280

 
$
359

 
$
357

 
$
378

Additions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial impairments — credit loss OTTI on securities not previously impaired

 
1

 
2

 
1

Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI on securities previously impaired
1

 
15

 
14

 
23

Reductions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) of securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI
(22
)
 
(11
)
 
(113
)
 
(31
)
Securities impaired to net present value of expected future cash flows

 

 

 
(7
)
Increase in cash flows — accretion of previous credit loss OTTI
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Balance, end of period
$
258

 
$
364

 
$
258


$
364

6. Derivatives
Accounting for Derivatives
Freestanding Derivatives
Freestanding derivatives are carried on the Company’s balance sheet either as assets within other invested assets or as liabilities within other liabilities at estimated fair value. The Company does not offset the estimated fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement.
Accruals on derivatives are generally recorded in accrued investment income or within other liabilities. However, accruals that are not scheduled to settle within one year are included with the derivatives carrying value in other invested assets or other liabilities.
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 reported in net derivative gains (losses) except as follows:
Statement of Operations Presentation:
Derivative:
Policyholder benefits and claims
Economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits
Net investment income
Economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures
 
All derivatives held in relation to trading portfolios
 
Derivatives held within contractholder-directed unit-linked investments

36

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Hedge Accounting
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. Hedge designation and financial statement presentation of changes in estimated fair value of the hedging derivatives are as follows:
Fair value hedge (a hedge of the estimated fair value of a recognized asset or liability) - in net derivative gains (losses), consistent with the change in estimated fair value of the hedged item attributable to the designated risk being hedged.
Cash flow hedge (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) - effectiveness in OCI (deferred gains or losses on the derivative are reclassified into the statement of operations when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item); ineffectiveness in net derivative gains (losses).
Net investment in a foreign operation hedge - effectiveness in OCI, consistent with the translation adjustment for the hedged net investment in the foreign operation; ineffectiveness in net derivative gains (losses).
The changes in estimated fair values of the hedging derivatives are exclusive of any accruals that are separately reported on the statement of operations within interest income or interest expense to match the location of the hedged item. Accruals on derivatives in net investment hedges are recognized in OCI.
In its hedge 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 that 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 at least quarterly 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 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 on the balance sheet at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized 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 OCI related to discontinued cash flow hedges are released into the statement of operations 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 on the balance sheet 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 OCI 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 on the balance sheet, with changes in its estimated fair value recognized in the current period as net derivative gains (losses).

37

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Embedded Derivatives
The Company sells variable annuities and issues certain insurance products and investment contracts and is a party to certain reinsurance agreements that have embedded derivatives. The Company assesses each identified embedded derivative to determine whether it is required to be bifurcated. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for as a freestanding derivative if:
the combined instrument is not accounted for in its entirety at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value recorded in earnings;
the terms of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; and
a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would qualify as a derivative instrument.
Such embedded derivatives are carried on the balance sheet 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 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. At inception, the Company attributes to the embedded derivative a portion of the projected future guarantee fees to be collected from the policyholder equal to the present value of projected future guaranteed benefits. Any additional fees represent “excess” fees and are reported in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
See Note 7 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.
Derivative Strategies
The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, credit and equity market. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivatives.
Derivatives are financial instruments with values 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. Certain of the Company’s OTC derivatives are cleared and settled through central clearing counterparties (“OTC-cleared”), while others are bilateral contracts between two counterparties (“OTC-bilateral”). The types of derivatives the Company uses include swaps, forwards, futures and option contracts. 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.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company uses a variety of interest rate derivatives to reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors, swaptions, futures and forwards.
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 amount. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps in fair value, cash flow and 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 and are not designated as hedging instruments.

38

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

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, 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, to hedge against changes in interest rates on anticipated liability issuances by replicating Treasury or swap curve performance, and to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded interest rate futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
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. The Company utilizes swaptions in non-qualifying hedging relationships. Swaptions are included in interest rate options.
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 utilizes interest rate forwards in cash flow hedging relationships.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Derivatives
The Company uses foreign currency exchange rate derivatives, including foreign currency swaps, foreign currency forwards, currency options and exchange-traded currency futures, 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 derivatives to hedge the foreign currency exchange rate 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 notional amount. The notional 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 at the specified future date. The Company utilizes foreign currency forwards in fair value, net investment in foreign operations and non-qualifying hedging relationships.
The Company enters into currency options 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 currency 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.
To a lesser extent, the Company uses exchange-traded currency futures to hedge currency mismatches between assets and liabilities, and to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded currency futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

39

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Credit Derivatives
The Company enters into purchased credit default swaps to hedge against credit-related changes in the value of its investments. In a credit default swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to pay, at specified intervals, a premium to hedge credit risk. If a credit event occurs, as defined by the contract, 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 amount in exchange for the payment of cash amounts by the counterparty equal to the par value of the investment surrendered. Credit events vary by type of issuer but typically include bankruptcy, failure to pay debt obligations, repudiation, moratorium, involuntary restructuring or governmental intervention. In each case, payout on a credit default swap is triggered only after the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) deems that a credit event has occurred. The Company utilizes credit default swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
The Company enters into written credit default swaps 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. These credit default swaps are not designated as hedging instruments.
The Company also enters into certain purchased and written 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 transactions as credit forwards. The Company utilizes credit forwards in cash flow hedging relationships.
Equity Derivatives
The Company uses a variety of equity derivatives to reduce its exposure to equity market risk, including equity index options, equity variance swaps, exchange-traded equity futures and total rate of return swaps (“TRRs”).
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 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. 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. The Company utilizes equity variance swaps in non-qualifying 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 minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded equity futures 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 Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), calculated by reference to an agreed notional 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. 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.

40

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives
The following table presents the gross notional amount, estimated fair value and primary underlying risk exposure of the Company’s derivatives, excluding embedded derivatives, held at:
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Primary Underlying Risk Exposure
 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest rate
 
$
5,922

 
$
2,294

 
$
19

 
$
6,044

 
$
2,064

 
$
21

Foreign currency swaps
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
3,116

 
87

 
230

 
2,708

 
65

 
100

Foreign currency forwards
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
2,085

 

 
38

 
2,335

 

 
291

Subtotal
 
 
 
11,123

 
2,381

 
287

 
11,087

 
2,129

 
412

Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest rate
 
2,488

 
557

 

 
2,560

 
528

 

Interest rate forwards
 
Interest rate
 
105

 
26

 

 
225

 
63

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
21,612

 
1,141

 
1,748

 
18,325

 
563

 
930

Subtotal
 
 
 
24,205

 
1,724

 
1,748

 
21,110

 
1,154

 
930

Foreign operations hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
3,866

 
78

 
7

 
4,097

 
295

 
11

Currency options
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
6,769

 
293

 
12

 
6,419

 
415

 

Subtotal
 
 
 
10,635

 
371

 
19

 
10,516

 
710

 
11

Total qualifying hedges
 
45,963

 
4,476

 
2,054

 
42,713

 
3,993

 
1,353

Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest rate
 
89,232

 
5,305

 
2,518

 
93,266

 
4,570

 
2,051

Interest rate floors
 
Interest rate
 
27,337

 
395

 
93

 
55,645

 
440

 
199

Interest rate caps
 
Interest rate
 
54,018

 
75

 
2

 
49,128

 
145

 
1

Interest rate futures
 
Interest rate
 
3,874

 
3

 
9

 
2,707

 
4

 
9

Interest rate options
 
Interest rate
 
35,336

 
1,623

 
20

 
48,078

 
1,241

 
75

Synthetic GICs
 
Interest rate
 
4,223

 

 

 
4,298

 

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
11,062

 
669

 
465

 
11,041

 
447

 
385

Foreign currency forwards
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
12,158

 
220

 
230

 
13,206

 
127

 
791

Currency futures
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
2,495

 
1

 
1

 
522

 
2

 

Currency options
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
9,443

 
502

 
229

 
8,324

 
585

 
340

Credit default swaps — purchased
 
Credit
 
2,274

 
27

 
34

 
2,830

 
8

 
34

Credit default swaps — written
 
Credit
 
10,458

 
58

 
11

 
10,527

 
181

 
6

Equity futures
 
Equity market
 
6,748

 
23

 
82

 
6,073

 
65

 
2

Equity index options
 
Equity market
 
46,447

 
1,681

 
920

 
39,345

 
1,426

 
1,036

Equity variance swaps
 
Equity market
 
24,872

 
209

 
682

 
24,598

 
196

 
639

TRRs
 
Equity market
 
3,847

 
248

 
4

 
3,297

 
22

 
101

Total non-designated or non-qualifying derivatives
 
343,824

 
11,039

 
5,300

 
372,885

 
9,459

 
5,669

Total
 
 
 
$
389,787

 
$
15,515

 
$
7,354

 
$
415,598

 
$
13,452

 
$
7,022

Based on gross notional amounts, a substantial portion of the Company’s derivatives was not designated or did not qualify as part of a hedging relationship at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company’s use of derivatives includes (i) derivatives that serve as macro hedges of the Company’s exposure to various risks and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting due to the criteria required under the portfolio hedging rules; (ii) derivatives that economically hedge insurance liabilities that contain mortality or morbidity risk and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting because the lack of these risks in the derivatives cannot support an expectation of a highly effective hedging relationship; (iii) derivatives that economically hedge embedded derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting because the changes in estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives are already recorded in net income; and (iv) written credit default swaps that are used to synthetically create credit investments and that do not qualify for hedge accounting because they do not involve a hedging relationship. For these non-qualified derivatives, changes in market factors can lead to the recognition of fair value changes on the statement of operations without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.

41

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Net Derivative Gains (Losses)
The components of net derivative gains (losses) were as follows:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Derivatives and hedging gains (losses) (1)
$
2,318

 
$
543

 
$
1,433

 
$
1,077

Embedded derivatives gains (losses)
(1,833
)
 
(65
)
 
(1,039
)
 
55

Total net derivative gains (losses)
$
485

 
$
478

 
$
394

 
$
1,132

__________________
(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.
The following table presents earned income on derivatives:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Qualifying hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
$
55

 
$
44

 
$
158

 
$
111

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
6

 
24

 
21

 
88

Other expenses
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
(2
)
Non-qualifying hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
256

 
282

 
757

 
650

Policyholder benefits and claims
4

 
74

 
12

 
10

Total
$
318

 
$
422

 
$
941

 
$
854


42

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Non-Qualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging
The following table presents 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)
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
1,157

 
$

 
$
17

Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
364

 

 

Credit derivatives — purchased
16

 
3

 

Credit derivatives — written
(77
)
 
(1
)
 

Equity derivatives
747

 
(1
)
 
340

Total
$
2,207

 
$
1

 
$
357

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
13

 
$

 
$
3

Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
211

 

 

Credit derivatives — purchased
5

 
1

 

Credit derivatives — written
(32
)
 

 

Equity derivatives
160

 
(1
)
 
12

Total
$
357

 
$

 
$
15

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
250

 
$

 
$
10

Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
443

 

 

Credit derivatives — purchased
9

 
3

 

Credit derivatives — written
(108
)
 

 

Equity derivatives
99

 
(8
)
 
214

Total
$
693

 
$
(5
)
 
$
224

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
616

 
$

 
$
25

Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
199

 

 

Credit derivatives — purchased
(1
)
 
1

 

Credit derivatives — written
(19
)
 

 

Equity derivatives
(446
)
 
(13
)
 
(145
)
Total
$
349

 
$
(12
)
 
$
(120
)
__________________
(1)
Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures, derivatives held in relation to trading portfolios and 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.
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 assets and liabilities to floating rate assets and liabilities; (ii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities; and (iii) foreign currency forwards to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated investments.

43

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (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)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
(4
)
 
$
3

 
$
(1
)
 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
289

 
(290
)
 
(1
)
Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
6

 
(3
)
 
3

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
(47
)
 
46

 
(1
)
Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
49

 
(45
)
 
4

Total
 
$
293

 
$
(289
)
 
$
4

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
9

 
$
(8
)
 
$
1

 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
43

 
(44
)
 
(1
)
Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
12

 
(12
)
 

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
(134
)
 
129

 
(5
)
Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
(49
)
 
45

 
(4
)
Total
 
$
(119
)
 
$
110

 
$
(9
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
(5
)
 
$
8

 
$
3

 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
120

 
(126
)
 
(6
)
Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
13

 
(6
)
 
7

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
(186
)
 
179

 
(7
)
Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
(49
)
 
45

 
(4
)
Total
 
$
(107
)
 
$
100

 
$
(7
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
7

 
$
(5
)
 
$
2

 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
389

 
(379
)
 
10

Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
5

 
(5
)
 

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
(160
)
 
158

 
(2
)
Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
(33
)
 
31

 
(2
)
Total
 
$
208

 
$
(200
)
 
$
8

__________________
(1)
Fixed rate liabilities reported in policyholder account balances or future policy benefits.
(2)
Fixed rate or floating rate liabilities.
For the Company’s foreign currency forwards, the change in the estimated 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 the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, ($4) million and ($9) million, respectively, of the change in estimated fair value of derivatives was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, ($2) million and $3 million, respectively, of the change in estimated fair value of derivatives was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

44

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

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 assets and liabilities to fixed rate assets and liabilities; (ii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency cash flow exposure of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities; (iii) interest rate forwards and credit forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of investments; (iv) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge the forecasted purchases of fixed-rate investments; and (v) 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 were no longer probable of occurring. Because certain of the forecasted transactions also were not probable of occurring within two months of the anticipated date, the Company reclassified amounts from AOCI into net derivative gains (losses). These amounts were ($3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the amounts reclassified from AOCI into net derivative gains (losses) were not significant. These amounts were ($11) million and ($15) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
At both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 six years.
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges was $2.1 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively.

45

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

The following table presents the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and the consolidated statements of equity:
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of Gains
(Losses) Deferred in
AOCI on Derivatives
 
Amount and Location
of Gains (Losses)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income (Loss)
 
Amount and Location
of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Income
(Loss) on Derivatives
 
 
(Effective Portion)
 
(Effective Portion)
 
(Ineffective Portion)
 
 
 
 
Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 
Net Investment
Income
 
Other
Expenses
 
Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
211

 
$
40

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
1

Interest rate forwards
 
7

 
1

 
1

 
1

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
(116
)
 
(286
)
 

 

 
4

Credit forwards
 

 
1

 

 

 

Total
 
$
102

 
$
(244
)
 
$
4

 
$
1

 
$
5

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
96

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
6

Interest rate forwards
 
9

 
(10
)
 

 
1

 
(1
)
Foreign currency swaps
 
13

 
(466
)
 
(1
)
 

 
2

Credit forwards
 

 

 
1

 

 

Total
 
$
118

 
$
(475
)
 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
7

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
116

 
$
52

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
3

Interest rate forwards
 
2

 
5

 
3

 
2

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
(224
)
 
(563
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 
6

Credit forwards
 

 
1

 
1

 

 

Total
 
$
(106
)
 
$
(505
)
 
$
12

 
$
3

 
$
9

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
458

 
$
28

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
6

Interest rate forwards
 
61

 
(8
)
 
2

 
2

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
95

 
(368
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 
1

Credit forwards
 

 

 
1

 

 

Total
 
$
614

 
$
(348
)
 
$
8

 
$
3

 
$
7

All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
At September 30, 2015, ($106) million of deferred net gains (losses) on derivatives in AOCI was expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.
Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations
The Company uses foreign currency exchange rate derivatives, which may include foreign currency forwards and currency options, to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The Company measures ineffectiveness on these derivatives based upon the change in forward rates.
When net investments in foreign operations are sold or substantially liquidated, the amounts in AOCI are reclassified to the statement of operations.

46

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

The following table presents the effects of derivatives in net investment hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and the consolidated statements of equity:
Derivatives in Net Investment Hedging Relationships (1), (2)
 
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI
(Effective Portion)
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
88

Currency options
 
(18
)
Total
 
$
70

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
227

Currency options
 
163

Total
 
$
390

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
244

Currency options
 
(61
)
Total
 
$
183

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
148

Currency options
 
(75
)
Total
 
$
73

__________________
(1)
During both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no sales or substantial liquidations of net investments in foreign operations that would have required the reclassification of gains or losses from AOCI into earnings. In May 2014, the Company sold its interest in MAL (see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report), which was a hedged item in a net investment hedging relationship. As a result, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company released losses of $77 million from AOCI into earnings upon the sale. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, there were no sales or substantial liquidations of net investments in foreign operations that would have required the reclassification of gains or losses from AOCI into earnings.
(2)
There was no ineffectiveness recognized for the Company’s hedges of net investments in foreign operations. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in AOCI related to hedges of net investments in foreign operations was $1.1 billion and $940 million, respectively.
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 $10.5 billion at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company can terminate these contracts at any time through cash settlement with the counterparty at an amount equal to the then current estimated fair value of the credit default swaps. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company would have received $47 million and $175 million, respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.

47

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

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:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
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)
 
$
7

 
$
690

 
2.5

 
$
10

 
$
677

 
2.4

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 
2

 
1,610

 
3.2

 
10

 
1,700

 
2.6

Subtotal
 
9

 
2,300

 
3.0

 
20

 
2,377

 
2.6

Baa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
 
12

 
1,434

 
2.7

 
23

 
1,591

 
2.8

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 
26

 
5,939

 
5.0

 
94

 
5,774

 
4.7

Subtotal
 
38

 
7,373

 
4.5

 
117

 
7,365

 
4.3

Ba
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
 
1

 
60

 
2.2

 

 
60

 
3.0

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 
(1
)
 
100

 
1.2

 
(1
)
 
100

 
2.0

Subtotal
 

 
160

 
1.6

 
(1
)
 
160

 
2.4

B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 

 
625

 
5.1

 
39

 
625

 
4.9

Subtotal
 

 
625

 
5.1

 
39

 
625

 
4.9

Total
 
$
47

 
$
10,458

 
4.2

 
$
175

 
$
10,527

 
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 Ratings 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 gross notional amounts.
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 $10.5 billion and $10.5 billion from the table above were $345 million and $75 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Written credit default swaps held in relation to the trading portfolio amounted to $20 million and $15 million in gross notional amount and ($1) million and $1 million in estimated fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

48

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives
The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivatives. Generally, the current credit exposure of the Company’s derivatives is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivatives at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of master netting or similar agreements and any collateral received pursuant to such agreements.
The Company manages its credit risk related to derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties and establishing and monitoring exposure limits. The Company’s OTC-bilateral derivative transactions are generally governed by ISDA Master Agreements which provide for legally enforceable set-off and close-out netting of exposures to specific counterparties in the event of early termination of a transaction, which includes, but is not limited to, events of default and bankruptcy. In the event of an early termination, the Company is permitted to set off receivables from the counterparty against payables to the same counterparty arising out of all included transactions. Substantially all of the Company’s ISDA Master Agreements also include Credit Support Annex provisions which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral in connection with its OTC-bilateral derivatives.
The Company’s OTC-cleared derivatives are effected through central clearing counterparties and its exchange-traded derivatives are effected through regulated exchanges. Such positions are marked to market and margined on a daily basis (both initial margin and variation margin), and the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to such derivatives.
See Note 7 for a description of the impact of credit risk on the valuation of derivatives.
The estimated fair values of the Company’s net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral were as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Derivatives Subject to a Master Netting Arrangement or a Similar Arrangement (6)
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral (1)
 
$
14,245

 
$
6,008

 
$
12,256

 
$
6,017

OTC-cleared (1)
 
1,470

 
1,295

 
1,380

 
1,054

Exchange-traded
 
27

 
92

 
71

 
11

Total gross estimated fair value of derivatives (1)
 
15,742

 
7,395

 
13,707

 
7,082

Amounts offset on the consolidated balance sheets
 

 

 

 

Estimated fair value of derivatives presented on the consolidated balance sheets (1)
 
15,742

 
7,395

 
13,707

 
7,082

Gross amounts not offset on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral
 
(4,682
)
 
(4,682
)
 
(4,082
)
 
(4,082
)
OTC-cleared
 
(1,225
)
 
(1,225
)
 
(989
)
 
(989
)
Exchange-traded
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Cash collateral: (3), (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral
 
(7,151
)
 
(4
)
 
(4,153
)
 
(133
)
OTC-cleared
 
(244
)
 
(63
)
 
(386
)
 
(62
)
Exchange-traded
 

 
(44
)
 

 
(4
)
Securities collateral: (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral
 
(2,039
)
 
(1,240
)
 
(3,768
)
 
(1,700
)
OTC-cleared
 

 

 

 
(3
)
Exchange-traded
 

 
(46
)
 

 
(2
)
Net amount after application of master netting agreements and collateral
 
$
399

 
$
89

 
$
324

 
$
102

__________________

49

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

(1)
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, derivative assets included income or expense accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of $227 million and $255 million, respectively, and derivative liabilities included income or expense accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of $41 million and $60 million, respectively.
(2)
Estimated fair value of derivatives is limited to the amount that is subject to set-off and includes income or expense accruals.
(3)
Cash collateral received by the Company for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives is included in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments or in fixed maturity securities, and the obligation to return it is included in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions on the balance sheet. In certain instances, cash collateral pledged to the Company as initial margin for OTC-bilateral derivatives is held in separate custodial accounts and is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet because the account title is in the name of the counterparty (but segregated for the benefit of the Company). The amount of this off-balance sheet collateral was $0 and $263 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(4)
The receivable for the return of cash collateral provided by the Company is inclusive of initial margin on exchange-traded and OTC-cleared derivatives and is included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables on the balance sheet. The amount of cash collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreements. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company received excess cash collateral of $76 million and $87 million (including $0 and $36 million off-balance sheet cash collateral held in separate custodial accounts), respectively, and provided excess cash collateral of $175 million and $192 million, respectively, which is not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.
(5)
Securities collateral received by the Company is held in separate custodial accounts and is not recorded on the balance sheet. Subject to certain constraints, the Company is permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral, but at September 30, 2015, none of the collateral had been sold or re-pledged. Securities collateral pledged by the Company is reported in fixed maturity securities on the balance sheet. Subject to certain constraints, the counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral. The amount of securities collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreements and cash collateral. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company received excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $154 million and $395 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company provided excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $145 million and $117 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, and $270 million and $199 million, respectively, for its OTC-cleared derivatives, and $161 million and $245 million, respectively, for its exchange-traded derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.
(6)
See Note 5 for information regarding the Company’s gross and net payables and receivables under repurchase agreement transactions.
The Company’s collateral arrangements for its OTC-bilateral derivatives generally require the counterparty in a net liability position, after considering the effect of netting agreements, to pledge collateral when the estimated 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 derivatives 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 derivatives could terminate the transactions and demand immediate settlement and payment based on such party’s reasonable valuation of the derivatives.
The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC-bilateral 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. OTC-bilateral derivatives that are not subject to collateral agreements are excluded from this table.

50

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

 
 
 
 
Estimated Fair Value of
Collateral Provided
 
Fair Value of Incremental
Collateral Provided Upon
 
 
Estimated
Fair Value of
Derivatives in 
Net Liability
Position (1)
 
Fixed Maturity
Securities
 
Cash
 
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)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives subject to credit-contingent provisions
 
$
1,154

 
$
1,236

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
3

Derivatives not subject to credit-contingent provisions
 
164

 
149

 
4

 

 

Total
 
$
1,318

 
$
1,385

 
$
5

 
$
3

 
$
3

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives subject to credit-contingent provisions
 
$
1,832

 
$
1,750

 
$
131

 
$
5

 
$
7

Derivatives not subject to credit-contingent provisions
 
84

 
65

 
2

 

 

Total
 
$
1,916

 
$
1,815

 
$
133

 
$
5

 
$
7

__________________
(1)
After taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.
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 GMWBs, guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMABs”) and certain GMIBs; ceded reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to 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; fixed annuities with equity-indexed returns; and certain debt and equity securities.
The following table presents the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the Company’s embedded derivatives that have been separated from their host contracts at:
 
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded guaranteed minimum benefits
 
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
$
369

 
$
324

Funds withheld on assumed reinsurance
 
Other invested assets
 
40

 
53

Options embedded in debt or equity securities
 
Investments
 
(269
)
 
(217
)
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts
 
$
140

 
$
160

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits
 
Policyholder account balances and Future policy benefits
 
$
570

 
$
(1,126
)
Assumed guaranteed minimum benefits
 
Policyholder account balances
 
1,016

 
973

Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance
 
Other liabilities
 
5

 
83

Other
 
Policyholder account balances
 
(14
)
 
24

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts
 
$
1,577

 
$
(46
)

51

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

The following table presents changes in estimated fair value related to embedded derivatives:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Net derivative gains (losses) (1)
$
(1,833
)
 
$
(65
)
 
$
(1,039
)
 
$
55

Policyholder benefits and claims
$
59

 
$
32

 
$
40

 
$
55

__________________
(1)
The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes a nonperformance risk adjustment. The amounts included in net derivative gains (losses) in connection with this adjustment were $253 million and $222 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $5 million and ($3) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
7. 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.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, including those items for which the Company has elected the FVO, are presented below.

52

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
September 30, 2015
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$

 
$
93,922

 
$
7,035

 
$
100,957

Foreign corporate

 
52,737

 
5,667

 
58,404

U.S. Treasury and agency
34,085

 
25,569

 
17

 
59,671

Foreign government

 
49,832

 
691

 
50,523

RMBS
32

 
34,538

 
5,480

 
40,050

State and political subdivision

 
15,433

 
46

 
15,479

CMBS

 
11,515

 
847

 
12,362

ABS

 
11,926

 
2,206

 
14,132

Total fixed maturity securities
34,117

 
295,472

 
21,989

 
351,578

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
1,347

 
843

 
126

 
2,316

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 
759

 
324

 
1,083

Total equity securities
1,347

 
1,602

 
450

 
3,399

FVO and trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actively Traded securities

 
656

 
40

 
696

FVO general account securities
460

 
31

 
91

 
582

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
10,665

 
3,147

 
257

 
14,069

FVO securities held by CSEs

 
4

 
10

 
14

Total FVO and trading securities
11,125

 
3,838

 
398

 
15,361

Short-term investments (1)
3,634

 
9,006

 
1,313

 
13,953

Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans — FVO

 

 
315

 
315

Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO

 
204

 

 
204

Total mortgage loans

 
204

 
315

 
519

Other invested assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other investments
167

 

 

 
167

Derivative assets: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
3

 
10,249

 
26

 
10,278

Foreign currency exchange rate
1

 
2,964

 
26

 
2,991

Credit

 
79

 
6

 
85

Equity market
23

 
1,753

 
385

 
2,161

Total derivative assets
27

 
15,045

 
443

 
15,515

Total other invested assets
194

 
15,045

 
443

 
15,682

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (3)

 

 
409

 
409

Separate account assets (4)
76,074

 
221,493

 
1,682

 
299,249

Total assets
$
126,491

 
$
546,660

 
$
26,999

 
$
700,150

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
$
9

 
$
2,651

 
$
1

 
$
2,661

Foreign currency exchange rate
1

 
2,788

 
171

 
2,960

Credit

 
43

 
2

 
45

Equity market
82

 
898

 
708

 
1,688

Total derivative liabilities
92

 
6,380

 
882

 
7,354

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (3)

 
2

 
1,575

 
1,577

Long-term debt of CSEs — FVO

 
61

 
11

 
72

Trading liabilities (5)
164

 
34

 
2

 
200

Total liabilities
$
256

 
$
6,477

 
$
2,470

 
$
9,203


53

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$

 
$
99,012

 
$
6,942

 
$
105,954

Foreign corporate

 
55,185

 
6,490

 
61,675

U.S. Treasury and agency
36,879

 
24,637

 

 
61,516

Foreign government

 
51,355

 
1,311

 
52,666

RMBS

 
35,463

 
4,383

 
39,846

State and political subdivision

 
15,187

 

 
15,187

CMBS

 
13,567

 
765

 
14,332

ABS

 
12,005

 
2,244

 
14,249

Total fixed maturity securities
36,879

 
306,411

 
22,135

 
365,425

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
1,558

 
863

 
95

 
2,516

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 
865

 
250

 
1,115

Total equity securities
1,558

 
1,728

 
345

 
3,631

FVO and trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actively Traded securities
22

 
627

 
5

 
654

FVO general account securities
552

 
57

 
95

 
704

FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
11,064

 
3,797

 
455

 
15,316

FVO securities held by CSEs

 
3

 
12

 
15

Total FVO and trading securities
11,638

 
4,484

 
567

 
16,689

Short-term investments (1)
2,104

 
5,223

 
336

 
7,663

Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans — FVO

 

 
308

 
308

Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO

 
280

 

 
280

Total mortgage loans

 
280

 
308

 
588

Other invested assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other investments
203

 
61

 

 
264

Derivative assets: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
4

 
8,988

 
63

 
9,055

Foreign currency exchange rate
2

 
2,472

 
25

 
2,499

Credit

 
175

 
14

 
189

Equity market
65

 
1,287

 
357

 
1,709

Total derivative assets
71

 
12,922

 
459

 
13,452

Total other invested assets
274

 
12,983

 
459

 
13,716

Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (3)

 

 
377

 
377

Separate account assets (4)
83,533

 
231,539

 
1,922

 
316,994

Total assets
$
135,986

 
$
562,648

 
$
26,449

 
$
725,083

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
$
9

 
$
2,347

 
$

 
$
2,356

Foreign currency exchange rate

 
2,755

 
93

 
2,848

Credit

 
38

 
2

 
40

Equity market
2

 
1,112

 
664

 
1,778

Total derivative liabilities
11

 
6,252

 
759

 
7,022

Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (3)

 
7

 
(53
)
 
(46
)
Long-term debt of CSEs — FVO

 
138

 
13

 
151

Trading liabilities (5)
215

 
24

 

 
239

Total liabilities
$
226

 
$
6,421

 
$
719

 
$
7,366

__________________
(1)
Short-term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented on the consolidated balance sheets because certain short-term investments are not measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis.

54

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

(2)
Derivative assets are presented within other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheets and derivative liabilities are presented within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation on 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.
(3)
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts are presented primarily within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables on the consolidated balance sheets. Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts are presented within policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, debt and equity securities also included embedded derivatives of ($269) million and ($217) million, respectively.
(4)
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.
(5)
Trading liabilities are presented within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The following describes the valuation methodologies used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The description includes the valuation techniques and key inputs for each category of assets or liabilities that are classified within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments
Valuation Controls and Procedures
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 quarterly 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, and determines that judgmental valuation adjustments, when applied, are based upon established policies and are applied consistently over time. This committee also 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 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 considering such pricing relative to 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 1% of the total estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities and 8% of the total estimated fair value of Level 3 fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2015.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

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 were not 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 — FVO and Trading Liabilities
When available, the estimated fair value of these financial instruments is 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 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 investments in certain separate accounts included in FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, FVO securities held by CSEs, other investments, long-term debt of CSEs — FVO and trading liabilities is determined on a basis consistent with the methodologies described herein for securities.
The valuation of most instruments listed below is determined using independent pricing sources, matrix pricing, discounted cash flow methodologies or other similar techniques that use either observable market inputs or unobservable inputs.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Instrument
Level 2
Observable Inputs

Level 3
Unobservable Inputs

Fixed Maturity Securities
U.S. corporate and Foreign corporate securities
 
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market and income approaches.
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market approach.
 
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
 
quoted prices in markets that are not active
illiquidity premium
 
benchmark yields
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
 
spreads off benchmark yields
credit spreads
 
new issuances
quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
 
issuer rating
 
 
duration
independent non-binding broker quotations
 
trades of identical or comparable securities
 
 
 
Privately-placed securities are valued using the additional key inputs:
 
 
 
 
market yield curve
 
 
 
 
call provisions
 
 
 
 
observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded securities that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer
 
 
 
 
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
 
 
U.S. Treasury and agency, Foreign government and State and political subdivision securities
 
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market approach.
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market approach.
 
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
 
quoted prices in markets that are not active
independent non-binding broker quotations
 
benchmark U.S. Treasury yield or other yields
quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
 
the spread off the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the identical security
 
 
issuer ratings and issuer spreads
credit spreads
 
broker-dealer quotes
 
 
 
comparable securities that are actively traded
 
 
 
reported trades of similar securities, including those that are actively traded, and those within the same sub-sector or with a similar maturity or credit rating
 
 
Structured securities comprised of RMBS, CMBS and ABS
 
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market and income approaches.
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market and income approaches.
 
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
 
quoted prices in markets that are not active
credit spreads
 
spreads for actively traded securities
quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
 
spreads off benchmark yields
 
 
expected prepayment speeds and volumes
independent non-binding broker quotations
 
current and forecasted loss severity
 
 
 
ratings
 
 
 
weighted average coupon and weighted average maturity
 
 
 
average delinquency rates
 
 
 
geographic region
 
 
 
debt-service coverage ratios
 
 
 
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
 
 
 
 
vintage of loans
 
 

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Instrument
Level 2
Observable Inputs
Level 3
Unobservable Inputs
Equity Securities
Common and Non-redeemable preferred stock
 
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market approach.
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market and income approaches.
 
Key Input:
Key Inputs:
 
quoted prices in markets that are not considered active
credit ratings
 
 
 
issuance structures
 
 
 
quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
 
 
 
independent non-binding broker quotations
FVO and trading securities, Short-term investments, and Other invested assets
 
FVO and trading securities, short-term investments and other investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity and equity securities described above; accordingly, the valuation techniques and observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above.
FVO and trading securities and short-term investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity and equity securities described above; accordingly, the valuation techniques and unobservable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above.
 
Contractholder-directed unit-linked investments reported within FVO and trading 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 NAV provided by the fund managers, which were based on observable inputs.
 
 
Mortgage Loans — FVO
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO
 
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market approach.
N/A
 
Key Input:
 
 
 
quoted securitization market price of the obligations of the CSEs determined principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans — FVO
 
N/A
Valuation Techniques: Principally the market approach, including matrix pricing or other similar techniques.
 
 
 
 
Key Inputs: Inputs that are unobservable or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data
Separate Account Assets (1)
Mutual funds and hedge funds without readily determinable fair values as prices are not published publicly
 
Key Input:
 
 
 
quoted prices or reported NAV provided by the fund managers
N/A
Other limited partnership interests
 

N/A
Valuation Techniques: Valued giving consideration to the underlying holdings of the partnerships and by applying a premium or discount, if appropriate.
 
 
 
Key Inputs:
 
 
 
liquidity
 
 
 
bid/ask spreads
 
 
 
the performance record of the fund manager
 
 
 
other relevant variables that may impact the exit value of the particular partnership interest
______________
(1)
Estimated fair value equals carrying value, based on the value of the underlying assets, including: mutual fund interests, fixed maturity securities, equity securities, derivatives, hedge funds, other limited partnership interests, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. Fixed maturity securities, equity securities, derivatives, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents are similar in nature to the instruments described under “— Securities, Short-term Investments, Other Investments, Long-term Debt of CSEs — FVO and Trading Liabilities” and “— Derivatives —Freestanding Derivatives Valuation Techniques and Key Inputs.”

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Derivatives
The estimated fair value of derivatives is determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives, or through the use of pricing models for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared 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 controls and procedures for derivatives are described in “— Investments.”
The significant inputs to the pricing models for most OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Certain OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared 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. 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.
Most inputs for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives are mid-market inputs but, in certain cases, liquidity adjustments are made 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.
The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the estimated fair value for all OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared 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 OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives using standard swap curves which may include a spread to the risk-free rate, depending upon specific collateral arrangements. This credit spread is appropriate for those parties that execute trades at pricing levels consistent with similar collateral arrangements. As the Company and its significant derivative counterparties generally execute trades at such pricing levels and hold sufficient collateral, 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.
Freestanding Derivatives Valuation Techniques and Key Inputs
Level 2
This level includes all types of derivatives utilized by the Company with the exception of exchange-traded derivatives included within Level 1 and those derivatives with unobservable inputs as described in Level 3.
Level 3
These valuation methodologies generally use the same inputs as described in the corresponding sections 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.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Freestanding 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. Key inputs are as follows:
Instrument
 
Interest Rate
 
Foreign Currency
Exchange Rate
 
Credit
 
Equity Market
Inputs common to Level 2 and Level 3 by instrument type
swap yield curve
swap yield curve
swap yield curve
swap yield curve
basis curves
basis curves
credit curves
spot equity index levels
interest rate volatility (1)
currency spot rates
recovery rates
dividend yield curves
 
 
 
cross currency basis curves
 
 
equity volatility (1)
 
 
 
currency volatility (1)
 
 
 
 
Level 3
swap yield curve (2)
swap yield curve (2)
swap yield curve (2)
dividend yield curves (2)
 
basis curves (2)
basis curves (2)
credit curves (2)
equity volatility (1), (2)
 
interest rate volatility (1), (2)
cross currency basis curves (2)

credit spreads
correlation between model inputs (1)
 
 
 
currency correlation
repurchase rates
 
 
 
 
 
currency volatility (1)

independent non-binding broker quotations
 
 
______________
(1)
Option-based only.
(2)
Extrapolation beyond the observable limits of the curve(s).
Embedded Derivatives
Embedded derivatives principally include certain direct, assumed and ceded variable annuity guarantees, equity or bond indexed crediting rates within certain funding agreements and annuity contracts, and those related to funds withheld on ceded reinsurance. Embedded derivatives are recorded at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value reported in net income.
The Company issues certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs contain 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 policyholder account balances and future policy benefits on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s actuarial department calculates the fair value of these embedded derivatives, which are 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. 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 nonperformance risk adjustments and adjustments 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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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

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 previously described. These reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives which are included within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables on 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 “— Investments — Securities, Short-term Investments, Other Investments, Long-term Debt of CSEs — FVO and Trading Liabilities.” The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives is included, along with their funds withheld hosts, in other liabilities on 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 a nonperformance risk adjustment. The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives are included, along with their funding agreements host, within policyholder account balances 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.
The Company issues certain annuity contracts which allow the policyholder to participate in returns from equity indices. These equity indexed features are embedded derivatives which are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host fixed annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). These embedded derivatives are classified within policyholder account balances on the consolidated balance sheets.
The estimated fair value of the embedded equity indexed derivatives, based on the present value of future equity returns to the policyholder using actuarial and present value assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior, is calculated by the Company’s actuarial department. The calculation is based on in-force business and uses standard capital market techniques, such as Black-Scholes, to calculate the value of the portion of the embedded derivative for which the terms are set. The portion of the embedded derivative covering the period beyond where terms are set is calculated as the present value of amounts expected to be spent to provide equity indexed returns in those periods. The valuation of these embedded derivatives also includes the establishment of a risk margin, as well as changes in nonperformance risk.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Embedded Derivatives Within Asset and Liability Host Contracts
Level 3 Valuation Techniques and Key Inputs:
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 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:
For assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at September 30, 2015, transfers between Levels 1 and 2 were $264 million. For assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at December 31, 2014, transfers between Levels 1 and 2 were $160 million.
Transfers into or out of Level 3:
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, equity securities, FVO and trading 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, such as illiquidity premiums, delta spread adjustments, or credit spreads.
Transfers out of Level 3 for fixed maturity securities, equity securities, FVO and trading securities, short-term investments 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 (such as observable spreads used in pricing securities) or increases in market activity and upgraded credit ratings.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

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, and the sensitivity of the estimated fair value to changes in those inputs, for the more significant asset and liability classes measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Impact of
Increase in Input
on Estimated
Fair Value (2)
 
Valuation
Techniques
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average (1)
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average (1)
 
Fixed maturity securities (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate and foreign corporate
Matrix pricing
 
Delta spread adjustments (4)
 
(50)
-
240
 
40
 
(40)
-
240
 
46
 
Decrease
 
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (5)
 
1
-
780
 
149
 
-
750
 
151
 
Increase
 
Consensus pricing
 
Offered quotes (5)
 
68
-
119
 
98
 
31
-
126
 
99
 
Increase
Foreign government
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (5)
 
81
-
197
 
113
 
92
-
189
 
106
 
Increase
RMBS
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (5)
 
22
-
165
 
93
 
22
-
120
 
97
 
Increase (6)
ABS
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (5)
 
15
-
112
 
101
 
15
-
110
 
100
 
Increase (6)
 
Consensus pricing
 
Offered quotes (5)
 
66
-
106
 
100
 
56
-
106
 
102
 
Increase (6)
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
Present value techniques
 
Swap yield (7)
 
293
-
583
 
 
 
278
-
297
 
 
 
Increase (12)
Foreign currency exchange rate
Present value techniques
 
Swap yield (7)
 
5
-
330
 
 
 
62
-
2,430
 
 
 
Increase (12)
 
 
 
 
Correlation (8)
 
-
 
 
 
40%
-
55%
 
 
 
 
Credit
Present value techniques
 
Credit spreads (9)
 
99
-
100
 
 
 
98
-
100
 
 
 
Decrease (9)
 
Consensus pricing
 
Offered quotes (10)
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity market
Present value techniques or option pricing models
 
Volatility (11)
 
20%
-
35%
 
 
 
15%
-
27%
 
 
 
Increase (12)
 
 
 
 
Correlation (8)
 
70%
-
70%
 
 
 
70%
-
70%
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits
Option pricing techniques
 
Mortality rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ages 0 - 40
 
0%
-
0.28%
 
 
 
0%
-
0.28%
 
 
 
Decrease (13)
 
 
 
 
 
Ages 41 - 60
 
0.01%
-
0.75%
 
 
 
0.04%
-
0.88%
 
 
 
Decrease (13)
 
 
 
 
 
Ages 61 - 115
 
0.04%
-
100%
 
 
 
0.26%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (13)
 
 
 
 
Lapse rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durations 1 - 10
 
0.25%
-
100%
 
 
 
0.50%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (14)
 
 
 
 
 
Durations 11 - 20
 
2%
-
100%
 
 
 
2%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (14)
 
 
 
 
 
Durations 21 - 116
 
2%
-
100%
 
 
 
2%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (14)
 
 
 
 
Utilization rates
 
0%
-
25%
 
 
 
20%
-
50%
 
 
 
Increase (15)
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal rates
 
0%
-
20%
 
 
 
0%
-
20%
 
 
 
(16)
 
 
 
 
Long-term equity volatilities
 
8.65%
-
33%
 
 
 
7.30%
-
33%
 
 
 
Increase (17)
 
 
 
 
Nonperformance risk spread
 
(0.22)%
-
1.17%
 
 
 
(0.35)%
-
0.81%
 
 
 
Decrease (18)
______________
(1)
The weighted average for fixed maturity securities is determined based on the estimated fair value of the securities.
(2)
The impact of a decrease in input would have the opposite impact on the estimated fair value. For embedded derivatives, changes are based on liability positions.
(3)
Significant increases (decreases) in expected default rates in isolation would result in substantially lower (higher) valuations.
(4)
Range and weighted average are presented in basis points.
(5)
Range and weighted average are presented in accordance with the market convention for fixed maturity securities of dollars per hundred dollars of par.
(6)
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 assumptions used for prepayment rates.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

(7)
Ranges represent the rates across different yield curves and are presented in basis points. The swap yield curve is utilized among different types of derivatives to project cash flows, as well as to discount future cash flows to present value. Since this valuation methodology uses a range of inputs across a yield curve to value the derivative, presenting a range is more representative of the unobservable input used in the valuation.
(8)
Ranges represent the different correlation factors utilized as components within the valuation methodology. Presenting a range of correlation factors is more representative of the unobservable input used in the valuation. Increases (decreases) in correlation in isolation will increase (decrease) the significance of the change in valuations.
(9)
Represents the risk quoted in basis points of a credit default event on the underlying instrument. Credit derivatives with significant unobservable inputs are primarily comprised of written credit default swaps.
(10)
At both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, independent non-binding broker quotations were used in the determination of less than 1% of the total net derivative estimated fair value.
(11)
Ranges represent the underlying equity volatility quoted in percentage points. Since this valuation methodology uses a range of inputs across multiple volatility surfaces to value the derivative, presenting a range is more representative of the unobservable input used in the valuation.
(12)
Changes are based on long U.S. dollar net asset positions and will be inversely impacted for short U.S. dollar net asset positions.
(13)
Mortality rates vary by age and by demographic characteristics such as gender. Mortality rate assumptions are based on company experience. A mortality improvement assumption is also applied. For any given contract, mortality rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(14)
Base lapse rates are adjusted at the contract level based on a comparison of the actuarially calculated guaranteed values and the current policyholder account value, as well as other factors, such as the applicability of any surrender charges. A dynamic lapse function reduces the base lapse rate when the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value as in the money contracts are less likely to lapse. Lapse rates are also generally assumed to be lower in periods when a surrender charge applies. For any given contract, lapse rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(15)
The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contract holders with a GMIB or lifetime withdrawal benefit who will elect to utilize the benefit upon becoming eligible. The rates may vary by the type of guarantee, the amount by which the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value, the contract’s withdrawal history and by the age of the policyholder. For any given contract, utilization rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(16)
The withdrawal rate represents the percentage of account balance that any given policyholder will elect to withdraw from the contract each year. The withdrawal rate assumption varies by age and duration of the contract, and also by other factors such as benefit type. For any given contract, withdrawal rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative. For GMWBs, any increase (decrease) in withdrawal rates results in an increase (decrease) in the estimated fair value of the guarantees. For GMABs and GMIBs, any increase (decrease) in withdrawal rates results in a decrease (increase) in the estimated fair value.
(17)
Long-term equity volatilities represent equity volatility beyond the period for which observable equity volatilities are available. For any given contract, long-term equity volatility rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(18)
Nonperformance risk spread varies by duration and by currency. For any given contract, multiple nonperformance risk spreads will apply, depending on the duration of the cash flow being discounted for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.

64

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

The following is a summary of the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities classified within Level 3 that are not included in the preceding table. Generally, all other classes of securities classified within Level 3, including those within separate account assets, use the same valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs as previously described for Level 3 securities. This includes matrix pricing and discounted cash flow 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. The residential mortgage loans — FVO and long-term debt of CSEs — FVO are valued using independent non-binding broker quotations and internal models including matrix pricing and discounted cash flow methodologies using current interest rates. The sensitivity of the estimated fair value to changes in the significant unobservable inputs for these other assets and liabilities is similar in nature to that described in the preceding table. The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement for the more significant assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis and determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are summarized in “— Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements.”
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):
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
 
U.S.
Corporate
 
Foreign
Corporate
 
U.S
Treasury
and Agency
 
Foreign
Government
 
RMBS
 
State and
Political
Subdivision
 
CMBS
 
ABS
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
7,133

 
$
6,387

 
$
55

 
$
1,336

 
$
4,136

 
$
55

 
$
729

 
$
2,153

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
7

 
2

 

 
4

 
32

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)
 
16

 

 

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
(59
)
 
(237
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(47
)
 
1

 
8

 
(7
)
Purchases (3)
 
694

 
261

 

 
17

 
1,583

 
20

 
165

 
796

Sales (3)
 
(301
)
 
(50
)
 
(1
)
 
(17
)
 
(262
)
 

 
(39
)
 
(117
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
552

 
147

 
18

 
11

 
359

 

 
2

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(1,007
)
 
(843
)
 
(55
)
 
(659
)
 
(318
)
 
(30
)
 
(18
)
 
(619
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
7,035

 
$
5,667

 
$
17

 
$
691

 
$
5,480

 
$
46

 
$
847

 
$
2,206

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$
7

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
32

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


65

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Equity Securities
 
FVO and Trading Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
 
Actively
Traded
Securities
 
FVO
General
Account
Securities
 
FVO
Contractholder-
directed
Unit-linked
Investments
 
FVO
 Securities
Held by CSEs
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans -
FVO
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
157

 
$
332

 
$
13

 
$
88

 
$
364

 
$
10

 
$
1,809

 
$
345

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 
(9
)
 
(7
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Net investment gains (losses)
 
8

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
(11
)
 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 
12

 

 
32

 
13

 
46

 

 
1,296

 
18

Sales (3)
 
(12
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(40
)
 

 
(11
)
 
(37
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(9
)
Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 
80

 

 
5

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(28
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(186
)
 

 
(1,786
)
 

Balance, end of period
 
$
126

 
$
324

 
$
40

 
$
91

 
$
257

 
$
10

 
$
1,313

 
$
315

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(9
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


66

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Net Derivatives (6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
Rate
 
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Rate
 
Credit
 
Equity
Market
 
Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
 
Separate
Account
Assets (8)
 
Long-term
Debt of
CSEs — FVO
 
Trading
Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
18

 
$
(76
)
 
$
9

 
$
(323
)
 
$
841

 
$
1,925

 
$
(12
)
 
$
(4
)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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

Net investment income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 
24

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
1

 
(93
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(1,812
)
 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 
59

 

 

 

OCI
 
7

 

 

 

 
(38
)
 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 
95

 

 
(2
)
Sales (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(93
)
 

 

Issuances (3)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 
24

 

 

 
(216
)
 

 
1

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(271
)
 

 
4

Balance, end of period
 
$
25

 
$
(145
)
 
$
4

 
$
(323
)
 
$
(1,166
)
 
$
1,682

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(2
)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$
(99
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$

 
$
(1,803
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
60

 
$

 
$

 
$


67

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
 
U.S.
Corporate
 
Foreign
Corporate
 
U.S.
Treasury
and Agency
 
Foreign
Government
 
RMBS
 
State and
Political
Subdivision
 
CMBS
 
ABS
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
7,369

 
$
6,612

 
$
320

 
$
1,672

 
$
3,945

 
$
35

 
$
595

 
$
3,786

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
2

 
7

 

 
4

 
11

 

 
2

 
1

Net investment gains (losses)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(13
)
 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
14

 
(179
)
 

 
(32
)
 
28

 
(1
)
 
9

 
(5
)
Purchases (3)
 
645

 
449

 

 
114

 
708

 

 
58

 
1,164

Sales (3)
 
(198
)
 
(145
)
 

 
(29
)
 
(340
)
 
(7
)
 
(64
)
 
(177
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
10

 
124

 

 
167

 

 

 
62

 
74

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(501
)
 
(630
)
 
(320
)
 
(618
)
 
(346
)
 
(23
)
 
(15
)
 
(1,564
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
7,340

 
$
6,233

 
$

 
$
1,278

 
$
4,006

 
$
4

 
$
634

 
$
3,279

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$
2

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(13
)
 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


68

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Equity Securities
 
FVO and Trading Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
 
Actively
Traded
Securities
 
FVO
General
Account
Securities
 
FVO
Contractholder-
directed
Unit-linked
Investments
 
FVO Securities
Held by CSEs
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans - FVO
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
186

 
$
263

 
$
20

 
$
109

 
$
571

 
$
11

 
$
246

 
$
367

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 
(4
)
 
(22
)
 

 
1

 
4

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 
2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
(37
)
 
(5
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 
3

 

 
3

 

 
169

 

 
114

 
3

Sales (3)
 
(10
)
 
(13
)
 
(15
)
 
(6
)
 
(288
)
 

 
(131
)
 
(63
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(13
)
Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
1

 

 

 

 
89

 
1

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(42
)
 

 

 

 
(31
)
 

 
(75
)
 

Balance, end of period
 
$
101

 
$
247

 
$
8

 
$
99

 
$
488

 
$
12

 
$
155

 
$
298

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(16
)
 
$

 
$
1

 
$
4

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


69

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Net Derivatives (6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
Rate
 
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Rate
 
Credit
 
Equity
Market
 
Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
 
Separate
Account
Assets (8)
 
Long-term
Debt of
CSEs — FVO
 
Trading Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
36

 
$
(3
)
 
$
17

 
$
(395
)
 
$
1,020

 
$
1,691

 
$
(15
)
 
$

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 
30

 
(1
)
 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
(9
)
 
(68
)
 
(8
)
 
50

 
(58
)
 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 
(3
)
 
32

 

 

 

OCI
 
20

 
2

 

 
2

 
102

 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 
117

 

 

Sales (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(129
)
 

 

Issuances (3)
 
(2
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
1

 

 

Settlements (3)
 
2

 
15

 

 

 
(231
)
 

 
1

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
219

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(38
)
 

 

Balance, end of period
 
$
47

 
$
(54
)
 
$
8

 
$
(346
)
 
$
865

 
$
1,891

 
$
(15
)
 
$

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$
1

 
$
(52
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
50

 
$
(65
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
31

 
$

 
$

 
$


70

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
 
U.S.
Corporate
 
Foreign
Corporate
 
U.S. Treasury and Agency
 
Foreign
Government
 
RMBS
 
State and
Political
Subdivision
 
CMBS
 
ABS
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
6,942

 
$
6,490

 
$

 
$
1,311

 
$
4,383

 
$

 
$
765

 
$
2,244

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
14

 
11

 

 
10

 
88

 

 

 
3

Net investment gains (losses)
 
33

 
4

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
(301
)
 
(458
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 
(40
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(25
)
Purchases (3)
 
1,250

 
634

 

 
30

 
2,392

 
46

 
308

 
1,362

Sales (3)
 
(658
)
 
(306
)
 
(1
)
 
(39
)
 
(848
)
 

 
(168
)
 
(288
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
687

 
157

 
19

 
7

 
295

 

 
21

 
39

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(932
)
 
(865
)
 

 
(629
)
 
(789
)
 

 
(76
)
 
(1,127
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
7,035

 
$
5,667

 
$
17

 
$
691

 
$
5,480

 
$
46

 
$
847

 
$
2,206

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$
13

 
$
8

 
$

 
$
10

 
$
88

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


71

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Equity Securities
 
FVO and Trading Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
 
Actively
Traded
Securities
 
FVO
General
Account
Securities
 
FVO
Contractholder-
directed
Unit-linked
Investments
 
FVO
 Securities
Held by CSEs
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans -
FVO
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
95

 
$
250

 
$
5

 
$
95

 
$
455

 
$
12

 
$
336

 
$
308

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
(17
)
 

 
1

 
18

Net investment gains (losses)
 
8

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
(10
)
 
(12
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 
54

 
3

 
35

 
14

 
81

 

 
1,313

 
114

Sales (3)
 
(19
)
 
(15
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(121
)
 
(1
)
 
(28
)
 
(100
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(25
)
Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
1

 
106

 

 

 
82

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 

 

 
(223
)
 
(1
)
 
(309
)
 

Balance, end of period
 
$
126

 
$
324

 
$
40

 
$
91

 
$
257

 
$
10

 
$
1,313

 
$
315

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(10
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
18

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


72

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Net Derivatives (6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
Rate
 
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Rate
 
Credit
 
Equity
Market
 
Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
 
Separate
Account
Assets (8)
 
Long-term
Debt of
CSEs — FVO
 
Trading Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
63

 
$
(68
)
 
$
12

 
$
(307
)
 
$
430


$
1,922

 
$
(13
)
 
$

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 
5

 

 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
(8
)
 
(118
)
 
(8
)
 
(30
)
 
(1,004
)
 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 
1

 
40

 

 

 

OCI
 
2

 
1

 

 

 
(19
)
 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 

 

 

 
4

 

 
297

 

 
(2
)
Sales (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(232
)
 

 

Issuances (3)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 
(31
)
 
40

 

 
9

 
(613
)
 
(2
)
 
2

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
3

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(311
)
 

 

Balance, end of period
 
$
25

 
$
(145
)
 
$
4

 
$
(323
)
 
$
(1,166
)
 
$
1,682

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(2
)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$
(107
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$
(1,016
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
43

 
$

 
$

 
$


73

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
 
U.S.
Corporate
 
Foreign
Corporate
 
U.S.
Treasury
and Agency
 
Foreign
Government
 
RMBS
 
State and
Political
Subdivision
 
CMBS
 
ABS
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
7,148

 
$
6,704

 
$
62

 
$
2,235

 
$
2,957

 
$
10

 
$
972

 
$
4,210

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
7

 
16

 

 
106

 
34

 

 
2

 
6

Net investment gains (losses)
 
(6
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(4
)
 
8

 

 
(14
)
 
(39
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
276

 
277

 

 
(104
)
 
96

 

 
(21
)
 
56

Purchases (3)
 
1,213

 
893

 

 
265

 
1,278

 

 
133

 
2,369

Sales (3)
 
(746
)
 
(516
)
 

 
(160
)
 
(443
)
 

 
(270
)
 
(793
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
261

 
281

 

 
189

 
146

 
4

 
73

 
37

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 
(813
)
 
(1,414
)
 
(62
)
 
(1,249
)
 
(70
)
 
(10
)
 
(241
)
 
(2,567
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
7,340

 
$
6,233

 
$

 
$
1,278

 
$
4,006

 
$
4

 
$
634

 
$
3,279

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$
4

 
$
15

 
$

 
$
7

 
$
34

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
2

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
(13
)
 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


74

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Equity Securities
 
FVO and Trading Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Non-
redeemable
Preferred
Stock
 
Actively
Traded
Securities
 
FVO
General
Account
Securities
 
FVO
Contractholder-
directed
Unit-linked
Investments
 
FVO Securities
Held by CSEs
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans - FVO
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
177

 
$
395

 
$
12

 
$
29

 
$
603

 
$

 
$
254

 
$
338

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 
7

 
6

 

 
3

 
15

Net investment gains (losses)
 
13

 
4

 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCI
 
(78
)
 
6

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

Purchases (3)
 
28

 

 
8

 

 
290

 

 
126

 
49

Sales (3)
 
(40
)
 
(58
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
(449
)
 
(2
)
 
(205
)
 
(78
)
Issuances (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(26
)
Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 
1

 

 

 
69

 
60

 
14

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 

 
(100
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(22
)
 

 
(20
)
 

Balance, end of period
 
$
101

 
$
247

 
$
8

 
$
99

 
$
488

 
$
12

 
$
155

 
$
298

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
15

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


75

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Net Derivatives (6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
Rate
 
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Rate
 
Credit
 
Equity
Market
 
Net
Embedded
Derivatives (7)
 
Separate
Account
Assets (8)
 
Long-term
Debt of
CSEs — FVO
 
Trading
Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
13

 
$
(11
)
 
$
29

 
$
(317
)
 
$
1,258

 
$
1,465

 
$
(28
)
 
$

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss): (1), (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 
99

 
(1
)
 

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
16

 
(59
)
 
(17
)
 
(39
)
 
102

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims
 

 

 

 
4

 
55

 

 

 

OCI
 
69

 
2

 

 
2

 
78

 

 

 

Purchases (3)
 

 

 

 
4

 

 
510

 

 

Sales (3)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(337
)
 

 

Issuances (3)
 
(2
)
 

 
(4
)
 

 

 
82

 

 

Settlements (3)
 
(49
)
 
14

 

 

 
(628
)
 
(28
)
 
14

 

Transfers into Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
147

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(47
)
 

 

Balance, end of period
 
$
47

 
$
(54
)
 
$
8

 
$
(346
)
 
$
865

 
$
1,891

 
$
(15
)
 
$

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss): (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net investment gains (losses)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
$
1

 
$
(45
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(38
)
 
$
103

 
$

 
$

 
$

Policyholder benefits and claims
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
55

 
$

 
$

 
$

__________________
(1)
Amortization of premium/accretion of discount is included within net investment income. Impairments charged to net income (loss) on securities are included in net investment gains (losses), while changes in estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans - FVO are included in net investment income. 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)
Items purchased/issued and then sold/settled in the same period are excluded from the rollforward. Fees attributed to embedded derivatives are included in settlements.
(4)
Gains and losses in net income (loss) and OCI are calculated assuming transfers into and/or out of Level 3 occurred at the beginning of the period. Items transferred into and then out of Level 3 in the same period are excluded from the rollforward.
(5)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) relate to assets and liabilities still held at the end of the respective periods.
(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).

76

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Fair Value Option
The following table presents information for certain assets and liabilities accounted for under the FVO. These assets and liabilities were initially measured at fair value.
 
 
Residential Mortgage
Loans — FVO
 
Certain Assets
and Liabilities
of CSEs — FVO (1)
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unpaid principal balance
 
$
445

 
$
436

 
$
152

 
$
223

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance
 
(130
)
 
(128
)
 
52

 
57

Carrying value at estimated fair value
 
$
315

 
$
308

 
$
204

 
$
280

Loans in non-accrual status
 
$
125

 
$
125

 
$

 
$

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual principal balance
 
 
 
 
 
$
83

 
$
159

Difference between estimated fair value and contractual principal balance
 
 
 
 
 
(11
)
 
(8
)
Carrying value at estimated fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
72

 
$
151

__________________
(1)
These assets and liabilities are comprised of commercial mortgage loans and long-term debt. Changes in estimated fair value on these assets and liabilities and gains or losses on sales of these assets are recognized in net investment gains (losses). Interest income on commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO is recognized in net investment income. Interest expense from long-term debt of CSEs — FVO is recognized in other expenses.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents information for assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the periods and still held at the reporting dates (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The estimated fair values for these assets were determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
 
At September 30,
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Carrying Value After Measurement
 
Gains (Losses)
 
(In millions)
Mortgage loans (1)
$
44

 
$
106

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
(1
)
 
$
3

Other limited partnership interests (2)
$
53

 
$
92

 
$
(8
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(51
)
__________________
(1)
Estimated fair values for impaired mortgage loans are based on independent broker quotations or valuation models using unobservable inputs or, if the loans are in foreclosure or are otherwise determined to be collateral dependent, are based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows.
(2)
For these cost method investments, estimated fair value is determined from information provided in the financial statements of the underlying entities including NAV data. 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. 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 at both September 30, 2015 and 2014 were not significant.


77

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Carried at Other Than Fair Value
The following tables provide fair value information for financial instruments that are carried on the balance sheet at amounts other than fair value. These tables exclude the following financial instruments: 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 therefore are not included in the three level hierarchy table disclosed in the “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements” section. The estimated fair value of the excluded financial instruments, which are primarily classified in Level 2, approximates 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. All remaining balance sheet amounts excluded from the table below are not considered financial instruments subject to this disclosure.
The carrying values and estimated fair values for such financial instruments, and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, are summarized as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
$
63,034

 
$

 
$

 
$
65,631

 
$
65,631

Policy loans
$
11,549

 
$

 
$
1,592

 
$
12,324

 
$
13,916

Real estate joint ventures
$
41

 
$

 
$

 
$
114

 
$
114

Other limited partnership interests
$
580

 
$

 
$

 
$
729

 
$
729

Other invested assets
$
541

 
$
162

 
$
2

 
$
377

 
$
541

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
$
5,578

 
$

 
$
3,264

 
$
2,416

 
$
5,680

Other assets
$
365

 
$

 
$
337

 
$
61

 
$
398

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder account balances
$
124,476

 
$

 
$

 
$
129,880

 
$
129,880

Long-term debt
$
16,674

 
$

 
$
18,226

 
$

 
$
18,226

Collateral financing arrangements
$
4,152

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,925

 
$
3,925

Junior subordinated debt securities
$
3,194

 
$

 
$
4,036

 
$

 
$
4,036

Other liabilities
$
6,730

 
$

 
$
5,396

 
$
1,336

 
$
6,732

Separate account liabilities
$
111,427

 
$

 
$
111,427

 
$

 
$
111,427

 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
$
59,530

 
$

 
$

 
$
62,554

 
$
62,554

Policy loans
$
11,618

 
$

 
$
1,647

 
$
12,287

 
$
13,934

Real estate joint ventures
$
67

 
$

 
$

 
$
139

 
$
139

Other limited partnership interests
$
704

 
$

 
$

 
$
906

 
$
906

Other invested assets
$
562

 
$
172

 
$
70

 
$
320

 
$
562

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
$
3,070

 
$

 
$
713

 
$
2,444

 
$
3,157

Other assets
$
251

 
$

 
$
175

 
$
68

 
$
243

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder account balances
$
134,219

 
$

 
$

 
$
139,359

 
$
139,359

Long-term debt
$
16,128

 
$

 
$
18,357

 
$

 
$
18,357

Collateral financing arrangements
$
4,196

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,961

 
$
3,961

Junior subordinated debt securities
$
3,193

 
$

 
$
4,173

 
$

 
$
4,173

Other liabilities
$
2,544

 
$

 
$
1,223

 
$
1,323

 
$
2,546

Separate account liabilities
$
116,665

 
$

 
$
116,665

 
$

 
$
116,665


78

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

The methods, assumptions and significant valuation techniques and inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are summarized as follows:
Mortgage Loans
The estimated fair value of mortgage loans is primarily determined by estimating expected future cash flows and discounting them using current interest rates for similar mortgage loans with similar credit risk, or is determined from pricing for similar loans.
Policy Loans
Policy loans with fixed interest rates are classified within Level 3. The estimated fair values for these loans are determined using a discounted cash flow 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 estimated fair values of these cost method investments 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
These other invested assets are principally comprised of various interest-bearing assets held in foreign subsidiaries and certain amounts due under contractual indemnifications. 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 are principally comprised of certain amounts recoverable under reinsurance agreements, amounts on deposit with financial institutions to facilitate daily settlements related to certain derivatives and amounts receivable for securities sold but not yet settled. 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.”
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 discounted cash flow 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
These other assets are principally comprised of a receivable for funds due but not yet settled and a receivable for cash paid to an unaffiliated financial institution under the MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston (“MRC”) collateral financing arrangement described in Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 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.

79

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Policyholder Account Balances
These policyholder account balances 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 (“TCA”). The valuation of these investment contracts is based on discounted cash flow methodologies using significant unobservable inputs. The estimated fair value is determined using current market risk-free interest rates adding a spread to reflect the nonperformance risk in the liability.
Long-term Debt, Collateral Financing Arrangements and Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
The estimated fair values of long-term debt, collateral financing arrangements and junior subordinated debt securities are principally determined using market standard valuation methodologies. Capital leases, which are not required to be disclosed at estimated fair value, are excluded from the preceding tables.
Valuations of instruments classified as Level 2 are based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active or using matrix pricing 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 discounted cash flow 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 of instruments classified as Level 3 are based primarily on discounted cash flow methodologies that utilize unobservable discount rates that can vary significantly based upon the specific terms of each individual arrangement. The determination of estimated fair values of collateral financing arrangements incorporates valuations obtained from the counterparties to the arrangements as part of the collateral management process.
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 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 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.

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Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

8. Long-term Debt
Senior Notes Issuances
In March 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued $500 million of senior notes due in March 2025 which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.00%, payable semi-annually. Also in March 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued $1.0 billion of senior notes due in March 2045 which bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.05%, payable semi-annually. In connection with the issuances, MetLife, Inc. incurred $12 million of related costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the terms of the senior notes.
9. Equity
Preferred Stock
In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued 1,500,000 shares of 5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Series C preferred stock"), with a $0.01 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $1.5 billion.
The Series C preferred stock ranks senior to MetLife, Inc.’s common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of the Series C preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board. If dividends are declared on the Series C preferred stock for any dividend period, they will be calculated on a non-cumulative basis at a fixed rate per annum of 5.25% from the date of original issue to but excluding June 15, 2020, and at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 3.575% on the related LIBOR determination date from and after June 15, 2020. Dividends for any dividend period will be payable, if declared, semi-annually in arrears on the 15th day of June and December of each year commencing on December 15, 2015 and ending on June 15, 2020, and thereafter quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of September, December, March and June of each year.
Dividends on the Series C preferred stock will not be cumulative and will not be mandatory. Accordingly, if dividends are not declared on the Series C preferred stock for any dividend period, then any accrued dividends for that dividend period will cease to accrue and be payable. If a dividend is not declared before the dividend payment date for any dividend period, MetLife, Inc. will have no obligation to pay dividends accrued for such dividend period whether or not dividends on the Series C preferred stock are declared for any future dividend period. No dividends may be paid or declared on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (or any other securities ranking junior to the Series C preferred stock) and MetLife, Inc. may not purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire its common stock (or other such junior stock) unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on all outstanding shares of Series C preferred stock, and any parity stock, have been declared and paid or provided for.
On or prior to December 31, 2018, MetLife, Inc. is prohibited from declaring dividends on the Series C preferred stock if it fails to meet specified capital adequacy, net income and stockholders’ equity levels. Beginning on January 1, 2019, MetLife, Inc. will no longer be subject to such limitations. At September 30, 2015, there were no dividends declared on the Series C preferred stock.
Holders of the Series C preferred stock do not have voting rights except in certain circumstances, including where the dividends have not been paid for an equivalent of six or more dividend payment periods whether or not those periods are consecutive. Under such circumstances, the holders of the Series C preferred stock have certain voting rights with respect to members of the Board of Directors of MetLife, Inc.
The Series C preferred stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund, retirement fund, purchase fund or similar provisions. MetLife, Inc. may, at its option, redeem the Series C preferred stock, (i) in whole but not in part, at any time prior to June 15, 2020, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “regulatory capital event,” and (ii) in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after June 15, 2020, in each case, at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per Series C preferred share, plus an amount equal to any dividends per share that have accrued but not been declared and paid for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, such redemption date. A “regulatory capital event” could occur as a result of a change or proposed change in capital adequacy rules (or the interpretation or application thereof) that would apply to MetLife, Inc. from rules (or the interpretation or application thereof) in effect with respect to bank holding companies as of June 1, 2015 that would create a more than insubstantial risk, as determined by MetLife, Inc., that the Series C preferred stock would not be treated as “Tier 1 Capital” or as capital with attributes similar to those of Tier 1 Capital.

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Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
9. Equity (continued)

In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. entered into a replacement capital covenant (“RCC”) related to the Series C preferred stock. As part of such RCC, MetLife, Inc. agreed that it will not repay, redeem or purchase the Series C preferred stock on or before December 31, 2018, unless, subject to certain limitations, it has received proceeds during a specified period from the sale of specified replacement securities. The RCC is for the benefit of the holders of the related covered debt, which is currently MetLife, Inc.’s 10.750% Fixed-to-Floating Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2069. The RCC will terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) December 31, 2018, or the date on which the Series C preferred stock are no longer outstanding or the RCC is not otherwise still in effect, (ii) the date on which the holders in majority principal amount of the then-effective covered debt consent to the termination of the RCC, or (iii) the date on which MetLife, Inc. has no series of outstanding eligible debt securities.
In connection with the offering of the Series C preferred stock, MetLife, Inc. incurred $17 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. conducted a tender offer for up to 59,850,000 of its 60,000,000 shares of 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B preferred stock”), at a purchase price of $25 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued, unpaid and undeclared dividends from, and including, June 15, 2015 to, but excluding, June 29, 2015, the settlement date of the tender offer. In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. also delivered a notice of redemption to the holders of the Series B preferred stock, pursuant to which it would redeem any shares of Series B preferred stock not purchased by it in the tender offer at a redemption price of $25 per share, without any payment for accrued, unpaid and undeclared dividends on the Series B preferred stock from, and including, June 15, 2015 to, but excluding July 1, 2015, the redemption date. On June 29, 2015, MetLife, Inc. repurchased and canceled 37,192,413 shares of Series B preferred stock in the tender offer for $932 million in cash. On July 1, 2015, MetLife, Inc. redeemed and canceled the remaining 22,807,587 shares of Series B preferred stock not tendered in the tender offer for an aggregate redemption price of $570 million in cash. In connection with the tender offer and redemption, MetLife, Inc. recognized a preferred stock repurchase premium of $42 million (calculated as the difference between the carrying value of the Series B preferred stock and the total amount paid by MetLife, Inc. to the holders of the Series B preferred stock in connection with the tender offer and redemption), which was reflected as a reduction to retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheet.
Further information on MetLife, Inc.’s authorized, issued and outstanding preferred stock was as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Series
 
Shares
Authorized
 
Shares
Issued
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Shares
Authorized
 
Shares
Issued
 
Shares
Outstanding
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
 
27,600,000

 
24,000,000

 
24,000,000

 
27,600,000

 
24,000,000

 
24,000,000

6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (1)
 
69,000,000

 

 

 
69,000,000

 
60,000,000

 
60,000,000

5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
 
1,500,000

 
1,500,000

 
1,500,000

 

 

 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
 
10,000,000

 

 

 
10,000,000

 

 

Not designated
 
91,900,000

 

 

 
93,400,000

 

 

Total
 
200,000,000

 
25,500,000

 
25,500,000

 
200,000,000

 
84,000,000

 
84,000,000

__________________
(1)
As previously discussed, MetLife, Inc. redeemed and canceled the Series B preferred stock in 2015.
Common Stock
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 22,475,816 and 8,168,318 shares through open market purchases for $1.1 billion and $443 million, respectively.
In September 2015, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized additional repurchases of $739 million of its common stock, bringing MetLife, Inc.’s available repurchase authorization under the December 2014 and September 2015 authorizations to $1.0 billion. At September 30, 2015, MetLife, Inc. had $893 million remaining under its common stock repurchase authorizations. Common stock repurchases are dependent upon several factors, including the Company’s capital position, liquidity, financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions, 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 Note 15 for information on common stock repurchases subsequent to September 30, 2015.

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Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
9. Equity (continued)

Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Performance Shares and Performance Units
For outstanding awards granted prior to the January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015 performance period, vested Performance Shares and Performance Units were multiplied by a performance factor of 0% to 200% based on MetLife, Inc.’s adjusted income, total shareholder return, and performance in change in annual net operating earnings and total shareholder return compared to the performance of its competitors, each measured with respect to the applicable three-year performance period or portions thereof. See also “— Payout of 2012 – 2014 Performance Shares” and “— Payout of 2012 – 2014 Performance Units.”
For outstanding awards granted for the January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2015 and later performance periods, any vested Performance Shares and Performance Units will be multiplied by a performance factor of 0% to 175%. Assuming that MetLife, Inc. has met threshold performance goals related to its adjusted income or total shareholder return, the MetLife, Inc. Compensation Committee will determine the performance factor in its discretion. In doing so, the Compensation Committee may consider MetLife, Inc.’s total shareholder return relative to the performance of its competitors and MetLife, Inc.’s operating return on equity relative to its financial plan. The estimated fair value of Performance Shares and Performance Units will be remeasured each quarter until they become payable.
Beginning in 2015, MetLife, Inc. grants awards under the MetLife, Inc. 2015 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (successor to the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan) and the MetLife, Inc. 2015 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan (successor to the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan), each of which was approved by MetLife, Inc. common stockholders in 2014.
Payout of 2012 – 2014 Performance Shares
Final Performance Shares are paid in shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. The performance factor for the January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2014 performance period was 101%. This factor has been applied to the 1,756,839 Performance Shares associated with that performance period that vested on December 31, 2014 and, as a result, in April 2015, 1,774,407 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (less withholding for taxes and other items, as applicable) were issued, excluding shares that payees choose to defer.
Payout of 2012 – 2014 Performance Units
Final Performance Units 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, 2012 – December 31, 2014 performance period was 101%. This factor has been applied to the 129,734 Performance Units associated with that performance period that vested on December 31, 2014 and, as a result, in April 2015, the cash value of 131,031 units (less withholding for taxes and other items, as applicable) was paid.

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Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
9. Equity (continued)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Information regarding changes in the balances of each component of AOCI attributable to MetLife, Inc., was as follows:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Defined
Benefit
Plans
Adjustment
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
11,761

 
$
1,102

 
$
(4,214
)
 
$
(2,206
)
 
$
6,443

OCI before reclassifications
962

 
102

 
(336
)
 

 
728

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
(340
)
 
(47
)
 
(24
)
 

 
(411
)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
12,383

 
1,157

 
(4,574
)
 
(2,206
)
 
6,760

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(102
)
 
239

 

 
57

 
194

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
34

 
(77
)
 

 
(20
)
 
(63
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
(68
)
 
162

 

 
37

 
131

Sale of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

 

 

Sale of subsidiary, net of income tax

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
12,315

 
$
1,319

 
$
(4,574
)
 
$
(2,169
)
 
$
6,891

 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2014
 
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Defined
Benefit
Plans
Adjustment
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
13,909

 
$
476

 
$
(1,739
)
 
$
(1,588
)
 
$
11,058

OCI before reclassifications
(56
)
 
118

 
(264
)
 
28

 
(174
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
130

 
(49
)
 
(157
)
 
(9
)
 
(85
)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
13,983

 
545

 
(2,160
)
 
(1,569
)
 
10,799

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(214
)
 
471

 

 
45

 
302

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
62

 
(158
)
 

 
(13
)
 
(109
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
(152
)
 
313

 

 
32

 
193

Sale of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

 

 

Sale of subsidiary, net of income tax

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
13,831

 
$
858

 
$
(2,160
)
 
$
(1,537
)
 
$
10,992


84

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
9. Equity (continued)

 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Defined
Benefit
Plans
Adjustment
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
15,159

 
$
1,076

 
$
(3,303
)
 
$
(2,283
)
 
$
10,649

OCI before reclassifications
(3,923
)
 
(106
)
 
(1,243
)
 
3

 
(5,269
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
1,337

 
37

 
(28
)
 
(1
)
 
1,345

AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
12,573

 
1,007

 
(4,574
)
 
(2,281
)
 
6,725

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(392
)
 
490

 

 
171

 
269

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
134

 
(178
)
 

 
(59
)
 
(103
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
(258
)
 
312

 

 
112

 
166

Sale of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

 

 

Sale of subsidiary, net of income tax

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
12,315

 
$
1,319

 
$
(4,574
)
 
$
(2,169
)
 
$
6,891

 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2014
 
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Defined
Benefit
Plans
Adjustment
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
8,183

 
$
231

 
$
(1,659
)
 
$
(1,651
)
 
$
5,104

OCI before reclassifications
9,126

 
614

 
(486
)
 
34

 
9,288

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
(2,851
)
 
(210
)
 
(71
)
 
(11
)
 
(3,143
)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
14,458

 
635

 
(2,216
)
 
(1,628
)
 
11,249

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(563
)
 
337

 
77

 
136

 
(13
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
176

 
(114
)
 
(27
)
 
(45
)
 
(10
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
(387
)
 
223

 
50

 
91

 
(23
)
Sale of subsidiary (2)
(320
)
 

 
6

 

 
(314
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
80

 

 

 

 
80

Sale of subsidiary, net of income tax
(240
)
 

 
6

 

 
(234
)
Balance, end of period
$
13,831

 
$
858

 
$
(2,160
)
 
$
(1,537
)
 
$
10,992

__________________
(1)
See Note 5 for information on offsets to investments related to future policy benefits, DAC, VOBA and DSI, and the policyholder dividend obligation.
(2)
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.

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Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
9. Equity (continued)

Information regarding amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI was as follows:
AOCI Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Locations
 
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
$
104

 
$
167

 
$
353

 
$
359

 
Net investment gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
3

 
14

 
60

 
99

 
Net investment income
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
(5
)
 
33

 
(21
)
 
105

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), before income tax
 
102

 
214

 
392

 
563

 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(34
)
 
(62
)
 
(134
)
 
(176
)
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax
 
$
68

 
$
152

 
$
258

 
$
387

 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives - cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
40

 
$
1

 
$
52

 
$
28

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate swaps
 
3

 
3

 
9

 
7

 
Net investment income
Interest rate forwards
 
1

 
(10
)
 
5

 
(8
)
 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate forwards
 
1

 

 
3

 
2

 
Net investment income
Interest rate forwards
 
1

 
1

 
2

 
2

 
Other expenses
Foreign currency swaps
 
(286
)
 
(466
)
 
(563
)
 
(368
)
 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Foreign currency swaps
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
Net investment income
Foreign currency swaps
 

 

 
1

 
1

 
Other expenses
Credit forwards
 
1

 

 
1

 

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Credit forwards
 

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
Net investment income
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, before income tax
 
(239
)
 
(471
)
 
(490
)
 
(337
)
 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
77

 
158

 
178

 
114

 
 
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of income tax
 
$
(162
)
 
$
(313
)
 
$
(312
)
 
$
(223
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign translation adjustment
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(77
)
 
Net investment gains (losses)
Income tax (expense) benefit
 

 

 

 
27

 
 
Foreign translation adjustment, net of income tax
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(50
)
 
 
Defined benefit plans adjustment: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)
 
$
(58
)
 
$
(45
)
 
$
(174
)
 
$
(136
)
 
 
Amortization of prior service (costs) credit
 
1

 

 
3

 

 
 
Amortization of defined benefit plan items, before
 income tax
 
(57
)
 
(45
)
 
(171
)
 
(136
)
 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
20

 
13

 
59

 
45

 
 
Amortization of defined benefit plan items, net of income tax
 
$
(37
)
 
$
(32
)
 
$
(112
)
 
$
(91
)
 
 
Total reclassifications, net of income tax
 
$
(131
)
 
$
(193
)
 
$
(166
)
 
$
23

 
 
__________________
(1)
These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 11.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

10. Other Expenses
Information on other expenses was as follows:
 
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Compensation
 
$
1,157

 
$
1,221

 
$
3,706

 
$
3,636

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs
 
100

 
131

 
297

 
368

Commissions
 
1,103

 
1,294

 
3,382

 
3,884

Volume-related costs
 
264

 
227

 
761

 
639

Capitalization of DAC
 
(955
)
 
(1,071
)
 
(2,850
)
 
(3,149
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
1,131

 
1,054

 
3,053

 
3,174

Amortization of negative VOBA
 
(90
)
 
(107
)
 
(282
)
 
(333
)
Interest expense on debt
 
302

 
295

 
908

 
919

Premium taxes, licenses and fees
 
199

 
192

 
568

 
612

Professional services
 
366

 
348

 
1,079

 
1,035

Rent and related expenses, net of sublease income
 
78

 
95

 
245

 
273

Other (1)
 
878

 
539

 
1,798

 
1,545

Total other expenses
 
$
4,533

 
$
4,218

 
$
12,665

 
$
12,603

__________________
(1)
See Note 12 for a discussion of a charge related to income tax included in both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

11. Employee Benefit Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Certain subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. sponsor and/or administer various U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement employee benefit plans covering employees and sales representatives who meet specified eligibility requirements. These subsidiaries also provide certain postemployment benefits and certain postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for retired employees.
The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
(In millions)
Service costs
$
54

 
$
14

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
50

 
$
17

 
$
3

 
$

Interest costs
101

 
5

 
22

 

 
109

 
3

 
23

 
1

Settlement and curtailment costs

 

 

 

 
14

 

 

 

Expected return on plan assets
(134
)
 
(2
)
 
(19
)
 

 
(119
)
 
(2
)
 
(19
)
 

Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses
47

 
1

 
10

 

 
42

 

 
3

 

Amortization of prior service costs (credit)
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit costs (credit)
$
67

 
$
18

 
$
16

 
$

 
$
96

 
$
18

 
$
10

 
$
1

 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
(In millions)
Service costs
$
162

 
$
44

 
$
11

 
$
1

 
$
150

 
$
51

 
$
10

 
$
1

Interest costs
303

 
15

 
66

 
1

 
327

 
10

 
69

 
2

Settlement and curtailment costs

 

 

 

 
14

 

 

 

Expected return on plan assets
(403
)
 
(5
)
 
(59
)
 

 
(356
)
 
(6
)
 
(56
)
 
(1
)
Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses
141

 
2

 
31

 

 
127

 

 
9

 

Amortization of prior service costs (credit)
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 

 
1

 

 
(1
)
 

Net periodic benefit costs (credit)
$
202

 
$
56

 
$
47

 
$
2

 
$
263

 
$
55

 
$
31

 
$
2



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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

12. Income Tax
The Company recorded a non-cash charge to net income of $792 million, net of tax, during the third quarter of 2015. The charge was related to an uncertain tax position and was comprised of a $557 million charge included in provision for income tax expense (benefit) and a $362 million ($235 million, net of tax) charge included in other expenses.
This charge is the result of the Company’s consideration of recent decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upholding the disallowance of foreign tax credits claimed by other corporate entities not affiliated with the Company. The Company’s action relates to tax years from 2000 to 2009, during which MLIC held non-U.S. investments in support of its life insurance business through a United Kingdom investment subsidiary that was structured as a joint venture at the time.
There has been no change in the Company’s position on the disallowance of its foreign tax credits by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The Company continues to contest the disallowance of these foreign tax credits by the IRS as management believes the facts strongly support the Company’s position. The Company will defend its position vigorously and does not expect any additional charges related to this matter.
Also related to the aforementioned foreign tax credit matter, on April 9, 2015, the IRS issued to the Company a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (the “Notice”) for years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Notice asserted that the Company owes additional taxes and interest for these years primarily due to the disallowance of foreign tax credits. The transactions that are the subject of the Notice continue through 2009, and it is likely that the IRS will seek to challenge these later periods. On September 18, 2015, the Company paid the assessed tax and interest of $444 million for 2000 through 2002 and will subsequently file a claim for a refund.




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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

13. 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 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions, except share and per share data)
Weighted Average Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common stock outstanding for basic earnings per common share
 
1,118,856,041

 
1,125,165,772

 
1,120,130,708

 
1,126,280,770

Incremental common shares from assumed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock purchase contracts underlying common equity units
 

 
4,572,193

 

 
3,904,760

Exercise or issuance of stock-based awards
 
11,085,040

 
11,308,766

 
10,575,611

 
10,662,053

Weighted average common stock outstanding for diluted earnings per common share
 
1,129,941,081

 
1,141,046,731

 
1,130,706,319

 
1,140,847,583

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
$
1,198

 
$
2,094

 
$
4,480

 
$
4,812

Less: Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(5
)
 

 
4

 
21

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

 Preferred stock repurchase premium
 

 

 
42

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
 
$
1,197

 
$
2,064

 
$
4,367

 
$
4,700

Basic
 
$
1.07

 
$
1.83

 
$
3.90

 
$
4.17

Diluted
 
$
1.06

 
$
1.81

 
$
3.86

 
$
4.12

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
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
)
Basic
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Diluted
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Net Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
1,198

 
$
2,094

 
$
4,480

 
$
4,809

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(5
)
 

 
4

 
21

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

 Preferred stock repurchase premium
 

 

 
42

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
 
$
1,197

 
$
2,064

 
$
4,367

 
$
4,697

Basic
 
$
1.07

 
$
1.83

 
$
3.90

 
$
4.17

Diluted
 
$
1.06

 
$
1.81

 
$
3.86

 
$
4.12


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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)

14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is a defendant in a large number of litigation matters. 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. 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 September 30, 2015. 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 September 30, 2015, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for these matters to be $0 to $425 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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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

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. 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 2014 Annual Report, MLIC received approximately 4,636 asbestos-related claims in 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, MLIC received approximately 2,971 and 3,641 new asbestos-related claims, respectively. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for historical information concerning asbestos claims and MLIC’s increase in its recorded liability at December 31, 2014. 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 claims may be materially greater than the asbestos liability currently accrued and that future charges to income may be necessary. 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.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

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 United States, 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 reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through September 30, 2015.
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”), as well as from local and national regulators and government authorities in countries outside the United States where MetLife conducts business, seeking a broad range of information. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely. The Company cooperates in these inquiries.
Mortgage Regulatory and Law Enforcement Authorities’ Inquiries
MetLife, through its affiliate, MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”), was engaged in the origination, sale and servicing of forward and reverse residential mortgage loans since 2008. In 2012, MetLife Bank exited the business of originating residential mortgage loans. In 2012 and 2013, MetLife Bank sold its residential mortgage servicing portfolios, and in 2013 wound down its mortgage servicing business. In August 2013, MetLife Bank merged with and into MetLife Home Loans LLC (“MLHL”), its former subsidiary, with MLHL as the surviving non-bank entity.
In May 2013, MetLife Bank received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice requiring production of documents relating to MetLife Bank’s payment of certain foreclosure-related expenses to law firms and business entities affiliated with law firms and relating to MetLife Bank’s supervision of such payments, including expenses submitted to the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for reimbursement. It is possible that various state or federal regulatory and law enforcement authorities may seek monetary penalties from MLHL relating to foreclosure practices.
In April and May 2012, MetLife Bank received two subpoenas issued by the Office of Inspector General for HUD regarding Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) insured loans. In June and September 2012, MetLife Bank received two Civil Investigative Demands 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. Under a February 25, 2015 agreement resolving this investigation, MLHL paid $123.5 million and the U.S. Department of Justice released MLHL from False Claims Act liability for FHA claims filed through August 25, 2014. The Company previously accrued the full amount of the settlement payment in its consolidated financial statements.
The inquiries and investigations referred to above could adversely affect MetLife’s reputation or result in significant fines, penalties, equitable remedies or other enforcement actions, and result in significant legal costs in responding to governmental investigations or other litigation. Exiting the MetLife Bank businesses may not protect MetLife from 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. Management believes that the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole will not be materially affected by these regulatory matters.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

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 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 September 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 September 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.
New York Licensing Inquiry
The Company entered into a consent order with the New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department of Financial Services”) to resolve its inquiry into whether American Life Insurance Company (American Life”) and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (DelAm”) conducted business in New York without a license and whether representatives acting on behalf of those companies solicited, sold or negotiated insurance products in New York without a license. The Company entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the District Attorney, New York County, regarding the same conduct. Pursuant to these agreements, in the first quarter of 2014, the Company paid $50 million to the Department of Financial Services and $10 million to the District Attorney, New York County. The Department of Financial Services consent order allowed certain activities in New York related to American Life and other entities to continue through June 30, 2015. On July 2, 2015, New York Insurance Law Section 2117 was amended to allow certain activities to take place in New York that relate to a policy or contract of group life, group annuity, or group accident and health insurance where the policyholder or proposed policyholder is a multinational entity resident outside the United States. The Company is continuing to cooperate with the New York State Office of the Attorney General Taxpayer Protection Bureau as to its inquiry concerning American Life’s and DelAm’s New York State tax filings.
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 USA, New England Life Insurance Company (“NELICO”), and General American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), and broker-dealer MetLife Securities, Inc. (“MSI”). 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.
FINRA Investigation of Sale and Replacement of Variable Annuities
On September 25, 2015, FINRA served notice that it will recommend disciplinary action against MetLife, Inc.’s affiliated broker-dealer, MSI, in connection with potential violations of FINRA rules regarding alleged misrepresentations, suitability, and supervision in connection with sales and replacements of variable annuities and certain riders on such annuities. FINRA staff has indicated they will seek a significant fine. The Company is cooperating in this investigation. The Company has included what it currently believes to be the probable and estimable amount of such loss in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and has included amounts for potential additional liability in excess of that accrued in the aggregate estimate of reasonably possible loss provided above.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Unclaimed Property Litigation
West Virginia Lawsuits
On September 20, 2012, the West Virginia Treasurer filed an action against MLIC in West Virginia state court (West Virginia ex rel. John D. Perdue v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Circuit Court of Putnam County, Civil Action No. 12-C-295) alleging that MLIC violated the West Virginia Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, seeking to compel compliance with the Act, and seeking payment of unclaimed property, interest, and penalties. On November 14, 2012, November 21, 2012, December 28, 2012, and January 9, 2013, the Treasurer filed substantially identical suits against MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company, NELICO, MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut and GALIC, respectively. On June 16, 2015, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals reversed the Circuit Court’s order that had granted defendants’ motions to dismiss the actions and remanded them to the Circuit Court for further proceedings. The defendants intend to defend these actions vigorously.
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 a second amended complaint alleging that MetLife, Inc. and several current and former directors and executive officers of MetLife, Inc. violated the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), as well as the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) 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. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. On September 11, 2015, the court issued an order dismissing all claims under the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5, and dismissing all claims under the Securities Act except for those based on alleged misrepresentations of mortality ratios. Following the court’s September 11, 2015 order, the plaintiff filed a third amended complaint that supplemented the factual allegations of the second amended complaint. The defendants intend to continue to defend this action vigorously.
City of Birmingham Retirement and Relief System v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (Circuit Court of 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 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. On March 31, 2015, a federal court granted plaintiff’s motion to remand this action to state court. On October 14, 2015, the state court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.
Derivative Actions and Demands
Seeking to sue derivatively on behalf of MetLife, Inc., two shareholders commenced separate actions against members of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors, alleging that they breached their fiduciary and other duties to the Company. Plaintiffs 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 two actions (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)) have been consolidated. The defendants intend to continue to defend these actions vigorously.
Total Control Accounts Litigation
MLIC is a defendant in a lawsuit related to its use of retained asset accounts, known as TCA, as a settlement option for death benefits.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Owens v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (N.D. Ga., filed April 17, 2014)
This putative class action lawsuit alleges that MLIC’s use of the TCA as the settlement option for life insurance benefits under some group life insurance policies violates MLIC’s fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). As damages, plaintiff seeks disgorgement of profits that MLIC realized on accounts owned by members of the putative class. The court denied MLIC’s motion to dismiss the complaint. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Reinsurance Litigation
Robainas, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., December 16, 2014)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all persons and entities who, directly or indirectly, purchased, renewed or paid premiums on life insurance policies issued by MLIC from 2009 through 2014 (the “Policies”). Two similar actions were subsequently filed, Yale v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., January 12, 2015) and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 15 v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (E.D.N.Y., February 2, 2015). Both of these actions were consolidated with the Robainas action. The consolidated complaint alleges that MLIC inadequately disclosed in its statutory annual statements that certain reinsurance transactions with affiliated reinsurance companies were collateralized using “contractual parental guarantees,” and thereby allegedly misrepresented its financial condition and the adequacy of its reserves. The lawsuit sought recovery under Section 4226 of the New York Insurance Law of a statutory penalty in the amount of the premiums paid for the Policies. On October 9, 2015, the court granted MLIC’s motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint, finding that plaintiffs lacked Article III standing because they did not allege any concrete injury as a result of the alleged conduct.
Intoccia v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., April 20, 2015)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action on behalf of themselves and all persons and entities who, directly or indirectly, purchased, renewed or paid premiums for Guaranteed Benefits Insurance Riders attached to variable annuity contracts with MLIC from 2009 through 2015 (the “Annuities”). The court consolidated Weilert v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., April 30, 2015) with the Intoccia case, and the consolidated, amended complaint alleges that MLIC inadequately disclosed in its statutory annual statements that certain reinsurance transactions with affiliated reinsurance companies were collateralized using “contractual parental guarantees,” and thereby allegedly misrepresented its financial condition and the adequacy of its reserves. The lawsuits seek recovery under Section 4226 of the New York Insurance Law of a statutory penalty in the amount of the premiums paid for Guaranteed Benefits Insurance Riders attached to the Annuities. On October 9, 2015, the court issued an order to show cause why the Intoccia action should not be dismissed pursuant to the reasoning in the court’s order dismissing the Robainas case discussed above.
Other Litigation
McGuire v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (E.D. Mich., filed February 22, 2012)
This lawsuit was filed by the fiduciary for the Union Carbide Employees’ Pension Plan and alleges that MLIC, which issued annuity contracts to fund some of the benefits the Plan provides, engaged in transactions that ERISA prohibits and violated duties under ERISA and federal common law by determining that no dividends were payable with respect to the contracts from and after 1999. On August 8, 2014, the court denied the parties’ motions for summary judgment. The court has not yet set a new trial date.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada Indemnity Claim
In 2006, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (“Sun Life”), as successor to the purchaser of MLIC’s Canadian operations, filed a 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 were 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 but subsequently agreed to withdraw the appeal and consider the indemnity claim through arbitration. In September 2010, Sun Life notified MLIC that a purported class action lawsuit was filed against Sun Life in Toronto, Fehr 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 in May 2013, 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. These sales practices cases against Sun Life are ongoing, and the Company is unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss arising from this litigation.
Fauley v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., et al. (Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Ill., July 3, 2014)
Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against defendants, including MLIC and a former MetLife financial services representative, alleging that the defendants sent unsolicited fax advertisements to plaintiff and others in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, as amended by the Junk Fax Prevention Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227. The court issued a final order certifying a nationwide settlement class and approving a settlement under which MLIC has agreed to pay up to $23 million to resolve claims as to fax ads sent between August 23, 2008 and August 7, 2014. Objectors to the settlement have appealed the approval order.
MetLife, Inc. v. Financial Stability Oversight Council (D. D.C., January 13, 2015)
MetLife, Inc. filed this action in federal court seeking to overturn the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank systemically important financial institution (“non-bank SIFI”). The suit is brought under the section of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act providing that a company designated as a non-bank SIFI may petition the federal courts for review, and seeks an order requiring that the final determination be rescinded. The court scheduled oral argument on the parties’ cross motions for summary judgment for February 10, 2016.
Voshall v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, April 8, 2015)
Plaintiff filed this putative class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and all persons covered under a long-term group disability income insurance policy issued by MLIC to public entities in California between April 8, 2011 and April 8, 2015. Plaintiff alleges that MLIC improperly reduced benefits by including cost of living adjustments and employee paid contributions in the employer retirement benefits and other income that reduces the benefit payable under such policies. Plaintiff asserts causes of action for declaratory relief, violation of the California Business & Professions Code, breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
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 defend vigorously 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.

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MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (Continued)
14. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

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 net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Commitments
Mortgage Loan Commitments
The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loan commitments. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $5.6 billion and $4.0 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments, Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments
The Company commits to fund partnership investments and to lend funds under bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $6.7 billion and $5.3 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
15. Subsequent Events
Common Stock Repurchases
From October 1, 2015 through October 30, 2015, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 3,288,239 shares of its common stock in the open market for $153 million.
Common Stock Dividend
On October 27, 2015, the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2015 common stock dividend of $0.375 per share payable on December 11, 2015 to shareholders of record as of November 6, 2015. The Company estimates that the aggregate dividend payment will be $418 million.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Index to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Page

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Forward-Looking Statements and Other Financial Information
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, 2014, as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 21, 2015 (as revised, the “2014 Annual Report”), the cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements included below, the “Risk Factors” set forth in Part II, Item 1A, and the additional risk factors referred to therein, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” 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, or are tied to future periods, 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.”
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 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 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. See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for definitions of these and other measures.
Executive Summary
Overview
MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. MetLife is organized into six segments, reflecting three 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. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company’s segments and Corporate & Other.
In the first quarter of 2015, we implemented certain segment reporting changes related to the (i) measurement of segment operating earnings, which included revising our capital allocation methodology, and (ii) the realignment of consumer direct business. These changes were applied retrospectively and did not have an impact on total consolidated operating earnings or net income. See “— Other Key Information — Segment Information” for further details.
Current Period Highlights
For the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the same period of 2014, we experienced sales growth across most of our regions; in particular, we had higher sales of retail annuity and accidental & health products. In the current period, the Company incurred a tax charge and a related charge for interest on uncertain tax positions recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. Investment yields declined as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment. Our annual review of actuarial assumptions resulted in a decrease in earnings. Unfavorable underwriting results were driven by unfavorable claims experience in our property and casualty business.

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Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
$
1,198

 
$
2,094

 
$
4,480

 
$
4,812

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
382

 
109

 
535

 
(427
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
485

 
478

 
394

 
1,132

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)
(206
)
 
(146
)
 
(693
)
 
(923
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
(174
)
 
(202
)
 
69

 
(38
)
Operating earnings
711

 
1,855

 
4,175

 
5,068

Less: Preferred stock dividends
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
$
705

 
$
1,825

 
$
4,108

 
$
4,977

__________________    
(1)
See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses under “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for the components of such adjustments.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, decreased $896 million from the prior period. The decrease was predominantly due to the following:
an unfavorable change in operating earnings available to common shareholders of $1.1 billion, net of income tax; and
a favorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $273 million ($177 million, net of income tax) due to higher net gains on sales of real estate, as well as a favorable change in foreign currency transaction gains due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.
Operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased $1.1 billion, net of income tax, from the prior period. This decrease reflects lower investment yields, an unfavorable impact from our annual review of actuarial assumptions and unfavorable underwriting results.
Our current period results also include:
a $557 million one-time tax charge and a $362 million ($235 million, net of income tax) one-time charge for interest on uncertain tax positions that were recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties related to the U.S. tax treatment of taxes paid by a wholly-owned United Kingdom (“UK”) investment subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”); and
a $60 million one-time tax benefit related to restructuring in Chile.
Our prior period results include:
a $41 million one-time tax charge related to tax reform in Chile.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, decreased $332 million from the prior period. This includes a one-time tax benefit in Japan of $174 million in the current period. The decrease was predominantly due to the following:
an unfavorable change in operating earnings available to common shareholders of $869 million, net of income tax;
an unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses) of $738 million ($480 million, net of income tax) due to unfavorable changes in market and other risks in embedded derivatives; and
a favorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $962 million ($625 million, net of income tax), primarily due to the prior period loss on the disposition of MetLife Assurance Limited (“MAL”). For further information on MAL, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2014 Annual Report.


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Operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased $869 million, net of income tax, from the prior period. This decrease reflects lower investment yields and an unfavorable impact from our annual review of actuarial assumptions, partially offset by higher net investment income from portfolio growth.
Our current period results also include:
the aforementioned $557 million one-time tax charge and the aforementioned $362 million ($235 million, net of income tax) one-time charge for interest on uncertain tax positions;
a $60 million one-time tax benefit related to restructuring in Chile; and
a $61 million one-time tax benefit in Japan related to a change in tax rate.
Our prior period results include:
charges totaling $57 million, net of income tax, related to a settlement with the New York State Department of Financial Services (the “Department of Financial Services”) and the District Attorney, New York County; and
a $41 million one-time tax charge related to tax reform in Chile.
Consolidated Company Outlook
As part of an enterprise-wide strategic initiative, we announced in May 2012 that, by 2016, we expected to increase our operating return on common stockholders’ equity (“operating ROE”), excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), to the 12% to 14% range, driven by higher operating earnings. This target assumed that regulatory capital rules appropriately reflect the life insurance business model and that we have clarity on the rules in a reasonable time frame, allowing for meaningful share repurchases prior to 2016. However, due to substantially lower share repurchases, regulatory uncertainty regarding capital requirements as a non-bank systemically important financial institution (“non-bank SIFI”), lower investment margins (primarily in the U.S.) as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment, lower than anticipated merger and acquisition activity to date and the impact on our foreign operations of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, we expect our operating ROE to be below this range.
Since we announced this strategic initiative, we have continued to expand our business outside of the U.S., thereby continuing to increase our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. In order to enhance the understanding of our performance in light of such expansion, we have developed an additional method of calculating operating ROE that includes the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments (“FCTA”) in both components of the ratio (operating earnings and equity). The original method of calculating operating ROE excludes all components of AOCI, including FCTA; the new method refines the calculation by excluding AOCI other than FCTA. FCTA can have a positive or negative impact on operating ROE depending on the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies. Reflecting FCTA in both components of the ratio eliminates volatility in the ratio due to foreign currency fluctuations. We expect our operating ROE, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, to be approximately 11% in 2016.

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We expect to achieve our target for operating ROE, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, by primarily focusing on the following:
Growth in premiums, fees and other revenues driven by:
-    Accelerated growth in Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits;
-    Increased fee revenue reflecting the benefit of higher equity markets on our separate account balances; and
-
Increases in our businesses outside of the U.S., notably accident & health, from continuing organic growth throughout our various geographic regions and leveraging our multichannel distribution network.
Expanding our presence in emerging markets, including potential merger and acquisition activity. In our 2012 strategic plan, we expected that by 2016, 20% or more of our operating earnings would come from emerging markets, with the acquisition of Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Provida S.A. (“ProVida”) contributing to this increase. However, due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, increased earnings from the favorable U.S. equity markets, and lower than anticipated merger and acquisition activity, we expect to be below the 20% target in 2016.
Disciplined underwriting. We see no significant changes to the underlying trends that drive underwriting results; however, unanticipated catastrophes could result in a high volume of claims.
Expense management in the light of the low interest rate environment, and continued expense control throughout the Company.
Continued disciplined approach to investing and asset/liability management (“ALM”), through our enterprise risk and ALM governance process.
Part of this strategic initiative has been to leverage our scale to improve the value we provide to customers and shareholders and achieve $1 billion in annual efficiencies, up to $400 million of which will be reinvested in technology, platforms and functionality to improve our current operations and develop new capabilities. We also continue to balance our product mix between protection products and more capital-intensive products in order to maintain predictable operating earnings and cash flows. To this end, we introduced new variable annuity products and/or enhancements in late 2014 and early 2015. We anticipate profitable growth for annuity sales in 2015 and beyond.
Other Key Information
Basis of Presentation
Certain international subsidiaries have a fiscal year cutoff of November 30th. Accordingly, the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries as of August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014 and the operating results of such subsidiaries for the three months and nine months ended August 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company is in the process of converting to calendar year reporting for these subsidiaries. We expect to substantially complete these conversions by 2016. The impact of the conversions on our financial statements to date has been de minimis and, therefore, has been reported in net income in the quarter of conversion.

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Segment Information
In the first quarter of 2015, we implemented certain segment reporting changes related to the (i) measurement of segment operating earnings, which included revising our capital allocation methodology, and (ii) the realignment of consumer direct business. Consequently, prior period results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were impacted as follows:
Retail’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by $86 million and $135 million, net of ($111) million and ($200) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits’ operating earnings increased (decreased) by $4 million and $10 million, net of ($2) million and $2 million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Corporate Benefit Funding’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($13) million and ($39) million, net of ($10) million and ($32) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Latin America’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($30) million and ($79) million, net of ($16) million and ($46) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
Asia’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by $4 million and $14 million, net of $3 million and $5 million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively;
EMEA’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($18) million and ($56) million, net of ($13) million and ($31) million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively; and
Corporate & Other’s operating earnings increased (decreased) by ($33) million and $15 million, net of $149 million and $302 million of income tax expense (benefit), respectively.
Management continues to evaluate the Company’s segment performance and allocated resources and may adjust related measurements in the future to better reflect segment profitability. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Industry Trends
The following information on industry trends should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends” in Part II, Item 7, of the 2014 Annual Report and in Part I, Item 2, of MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015.
We continue to be impacted by the unstable global financial and economic environment that has been affecting the industry.
Financial and Economic Environment
Concerns about the economic conditions, capital markets and the solvency of certain European Union (“EU”) member states, including Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain (“Europe’s perimeter region”), their banking systems and the financial institutions that have significant direct or indirect exposure to debt issued by these countries or significant exposure to their banking systems, have been a cause of elevated levels of market volatility. With the exception of Greece, economic conditions in Europe’s perimeter region seem to be stabilizing or improving, as evidenced by the stabilization of credit ratings, particularly in Spain, Portugal and Ireland. The approval by the Greek Parliament on July 16, 2015, of the significant austerity measures imposed on Greece by its creditors, however, has not eliminated fears about the further default by Greece on its sovereign debt or its potential exit from the Euro zone. The temporary bailout package, which includes short-term financing and the commitment of a privatization fund, approved by the EU on July 17, 2015 is intended to temporarily sustain the Greek banking system and enable payment of Greece’s immediate debts until a new bailout package can be negotiated. Remaining uncertainty regarding the feasibility of negotiating such a future bailout package may continue to affect the Euro exchange rate and have uncertain impacts on interest rates and risk markets. While the immediate threat of further loan defaults and Greece’s departure from the Euro zone may have been averted by the temporary bailout package, further support of Greece, including extension of payment deadlines and potential debt write-offs, may be necessary in the future and the extent to which the European Central Bank (“ECB”), International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) and other EU member states will further support Greece’s membership in the Euro zone is unclear. See “— Investments — Current Environment” for information regarding our exposure to obligations of European governments and private obligors.

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The financial markets have also been affected by concerns that other EU member states could experience similar financial troubles as Greece or that other countries could default on their obligations, have to restructure their outstanding debt, or that financial institutions with significant holdings of sovereign or private debt issued by borrowers in Europe’s perimeter region could experience financial stress, any of which could have significant adverse effects on the European and global economies and on financial markets, generally. In September 2012, the ECB announced a new bond buying program, Outright Monetary Transactions (“OMT”), intended to stabilize the European financial crisis. This program involves the potential purchase by the ECB of sovereign bonds with maturities of one to three years. The OMT has not been activated to date, but the possibility of its use by the ECB helped to lower sovereign yields in Europe’s perimeter region. In June 2015, the Court of Justice of the European Union upheld the legality of the OMT.
In the second half of 2014, the ECB cut interest rates further, imposing a negative rate on bank deposits, and announced additional accommodative monetary policy measures in an effort to lessen the risk of deflation in the Euro zone. These measures included providing inexpensive financing facilities designed to incentivize banks to extend loans and, from November 2014, buying private sector asset-backed securities and covered bonds. At its meeting on July 16, 2015, the ECB maintained its asset purchase program at €60 billion per month, including ECB purchases of sovereign debt on secondary markets (“quantitative easing” or “QE”). The QE program commenced in March 2015 and is expected to run through September 2016, but could extend beyond that if economic conditions worsen. These measures are intended to counter the threat of deflation, lower borrowing costs in the Euro zone and encourage corporations to issue more asset-backed securities. With the exception of Greece, economic growth in the Euro zone is showing signs of improving but continues to be weak overall. Despite the temporary bailout package for Greece approved on July 17, 2015, the implementation of the required austerity measures may cause economic growth in Greece to decline. In addition, concerns about the political and/or economic stability of countries in regions outside the EU, including Ukraine, Russia, Argentina and the Middle East, as well as Puerto Rico, have contributed to global market volatility. See “Risk Factors — Economic Environment and Capital Markets-Related Risks — We Are Exposed to Significant Financial and Capital Markets Risks 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,” and “Risk Factors — Economic Environment and Capital Markets-Related Risks — If Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally Persist, They May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations” included in the 2014 Annual Report. See also “— Investments — Current Environment — Selected Country and Sector Investments” for information regarding our investments in Ukraine, Russia, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Greece.
We face substantial exposure to the Japanese economy given our operations there. Structural weaknesses and debt sustainability have yet to be addressed effectively. Going forward, Japan’s structural and demographic challenges may continue to limit its potential growth unless reforms that boost productivity are put into place. Japan’s high public sector debt levels are mitigated by low refinancing risks and its nominal yields on government debt have remained at a lower level than that of any other developed country. However, frequent changes in government have prevented policy makers from implementing fiscal reform measures to put public finances on a sustainable path. In January 2013, the government and the Bank of Japan pledged to strengthen policy coordination to end deflation and to achieve sustainable economic growth. This was followed by the adoption of a 2% inflation target by the Bank of Japan. In early April 2013, the Bank of Japan announced a new round of monetary easing measures including increased government bond purchases at longer maturities. In October 2013, the government agreed to raise the consumption tax from 5% to 8% effective April 1, 2014. This led to two consecutive quarters of growth contraction, causing the government to delay a planned increase in the consumption tax to 10% until 2017. On October 31, 2014, the Bank of Japan announced a program to purchase larger quantities of government bonds. Such purchases are intended to keep borrowing costs low and the yen weak thereby supporting economic growth. Despite continued weakness in the yen, inflation has remained low due to reduced oil prices and is not expected to rise materially as low oil prices are expected to persist and Gross Domestic Product growth is likely to remain low. Japan’s public debt trajectory could continue to rise until strategies to consolidate public finances and institute growth-enhancing reforms are implemented. On December 30, 2014, the government of Japan proposed a tax reform plan that would lower the Japanese corporate tax rate by approximately 2% effective April 1, 2015. The tax reform plan was enacted on March 31, 2015. As a result, the Company recorded a one-time benefit of $174 million in the second quarter of 2015, which included an increase in Asia’s operating earnings of $61 million. In addition, we expect this tax law change will favorably affect our estimated annual effective tax rate for 2015 by approximately 0.3% as compared to 2014.
Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment
As a global insurance company, we are affected by the monetary policy of central banks around the world, as well as the monetary policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) in the United States. The Federal Reserve Board has taken a number of actions in recent years to spur economic activity, including keeping interest rates low. The Federal Reserve Board may reverse this policy and begin raising rates sometime over the next year, at a pace which may have an impact on the pricing levels of risk-bearing investments, and may adversely impact the level of product sales.

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On October 29, 2014, the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”), citing sufficient underlying strength in the economy to support progress toward maximum employment and the substantial improvement in the outlook for labor market conditions since the inception of its asset purchase program, decided to conclude the program. Most recently, on October 28, 2015, the FOMC reaffirmed that a target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25% remains appropriate. The FOMC also indicated that it expects the labor market to improve further and inflation to move back to its 2.0% target over the medium term. The FOMC will assess progress on its objectives of maximum employment and 2.0% inflation in determining whether to raise the federal funds rate at its next meeting in December 2015. The possibility of the Federal Reserve Board increasing the federal funds rate in the future may affect interest rates and risk markets in the U.S. and other developed and emerging economies. However, the timing of any increases of the federal funds rate by the Federal Reserve Board is uncertain and subject to change depending on the Federal Reserve Board’s assessment of economic growth, inflation and other factors.
Regulatory Developments
In the U.S., our life insurance companies are regulated primarily at the state level, with some products and services also subject to federal regulation. In addition, MetLife, Inc. and its U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation under the insurance holding company laws of various U.S. jurisdictions. As a non-bank SIFI, MetLife, Inc. is also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (together with the Federal Reserve Board, the “Federal Reserve”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Furthermore, some of MetLife’s operations, products and services are subject to consumer protection laws, securities, broker-dealer and investment adviser regulations, environmental and unclaimed property laws and regulations, and to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. See “— U.S. Regulation” below, as well as “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation,” “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — Our Insurance and Brokerage Businesses Are Highly Regulated, and Changes in Regulation and in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth,” “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Our Statutory Life Insurance Reserve Financings May Be Subject to Cost Increases and New Financings May Be Subject to Limited Market Capacity,” and “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — 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 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments” and similarly named sections under the caption “Risk Factors.”
Our international insurance operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are located or operate. In addition, our investment and pension companies outside of the U.S. are subject to oversight by the relevant securities, pension and other authorities of the countries in which the companies operate. Our non-U.S. insurance businesses are also subject to current and developing solvency regimes which impose various capital and other requirements. As a global systemically important insurer (“G-SII”), MetLife, Inc. may also become subject to additional capital requirements. See “— International Regulation” below, as well as “Business — Regulation — International Regulation” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments.”

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U.S. Regulation
Insurance Regulation
Holding Company Regulation
NAIC
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) adopted revisions to the NAIC Insurance Holding Company System Model Act (“Model Holding Company Act”) and the Insurance Holding Company System Model Regulation in December 2010. The revised models include a new requirement that the ultimate controlling person of a U.S. insurer file an annual enterprise risk report with the lead state of the insurer identifying risks likely to have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition or liquidity of the insurer or its insurance holding company system as a whole. To date, several states where MetLife has domestic insurers have enacted a version of the revised Model Holding Company Act, including the enterprise risk reporting requirement. In December 2014, the NAIC adopted amendments to the Model Holding Company Act that would authorize state insurance commissioners to act as global group-wide supervisors for internationally active insurance groups, as well as other insurers who choose to opt in for the group-wide supervision. The amendments create a selection process for the group-wide supervisor, extend confidentiality protection to communications with the group-wide supervisor, and outline the duties of the group-wide supervisor. To date, several jurisdictions have adopted laws and regulations enhancing group-wide supervision.
Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI
On December 18, 2014, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) designated MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and to enhanced supervision and prudential standards. See “Business Regulation U.S. Regulation Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI Enhanced Prudential Standards for Non-Bank SIFIs” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Industry Trends Regulatory Developments U.S. Regulation Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI Enhanced Prudential Standards for Non-Bank SIFIs.”
On January 13, 2015, MetLife, Inc. filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asking the court to review and rescind the FSOC’s designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI. The court scheduled oral argument on the parties’ cross motions for summary judgment for February 10, 2016. Regulation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI could materially and adversely affect our business. For example, although the Federal Reserve Board has not yet determined the enhanced capital requirements that will apply to MetLife, those capital requirements may adversely affect our ability to compete with other insurers that are not subject to those requirements, and our ability to issue guarantees could be constrained. In addition, as a non-bank SIFI, MetLife, Inc. needs to obtain Federal Reserve approval before directly or indirectly acquiring, merging or consolidating with a financial company having more than $10 billion of assets or acquiring 5% or more of any voting class of securities of a bank or bank holding company and, depending on the extent of the combined company’s liabilities, is subject to additional restrictions regarding its ability to merge. The Federal Reserve also has the right to require any of our insurance companies, or insurance company affiliates, to take prompt action to correct any financial weaknesses.
International Regulation
Solvency Regimes
Other Solvency Regimes
In China, the business of our joint venture (as well as the industry) will be impacted by the China Risk Oriented Solvency System (“C-ROSS”), a new risk-based solvency regime. The final version of C-ROSS was published by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (“CIRC”) in February 2015, followed by a transitional period of the solvency system with respect to meeting the capital requirements and enhancing risk management capability. In the transitional period, insurance companies prepare two parallel sets of solvency reports based on both current and C-ROSS requirements and report the results under the two solvency systems to the CIRC. Full implementation of C-ROSS is anticipated in early 2016. Like Solvency II, C-ROSS focuses on risk management and has three pillars (strengthened quantitative capital requirements, enhanced qualitative supervision and establishing a governance and market discipline process).

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Global Systemically Important Insurers
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (“IAIS”), an association of insurance supervisors and regulators and a member of the Financial Stability Board (“FSB”), and an international entity established to coordinate, develop and promote regulatory, supervisory and other financial sector policies in the interest of financial stability, is participating in the FSB’s initiative to identify and manage global systemically important financial institutions and has devised and published a methodology to assess the systemic relevance of global insurers and a framework of policy measures to be applied to G-SIIs. In July 2013, November 2014 and November 2015, the FSB published its lists of G-SIIs, based on the IAIS’ assessment methodology, each of which included MetLife, Inc. The FSB will continue to update the list annually.
For G-SIIs which engage in activities deemed to be systemically risky, the framework of policy measures calls for imposition of additional capital (higher loss absorbency (“HLA”)) requirements on those activities. Given the absence of a common global base on which to calculate an HLA for insurers, the FSB directed the IAIS to develop basic capital requirements (“BCR”). G-SIIs will initially report BCR and HLA results to their group-wide supervisors on a confidential basis to allow for refinement of the BCR and HLA until fully adopted and implemented in 2019. On June 25, 2015, the IAIS published a proposed draft of HLA requirements. A revised draft, reflecting 2015 field test data, was submitted to the FSB for endorsement in September 2015. On September 25, 2015, the FSB endorsed the September draft, noting that further revision would be necessary before implementation in 2019 to reflect ongoing work on the G-SII assessment methodology and the definition of non-traditional and non-insurance activity. This endorsed draft, which was made publicly available on October 5, 2015, confirms that the HLA requirements will be subject to further revision before implementation in 2019.
In addition, on December 17, 2014, the IAIS released a first exposure draft of a risk-based global insurance capital standard (“ICS”) which will apply to all internationally active insurance groups, including G-SIIs. The IAIS expects to publish an interim version of the ICS by the end of 2019 for implementation by individual jurisdictions with the further goal of reaching an ultimate ICS at some later date.
The FSB and IAIS propose that national authorities ensure that any insurers identified as G-SIIs be subject to additional requirements consistent with the framework of policy measures, which include preparation of a systemic risk management plan, preparation of a recovery and resolution plan, enhanced liquidity planning and management, more intensive supervision, closer coordination among regulators through global supervisory colleges led by a regulator with group-wide supervisory authority, and a policy bias in favor of separation of non-traditional insurance and non-insurance activities from traditional insurance activities. The IAIS policy measures would need to be implemented by legislation or regulation in each applicable jurisdiction, and the impact on MetLife, Inc. and other designated G-SIIs is uncertain.
Mortgage and Foreclosure-Related Exposures
MetLife no longer engages in the origination, sale and servicing of forward and reverse residential mortgage loans. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s exit from the businesses of MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”) and Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information regarding our mortgage and foreclosure-related exposures.
Notwithstanding MetLife Bank’s exit from the origination and servicing businesses, MetLife Home Loans LLC remains obligated to repurchase loans or compensate for losses upon demand due to alleged defects by MetLife Bank or its predecessor servicers in past servicing of the loans and material representations made in connection with MetLife Bank’s sale of the loans. Reserves for representation and warranty repurchases and indemnifications were $81 million and $85 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Reserves for estimated future losses due to alleged deficiencies on loans originated and sold, as well as servicing of the loans including servicing acquired, are estimated based on unresolved claims and projected losses under investor servicing contracts where MetLife Bank’s past actions or inactions are likely to result in missing certain stipulated investor timelines. Reserves for servicing defects were $35 million and $38 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Management is satisfied that adequate provision has been made in the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements for those representation and warranty obligations that are currently probable and reasonably estimable.

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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)
liabilities for future policy benefits and the accounting for reinsurance;
(ii)
capitalization and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and the establishment and amortization of value of business acquired (“VOBA”);
(iii)
estimated fair values of investments in the absence of quoted market values;
(iv)
investment impairments;
(v)
estimated fair values of freestanding derivatives and the recognition and estimated fair value of embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation;
(vi)
measurement of goodwill and related impairment;
(vii)
measurement of employee benefit plan liabilities;
(viii)
measurement of income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets; 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 our 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 our 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 2014 Annual Report.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test.
For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is compared to the carrying value of that goodwill to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In such instances, the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be determined in a business acquisition.
In the third quarter of 2015, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment testing on all of its reporting units based upon data as of June 30, 2015. The Company determined that the fair values of its reporting units were in excess of their carrying values and, therefore, goodwill was not impaired.
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 our business.

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Our economic capital model, coupled with considerations of local capital requirements, aligns segment allocated equity with emerging standards and consistent risk principles. The model applies statistics-based risk evaluation principles to the material risks to which the Company is exposed. These consistent risk principles include calibrating required economic capital shock factors to a specific confidence level and time horizon while applying an industry standard method for the inclusion of diversification benefits among risk types. Economic capital-based risk estimation is an evolving science and industry best practices have emerged and continue to evolve. Areas of evolving industry best practices include stochastic liability valuation techniques, alternative methodologies for the calculation of diversification benefits, and the quantification of appropriate shock levels. MetLife’s management is responsible for the ongoing production and enhancement of the economic capital model and reviews its approach periodically to ensure that it remains consistent with emerging industry practice standards.
Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact our consolidated net investment income, operating earnings or income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax.
Net investment income is based upon the actual results of each segment’s specifically identifiable investment portfolios 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.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Results
Business Overview. Sales experience was positive in the majority of our businesses for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014. The introduction of new variable annuity products in late 2014 and early 2015, as well as pricing actions and our continued focus on our enhanced underwriting programs, all contributed to higher sales in our Retail segment. With the decrease in the U.S. unemployment rate, gradual growth in the U.S. economy and low inflation, our group term life, disability, dental, and voluntary benefits businesses generated premium growth through sales and persistency. The dental business also benefited from the positive impact of pricing actions on existing business. Despite the decline in funding ratios for defined benefit pension plans of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) 500 companies, we experienced an increase in sales of pension closeouts. However, more competitive pricing in the market drove a decrease in structured settlement annuity sales. Sales in the majority of our businesses abroad improved.

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Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
10,375

 
$
9,703

 
$
28,940

 
$
28,795

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
2,346

 
2,628

 
7,174

 
7,507

Net investment income
3,959

 
5,410

 
14,367

 
15,704

Other revenues
484

 
518

 
1,497

 
1,486

Net investment gains (losses)
382

 
109

 
535

 
(427
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
485

 
478

 
394

 
1,132

Total revenues
18,031

 
18,846

 
52,907

 
54,197

Expenses

 

 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
10,688

 
9,859

 
29,967

 
29,871

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
647

 
1,817

 
3,940

 
4,995

Capitalization of DAC
(955
)
 
(1,071
)
 
(2,850
)
 
(3,149
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
1,131

 
1,054

 
3,053

 
3,174

Amortization of negative VOBA
(90
)
 
(107
)
 
(282
)
 
(333
)
Interest expense on debt
302

 
295

 
908

 
919

Other expenses
4,145

 
4,047

 
11,836

 
11,992

Total expenses
15,868

 
15,894

 
46,572

 
47,469

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
2,163

 
2,952

 
6,335

 
6,728

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
965

 
858

 
1,855

 
1,916

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
1,198

 
2,094

 
4,480

 
4,812

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

 

 

 
(3
)
Net income (loss)
1,198

 
2,094

 
4,480

 
4,809

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5
)
 

 
4

 
21

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
1,203

 
2,094

 
4,476

 
4,788

Less: Preferred stock dividends
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

 Preferred stock repurchase premium

 

 
42

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
$
1,197

 
$
2,064

 
$
4,367

 
$
4,697

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, decreased $789 million ($896 million, net of income tax) from the prior period primarily due to an unfavorable change in operating earnings, driven by the aforementioned tax charge and related charge for interest on uncertain tax positions, partially offset by a favorable change in net investment gains (losses).

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Management of Investment Portfolio and Hedging Market Risks with Derivatives. 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. 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 currency exchange rates, credit spreads and equity market levels. In addition, our general account investment portfolio includes, within fair value option (“FVO”) and trading securities, contractholder-directed unit-linked investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities, which do not qualify as separate account assets. The returns on these contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, which can vary significantly from 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 policyholder account balances through interest credited to policyholder account balances.
We purchase investments 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 currency exchange rates, 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, which creates volatility in earnings.
Certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits 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). We use 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) and volatility in earnings, but does not have an economic impact on us.

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Net Derivative Gains (Losses). 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:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Non-VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Interest rate
$
723

 
$
82

Foreign currency exchange rate
139

 
199

Credit
(39
)
 
(8
)
Equity
14

 
(4
)
Non-VA embedded derivatives
82

 
17

Total non-VA program derivatives
919

 
286

VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Market risks in embedded derivatives
(1,684
)
 
(119
)
Nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives
253

 
5

Other risks in embedded derivatives
(484
)
 
32

Total embedded derivatives
(1,915
)
 
(82
)
Freestanding derivatives hedging embedded derivatives
1,481

 
274

Total VA program derivatives
(434
)
 
192

Net derivative gains (losses)
$
485

 
$
478

The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $633 million ($411 million, net of income tax). This was primarily due to long-term interest rates decreasing more in the current period than in the prior period, favorably impacting receive-fixed interest rate swaps, receiver swaptions and long interest rate floors 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 $626 million ($407 million, net of income tax). This was due to an unfavorable change of $516 million ($335 million, net of income tax) in other risks in embedded derivatives, and an unfavorable change of $358 million ($233 million, net of income tax) in market risks in embedded derivatives, net of the impact of freestanding derivatives hedging those risks, partially offset by a favorable change of $248 million ($161 million, net of income tax) related to the change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives. Other risks relate primarily to the impact of policyholder behavior and other non-market risks that generally cannot be hedged.
The foregoing $516 million ($335 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in other risks in embedded derivatives reflected:
The cross effect of capital markets changes, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
Refinements in the valuation model, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
The mismatch of fund performance between actual and modeled funds, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
A combination of other factors, including reserve changes influenced by benefit features and policyholder behavior, as well as FCTA, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of embedded derivatives.

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The foregoing $358 million ($233 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change was comprised of a $1.6 billion ($1.0 billion, net of income tax) unfavorable change in market risks in embedded derivatives, which was partially offset by a $1.2 billion ($785 million, net of income tax) favorable change in freestanding derivatives hedging market risks in embedded derivatives.
The primary changes in market factors are summarized as follows:
Key equity index levels decreased in the current period and increased in the prior period, contributing to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives. For example, the S&P 500 Index decreased by 7% in the current period and increased by 1% in the prior period.
Long-term interest rates decreased more in the current period than in the prior period, contributing to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives. For example, the 30-year U.S. swap rate decreased by 42 basis points in the current period and decreased by 14 basis points in the prior period.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives related to the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan. For example, the Japanese yen strengthened against the British pound by 6% in the current period as compared with a weakening by 3% against the British pound in the prior period.
Key equity volatility measures generally decreased in the current period and increased in the prior period, contributing to a favorable change in our embedded derivatives and an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives.
The aforementioned $248 million ($161 million, net of income tax) favorable change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives was due to a favorable change of $140 million, before income tax, as a result of changes in capital market inputs, such as long-term interest rates and key equity index levels, on variable annuity guarantees and a favorable change of $108 million, before income tax, related to changes in our own credit spread. We calculate the nonperformance risk adjustment as the change in the embedded derivative discounted at the risk-adjusted rate (which includes our own credit spread to the extent that the embedded derivative is in-the-money) less the change in the embedded derivative discounted at the risk-free rate.
When equity index levels decrease in isolation, the variable annuity guarantees become more valuable to policyholders, which results in an increase in the undiscounted embedded derivative liability. Discounting this unfavorable change by the risk adjusted rate yields a smaller loss than by discounting at the risk-free rate, thus creating a gain from including an adjustment for nonperformance risk.
When the risk-free interest rate decreases in isolation, discounting the embedded derivative liability produces a higher valuation of the liability than if the risk-free interest rate had remained constant. Discounting this unfavorable change by the risk adjusted rate yields a smaller loss than by discounting at the risk-free interest rate, thus creating a gain from including an adjustment for nonperformance risk.
When our own credit spread increases in isolation, discounting the embedded derivative liability produces a lower valuation of the liability than if our own credit spread had remained constant. As a result, a gain is created from including an adjustment for nonperformance risk. For each of these primary market drivers, the opposite effect occurs when they move in the opposite direction.
Net Investment Gains (Losses). The favorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $273 million ($177 million, net of income tax) primarily reflects higher net gains on sales of real estate, as well as a favorable change in foreign currency transaction gains due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. These favorable changes were partially offset by lower net gains on sales and disposals of fixed maturity securities in the current period.
Actuarial Assumption Review. Results for the current period include a $313 million ($203 million, net of income tax) charge associated with our annual assumption review related to reserves and DAC, of which a $3 million loss ($2 million, net of income tax) was recognized in net derivative gains (losses). Of the $313 million charge, $60 million ($39 million, net of income tax) was related to DAC and $253 million ($164 million, net of income tax) was associated with reserves.
The $3 million loss recognized in net derivative gains (losses) associated with our annual assumption review was included within the other risks in embedded derivatives caption in the table above.


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As a result of our annual assumption review, changes were made to economic, policyholder behavior, mortality and other assumptions. The most significant impacts were in the Retail Life and Annuity blocks of business and are summarized as follows:
Changes in economic assumptions resulted in an increase of DAC and reserves, resulting in a net charge of $122 million ($79 million, net of income tax).
Changes in policyholder behavior and mortality assumptions resulted in reserve increases, offset by favorable DAC, resulting in a net charge of $91 million ($59 million, net of income tax).
The remaining updates resulted in an increase in reserves, coupled with unfavorable DAC, resulting in a charge of $100 million ($65 million, net of income tax). The most notable update was related to our projection of closed block results.
Results for the prior period include a $161 million ($105 million, net of income tax) benefit associated with our annual assumption review related to reserves and DAC, of which $137 million ($89 million, net of income tax) was recognized in net derivative gains (losses). Of the $161 million benefit, $82 million ($53 million, net of income tax) was related to DAC and $79 million ($52 million, net of income tax) was associated with reserves.
Taxes. Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $965 million, or 45% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, compared with $858 million, or 29% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Company’s third quarter 2015 effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the aforementioned tax charge of $557 million recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. For further information on this tax charge, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The effective tax rate also differs from the U.S. statutory rate due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate. In addition, the current period includes one-time tax benefits of $61 million related to restructuring in Chile, $57 million related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan, and $16 million related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return. The Company’s third quarter 2014 effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate. The prior period also includes a $54 million tax charge related to tax reform in Chile and a $32 million one-time tax benefit related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return.
Operating Earnings. As more fully described in “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures,” 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 income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, and net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, respectively. Operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased $1.1 billion, net of income tax, to $705 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from $1.8 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2014.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, decreased $393 million ($332 million, net of income tax) from the prior period primarily due to an unfavorable change in operating earnings, driven by the aforementioned tax charge and related charge for interest on uncertain tax positions, and an unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses), partially offset by a favorable change in net investment gains (losses).

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Net Derivative Gains (Losses). 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:
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Non-VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Interest rate
$
506

 
$
502

Foreign currency exchange rate
296

 
207

Credit
(36
)
 
36

Equity
(78
)
 
(44
)
Non-VA embedded derivatives
87

 
(62
)
Total non-VA program derivatives
775

 
639

VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Market risks in embedded derivatives
(658
)
 
235

Nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives
222

 
(3
)
Other risks in embedded derivatives
(690
)
 
(115
)
Total embedded derivatives
(1,126
)
 
117

Freestanding derivatives hedging embedded derivatives
745

 
376

Total VA program derivatives
(381
)
 
493

Net derivative gains (losses)
$
394

 
$
1,132

The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $136 million ($88 million, net of income tax). A change in the value of the underlying assets favorably impacted non-VA embedded derivatives related to funds withheld on a certain reinsurance agreement. In addition, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other key currencies favorably impacted foreign currency swaps that primarily hedge foreign denominated fixed maturity securities. These favorable changes were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of certain credit spreads widening in the current period but narrowing in the prior period. 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 $874 million ($568 million, net of income tax). This was due to an unfavorable change of $575 million ($374 million, net of income tax) in other risks in embedded derivatives and an unfavorable change of $524 million ($340 million, net of income tax) in market risks in embedded derivatives, net of the impact of freestanding derivatives hedging those risks, partially offset by a favorable change of $225 million ($146 million, net of income tax) related to the change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives. Other risks relate primarily to the impact of policyholder behavior and other non-market risks that generally cannot be hedged.
The foregoing $575 million ($374 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in other risks in embedded derivatives reflected:
Refinements in the valuation model, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
The cross effect of capital markets changes, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
A combination of other factors, including reserve changes influenced by benefit features and policyholder behavior, as well as FCTA, which resulted in an unfavorable period over period change in the valuation of embedded derivatives.

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The foregoing $524 million ($340 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change was comprised of an $893 million ($580 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in market risks in embedded derivatives, which was partially offset by a $369 million ($240 million, net of income tax) favorable change in freestanding derivatives hedging market risks in embedded derivatives.
The primary changes in market factors are summarized as follows:
Key equity index levels decreased more in the current period than in the prior period, contributing to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives. For example, the Russell 2000 Index decreased by 9% in the current period and decreased by 5% in the prior period.
Key equity volatility measures generally increased in the current period and decreased in the prior period, contributing to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives related to the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan. For example, the Japanese yen strengthened against the euro by 8% in the current period as compared with a strengthening by 4% against the euro in the prior period.
Long-term interest rates decreased less in the current period than in the prior period, contributing to a favorable change in our embedded derivatives and an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives. For example, the 30-year U.S. swap rate decreased by 18 basis points in the current period and decreased by 74 basis points in the prior period.
The aforementioned $225 million ($146 million, net of income tax) favorable change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives was due to a favorable change of $160 million, before income tax, related to changes in our own credit spread and a favorable change of $65 million, before income tax, as a result of changes in capital market inputs, such as long-term interest rates and key equity index levels, on the variable annuity guarantees.
Net Investment Gains (Losses).The favorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $962 million ($625 million, net of income tax) primarily reflects a loss in the prior period on the disposition of MAL and higher net gains on sales of real estate in the current period, partially offset by unfavorable changes due to higher impairments on real estate in the current period.
Actuarial Assumption Review. For the results of our 2015 and 2014 annual assumption reviews, see “ Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 — Actuarial Assumption Review.”
Taxes. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $1.9 billion, or 29% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, compared with $1.9 billion, or 28% of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company’s 2015 effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate, partially offset by the aforementioned tax charge of $557 million recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. The Company’s 2014 effective tax rate was different from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate, and the tax effects of the MAL divestiture. The 2015 period also includes a one-time tax benefit of $174 million in Japan related to a change in tax rate, a $61 million tax benefit related to restructuring in Chile, a $57 million tax benefit related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan, and a $16 million one-time tax benefit related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return. The 2014 period includes a $54 million tax charge related to tax reform in Chile, an $18 million tax charge related to a portion of the aforementioned settlement of a licensing matter which was not deductible for income tax purposes, a $45 million tax charge related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan, and a $32 million one-time tax benefit related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return.
Operating Earnings. Operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased $869 million, net of income tax, to $4.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from $5.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

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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 September 30, 2015
 
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
$
362

 
$
386

 
$
476

 
$
78

 
$
655

 
$
85

 
$
(844
)
 
$
1,198

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
70

 
11

 
139

 
9

 
325

 
14

 
(186
)
 
382

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(282
)
 
259

 
127

 
(108
)
 
107

 
7

 
375

 
485

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)
(35
)
 
(42
)
 
(37
)
 
(32
)
 
(21
)
 
(14
)
 
(25
)
 
(206
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
86

 
(80
)
 
(79
)
 
33

 
(94
)
 
12

 
(52
)
 
(174
)
Operating earnings
$
523

 
$
238

 
$
326

 
$
176

 
$
338

 
$
66

 
(956
)
 
711

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6

 
6

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(962
)
 
$
705

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
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
$
909

 
$
278

 
$
509

 
$
119

 
$
338

 
$
77

 
$
(136
)
 
$
2,094

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
9

 
(9
)
 
180

 
(4
)
 
136

 
(9
)
 
(194
)
 
109

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
283

 
106

 
28

 
(61
)
 
(80
)
 
16

 
186

 
478

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)
(100
)
 
(41
)
 
(31
)
 
87

 
(32
)
 
1

 
(30
)
 
(146
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
(68
)
 
(19
)
 
(63
)
 
(25
)
 
4

 
(9
)
 
(22
)
 
(202
)
Operating earnings
$
785

 
$
241

 
$
395

 
$
122

 
$
310

 
$
78

 
(76
)
 
1,855

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30

 
30

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(106
)
 
$
1,825

__________________
(1)
See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses under “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for the components of such adjustments.

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
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
$
1,725

 
$
760

 
$
1,312

 
$
282

 
$
1,568

 
$
215

 
$
(1,382
)
 
$
4,480

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
147

 
22

 
313

 
7

 
450

 
22

 
(426
)
 
535

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(64
)
 
200

 
73

 
(144
)
 
134

 
21

 
174

 
394

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)
(299
)
 
(125
)
 
(63
)
 
(51
)
 
(113
)
 
(7
)
 
(35
)
 
(693
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
75

 
(34
)
 
(112
)
 
47

 
7

 
(7
)
 
93

 
69

Operating earnings
$
1,866

 
$
697

 
$
1,101

 
$
423

 
$
1,090

 
$
186

 
(1,188
)
 
4,175

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67

 
67

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
4,108

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
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
$
2,152

 
$
745

 
$
852

 
$
256

 
$
1,106

 
$
279

 
$
(578
)
 
$
4,812

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
25

 
(10
)
 
(556
)
 
11

 
375

 
(16
)
 
(256
)
 
(427
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
579

 
293

 
256

 
(57
)
 
(122
)
 
103

 
80

 
1,132

Less: Other adjustments to continuing operations (1)
(521
)
 
(122
)
 
(55
)
 
(146
)
 
(50
)
 
31

 
(60
)
 
(923
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
(29
)
 
(56
)
 
109

 
32

 
(64
)
 
(60
)
 
30

 
(38
)
Operating earnings
$
2,098

 
$
640

 
$
1,098

 
$
416

 
$
967

 
$
221

 
(372
)
 
5,068

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
91

 
91

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(463
)
 
$
4,977

__________________
(1)
See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses under “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” 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
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Retail
 
Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
 
Corporate
Benefit
Funding
 
Latin
America
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
4,983

 
$
5,106

 
$
3,312

 
$
1,109

 
$
3,043

 
$
206

 
$
272

 
$
18,031

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
70

 
11

 
139

 
9

 
325

 
14

 
(186
)
 
382

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(282
)
 
259

 
127

 
(108
)
 
107

 
7

 
375

 
485

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
1

 

 

 

 
2

 
(2
)
 

 
1

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(12
)
 
(42
)
 
(25
)
 
(11
)
 
(205
)
 
(513
)
 
4

 
(804
)
Total operating revenues
$
5,206

 
$
4,878

 
$
3,071

 
$
1,219

 
$
2,814

 
$
700

 
$
79

 
$
17,967

Total expenses
$
4,543

 
$
4,509

 
$
2,580

 
$
1,101

 
$
2,169

 
$
126

 
$
840

 
$
15,868

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
41

 

 

 

 
2

 
(2
)
 

 
41

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
(17
)
 

 
12

 
21

 
(184
)
 
(499
)
 
29

 
(638
)
Total operating expenses
$
4,519

 
$
4,509

 
$
2,568

 
$
1,080

 
$
2,351

 
$
627

 
$
811

 
$
16,465

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Retail
 
Group,
Voluntary
& Worksite
Benefits
 
Corporate
Benefit
Funding
 
Latin
America
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
5,699

 
$
4,824

 
$
2,239

 
$
1,414

 
$
3,399

 
$
1,085

 
$
186

 
$
18,846

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
9

 
(9
)
 
180

 
(4
)
 
136

 
(9
)
 
(194
)
 
109

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
283

 
106

 
28

 
(61
)
 
(80
)
 
16

 
186

 
478

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

 

 

 

 
7

 
1

 

 
8

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(13
)
 
(41
)
 
(15
)
 
15

 
145

 
238

 
4

 
333

Total operating revenues
$
5,420

 
$
4,768

 
$
2,046

 
$
1,464

 
$
3,191

 
$
839

 
$
190

 
$
17,918

Total expenses
$
4,467

 
$
4,402

 
$
1,457

 
$
1,200

 
$
2,911

 
$
976

 
$
481

 
$
15,894

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
(28
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
2

 

 
(27
)
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
115

 

 
16

 
(72
)
 
185

 
236

 
34

 
514

Total operating expenses
$
4,380

 
$
4,402

 
$
1,441

 
$
1,272

 
$
2,727

 
$
738

 
$
447

 
$
15,407

__________________
(1)
See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses under “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for the components of such adjustments.

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Retail
 
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
 
Corporate Benefit Funding
 
Latin America
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate & Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
15,714

 
$
14,753

 
$
7,335

 
$
3,684

 
$
9,267

 
$
1,953

 
$
201

 
$
52,907

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
147

 
22

 
313

 
7

 
450

 
22

 
(426
)
 
535

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(64
)
 
200

 
73

 
(144
)
 
134

 
21

 
174

 
394

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

 

 

 

 
12

 
(4
)
 

 
8

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(56
)
 
(125
)
 
(76
)
 
7

 
80

 
(231
)
 
12

 
(389
)
Total operating revenues
$
15,687

 
$
14,656

 
$
7,025

 
$
3,814

 
$
8,591

 
$
2,145

 
$
441

 
$
52,359

Total expenses
$
13,343

 
$
13,577

 
$
5,323

 
$
3,434

 
$
7,374

 
$
1,706

 
$
1,815

 
$
46,572

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
37

 

 

 

 
9

 
(4
)
 

 
42

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
206

 

 
(13
)
 
58

 
196

 
(224
)
 
47

 
270

Total operating expenses
$
13,100

 
$
13,577

 
$
5,336

 
$
3,376

 
$
7,169

 
$
1,934

 
$
1,768

 
$
46,260

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Retail
 
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
 
Corporate Benefit Funding
 
Latin America
 
Asia
 
EMEA
 
Corporate & Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
16,455

 
$
14,459

 
$
5,822

 
$
4,180

 
$
9,614

 
$
3,206

 
$
461

 
$
54,197

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
25

 
(10
)
 
(556
)
 
11

 
375

 
(16
)
 
(256
)
 
(427
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
579

 
293

 
256

 
(57
)
 
(122
)
 
103

 
80

 
1,132

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
(1
)
 

 

 

 
8

 
7

 

 
14

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(58
)
 
(122
)
 
39

 
39

 
95

 
620

 
30

 
643

Total operating revenues
$
15,910

 
$
14,298

 
$
6,083

 
$
4,187

 
$
9,258

 
$
2,492

 
$
607

 
$
52,835

Total expenses
$
13,450

 
$
13,318

 
$
4,500

 
$
3,846

 
$
8,014

 
$
2,818

 
$
1,523

 
$
47,469

Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
33

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 
9

 

 
37

Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
429

 

 
94

 
185

 
158

 
587

 
90

 
1,543

Total operating expenses
$
12,988

 
$
13,318

 
$
4,406

 
$
3,661

 
$
7,861

 
$
2,222

 
$
1,433

 
$
45,889

__________________
(1)
See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses under “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for the components of such adjustments.

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Consolidated Results — Operating
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
10,376

 
$
9,685

 
$
28,942

 
$
28,755

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
2,247

 
2,522

 
6,876

 
7,205

Net investment income
4,849

 
5,193

 
15,016

 
15,373

Other revenues
495

 
518

 
1,525

 
1,502

Total operating revenues
17,967

 
17,918

 
52,359

 
52,835

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
10,780

 
9,854

 
29,730

 
29,191

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
1,331

 
1,426

 
4,004

 
4,252

Capitalization of DAC
(955
)
 
(1,071
)
 
(2,850
)
 
(3,148
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
971

 
999

 
2,925

 
3,074

Amortization of negative VOBA
(82
)
 
(96
)
 
(255
)
 
(298
)
Interest expense on debt
294

 
292

 
898

 
885

Other expenses
4,126

 
4,003

 
11,808

 
11,933

Total operating expenses
16,465

 
15,407

 
46,260

 
45,889

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
791

 
656

 
1,924

 
1,878

Operating earnings
711

 
1,855

 
4,175

 
5,068

Less: Preferred stock dividends
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
$
705

 
$
1,825

 
$
4,108

 
$
4,977

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Overview. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating earnings were higher tax and related interest expenses, lower investment yields, an unfavorable impact from our annual review of actuarial assumptions and unfavorable underwriting results.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a $96 million negative impact on operating earnings compared to the prior period.
Business Growth. We experienced higher sales and business growth across the majority of our segments. The positive impact on net investment income from growth in the investment portfolios of our domestic and Latin America segments was partially offset by higher surrenders of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuity products in Japan. In our Retail segment, the impact of negative net flows from our deferred annuities business contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances and, consequently, lower asset-based fee income, partially offset by lower DAC amortization due to the decrease in our in-force business. Declines in broker-dealer revenue also decreased operating earnings for our Retail segment. The changes in business growth discussed above resulted in a $136 million increase in operating earnings.

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Market Factors. Market factors, including the sustained low interest rate environment, continued to impact our investment yields. Certain of our inflation-indexed products are backed by inflation-indexed investments. Changes in inflation cause fluctuations in net investment income with corresponding fluctuations in policyholder benefits, with a minimal impact to operating earnings. Excluding the impact of inflation-indexed investments in the Latin America segment, investment yields decreased as a result of lower returns on our other limited partnership interests, alternative investments and our securities lending program, as well as lower prepayment fees. Investment returns were also negatively impacted by lower yields from fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans, as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment and by an increase in our holdings of lower yielding Japanese government securities. These decreases were partially offset by higher returns on currency and interest rate derivatives. In addition, investment returns were positively affected by the favorable impact of increased sales of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuities resulting in an increase in higher yielding foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity securities in Japan. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $271 million decrease in operating earnings.
Underwriting and Actuarial Assumption Review. Our property & casualty businesses experienced higher non-catastrophe related claim costs, as well as higher catastrophe-related losses. Unfavorable morbidity experience, primarily from our Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segment, was partially offset by net favorable mortality experience. Favorable mortality experience from our Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segment was partially offset by less favorable mortality experience in our Retail and Corporate Benefit Funding segments. In addition, our Latin America segment had unfavorable claims experience. The combined impact of mortality, morbidity and claims experience decreased operating earnings by $40 million. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. These annual updates, which occurred in both periods, resulted in a net operating earnings decrease of $100 million and were primarily related to unfavorable DAC unlockings in our Retail segment.
Expenses. In the current period, other expenses include the aforementioned $235 million charge for interest on uncertain tax positions. An additional $31 million increase in expenses was primarily the result of costs associated with corporate initiatives and projects in Asia.
Taxes. The Company’s current period effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the aforementioned tax charge of $557 million recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. The Company’s current and prior period effective tax rates also differed from the U.S. statutory rate due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate. In addition, the current period includes one-time tax benefits of $60 million related to restructuring in Chile, $31 million related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan, $16 million related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return, and a $8 million charge primarily related to other tax preference items. The prior period includes a $41 million one-time tax charge related to tax reform in Chile, a $32 million one-time tax benefit related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return, as well as additional tax benefits of $27 million related to the separate account dividends received deduction, and $12 million primarily related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan and other foreign tax benefits.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Overview. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating earnings were higher tax and related interest expenses, lower investment yields and an unfavorable impact from our annual review of actuarial assumptions, partially offset by higher net investment income from portfolio growth.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a $240 million negative impact on operating earnings compared to the prior period.
Business Growth. We benefited from higher sales and business growth across the majority of our segments. Growth in the investment portfolios of our domestic and Latin America segments generated higher net investment income, which was partially offset by higher surrenders of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuity products in Japan. The changes in business growth discussed above resulted in a $432 million increase in operating earnings.

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Market Factors. Market factors, including the sustained low interest rate environment, continued to impact our investment yields. Excluding the impact of inflation-indexed investments in the Latin America segment, investment yields decreased. Investment yields were negatively impacted by the adverse impact of the sustained low interest rate environment on fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans, as well as by lower returns on our other limited partnership interests, our securities lending program and our alternative investments. Yields were also negatively impacted by an increase in our holdings of lower yielding Japanese government securities. These decreases were partially offset by higher returns on currency and interest rate derivatives, higher returns on real estate and real estate joint ventures and increased prepayment fees. In addition, investment returns were positively affected by the favorable impact of increased sales of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuities resulting in an increase in higher yielding foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity securities in Japan. The decrease in operating earnings from lower investment yields was partially offset by an increase in asset-based fee income and lower costs associated with our variable annuity guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDBs”), both within our Retail segment. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $278 million decrease in operating earnings.
Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. These annual updates, which occurred in both periods, resulted in a net operating earnings decrease of $100 million and were primarily related to unfavorable DAC unlockings in our Retail segment. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities that were recorded in both the current and prior periods resulted in a net decrease of $65 million in operating earnings, primarily driven by a favorable reserve adjustment related to disability premium waivers in our Retail segment in the prior period.
Expenses. In the current period, other expenses include the aforementioned $235 million charge for interest on uncertain tax positions. An additional $138 million increase in expenses was primarily the result of higher employee-related costs and an increase in expenses associated with corporate initiatives and projects, primarily in Asia. These increases were partially offset by prior period charges totaling $57 million related to the aforementioned settlement of a licensing matter.
Taxes. The Company’s current period effective tax rates differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate, partially offset by the aforementioned tax charge of $557 million recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. The current period also includes a one-time tax benefit of $60 million related to restructuring in Chile, a $61 million benefit in Japan related to a tax rate change, a $31 million tax benefit related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan, a $16 million one-time tax benefit related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return and $12 million primarily related to other foreign tax benefits. The Company’s prior period effective tax rates differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate. In the prior period, the Company realized a $32 million one-time tax benefit related to the filing of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return. However, this was more than offset by a $41 million one-time tax charge related to tax reform in Chile and an $18 million prior period tax charge related to the aforementioned settlement of a licensing matter which was not deductible for income tax purposes. The Company also recorded an $8 million tax charge in the prior period related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan.

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Segment Results and Corporate & Other
Retail
Business Overview. Retail annuity sales increased 20% as a result of new variable annuity products introduced in late 2014 and early 2015 and higher indexed annuity sales. Life sales increased 36% driven by increases in our term life products (due to pricing actions), universal life products (due to a new product launched late in 2014) and whole life products (as a result of several large cases and a continued focus on our enhanced underwriting programs). A significant portion of our operating earnings is driven by separate account balances. Most directly, these balances determine asset-based fee income but they also impact DAC amortization and asset-based commissions. Separate account balances are driven by sales, movements in the market, surrenders, withdrawals, benefit payments, transfers and policy charges. Separate account balances have declined due to lower market performance along with the impact of negative net flows, as benefits, surrenders and withdrawals exceeded sales.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
1,806

 
$
1,869

 
$
5,302

 
$
5,405

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
1,229

 
1,311

 
3,717

 
3,814

Net investment income
1,930

 
1,965

 
5,913

 
5,906

Other revenues
241

 
275

 
755

 
785

Total operating revenues
5,206

 
5,420

 
15,687

 
15,910

Operating expenses

 
 
 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
2,607

 
2,555

 
7,429

 
7,400

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
550

 
567

 
1,643

 
1,683

Capitalization of DAC
(266
)
 
(239
)
 
(770
)
 
(722
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
432

 
335

 
1,207

 
1,142

Interest expense on debt
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Other expenses
1,197

 
1,163

 
3,593

 
3,486

Total operating expenses
4,519

 
4,380

 
13,100

 
12,988

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
164

 
255

 
721

 
824

Operating earnings
$
523

 
$
785

 
$
1,866

 
$
2,098

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. Operating earnings attributable to business growth was essentially flat. Our life businesses had positive net flows which resulted in higher net investment income. In addition, net investment income increased as a result of a larger invested asset base due to a higher amount of allocated equity as compared to the prior period. This favorable impact was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expenses. Declines in broker-dealer revenue also decreased operating earnings. In our deferred annuities business, the impact of negative net flows contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances and, consequently, lower asset-based fee income, partially offset by lower DAC amortization due to the decrease in our in-force business.
Market Factors. A $69 million decrease in operating earnings was attributable to market factors, including equity markets and interest rates. The sustained low interest rate environment resulted in a decline in net investment income on our fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans as proceeds from maturing investments were reinvested at lower yields. Lower returns on other limited partnership interests and decreased prepayment fees also resulted in decreased operating earnings. Lower equity returns drove a decline in our average separate account balances which resulted in a decrease in asset-based fee income, as well as higher DAC amortization, partially offset by lower costs associated with our variable annuity GMDBs.

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Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Less favorable mortality in our universal life and income annuities businesses, partially offset by favorable mortality in our traditional life business resulted in a net decrease of $4 million in operating earnings. In our property & casualty business, non-catastrophe claim costs increased $14 million as a result of higher severities in both our auto and homeowners businesses and higher frequencies in our auto business, partially offset by lower frequencies in our homeowners business. Catastrophe-related losses also increased $7 million. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. These annual updates, which occurred in both periods, resulted in a net operating earnings decrease of $118 million and were primarily related to unfavorable DAC unlockings in the life businesses. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities that were recorded in both the current and prior periods resulted in a $6 million decrease in operating earnings.
Expenses and Taxes. Operating earnings decreased due to an increase in expenses of $8 million, mainly the result of an increase in non-recurring expenses related to the conversion to a new clearing firm for our broker-dealer business and higher employee-related costs. In the current period, we realized lower tax benefits of $33 million primarily related to the separate account dividends received deduction.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. A $55 million increase in operating earnings was attributable to business growth. Our life businesses had positive net flows which resulted in higher net investment income. In addition, net investment income increased as a result of a larger invested asset base due to a higher amount of allocated equity as compared to the prior period. This favorable impact was partially offset by a related increase in DAC amortization and an increase in interest credited expenses. Declines in broker-dealer revenue also decreased operating earnings. In our property & casualty business, an increase in average premium per policy in both the auto and homeowners businesses improved operating earnings, but was partially offset by a decrease in exposures. In our deferred annuities business, the impact of negative net flows contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances and, consequently, lower asset-based fee income, partially offset by lower DAC amortization due to the decrease in our in-force business.
Market Factors. A $44 million decrease in operating earnings was attributable to market factors, including equity markets and interest rates. The sustained low interest rate environment resulted in a decline in net investment income on our fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans as proceeds from maturing investments were reinvested at lower yields. This reduction in current period income from lower yields was partially offset by a decrease in DAC amortization. Operating earnings increased due to lower interest credited expense in our deferred annuities business as a result of declines in average interest credited rates. Lower returns on other limited partnership interests were partially offset by increased prepayment fees and higher returns on real estate joint ventures. While the current period equity returns were lower than in the prior period, the overall cumulative positive equity markets since the prior period increased our average separate account balances which resulted in an increase in asset-based fee income, partially offset by higher DAC amortization. In addition, costs associated with our variable annuity GMDBs were lower in the current period.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Less favorable mortality in our universal life business, partially offset by favorable mortality in our traditional life and income annuities businesses resulted in a net decrease of $22 million in operating earnings. In our property & casualty business, catastrophe-related losses increased $9 million mainly due to severe winter weather in the current period. Non-catastrophe claim costs increased by $7 million as a result of higher severities in our auto and homeowners businesses and higher frequencies in our auto business, partially offset by lower frequencies in our homeowners business. Favorable morbidity experience in our individual disability income business resulted in a $7 million increase in operating earnings. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. These annual updates, which occurred in both periods, resulted in a net operating earnings decrease of $118 million and were primarily related to unfavorable DAC unlockings in the life businesses. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities that were recorded in both the current and prior periods resulted in a decrease of $27 million in operating earnings, primarily driven by a favorable reserve adjustment related to disability premium waivers in our life business in the prior period, partially offset by adjustments in our annuities business.
Expenses and Taxes. Operating earnings decreased due to an increase in expenses of $49 million, mainly the result of higher employee-related costs. In the current period, we realized lower tax benefits of $13 million primarily related to the separate account dividends received deduction.

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Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits 
Business Overview. Premiums increased for most of our businesses as a result of gradual growth in the U.S. economy, a decrease in the U.S. unemployment rate and low inflation. Our term life, disability, dental, and voluntary benefits businesses generated premium growth through sales and persistency. The dental business also benefited from pricing actions on existing business. While premiums have increased, current period sales were generally lower as a result of an increase in competition, particularly in the dental business. Although we have discontinued selling our long-term care product, we continue to collect premiums and administer the existing block of business, which contributed to asset growth in the segment.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
4,092

 
$
4,010

 
$
12,313

 
$
12,050

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
188

 
180

 
559

 
538

Net investment income
485

 
475

 
1,444

 
1,396

Other revenues
113

 
103

 
340

 
314

Total operating revenues
4,878

 
4,768

 
14,656

 
14,298

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
3,805

 
3,729

 
11,445

 
11,299

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
39

 
38

 
114

 
117

Capitalization of DAC
(41
)
 
(37
)
 
(113
)
 
(107
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
40

 
38

 
120

 
109

Other expenses
666

 
634

 
2,011

 
1,900

Total operating expenses
4,509

 
4,402

 
13,577

 
13,318

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
131

 
125

 
382

 
340

Operating earnings
$
238

 
$
241

 
$
697

 
$
640

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. A $20 million increase in operating earnings was attributable to business growth. An increase in average premium per policy in both our auto and homeowners businesses improved operating earnings. Growth in premiums, as well as increases in allocated equity, resulted in higher average invested assets, improving operating earnings. Consistent with the growth in average invested assets from increased premiums, primarily in our long-term care business, interest credited on long-duration contracts and policyholder account balances increased. An increase in the annual assessment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) fee increased other expenses in the current period; however, the impact of the assessment was significantly offset by a related increase in premiums from our dental business. The remaining increase in other operating expenses, mainly the result of growth across the segment, was more than offset by the remaining increase in premiums, fees and other revenues.
Market Factors. The sustained low interest rate environment drove lower investment yields on our mortgage loans and fixed maturity securities. In addition, yields were negatively impacted by a reduction in the size of our securities lending program. This was partially offset by higher returns on alternative investments, real estate joint ventures and currency derivatives. Unlike in the Retail and Corporate Benefit Funding segments, in the Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits segment, a change in investment yield does not necessarily drive a corresponding change in the rates credited on certain insurance liabilities. The decline in investment yields was largely offset by the impact of lower crediting rates in the current period, which resulted in a slight decrease in operating earnings.

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Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. Our life businesses experienced favorable mortality in the current period, mainly due to favorable claims experience, which resulted in a $29 million increase in operating earnings. Unfavorable morbidity experience in our long-term care and dental businesses, largely due to less favorable reserve development, resulted in a $6 million decrease in operating earnings. Non-catastrophe claim costs increased $14 million, the result of higher severities in both our auto and homeowners businesses, as well as higher frequencies in our homeowners business, partially offset by lower frequencies in our auto business. Less favorable development of prior period non-catastrophe losses decreased our operating earnings by $5 million. Refinements to certain insurance and other liabilities, which were recorded in both periods, resulted in a $21 million decrease in operating earnings.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. A $48 million increase in operating earnings was attributable to business growth. An increase in average premium per policy in both our auto and homeowners businesses improved operating earnings. Growth in premiums, as well as increases in allocated equity resulted in higher average invested assets, improving operating earnings. Consistent with the growth in average invested assets from increased premiums, primarily in our long-term care business, interest credited on long-duration contracts and policyholder account balances increased. An increase in the annual assessment of the PPACA fee increased other expenses in the current period; however, the impact of the assessment was significantly offset by a related increase in premiums from our dental business. The remaining increase in other operating expenses, mainly the result of growth across the segment, was more than offset by the remaining increase in premiums, fees and other revenues.
Market Factors. The sustained low interest rate environment drove lower investment yields on our mortgage loans and fixed maturity securities. In addition, yields were negatively impacted by a reduction in the size of our securities lending program. This was partially offset by higher returns on alternative investments and currency derivatives. The decrease in investment yields was more than offset by the impact of lower crediting rates in the current period, which resulted in an increase in operating earnings of $8 million.
Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. In our property & casualty business, catastrophe-related losses increased by $23 million, mainly due to severe winter weather in the current period. In addition, non-catastrophe claim costs increased $21 million, resulting from higher severities in both our auto and homeowners businesses, as well as higher frequencies in our auto business, partially offset by lower frequencies in our homeowners businesses. Our life and accidental death and dismemberment businesses experienced favorable mortality in the current period, mainly due to favorable claims experience, which resulted in a $53 million increase in operating earnings. Favorable morbidity experience in our long-term care and disability businesses was partially offset by less favorable reserve development in our dental business, and resulted in a $9 million increase in operating earnings. The favorable claims experience in our long-term care business was due to higher net closures and the impact of lapses on certain insurance liabilities. In our disability business, the favorable claims experience was primarily driven by fewer approvals, a reduction in the average size of claims and higher net closures. Refinements to certain insurance and other liabilities, which were recorded in both periods, resulted in a $16 million decrease in operating earnings.

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Table of Contents

Corporate Benefit Funding
Business Overview. Funding ratios for defined benefit pension plans of S&P 500 companies continued to fall in 2015, limiting their ability to engage in full pension plan buyouts. However, we expect that customers may choose to close out portions of pension plans over time, with the largest volume of business generally occurring near the end of any year. Despite the decline in funding ratios for defined benefit pension plans of S&P 500 companies, higher pension plan closeouts resulted in an increase in premiums. In addition, more competitive pricing in the market drove a decrease in structured settlement annuity sales. Changes in premiums for these businesses were almost entirely offset by the related changes in policyholder benefits and claims.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
1,555

 
$
451

 
$
2,292

 
$
1,438

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
55

 
60

 
168

 
172

Net investment income
1,391

 
1,464

 
4,347

 
4,259

Other revenues
70

 
71

 
218

 
214

Total operating revenues
3,071

 
2,046

 
7,025

 
6,083

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
2,154

 
1,033

 
4,078

 
3,194

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
295

 
279

 
882

 
844

Capitalization of DAC
(1
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
 
(30
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
6

 
5

 
17

 
15

Interest expense on debt
1

 
2

 
3

 
6

Other expenses
113

 
133

 
367

 
377

Total operating expenses
2,568

 
1,441

 
5,336

 
4,406

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
177

 
210

 
588

 
579

Operating earnings
$
326

 
$
395

 
$
1,101

 
$
1,098

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. The impact of current period deposits resulted in higher invested assets, which drove an increase in net investment income, partially offset by the related increase in interest credited expense, and resulted in a $10 million increase in operating earnings.
Market Factors. The sustained low interest rate environment drove lower investment yields on mortgage loans, as well as from our securities lending program. In addition, weaker equity markets in the current period resulted in lower returns on other limited partnership interests. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by higher income on interest rate and currency derivatives. The combined impact of lower investment returns and slightly higher interest credited expense, resulted in a decrease in operating earnings of $72 million.
Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. Less favorable mortality, primarily from our pension closeout and structured settlement businesses, was partially offset by more favorable mortality in our specialized life insurance products and resulted in a slight decrease in operating earnings. The net impact of insurance liability refinements that were recorded in both periods decreased operating earnings by $4 million.
Expenses. Lower non-deferrable commissions driven by a decrease in structured settlement annuity sales in the current period resulted in a slight increase in operating earnings.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

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Business Growth. The impact of current period deposits and funding agreement issuances resulted in higher invested assets, which drove an increase in net investment income, partially offset by the related increase in interest credited expense, and resulted in a $120 million increase in operating earnings.
Market Factors. The sustained low interest rate environment drove lower investment yields on mortgage loans and fixed maturity securities, as well as from our securities lending program. In addition, weaker equity markets in the current period resulted in lower returns on other limited partnership interests. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by higher income on interest rate and currency derivatives, real estate and real estate joint ventures, as well as the favorable impact of a conversion of the securities accounting system. An increase in interest credited expense, resulting from a higher average rate, was driven by the effect of divesting a lower yielding product in early 2014. The combined impact of lower investment returns and higher interest credited expense, resulted in a decrease in operating earnings of $107 million.
Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. More favorable mortality, primarily from our income annuity and specialized life insurance products, was partially offset by less favorable mortality in our pension closeout and structured settlement businesses and resulted in a $7 million increase in operating earnings. The net impact of insurance liability refinements that were recorded in both periods decreased operating earnings by $10 million.
Expenses. Slightly higher employee-related costs and annual premium tax adjustments were partially offset by lower non-deferrable commissions, driven by a decrease in structured settlement annuity sales in the current period, and decreased operating earnings by $5 million.
Latin America
Business Overview. Total sales of life and accident & health products increased across several countries, as well as in our U.S. direct business, partially offset by decreased credit and retirement product sales in Mexico.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
668

 
$
812

 
$
2,150

 
$
2,293

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
261

 
328

 
856

 
956

Net investment income
279

 
317

 
780

 
915

Other revenues
11

 
7

 
28

 
23

Total operating revenues
1,219

 
1,464

 
3,814

 
4,187

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
630

 
735

 
1,955

 
2,100

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
88

 
97

 
263

 
295

Capitalization of DAC
(105
)
 
(112
)
 
(316
)
 
(320
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
57

 
102

 
221

 
265

Amortization of negative VOBA

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other expenses
410

 
450

 
1,254

 
1,322

Total operating expenses
1,080

 
1,272

 
3,376

 
3,661

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
(37
)
 
70

 
15

 
110

Operating earnings
$
176

 
$
122

 
$
423

 
$
416

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Effective September 1, 2015, ProVida was merged into MetLife Chile Acquisition Company resulting in a current period one-time income tax benefit of $60 million. In the third quarter of 2014, our Chilean businesses, including ProVida, incurred a one-time tax charge of $41 million ($35 million after adjusting for foreign currency fluctuations) as a result of tax reform in Chile.

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Foreign Currency. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased operating earnings by $34 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the prior period, which included the impact of changes in foreign currency related to the aforementioned prior period tax charge.
Business Growth. Although premiums were relatively flat, growth in our businesses resulted in higher policy fee income. An increase in average invested assets, primarily in Mexico and Chile, generated higher net investment income. Increases in marketing costs and commissions resulted in higher operating expenses, which were partially offset by increased DAC capitalization. The sum of items discussed above resulted in an $83 million increase in operating earnings.
Market Factors. The net impact of changes in market factors resulted in a $72 million decrease in operating earnings driven by lower investment yields and higher interest credited expense. Investment yields decreased, primarily driven by lower investment returns on fixed income securities in Mexico and Chile and lower investment returns on alternative investments in Chile.
Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. Unfavorable claims experience in several countries decreased operating earnings by $11 million. Refinements to DAC and other adjustments recorded in both the current and prior periods resulted in a $4 million decrease in operating earnings.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily generated by employee-related costs across several countries, decreased operating earnings by $2 million. In addition to the impact of the aforementioned ProVida merger and Chilean tax reform, as well as tax-related adjustments decreased operating earnings by $4 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
The aforementioned ProVida merger resulted in a current period one-time income tax benefit of $60 million. In addition, the impact of the aforementioned prior period Chilean tax reform resulted in an increase in operating earnings of $41 million ($35 million after adjusting for foreign currency fluctuations).
Foreign Currency. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased operating earnings by $80 million for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the prior period, which included the impact of changes in foreign currency related to the aforementioned prior period tax charge.
Business Growth. Total sales for the region decreased primarily due to the impact of a large contract in Mexico in the prior period. Excluding this large contract, sales increased due to organic growth in several countries, as well as increased sales of life and accident & health products in our U.S. direct business. The resulting increase in premiums was partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. An increase in average invested assets, primarily in Mexico and Chile, generated higher net investment income. Growth in our businesses resulted in higher policy fee income, as well as increased marketing costs and commissions, which were partially offset by increased DAC capitalization. The items discussed above were the primary drivers of a $113 million increase in operating earnings.
Market Factors. The net impact of changes in market factors resulted in a $77 million decrease in operating earnings, driven by lower investment yields and higher interest credited expense. Investment yields decreased on fixed income securities in Mexico and Chile, and we experienced lower investment returns on alternative investments in Chile.
Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. Unfavorable claims experience in several countries decreased operating earnings by $5 million. Refinements to DAC and other adjustments recorded in both the current and prior periods resulted in a $9 million decrease in operating earnings.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily generated by employee-related costs across several countries, decreased operating earnings by $11 million. In addition, operating earnings decreased $17 million primarily due to a tax charge in Argentina due to the devaluation of the peso.

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Asia
Business Overview. Sales decreased due to lower group sales in Australia as compared to the prior period. This was partially offset by growth in our ordinary life and accident & health businesses in Japan.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
1,736

 
$
1,939

 
$
5,297

 
$
5,742

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
382

 
487

 
1,179

 
1,276

Net investment income
670

 
738

 
2,033

 
2,162

Other revenues
26

 
27

 
82

 
78

Total operating revenues
2,814

 
3,191

 
8,591

 
9,258

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
1,331

 
1,535

 
4,046

 
4,357

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
327

 
394

 
992

 
1,175

Capitalization of DAC
(435
)
 
(507
)
 
(1,268
)
 
(1,458
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
309

 
367

 
971

 
1,067

Amortization of negative VOBA
(77
)
 
(89
)
 
(241
)
 
(275
)
Other expenses
896

 
1,027

 
2,669

 
2,995

Total operating expenses
2,351

 
2,727

 
7,169

 
7,861

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
125

 
154

 
332

 
430

Operating earnings
$
338

 
$
310

 
$
1,090

 
$
967

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $42 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the prior period and resulted in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Asia’s premiums, fees and other revenues increased over the prior period driven by higher accident and health persistency in Japan. Changes in premiums for these businesses were partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. In addition, we had decreases in interest credited expenses and variable expenses. Higher surrenders of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuity products in Japan resulted in lower average invested assets and a decrease in net investment income. The combined impact of the items discussed above increased operating earnings by $9 million.
Market Factors. Investment returns were positively affected by the favorable impact of increased sales of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuities in Japan, resulting in an increase in higher yielding foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity securities in Japan. In addition, investment returns were positively affected by higher net investment income resulting from a recovery on a previously impaired mortgage loan in Japan. These increases in yields, were partially offset by the continued growth of lower yielding Japanese government securities. Higher investment yields, combined with the impact of foreign currency hedges, increased operating earnings by $40 million.
Actuarial Assumption Review. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. This annual update resulted in a net operating earnings increase of $22 million.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily driven by costs associated with corporate initiatives and projects, reduced operating earnings by $27 million. Current period results include one-time tax benefits of $15 million related to the U.S. taxation of dividends from Japan and $6 million for a tax refund in Korea related to unclaimed surrender value.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $103 million for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the prior period and resulted in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Asia’s premiums, fees and other revenues increased over the prior period driven by broad based in-force growth across the region, including growth in our ordinary life and accident & health businesses in Japan and Korea, as well as our group insurance business in Australia. Changes in premiums for these businesses were partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. During the period, surrenders of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuity products in Japan also contributed to higher fee income. The impact of these surrenders, partially offset by positive net flows in Korea, Bangladesh and India, resulted in lower average invested assets and a decrease in net investment income. In addition, we had decreases in interest credited expenses partially offset by increases in amortization of DAC and VOBA. The combined impact of the items discussed above improved operating earnings by $53 million.
Market Factors. Investment returns were positively affected by the favorable impact of increased sales of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuities in Japan resulting in an increase in higher yielding foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity securities in Japan. Improved operating results of our China joint venture and higher net investment income resulting from a recovery of a previously impaired mortgage loan in Japan also drove higher operating earnings. These increases in yields were partially offset by the continued growth of lower yielding Japanese government securities. Higher investment yields, combined with the impact of foreign currency hedges, increased operating earnings by $82 million.
Underwriting and Actuarial Assumption Review. Favorable claims experience, primarily in Japan and China, resulted in a slight increase in operating earnings. In addition, on an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. This annual update resulted in a net operating earnings increase of $22 million.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily driven by costs associated with corporate initiatives and projects, reduced operating earnings by $27 million. Current period results include one-time tax benefits of $61 million related to a change in tax rates, $12 million for the settlement of an audit and $15 million related to the U.S. taxation of dividends, each related to Japan. In addition, in the current period, Korea received a tax refund of $6 million related to unclaimed surrender value. Prior period results include one-time tax benefits of $9 million related to the U.S. taxation of dividends and $4 million resulting from a tax rate change, each related to Japan.

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EMEA
Business Overview. In the third quarter of 2014, we had strong employee benefit sales in the Middle East which caused a decrease in sales compared to prior period. This was partially offset by growth in our accident & health products.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
501

 
$
581

 
$
1,534

 
$
1,762

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
106

 
127

 
322

 
353

Net investment income
82

 
109

 
249

 
328

Other revenues
11

 
22

 
40

 
49

Total operating revenues
700

 
839

 
2,145

 
2,492

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
233

 
252

 
737

 
784

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
27

 
43

 
91

 
112

Capitalization of DAC
(107
)
 
(165
)
 
(372
)
 
(511
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
127

 
152

 
388

 
476

Amortization of negative VOBA
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
(13
)
 
(22
)
Other expenses
352

 
463

 
1,103

 
1,383

Total operating expenses
627

 
738

 
1,934

 
2,222

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
7

 
23

 
25

 
49

Operating earnings
$
66

 
$
78

 
$
186

 
$
221

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $20 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the prior period.
Business Growth. Operating earnings benefited from growth in the Middle East as compared to the prior period. Net investment income increased primarily driven by higher average invested assets in the Gulf and Egypt. The combined impact of these items increased operating earnings by $14 million.
Actuarial Assumption Review. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. These annual updates, which occurred in both periods, resulted in a net operating earnings decrease of $4 million.
Taxes and Other. Tax benefits in the current period resulted in an increase in operating earnings of $8 million primarily in the UK and Greece. Prior period operating earnings include a $7 million one-time benefit related to the pension reform in Poland. In addition, in the prior period, we converted to calendar year reporting for certain of our subsidiaries, which resulted in a $3 million increase to operating earnings.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $57 million for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the prior period.
Business Growth. Operating earnings benefited from growth in the Middle East as compared to the prior period. Net investment income increased primarily driven by an increase in yields in Russia, Egypt and Turkey, partially offset by lower average invested assets in Poland and the UK. The combined impact of these items increased operating earnings by $27 million.

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Actuarial Assumption Review. On an annual basis, we review and update our long-term assumptions used in our calculations of certain insurance-related liabilities and DAC. These annual updates, which occurred in both periods, resulted in a net operating earnings decrease of $4 million.
Taxes and Other. The Company received tax benefits in both periods; however, since the current period benefit was larger, operating earnings increased $6 million for the current period. Prior period operating earnings included a $7 million one-time benefit related to the pension reform in Poland. In addition, both periods included similar impacts from the conversion to calendar year reporting for certain of our subsidiaries.
Corporate & Other
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
18

 
$
23

 
$
54

 
$
65

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
26

 
29

 
75

 
96

Net investment income
12

 
125

 
250

 
407

Other revenues
23

 
13

 
62

 
39

Total operating revenues
79

 
190

 
441

 
607

Operating expenses

 

 
 
 

Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
20

 
15

 
40

 
57

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
5

 
8

 
19

 
26

Amortization of DAC and VOBA

 

 
1

 

Interest expense on debt
294

 
291

 
897

 
880

Other expenses
492

 
133

 
811

 
470

Total operating expenses
811

 
447

 
1,768

 
1,433

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
224

 
(181
)
 
(139
)
 
(454
)
Operating earnings
(956
)
 
(76
)
 
(1,188
)
 
(372
)
Less: Preferred stock dividends
6

 
30

 
67

 
91

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
$
(962
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
(463
)
The table below presents operating earnings available to common shareholders by source net of income tax:
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Other business activities
$
5

 
$
21

 
$
29

 
$
56

Other net investment income
16

 
88

 
170

 
271

Interest expense on debt
(191
)
 
(189
)
 
(583
)
 
(572
)
Preferred stock dividends
(6
)
 
(30
)
 
(67
)
 
(91
)
Acquisition costs

 

 

 
(5
)
Corporate initiatives and projects
(45
)
 
(43
)
 
(142
)
 
(114
)
Incremental tax benefit (expense)
(480
)
 
91

 
(325
)
 
164

Other
(261
)
 
(44
)
 
(337
)
 
(172
)
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
$
(962
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
(463
)

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Other Business Activities. Operating earnings from other business activities decreased $16 million. This was primarily due to lower operating earnings from start-up operations and from the assumed reinsurance from our former operating joint venture in Japan, reflecting lower fund returns, a reduction in in-force due to surrenders and unfavorable foreign currency impacts.
Other Net Investment Income. A $72 million decrease in other net investment income was 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, as well as lower returns on alternative investments and lower yields on fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment. This decrease was partially offset by increased income from higher average invested assets.
Preferred Stock Dividends. Preferred stock dividends decreased by $24 million due to the repurchase of MetLife, Inc.’s 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B preferred stock”), which dividends were paid quarterly. In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued 1,500,000 shares of 5.25% Fixed to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C preferred stock”), which dividends will be paid semi-annually commencing December 15, 2015 and ending on June 15, 2020, and paid quarterly thereafter.
Incremental Tax Benefit. Corporate & Other benefits from the impact of certain permanent tax differences, including non-taxable investment income and tax credits for investments in low income housing. As a result, our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35%. The current period includes the aforementioned tax charge of $557 million, which was recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. We had lower utilization of tax preferenced investments and other benefits, which decreased our operating earnings by $14 million over the prior period.
Other. The current period includes the aforementioned $235 million charge for interest on uncertain tax positions. The current period also includes a $20 million impairment charge on a real estate property. These increases in expenses were partially offset by a $21 million one-time refund received for a favorable outcome on prior year tax audits and a decrease in employee-related costs of $12 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Other Business Activities. Operating earnings from other business activities decreased $27 million. This was primarily due to lower operating earnings from start-up operations and from the assumed reinsurance from our former operating joint venture in Japan, reflecting lower fund returns, a reduction in in-force due to surrenders and unfavorable foreign currency impacts.
Other Net Investment Income. A $101 million decrease in other net investment income was 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, as well as lower returns on alternative investments and lower yields on fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment. This decrease was partially offset by increased income from higher average invested assets.
Preferred Stock Dividends. Preferred stock dividends decreased by $24 million due to the repurchase of the Series B preferred stock, which dividends were paid quarterly. In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued 1,500,000 shares of the Series C preferred stock, which dividends will be paid semi-annually commencing December 15, 2015 and ending on June 15, 2020, and paid quarterly thereafter.
Corporate Initiatives and Projects. Expenses associated with corporate initiatives and projects increased by $28 million, primarily due to increased costs associated with enterprise-wide initiatives taken by the Company.
Incremental Tax Benefit. Corporate & Other benefits from the impact of certain permanent tax differences, including non-taxable investment income and tax credits for investments in low income housing. As a result, our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35%. The current period includes the aforementioned tax charge of $557 million, which was recorded under accounting guidance for the recognition of tax uncertainties. The prior period includes an $18 million tax charge related to a portion of the settlement of a licensing matter that was not deductible for income tax purposes. In addition, we had higher utilization of tax preferenced investments and other benefits which increased our operating earnings by $50 million from the prior period.

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Other. The current period includes the aforementioned charge of $235 million for interest on uncertain tax positions. The current period also includes a $20 million impairment charge on a real estate property. These increases in expenses were partially offset by a $21 million one-time tax refund received for a favorable outcome on prior year tax audits and a decrease in employee-related costs of $20 million from the prior period. Our results for the prior period include charges totaling $57 million related to the settlement of a licensing matter with the Department of Financial Services and the District Attorney, New York County. This was partially offset by an $18 million prior period increase in operating earnings resulting from net adjustments to certain reinsurance assets and liabilities.

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Investments
Investment Risks
Our 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 Investments Department, led by the Chief Investment Officer, manages investment risks using a risk control framework comprised of policies, procedures and limits, as discussed further below. The Investments Risk Committee, chaired by Global Risk Management Department, reviews and monitors investment risk limits and tolerances. We are exposed to the following primary sources of investment risks:
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. Changes in market interest rates will impact the net unrealized gain or loss position of our fixed income investment portfolio and the rates of return we receive on both new funds invested and reinvestment of existing funds;
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. A widening of credit spreads will adversely impact the net unrealized gain (loss) position of the fixed income investment portfolio, will increase losses associated with credit-based non-qualifying derivatives where we assume credit exposure, and, if credit spreads widen significantly or for an extended period of time, will likely result in higher other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with purchases of fixed maturity securities and will favorably impact the net unrealized gain (loss) position of the fixed income investment portfolio;
currency risk, relating to the variability in currency exchange rates for foreign denominated investments. This risk relates to potential decreases in estimated fair value and net investment income resulting from changes in currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. In general, the weakening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar will adversely affect the estimated fair value of our foreign denominated investments; and
real estate risk, relating to commercial, agricultural and residential real estate, and stemming from factors, which include, but are not limited to, market conditions, including the demand and supply of leasable commercial space, creditworthiness of tenants and partners, capital markets volatility and the inherent interest rate movement.
We manage investment risk through in-house fundamental credit analysis of the underlying obligors, issuers, transaction structures and real estate properties. We also manage credit risk, market valuation risk and liquidity risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation. Risk limits to promote diversification by asset sector, avoid concentrations in any single issuer and limit overall aggregate credit exposure as measured by our economic capital framework are approved annually by a committee of directors that oversees our investment portfolio. For real estate assets, we manage credit risk and market valuation risk through geographic, property type and product type diversification and asset allocation. We manage interest rate risk as part of our ALM strategies. These strategies include maintaining an investment portfolio with diversified maturities that has a weighted average duration that is approximately equal to the duration of our estimated liability cash flow profile, and utilizing product design, such as the use of market value adjustment features and surrender charges, to manage interest rate risk. We also manage interest rate risk through proactive monitoring and management of certain non-guaranteed elements of our products, such as the resetting of credited interest and dividend rates for policies that permit such adjustments. In addition to hedging with foreign currency derivatives, we manage currency risk by matching much of our foreign currency liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries with their respective foreign currency assets, thereby reducing our risk to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation. We also use certain derivatives in the management of credit, interest rate, and equity market risks.
We use purchased credit default swaps to mitigate credit risk in our investment portfolio. Generally, we purchase credit protection by entering into credit default swaps referencing the issuers of specific assets we own. In certain cases, basis risk exists between these credit default swaps and the specific assets we own. For example, we may purchase credit protection on a macro basis to reduce exposure to specific industries or other portfolio concentrations. In such instances, the referenced entities and obligations under the credit default swaps may not be identical to the individual obligors or securities in our investment portfolio. In addition, our purchased credit default swaps may have shorter tenors than the underlying investments they are hedging. However, we dynamically hedge this risk through the rebalancing and rollover of its credit default swaps at their most liquid tenors. We believe that our purchased credit default swaps serve as effective economic hedges of our credit exposure.

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We generally enter into market standard purchased and written credit default swap contracts. Payout under such contracts is 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 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 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 continue to be affected by stress and volatility, which has adversely affected the financial services sector, in particular, and global capital markets. Recently, the political and/or economic instability of Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus, and of countries in regions outside the EU, including Ukraine, Russia, Argentina and the Middle East, as well as Puerto Rico, have contributed to global market volatility. As a global insurance company, we are affected by the monetary policy of central banks around the world. Financial markets have also been affected by concerns over the direction of U.S. fiscal policy, although these concerns have abated since late 2013. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment.” The Federal Reserve Board has taken a number of policy actions in recent years to spur economic activity, including keeping interest rates low and, more recently, through its asset purchase programs. See “— Industry Trends — Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment.” The ECB has also adopted an array of stimulus measures, including an expanded asset purchase program and a negative rate on bank deposits, which are intended to lessen the risk of a prolonged period of deflation and support economic recovery in the Euro zone. The ECB’s accommodative monetary policy is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment” for further information on such measures, as well as for information regarding actions taken by central banks around the world to support the economic recovery, including actions taken by Japan’s central government and the Bank of Japan to boost inflation expectations and achieve sustainable economic growth in Japan. 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 and may adversely impact the level of product sales.
European Region Investments
Excluding Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus which are discussed below, our holdings of sovereign debt, corporate debt and perpetual hybrid securities in certain EU member states and other countries in the region that are not members of the EU (collectively, the “European Region”) were concentrated in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Sweden. The sovereign debt of these countries continues to maintain investment grade credit ratings from all major rating agencies. We maintain general account investments in the European Region to support our insurance operations and related policyholder liabilities in these countries and certain of our non-European Region operations invest in the region for diversification. In the European Region, we have proactively mitigated risk in both direct and indirect exposures by investing in a diversified portfolio of high quality investments with a focus on the higher-rated countries. The European Region corporate securities (fixed maturity and perpetual hybrid securities classified as non-redeemable preferred stock) are invested in a diversified portfolio of primarily non-financial services securities. At September 30, 2015, our exposure to fixed maturity securities and perpetual hybrid securities classified as non-redeemable preferred stock in the European Region totaled $37.3 billion, at estimated fair value, of which $7.1 billion was in sovereign fixed maturity securities. See Also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment — European Region Investments” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information.
Selected Country and Sector Investments
Concerns about global economic conditions, capital markets and the solvency of certain EU member states, including Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus, 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, and has affected the performance of various asset classes in recent years. More recently, with the exception of Greece, economic conditions in Europe’s perimeter region seem to be stabilizing or improving, as evidenced by the stabilization of credit ratings, particularly in Spain, Portugal and Ireland. With the exception of Greece, greater ECB and IMF support, stronger liquidity facilities and gradually improving macroeconomic conditions at the country level, has reduced the risk of default on the sovereign debt of other countries in Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus and the risk of possible withdrawal of such countries from the Euro zone. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment.”

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We maintain general account investments in Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus to support our insurance operations and related policyholder liabilities in these countries. Our exposure to sovereign fixed maturity securities and total fixed maturity securities of Europe’s perimeter region and Cyprus totaled $153 million and $1.6 billion, at estimated fair value, respectively, at September 30, 2015. Our exposure to both sovereign fixed maturity securities and total fixed maturity securities of Greece is less than $1 million, at estimated fair value, at September 30, 2015. See also — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment — Selected Country and Sector Investments” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information.
There have been concerns about the political and economic stability of Ukraine, Russia and Argentina. We maintain general account investments in Ukraine, Russia and Argentina to support our insurance operations and related policyholder liabilities in these countries. Our exposure to the sovereign fixed maturity securities and total fixed maturity securities of Ukraine, Russia and Argentina totaled $778 million and $963 million, at estimated fair value, respectively, at September 30, 2015. See also — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment — Selected Country and Sector Investments” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information by country.
There have also been increased concerns about the economic stability of Puerto Rico. We have general account investments in Puerto Rico through our global portfolio diversification. Our exposure to political subdivision fixed maturities (all revenue bonds and no general obligation bonds) and total fixed maturity securities of Puerto Rico totaled $15 million and $135 million, at estimated fair value, respectively, at September 30, 2015.
There also has been an increased focus on energy sector investments as a result of lower oil prices. Our net exposure to energy sector fixed maturity securities was $13.2 billion (comprised of fixed maturity securities of $13.0 billion at estimated fair value and related net written credit default swaps of $140 million at notional value), of which 85% were investment grade, with an unrealized gain of $290 million at September 30, 2015.
We manage direct and indirect investment exposure in these countries and the energy sector through fundamental credit analysis and we continually monitor and adjust our level of investment exposure. We do not expect general account investments in these countries or the energy sector to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Current Environment — 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, net investment gains (losses), net derivative gains (losses), and level of unrealized gains (losses) within the various asset classes in our investment portfolio and our level of investment in lower yielding cash equivalents, short-term investments and government securities. See “— Industry Trends” included elsewhere herein and “Risk Factors — Economic Environment and Capital Markets-Related Risks — We Are Exposed to Significant Financial and Capital Markets Risks 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 2014 Annual Report.

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Investment Portfolio Results
The following yield table presents the yield and investment income (loss) for our investment portfolio for the periods indicated. As described in the footnotes below, this table reflects certain differences from the presentation of net investment income presented in the GAAP consolidated statements of operations. 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.
 
At or For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
At or For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Yield % (1)    
 
Amount        
 
Yield % (1)    
 
Amount        
 
Yield % (1)    
 
Amount        
 
Yield % (1)    
 
Amount        
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities (2),(3)
4.55

%
$
3,467

 
4.73

%
$
3,704

 
4.66

%
$
10,701

 
4.80

%
$
11,185

Mortgage loans (3)
4.95

%
785

 
5.44

%
774

 
4.95

%
2,316

 
5.19

%
2,191

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
3.99

%
101

 
3.69

%
94

 
4.83

%
371

 
3.88

%
297

Policy loans
5.09

%
147

 
5.37

%
158

 
5.18

%
450

 
5.36

%
473

Equity securities
4.66

%
36

 
3.95

%
31

 
4.42

%
102

 
4.18

%
98

Other limited partnerships
10.82

%
216

 
14.77

%
299

 
11.27

%
681

 
14.14

%
834

Cash and short-term investments
0.74

%
23

 
1.06

%
40

 
0.93

%
89

 
1.09

%
124

Other invested assets


 
225

 


 
233

 
 
 
775

 
 
 
653

Total before investment fees and expenses
4.76

%
5,000

 
5.03

%
5,333

 
4.91

%
15,485

 
5.02

%
15,855

Investment fees and expenses
(0.14
)
 
(151
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(137
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(469
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(412
)
Net investment income including divested businesses (4), (5)
4.62

%
4,849

 
4.90

%
5,196

 
4.76

%
15,016

 
4.89

%
15,443

Less: net investment income from divested businesses (4), (5)
 
 

 
 
 
3

 
 
 

 
 
 
70

Net investment income (5)
 
 
$
4,849

 
 
 
$
5,193

 
 
 
$
15,016

 
 
 
$
15,373

__________________
(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 presented in footnote (5) below. 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 certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”) under GAAP that are treated as consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”) and contractholder-directed unit-linked investments. A yield is not presented for other invested assets, as it is not considered a meaningful measure of performance for this asset class.
(2)
Investment income (loss) includes amounts for FVO and trading securities of ($35) million and $4 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $14 million and $95 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
(3)
Investment income from fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans includes prepayment fees.
(4)
Yield calculations include the net investment income and ending carrying values of the divested businesses. The net investment income adjustment for divested businesses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $3 million and $70 million, respectively. These amounts include scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting adjustment that are excluded in the scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting line in the GAAP net investment income reconciliation presented below. The scheduled periodic settlement payments excluded were $0 and $1 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. There were no net investment income adjustments for divested businesses or excluded scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

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(5)
Net investment income presented in the yield table varies from the most directly comparable GAAP measure due to certain reclassifications and excludes the effects of consolidating certain VIEs under GAAP that are treated as CSEs and contractholder-directed unit-linked investments. Such reclassifications are presented in the table below.
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Net investment income — in the above yield table
$
4,849

 
$
5,193

 
$
15,016

 
$
15,373

Real estate discontinued operations

 

 

 
(1
)
Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting
(194
)
 
(169
)
 
(574
)
 
(513
)
Contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
(701
)
 
379

 
(79
)
 
739

Divested businesses

 
3

 

 
70

Operating joint venture adjustments
(3
)
 
1

 
(6
)
 
2

Incremental net investment income from CSEs
8

 
3

 
10

 
34

Net investment income — GAAP consolidated statements of operations
$
3,959

 
$
5,410

 
$
14,367

 
$
15,704

See “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014” and “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014” for an analysis of the period over period changes in net investment income.
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS
The following table presents fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale (“AFS”) by type (public or private) and information about perpetual and redeemable securities held at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Publicly-traded
$
303,052

 
86.2
%
$
315,167

 
86.2
%
  Privately-placed
48,526

 
13.8
 
50,258

 
13.8
 
    Total fixed maturity securities
$
351,578

 
100.0
%
$
365,425

 
100.0
%
    Percentage of cash and invested assets
68.7
%
 
 
 
70.7
%
 
 
 
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Publicly-traded
$
2,277

 
67.0
%
$
2,569

 
70.8
%
  Privately-held
1,122

 
33.0
 
1,062

 
29.2
 
    Total equity securities
$
3,399

 
100.0
%
$
3,631

 
100.0
%
    Percentage of cash and invested assets
0.7
%
 
 
 
0.7
%
 
 
 
Perpetual securities included within fixed maturity and equity securities AFS
$
865

 
 
 
$
1,009

 
 
 
Redeemable preferred stock with a stated maturity included within fixed maturity securities AFS
$
982

 
 
 
$
1,265

 
 
 
Included within fixed maturity and equity securities are perpetual securities. Upon acquisition, we classify perpetual securities that have attributes of both debt and equity as fixed maturity securities if the securities have an interest rate step-up feature which, when combined with other qualitative factors, indicates that the securities have more debt-like characteristics; while those with more equity-like characteristics are classified as equity securities. Many of such securities, commonly referred to as “perpetual hybrid securities,” have been issued by non-U.S. financial institutions that are accorded the highest two capital treatment categories by their respective regulatory bodies (i.e. core capital, or “Tier 1 capital” and perpetual deferrable securities, or “Upper Tier 2 capital”).

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Included within fixed maturity securities is redeemable preferred stock with a stated maturity. These securities, which are commonly referred to as “capital securities,” primarily have cumulative interest deferral features and are primarily issued by U.S. financial institutions.
In connection with our investment management business, we manage privately-placed and infrastructure fixed maturity securities on behalf of institutional clients, which are unaffiliated investors. These privately-placed and infrastructure fixed maturity securities had an estimated fair value of $5.6 billion and $4.1 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These assets are not included in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
Also in connection with our investment management business, we manage index investment portfolios that track the return of standard industry fixed income and equity market indices such as the Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and S&P 500® Index. These assets had an estimated fair value of $25.4 billion and $27.7 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included within separate account assets in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS — Valuation of Securities” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information on the processes used to value securities and the related controls.
Fair Value of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities – AFS
Fixed maturity and equity securities AFS measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value pricing sources are as follows:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Fixed Maturity
Securities
 
 
Equity
Securities
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
Level 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
$
34,117

 
9.7
%
 
$
1,347

 
39.6
%
Level 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent pricing source
260,746

 
74.1
 
 
1,459

 
42.9
 
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
34,726

 
9.9
 
 
143

 
4.2
 
Significant other observable inputs
295,472

 
84.0
 
 
1,602

 
47.1
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent pricing source
9,086

 
2.6
 
 
309

 
9.1
 
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
11,240

 
3.2
 
 
126

 
3.7
 
Independent broker quotations
1,663

 
0.5
 
 
15

 
0.5
 
Significant unobservable inputs
21,989

 
6.3
 
 
450

 
13.3
 
Total estimated fair value
$
351,578

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,399

 
100.0
%
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the fixed maturity securities and equity securities AFS fair value hierarchy.

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The composition of fair value pricing sources for and significant changes in Level 3 securities at September 30, 2015 are as follows:
The majority of the Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities AFS were concentrated in four sectors: U.S. and foreign corporate securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), and asset-backed securities (“ABS”).
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. Level 3 fixed maturity securities include: 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 collateralized obligation ABS and foreign government securities.
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, Level 3 fixed maturity securities increased by $5 million, or less than 1%. The increase was driven by purchases in excess of sales, offset by net transfers out of Level 3 and a decrease in estimated fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). The purchases in excess of sales were concentrated in RMBS, ABS, U.S. and foreign corporate securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities(“CMBS”). The net transfers out of Level 3 were concentrated in U.S. and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and ABS and the decrease in estimated fair value recognized in OCI was concentrated in U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Level 3 fixed maturity securities decreased by $146 million, or less than 1%. The decrease was driven by net transfers out of Level 3 and a decrease in estimated fair value recognized in OCI, partially offset by purchases in excess of sales. The net transfers out of Level 3 were concentrated in ABS, U.S. and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and RMBS and the decrease in estimated fair value recognized in OCI was concentrated in U.S. and foreign corporate securities. The purchases in excess of sales were concentrated in RMBS, ABS, and U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a rollforward of the fair value measurements for fixed maturity securities and equity securities AFS measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs; analysis of transfers into and/or out of Level 3; and further information about the valuation techniques and inputs by level by major classes of invested assets that affect the amounts reported above. 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 2014 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about fixed maturity securities AFS by sector, contractual maturities and continuous gross unrealized losses.
Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality — Ratings
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS — Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality — Ratings” included in the 2014 Annual Report for a discussion of the credit quality ratings assigned by rating agencies and credit quality designations assigned by and methodologies used by the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC for fixed maturity securities.
The NAIC has adopted revised methodologies for certain structured securities comprised of non-agency RMBS, CMBS and ABS. The NAIC’s objective with the revised methodologies for these structured securities was to increase the accuracy in assessing expected losses, and to use the improved assessment to determine a more appropriate capital requirement for such structured securities. The revised methodologies reduce regulatory reliance on rating agencies and allow for greater regulatory input into the assumptions used to estimate expected losses from structured securities. We apply the revised NAIC methodologies to structured securities held by MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries that maintain the NAIC statutory basis of accounting. The NAIC’s present methodology is to evaluate structured securities held by insurers using the revised NAIC methodologies on an annual basis. If MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries acquire structured securities that have not been previously evaluated by the NAIC, but are expected to be evaluated by the NAIC in the upcoming annual review, an internally developed designation is used until a final designation becomes available.

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The following table presents total fixed maturity securities by Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organizations (“NRSRO”) rating and the equivalent designations of the NAIC, except for certain structured securities, which are presented using the revised NAIC methodologies as described above, as well as the percentage, based on estimated fair value that each designation is comprised of at:
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
NAIC
Designation
 
NRSRO Rating
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
1
 
Aaa/Aa/A
 
$
230,754

 
$
19,293

 
$
250,047

 
71.1
%
 
$
233,246

 
$
23,837

 
$
257,083

 
70.4
%
2
 
Baa
 
75,967

 
3,391

 
79,358

 
22.6
 
 
76,754

 
6,654

 
83,408

 
22.8
 
 
 
Subtotal investment grade
 
306,721

 
22,684

 
329,405

 
93.7
 
 
310,000

 
30,491

 
340,491

 
93.2
 
3
 
Ba
 
15,488

 
(182
)
 
15,306

 
4.4
 
 
14,967

 
178

 
15,145

 
4.1
 
4
 
B
 
5,584

 
(177
)
 
5,407

 
1.5
 
 
8,481

 
(96
)
 
8,385

 
2.3
 
5
 
Caa and lower
 
1,361

 
22

 
1,383

 
0.4
 
 
1,296

 
44

 
1,340

 
0.4
 
6
 
In or near default
 
49

 
28

 
77

 
 
 
36

 
28

 
64

 
 
 
 
Subtotal below investment  grade
 
22,482

 
(309
)
 
22,173

 
6.3
 
 
24,780

 
154

 
24,934

 
6.8
 
 
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
329,203

 
$
22,375

 
$
351,578

 
100.0
%
 
$
334,780

 
$
30,645

 
$
365,425

 
100.0
%
The following tables present total fixed maturity securities, based on estimated fair value, by sector classification and by NRSRO rating and the equivalent designations of the NAIC, except for certain structured securities, which are presented using the NAIC methodologies as described above:
 
Fixed Maturity Securities — by Sector & Credit Quality Rating
NAIC Designation
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
NRSRO Rating
Aaa/Aa/A
 
Baa
 
Ba
 
B
 
Caa and Lower
 
In or Near
Default
 
 
(In millions)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$
44,323

 
$
43,126

 
$
9,295

 
$
3,707

 
$
506

 
$

 
$
100,957

Foreign corporate
23,652

 
29,862

 
3,831

 
912

 
146

 
1

 
58,404

U.S. Treasury and agency
59,671

 

 

 

 

 

 
59,671

Foreign government
44,137

 
4,033

 
1,495

 
401

 
404

 
53

 
50,523

RMBS
37,710

 
1,003

 
639

 
385

 
294

 
19

 
40,050

State and political subdivision
14,878

 
576

 
10

 

 
15

 

 
15,479

CMBS
12,309

 
35

 
15

 

 
3

 

 
12,362

ABS
13,367

 
723

 
21

 
2

 
15

 
4

 
14,132

Total fixed maturity securities
$
250,047

 
$
79,358

 
$
15,306

 
$
5,407

 
$
1,383

 
$
77

 
$
351,578

Percentage of total
71.1
%
 
22.6
%
 
4.4
%
 
1.5
%
 
0.4
%
 
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$
46,043

 
$
44,174

 
$
9,627

 
$
5,602

 
$
497

 
$
11

 
$
105,954

Foreign corporate
25,368

 
31,084

 
3,775

 
1,358

 
89

 
1

 
61,675

U.S. Treasury and agency
61,516

 

 

 

 

 

 
61,516

Foreign government
44,837

 
5,763

 
744

 
863

 
418

 
41

 
52,666

RMBS
37,156

 
1,049

 
766

 
551

 
318

 
6

 
39,846

State and political subdivision
14,656

 
501

 
30

 

 

 

 
15,187

CMBS
14,124

 
30

 
166

 
9

 
3

 

 
14,332

ABS
13,383

 
807

 
37

 
2

 
15

 
5

 
14,249

Total fixed maturity securities
$
257,083

 
$
83,408

 
$
15,145

 
$
8,385

 
$
1,340

 
$
64

 
$
365,425

Percentage of total
70.4
%
 
22.8
%
 
4.1
%
 
2.3
%
 
0.4
%
 
%
 
100.0
%

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Table of Contents

U.S. and Foreign Corporate Fixed Maturity Securities
We maintain a diversified portfolio of corporate fixed maturity securities across industries and issuers. This portfolio does not have any exposure to any single issuer in excess of 1% of total investments and the top ten holdings comprise 2% of total investments at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The tables below present our U.S. and foreign corporate securities holdings at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Corporate fixed maturity securities — by sector:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign corporate (1)
$
58,404

 
36.6
%
 
$
61,675

 
36.8
%
U.S. corporate fixed maturity securities — by industry:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer
26,878

 
16.9

 
27,808

 
16.6

Industrial
26,001

 
16.3

 
27,221

 
16.2

Utility
19,147

 
12.0

 
20,029

 
12.0

Finance
18,295

 
11.5

 
18,688

 
11.1

Communications
6,963

 
4.4

 
8,071

 
4.8

Other
3,673

 
2.3

 
4,137

 
2.5

Total
$
159,361

 
100.0
%
 
$
167,629

 
100.0
%
__________________
(1)
Includes both U.S. dollar and foreign denominated securities.
Structured Securities 
We held $66.5 billion and $68.4 billion of structured securities, at estimated fair value, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as presented in the RMBS, CMBS and ABS sections below.
RMBS
The table below presents our RMBS holdings at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
By security type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
$
20,409

 
51.0
%
 
$
855

 
$
20,269

 
50.9
%
 
$
1,083

Pass-through securities
19,641

 
49.0

 
499

 
19,577

 
49.1

 
699

Total RMBS
$
40,050

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,354

 
$
39,846

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,782

By risk profile:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
$
27,665

 
69.1
%
 
$
1,168

 
$
26,818

 
67.3
%
 
$
1,469

Prime
2,106

 
5.2

 
53

 
2,648

 
6.6

 
68

Alt-A
6,069

 
15.2

 
32

 
5,540

 
13.9

 
85

Sub-prime
4,210

 
10.5

 
101

 
4,840

 
12.2

 
160

Total RMBS
$
40,050

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,354

 
$
39,846

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,782

Ratings profile:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rated Aaa/AAA
$
28,069

 
70.1
%
 
 
 
$
27,362

 
68.7
%
 
 
Designated NAIC 1
$
37,710

 
94.2
%
 
 
 
$
37,156

 
93.2
%
 
 

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See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS — Structured Securities” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information about collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through mortgage-backed securities, as well as agency, prime, Alt-A and sub-prime RMBS.
Historically, we have managed our exposure to sub-prime RMBS holdings by: acquiring older vintage year securities that benefit from better underwriting, improved credit enhancement and higher levels of residential property price appreciation; reducing our overall exposure; stress testing the portfolio with severe loss assumptions; and closely monitoring the performance of the portfolio. Since 2012, we have increased our exposure by purchasing sub-prime RMBS at significant discounts to the expected principal recovery value of these securities. The estimated fair value of our sub-prime RMBS holdings purchased since 2012 was $3.6 billion and $3.9 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, with unrealized gains (losses) of $78 million and $130 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
CMBS
Our CMBS holdings are diversified by vintage year. The following tables present our CMBS holdings by rating agency rating and by vintage year at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
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)
2003 - 2005
$
340

 
$
356

 
$
221

 
$
232

 
$
68

 
$
69

 
$
51

 
$
54

 
$
14

 
$
15

 
$
694

 
$
726

2006
1,442

 
1,463

 
69

 
70

 
91

 
92

 
51

 
57

 

 

 
1,653

 
1,682

2007
491

 
506

 
32

 
32

 
163

 
169

 

 

 
123

 
125

 
809

 
832

2008 - 2010
5

 
5

 

 

 
13

 
14

 

 

 

 

 
18

 
19

2011
519

 
559

 
23

 
24

 
63

 
66

 

 

 

 

 
605

 
649

2012
253

 
284

 
251

 
260

 
850

 
874

 

 

 
2

 
2

 
1,356

 
1,420

2013
749

 
794

 
479

 
515

 
1,342

 
1,399

 
12

 
10

 

 

 
2,582

 
2,718

2014
736

 
744

 
830

 
832

 
668

 
684

 

 

 

 

 
2,234

 
2,260

2015
1,459

 
1,465

 
262

 
260

 
305

 
307

 
24

 
24

 

 

 
2,050

 
2,056

Total
$
5,994

 
$
6,176

 
$
2,167

 
$
2,225

 
$
3,563

 
$
3,674

 
$
138

 
$
145

 
$
139

 
$
142

 
$
12,001

 
$
12,362

Ratings Distribution
 
 
50.0
%
 
 
 
18.0
%
 
 
 
29.7
%
 
 
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
1.1
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
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)
2003 - 2004
$
251

 
$
258

 
$
25

 
$
27

 
$
54

 
$
56

 
$
40

 
$
40

 
$
17

 
$
17

 
$
387

 
$
398

2005
2,278

 
2,300

 
412

 
426

 
243

 
253

 
111

 
115

 
9

 
13

 
3,053

 
3,107

2006
1,983

 
2,056

 
103

 
106

 
107

 
110

 
66

 
73

 

 

 
2,259

 
2,345

2007
694

 
720

 
64

 
67

 
195

 
205

 
41

 
43

 
129

 
131

 
1,123

 
1,166

2008 - 2010
5

 
5

 

 

 
25

 
25

 

 

 

 

 
30

 
30

2011
561

 
603

 
23

 
24

 
63

 
65

 

 

 
4

 
4

 
651

 
696

2012
467

 
559

 
245

 
255

 
842

 
866

 

 

 
3

 
3

 
1,557

 
1,683

2013
802

 
854

 
467

 
505

 
1,330

 
1,393

 
13

 
11

 

 

 
2,612

 
2,763

2014
466

 
480

 
883

 
900

 
652

 
677

 
13

 
14

 
76

 
73

 
2,090

 
2,144

Total
$
7,507

 
$
7,835

 
$
2,222

 
$
2,310

 
$
3,511

 
$
3,650

 
$
284

 
$
296

 
$
238

 
$
241

 
$
13,762

 
$
14,332

Ratings Distribution
 
 
54.7
%
 
 
 
16.1
%
 
 
 
25.5
%
 
 
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
1.7
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
The tables above reflect rating agency ratings assigned by NRSROs including Moody’s Investors Service, S&P, Fitch Ratings and Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC. CMBS designated NAIC 1 were 99.6% and 98.5% of total CMBS at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

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ABS
Our ABS are diversified both by collateral type and by issuer. The following table presents our ABS holdings at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
By collateral type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized obligations
$
7,200

 
50.9
%
 
$
(101
)
 
$
5,262

 
36.9
%
 
$
(46
)
Foreign residential loans
1,598

 
11.3

 
27

 
2,146

 
15.1

 
63

Student loans
1,366

 
9.7

 
(26
)
 
1,997

 
14.0

 
42

Automobile loans
1,067

 
7.6

 
7

 
1,625

 
11.4

 
10

Credit card loans
922

 
6.5

 
34

 
1,195

 
8.4

 
44

Other loans
1,979

 
14.0

 
34

 
2,024

 
14.2

 
15

Total
$
14,132

 
100.0
%
 
$
(25
)
 
$
14,249

 
100.0
%
 
$
128

Ratings profile:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rated Aaa/AAA
$
7,331

 
51.9
%
 
 
 
$
7,950

 
55.8
%
 
 
Designated NAIC 1
$
13,367

 
94.6
%
 
 
 
$
13,383

 
93.9
%
 
 
Evaluation of AFS Securities for OTTI and Evaluating Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities
See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the evaluation of fixed maturity securities and equity securities AFS for OTTI and evaluation of temporarily impaired AFS securities.
OTTI Losses on Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS Recognized in Earnings
See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about OTTI losses and gross gains and gross losses on AFS securities sold.
Overview of Fixed Maturity and Equity Security OTTI Losses Recognized in Earnings
Impairments of fixed maturity and equity securities were $34 million and $63 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $32 million and $91 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Impairments of fixed maturity securities were $27 million and $47 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $31 million and $56 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Impairments of equity securities were $7 million and $16 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $1 million and $35 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
Credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities were $27 million and $47 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $31 million and $56 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
Explanations of changes in fixed maturity and equity securities impairments are as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $34 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $32 million in the prior period. The increase in OTTI losses in the current period was primarily attributable to common stock, which comprised $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $63 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $91 million in the prior period. The most significant decrease was in non-redeemable preferred stock, which comprised $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and was primarily attributable to finance industry non-redeemable preferred stocks.

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Future Impairments
Future OTTI will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), and changes in credit ratings, collateral valuation, interest rates and credit spreads. If economic fundamentals deteriorate or if there are adverse changes in the above factors, OTTI may be incurred in upcoming periods.
FVO and Trading Securities
FVO and trading securities are primarily comprised of securities for which the FVO has been elected (“FVO Securities”). FVO Securities include certain fixed maturity and equity securities held-for-investment by the general account to support ALM strategies for certain insurance products and investments in certain separate accounts. FVO Securities are primarily comprised of contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities which do not qualify for presentation as separate account summary total assets and liabilities. These investments are primarily mutual funds and, to a lesser extent, fixed maturity and equity securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. The investment returns on these investments inure to contractholder and are offset by a corresponding change in policyholder account balances through interest credited to policyholder account balances. FVO Securities also include securities held by CSEs. We have a trading securities portfolio, principally invested in fixed maturity securities, to support investment strategies that involve the active and frequent purchase and sale of actively traded securities and the execution of short sale agreements. FVO and trading securities were $15.4 billion and $16.7 billion at estimated fair value, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, or 3.0% and 3.2% of total cash and invested assets, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the FVO and trading securities fair value hierarchy and a rollforward of the fair value measurements for FVO and trading securities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.
Securities Lending
We participate in a securities lending program whereby securities are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. We obtain collateral, usually cash, in an amount generally equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned at inception of the loan. We monitor the estimated fair value of the securities loaned on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary throughout the duration of the loan. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee. We are liable to return to our counterparties the cash collateral under our control. Security collateral on deposit from counterparties may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. These transactions are treated as financing arrangements and the associated cash collateral liability is recorded at the amount of the cash received.
See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Securities Lending” and Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our securities lending program. See “— Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements — Collateral for Securities Lending, Repurchase Agreement Transactions, Third-Party Custodian Administered Repurchase Program and Derivatives” for information on non-cash collateral.
Repurchase Agreement Transactions
We participate in repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions whereby fixed maturity securities are loaned to unaffiliated financial institutions, and contemporaneously other fixed maturity securities are borrowed from the unaffiliated financial institutions. We obtain cash collateral in an amount greater than or equal to 95% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned, and pledge cash collateral in an amount generally equal to 98% of the estimated fair value of the borrowed securities at the inception of the transaction. We monitor the estimated fair value of the securities loaned and borrowed on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary throughout the duration of the transaction. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee. Securities borrowed under such transactions may be re-pledged, and are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. These transactions are treated as collateralized borrowing and lending and the Company has elected to offset amounts recognized as receivables and payables resulting from these transactions.
See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions.

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Mortgage Loans
Our mortgage loans are principally collateralized by commercial real estate, agricultural real estate and residential properties. Mortgage loans and the related valuation allowances are summarized as follows at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Valuation
Allowance
 
% of
Recorded Investment
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Valuation
Allowance
 
% of
Recorded Investment
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
(Dollars in millions)
Commercial
 
$
41,619

 
65.7
%
 
$
215

 
0.5
%
 
$
41,088

 
68.7
%
 
$
224

 
0.5
%
Agricultural
 
12,771

 
20.2

 
41

 
0.3
%
 
12,378

 
20.7

 
39

 
0.3
%
Residential
 
8,955

 
14.1

 
55

 
0.6
%
 
6,369

 
10.6

 
42

 
0.7
%
Total
 
$
63,345

 
100.0
%
 
$
311

 
0.5
%
 
$
59,835

 
100.0
%
 
$
305

 
0.5
%
The information presented in the tables herein exclude mortgage loans where we elected the FVO. Such amounts are presented in Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
We diversify our mortgage loan portfolio by both geographic region and property type to reduce the risk of concentration. Of our commercial and agricultural mortgage loan portfolios, 84% are collateralized by properties located in the U.S., with the remaining 16% collateralized by properties located outside the U.S., at September 30, 2015. The carrying value of our commercial and agricultural mortgage loans located in California, New York and Texas were 19%, 12% and 9%, respectively, of total mortgage loans at September 30, 2015. Additionally, we manage risk when originating commercial and agricultural mortgage loans by generally lending up to 75% of the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate collateral.
The residential mortgage loan portfolio is managed in a similar manner to reduce risk of concentration, with 91% collateralized by properties located in the U.S., and the remaining 9% collateralized by properties located outside the U.S., as of September 30, 2015. The carrying value of our residential mortgage loans located in California, Florida, and New York were 36%, 7%, and 6%, respectively.
In connection with our investment management business, we manage commercial mortgage loans on behalf of institutional clients, which are unaffiliated investors. These commercial mortgage loans had an estimated fair value of $1.6 billion and $1.2 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These assets are not included in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Commercial Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region and Property Type. Commercial mortgage loans are the largest component of the mortgage loan invested asset class. The tables below present the diversification across geographic regions and property types of commercial mortgage loans:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amount
 
% of
Total
 
Amount
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific
$
9,208
 
 
22.1
%
 
$
8,620
 
 
21.0
%
Middle Atlantic
7,743
 
 
18.6

 
7,689
 
 
18.7

International
7,548
 
 
18.1

 
7,251
 
 
17.7

South Atlantic
5,858
 
 
14.1

 
6,384
 
 
15.5

West South Central
4,289
 
 
10.3

 
3,990
 
 
9.7

East North Central
2,127
 
 
5.1

 
2,430
 
 
5.9

New England
1,350
 
 
3.2

 
1,155
 
 
2.8

Mountain
1,118
 
 
2.7

 
932
 
 
2.3

East South Central
408
 
 
1.0

 
424
 
 
1.0

West North Central
234
 
 
0.6

 
140
 
 
0.3

Multi-Region and Other
1,736
 
 
4.2

 
2,073
 
 
5.1

Total recorded investment
41,619
 
 
100.0
%
 
41,088
 
 
100.0
%
  Less: valuation allowances
215
 
 
 
 
224
 
 
 
  Carrying value, net of valuation allowances
$
41,404
 
 
 
 
$
40,864
 
 
 
Property Type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
$
19,951
 
 
47.9
%
 
$
21,400
 
 
52.1
%
Retail
10,002
 
 
24.0

 
9,389
 
 
22.9

Hotel
4,456
 
 
10.7

 
4,196
 
 
10.2

Apartment
4,865
 
 
11.7

 
3,786
 
 
9.2

Industrial
2,191
 
 
5.3

 
2,133
 
 
5.2

Other
154
 
 
0.4

 
184
 
 
0.4

Total recorded investment
41,619
 
 
100.0
%
 
41,088
 
 
100.0
%
  Less: valuation allowances
215
 
 
 
 
224
 
 
 
  Carrying value, net of valuation allowances
$
41,404
 
 
 
 
$
40,864
 
 
 
Mortgage Loan Credit Quality - Monitoring Process. We monitor our mortgage loan investments on an ongoing basis, including reviewing loans that are current, past due, restructured and under foreclosure. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present mortgage loans by credit quality indicator, past due and nonaccrual mortgage loans, as well as impaired mortgage loans. See “— Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures” for real estate acquired through foreclosure.
Commercial and Agricultural Mortgage Loans. We review our 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, 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 sector basis.

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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. Generally, the higher the loan-to-value ratio, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. 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. Generally, the lower the debt service coverage ratio, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. For our commercial mortgage loans, our average loan-to-value ratio was 52% at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and our average debt service coverage ratio was 2.6x at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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 our agricultural mortgage loans, our average loan-to-value ratio was 44% at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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 Valuation Allowances. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Mortgage Loans — Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information on our mortgage loan valuation allowance policy.
See Notes 5 and 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how valuation allowances are established and monitored, activity in and balances of the valuation allowance, and the estimated fair value of impaired mortgage loans and related impairments included within net investment gains (losses) as of and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures
We diversify our real estate investments by both geographic region and property type to reduce risk of concentration. Of our real estate investments, 81% were located in the United States, with the remaining 19% located outside the United States, at September 30, 2015. The carrying value of our real estate investments located in California, Japan and Florida were 18%, 16% and 9%, respectively, of total real estate investments at September 30, 2015.
Real estate investments by type consisted of the following at: 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Traditional
$
8,420

 
84.8
%
 
$
9,386

 
89.2
%
Real estate joint ventures and funds
553

 
5.6

 
647

 
6.2

Subtotal
8,973

 
90.4

 
10,033

 
95.4

Foreclosed (commercial, agricultural and residential)
45

 
0.5

 
320

 
3.0

Real estate held-for-investment
9,018

 
90.9

 
10,353

 
98.4

Real estate held-for-sale
905

 
9.1

 
172

 
1.6

Total real estate and real estate joint ventures
$
9,923

 
100.0
%
 
$
10,525

 
100.0
%
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures” included in the 2014 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 and held-for-sale real estate investment portfolios was $13.9 billion and $13.3 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
In connection with our investment management business, we manage real estate investments on behalf of institutional clients, which are unaffiliated investors. These real estate investments had an estimated fair value of $3.4 billion and $2.8 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These assets are not included in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Other Limited Partnership Interests
The carrying value of other limited partnership interests was $7.9 billion and $8.1 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which included $2.4 billion of hedge funds, at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Other Invested Assets
The following table presents the carrying value of our other invested assets by type:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values
$
15,515

 
66.4
%
 
$
13,452

 
63.2
%
Tax credit and renewable energy partnerships
2,862

 
12.3

 
2,752

 
12.9

Leveraged leases, net of non-recourse debt
1,768

 
7.6

 
1,785

 
8.4

Direct financing leases
1,039

 
4.4

 
1,119

 
5.3

Funds withheld
751

 
3.2

 
763

 
3.6

Operating joint ventures
534

 
2.3

 
513

 
2.4

Other
887

 
3.8

 
899

 
4.2

Total
$
23,356

 
100.0
%
 
$
21,283

 
100.0
%
Short-term Investments and Cash Equivalents
The carrying value of short-term investments, which approximates estimated fair value, was $15.0 billion and $8.6 billion, or 2.9% and 1.7% of total cash and invested assets, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The carrying value of cash equivalents, which approximates estimated fair value, was $5.0 billion and $4.5 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, or 1.0% and 0.9% of total cash and invested assets, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Derivatives
Derivative Risks
We are exposed to various risks relating to our ongoing business operations, including interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, credit and equity market. We use a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivatives. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for: 
A comprehensive description of the nature of our derivatives, including the strategies for which derivatives are used in managing various risks.
Information about the gross notional amount, estimated fair value, and primary underlying risk exposure of our derivatives by type of hedge designation, excluding embedded derivatives held at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
The statement of operations effects of derivatives in net investments in foreign operations, cash flow, fair value, or non-qualifying hedge relationships for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Management of Market Risk Exposures — Hedging Activities” included in the 2014 Annual Report for more information about our use of derivatives by major hedge program.
Fair Value Hierarchy
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy.
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.

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Derivatives categorized as Level 3 at September 30, 2015 include: interest rate forwards with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the yield curve; interest rate options with certain unobservable inputs including the unobservable portion of the yield curve; cancellable foreign currency swaps with unobservable currency correlation inputs; foreign currency swaps and forwards with certain unobservable inputs, including the 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 index options with unobservable correlation inputs. At September 30, 2015, less than 1% of the estimated fair value of our derivatives was priced through independent broker quotations.
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a rollforward of the fair value measurements for derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.
The gain (loss) on Level 3 derivatives primarily relates to certain purchased equity index options that are valued using models dependent on an unobservable market correlation input, equity variance swaps that are valued using observable equity volatility data plus an unobservable equity variance spread and foreign currency swaps and forwards that are valued using an unobservable portion of the swap yield curve. The unobservable equity variance spread is calculated from a comparison between broker offered equity variance swap volatility and observable equity index option volatility. Other significant inputs, which are observable, include equity index levels, equity volatility and the swap yield curve. We validate the reasonableness of these inputs by valuing the positions using internal models and comparing the results to broker quotations.
The gain (loss) on Level 3 derivatives, percentage of gain (loss) attributable to observable and unobservable inputs, and the primary drivers of observable gain (loss) are summarized as follows:
 
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30, 2015
Gain (loss) recognized in net income (loss)
 
($97) million
 
($163) million
Percentage of gain (loss) attributable to observable inputs
 
(36)%
 
(4)%
Primary drivers of observable gain (loss)
 
Strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus foreign currencies on receive inflation-linked foreign currency, pay U.S. dollar forwards; decreases in certain equity volatility levels; and decreases in equity index levels and swap rates.
 
Strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus foreign currencies on receive inflation-linked foreign currency, pay U.S. dollar forwards; decreases in certain equity volatility levels; and decreases in equity index levels.
Percentage of gain (loss) attributable to unobservable inputs
 
136%
 
104%
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivatives” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect derivatives.
Credit Risk
See Note 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how we manage credit risk related to derivatives and for the estimated fair value of our net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral.
Our 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 our legal right of offset.

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Credit Derivatives
The following table presents the gross notional amount and estimated fair value of credit default swaps at:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Credit Default Swaps
 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased (1)
 
$
2,274

 
$
(7
)
 
$
2,830

 
$
(26
)
Written (2)
 
10,458

 
47

 
10,527

 
175

Total
 
$
12,732

 
$
40

 
$
13,357

 
$
149

__________________
(1)
The gross notional amount and estimated fair value for purchased credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $475 million and ($2) million, respectively, at September 30, 2015 and $250 million and ($6) million, respectively, at December 31, 2014.
(2)
The gross notional amount and estimated fair value for written credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $20 million and ($1) million, respectively, at September 30, 2015 and $15 million and $1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014.
The following table presents the gross gains, gross losses and net gain (losses) recognized in income for credit default swaps as follows:
 
 
Three Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Credit Default Swaps
 
Gross
Gains 
(1)
 
Gross
Losses 
(1)
 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
Gross
Gains 
(1)
 
Gross
Losses 
(1)
 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
Gross
Gains 
(1)
 
Gross
Losses 
(1)
 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
Gross
Gains 
(1)
 
Gross
Losses 
(1)
 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased (2), (4)
 
$
20

 
$
(1
)
 
$
19

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
6

 
$
32

 
$
(20
)
 
$
12

 
$
18

 
$
(18
)
 
$

Written (3), (4)
 

 
(78
)
 
(78
)
 
(15
)
 
(17
)
 
(32
)
 
16

 
(124
)
 
(108
)
 
20

 
(39
)
 
(19
)
Total
 
$
20

 
$
(79
)
 
$
(59
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
(26
)
 
$
48

 
$
(144
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
38

 
$
(57
)
 
$
(19
)
__________________
(1)
Gains (losses) are reported in net derivative gains (losses), except for gains (losses) on the trading portfolio, which are reported in net investment income.
(2)
The gross gains and gross (losses) for purchased credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $4 million and ($1) million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $7 million and ($4) million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The gross gains and gross (losses) for purchased credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $1 million and $0, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $4 million and ($3) million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
(3)
The gross gains and gross (losses) for written credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $2 million and ($3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $3 million and ($3) million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The gross gains and gross (losses) for written credit default swaps in our trading portfolio were not significant for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
(4)
Gains (losses) do not include earned income (expense) on credit default swaps.
The favorable change in net gains (losses) on purchased credit default swaps of $12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was mainly due to certain credit spreads widening in the current period as compared to credit spreads narrowing in the prior period on credit default swaps hedging certain bonds. The unfavorable change in net gains (losses) on written credit default swaps of ($89) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was due to certain credit spreads widening in the current period compared to credit spreads narrowing in the prior period on certain credit default swaps used as replications.

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The maximum amount at risk related to our written credit default swaps is equal to the corresponding gross notional amount. In a replication transaction, we pair an asset on our balance sheet with a written credit default swap to synthetically replicate a corporate bond, a core asset holding of life insurance companies. Replications are entered into in accordance with the guidelines approved by insurance regulators and are an important tool in managing the overall corporate credit risk within the Company. In order to match our long-dated insurance liabilities, we will seek to buy long-dated corporate bonds. In some instances, these may not be readily available in the market, or they may be issued by corporations to which we already have significant corporate credit exposure. For example, by purchasing Treasury bonds (or other high-quality assets) and associating them with written credit default swaps on the desired corporate credit name, we, at times, can replicate the desired bond exposures and meet our ALM needs. In addition, given the shorter tenor of the credit default swaps (generally five-year tenors) versus a long-dated corporate bond, we have more flexibility in managing our credit exposures.
Embedded Derivatives
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy.
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for 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.
See Note 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the nonperformance risk adjustment included in the valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits accounted for as embedded derivatives.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivatives” included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect embedded derivatives.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Credit and Committed Facilities
We maintain an unsecured credit facility and certain committed facilities with various financial institutions. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” for further descriptions of such arrangements.
Collateral for Securities Lending, Repurchase Agreement Transactions, Third-Party Custodian Administered Repurchase Program and Derivatives
We participate in a securities lending program in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the total return on our investment portfolio. Periodically, we receive non-cash collateral for securities lending from counterparties, which cannot be sold or re-pledged, and which has not been recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of this collateral was $175 million and $83 million at estimated fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and “— Investments — Securities Lending,” as well as “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Investments — Securities Lending Program” in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for discussion of our securities lending program, the classification of revenues and expenses, and the nature of the secured financing arrangement and associated liability.
We participate in repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions. In connection with these transactions, we obtain fixed maturity securities as collateral from unaffiliated financial institutions, which can be re-pledged, and which have not been recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of these securities and the amount which were re-pledged was $512 million and $227 million, respectively, at estimated fair value at September 30, 2015. We had no such securities as of December 31, 2014. See “— Investments — Repurchase Agreement Transactions” and Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of our repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and the classification of the associated net receivable/payable and expense.
We also participate in third-party custodian administered repurchase programs for the purpose of enhancing the total return on our investment portfolio. We loan certain of our fixed maturity securities to financial institutions and, in exchange, non-cash collateral is put on deposit by the financial institutions on our behalf with third-party custodians. The estimated fair value of securities loaned in connection with these transactions was $599 million and $642 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Non-cash collateral on deposit with third-party custodians on our behalf was $650 million and $682 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which cannot be sold or re-pledged, and which has not been recorded on our consolidated balance sheets.

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We enter into derivatives to manage various risks relating to our ongoing business operations. We have non-cash collateral from counterparties for derivatives, which can be sold or re-pledged subject to certain constraints, and which has not been recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of this non-cash collateral was $2.2 billion and $4.2 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In certain instances, cash collateral pledged to the Company as initial margin for “OTC-bilateral” derivatives (over-the-counter (“OTC”) bilateral contracts between two counterparties) is held in separate custodial accounts and is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet because the account title is in the name of the counterparty (but segregated for the benefit of the Company). The amount of this cash collateral was $0 and $263 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Pledged Collateral” and Note 6 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 our derivatives.
Other
Additionally, we make mortgage loan commitments and commitments to fund partnerships, bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the total return on our investment portfolio. Other than these investment-related commitments which are disclosed in Note 14 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, there are no other material obligations or liabilities arising from these investment- related commitments. For further information on these investment-related commitments see “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Contractual Obligations.” See “Net Investment Income” and “Net Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 5 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 “— Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS,” “— Investments — Mortgage Loans,” “— Investments — Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures” and “— Investments — Other Limited Partnership Interests” for information on our investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, mortgage loans and partnerships.
Policyholder Liabilities
We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are calculated to meet policy obligations or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the uncertainty associated with the determination of actuarial liabilities, we cannot precisely determine the amounts that will ultimately be paid with respect to these actuarial liabilities, and the ultimate amounts may vary from the estimated amounts, particularly when payments may not occur until well into the future.
We periodically review our estimates of actuarial liabilities for future benefits and compare them with our actual experience. We revise estimates, to the extent permitted or required under GAAP, if we determine that future expected experience differs from assumptions used in the development of actuarial liabilities. We charge or credit changes in our liabilities to expenses in the period the liabilities are established or re-estimated. If the liabilities originally established for future benefit payments prove inadequate, we must increase them. Such an increase could adversely affect our earnings and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We have experienced, and will likely in the future experience, catastrophe losses and possibly acts of terrorism, as well as turbulent financial markets that may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Due to their nature, we cannot predict the incidence, timing, severity or amount of losses from catastrophes and acts of terrorism, but we make broad use of catastrophic and non-catastrophic reinsurance to manage risk from these perils.
Insurance regulators in many of the non-U.S. countries in which we operate require certain MetLife entities to prepare a sufficiency analysis of the reserves presented in the locally required regulatory financial statements, and to submit that analysis to the regulatory authorities. See “Business — Regulation — International Regulation” included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Future Policy Benefits
We establish liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies. See Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for additional information. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment — Interest Rate Stress Scenario” included in the 2014 Annual Report and “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.” A discussion of future policy benefits by segment (as well as Corporate & Other) follows.

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Retail
Future policy benefits for the life business are comprised mainly of liabilities for traditional life and for universal and variable life insurance contracts. In order to manage risk, we have often reinsured a portion of the mortality risk on life insurance policies. The reinsurance programs are routinely evaluated and this may result in increases or decreases to existing coverage. We have entered into various derivative positions, primarily interest rate swaps and swaptions, to mitigate the risk that investment of premiums received and reinvestment of maturing assets over the life of the policy will be at rates below those assumed in the original pricing of these contracts. For our property & casualty business, future policy benefits include unearned premium reserves and liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses and represent the amount estimated for claims that have been reported but not settled and claims incurred but not reported. For the annuities business, future policy benefits are comprised mainly of liabilities for life-contingent income annuities, and liabilities for the variable annuity guaranteed minimum benefits accounted for as insurance.
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
With the exception of our property & casualty business, future policy benefits for our Group and Voluntary & Worksite businesses are comprised mainly of liabilities for disabled lives under disability waiver of premium policy provisions, liabilities for survivor income benefit insurance, long-term care policies, active life policies and premium stabilization and other contingency liabilities held under life insurance contracts. The future policy benefits components for the property & casualty products offered by the Voluntary & Worksite and Retail property & casualty businesses are the same. Liabilities for unpaid claims are estimated based upon assumptions such as rates of claim frequencies, levels of severities, inflation, judicial trends, legislative changes or regulatory decisions. Assumptions are based upon our historical experience and analyses of historical development patterns of the relationship of loss adjustment expenses to losses for each line of business, and consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs, reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation.
Corporate Benefit Funding
Liabilities for this segment are primarily related to payout annuities, including pension closeouts and structured settlement annuities. There is no interest rate crediting flexibility on these liabilities. As a result, a sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings; however, we mitigate our risks by applying various ALM strategies, including the use of various derivative positions, primarily interest rate floors and interest rate swaps, to mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario.
Latin America
Future policy benefits for this segment are held primarily for immediate annuities in Chile, Argentina and Mexico and traditional life contracts mainly in Brazil and Mexico. There are also liabilities held for total return pass-through provisions included in certain universal life and savings products in Mexico. Factors impacting these liabilities include sustained periods of lower yields than rates established at policy issuance, lower than expected asset reinvestment rates, and mortality and lapses different than expected. We mitigate our risks by applying various ALM strategies.
Asia
Future policy benefits for this segment are held primarily for traditional life, endowment, annuity and accident & health contracts. They are also held for total return pass-through provisions included in certain universal life and savings products. They include certain liabilities for variable annuity and variable life guarantees of minimum death benefits, and longevity guarantees. Factors impacting these liabilities include sustained periods of lower yields than rates established at policy issuance, lower than expected asset reinvestment rates, market volatility, actual lapses resulting in lower than expected income, and actual mortality or morbidity resulting in higher than expected benefit payments. We mitigate our risks by applying various ALM strategies.
EMEA
Future policy benefits for this segment include unearned premium reserves for group life and credit insurance contracts. Future policy benefits are also held for traditional life, endowment and annuity contracts with significant mortality risk and accident & health contracts. Factors impacting these liabilities include lower than expected asset reinvestment rates, market volatility, actual lapses resulting in lower than expected income, and actual mortality or morbidity resulting in higher than expected benefit payments. We mitigate our risks by having premiums which are adjustable or cancellable in some cases, and by applying various ALM strategies.

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Corporate & Other
Future policy benefits primarily include liabilities for certain run-off long-term care and workers’ compensation business written by MetLife Insurance Company USA. Additionally, future policy benefits include liabilities for variable annuity guaranteed minimum benefits assumed from a former operating joint venture in Japan that are accounted for as insurance.
Policyholder Account Balances
Policyholder account balances are generally equal to the account value, which includes accrued interest credited, but excludes the impact of any applicable charge that may be incurred upon surrender. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment — Interest Rate Stress Scenario” included in the 2014 Annual Report and “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.” See also Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for additional information. A discussion of policyholder account balances by segment (as well as Corporate & Other) follows.
Retail
Life & Other policyholder account balances are held for retained asset accounts, universal life policies and the fixed account of variable life insurance policies. For Annuities, policyholder account balances are held for fixed deferred annuities, the fixed account portion of variable annuities, and non-life contingent income annuities. Interest is credited to the policyholder’s account at interest rates we determine which are influenced by current market rates, subject to specified minimums. A sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings as a result of the minimum credited rate guarantees present in most of these policyholder account balances. We have various derivative positions, primarily interest rate floors, to partially mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario. Additionally, policyholder account balances are held for variable annuity guaranteed minimum living benefits that are accounted for as embedded derivatives.
The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed crediting rates for Retail:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Account
Value (1)
 
Account
Value at
Guarantee (1)
Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate
(In millions)
Life & Other
 
 
 
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
96

 
$
96

Equal to 2% but less than 4%
$
12,351

 
$
5,238

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
10,601

 
$
6,312

Annuities
 
 
 
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
3,386

 
$
2,927

Equal to 2% but less than 4%
$
31,422

 
$
26,119

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
2,387

 
$
2,345

__________________
(1)These amounts are not adjusted for policy loans.
As a result of acquisitions, we establish additional liabilities known as excess interest reserves for policies with credited rates in excess of market rates as of the applicable acquisition dates. At September 30, 2015, excess interest reserves were $113 million and $337 million for Life & Other and Annuities, respectively.
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
Policyholder account balances in this segment are held for retained asset accounts, universal life policies, the fixed account of variable life insurance policies and specialized life insurance products for benefit programs. Policyholder account balances are credited interest at a rate we determine, which are influenced by current market rates. A sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings as a result of the minimum credited rate guarantees present in most of these policyholder account balances. We have 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 crediting rates for Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Account
Value (1)
 
Account
Value at
Guarantee (1)
Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate
(In millions)
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
4,848

 
$
4,844

Equal to 2% but less than 4%
$
2,047

 
$
2,017

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
674

 
$
647

__________________
(1)
These amounts are not adjusted for policy loans.
Corporate Benefit Funding
Policyholder account balances in this segment 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 InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). We are exposed to interest rate risks, as well as foreign currency exchange rate risk when guaranteeing payment of interest and return of principal at the contractual maturity date. We may invest in floating rate assets or enter into receive-floating interest rate swaps, also tied to external indices, as well as caps, to mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates. We also mitigate our risks by applying various ALM strategies and seek to hedge all foreign currency exchange rate risk through the use of foreign currency hedges, including cross currency swaps.
Latin America
Policyholder account balances in this segment are held largely for investment-type products and universal life products in Mexico, and deferred annuities in Brazil. 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 investments, as the return on assets is generally passed directly to the policyholder.
Asia
Policyholder account balances in this segment are held largely for fixed income retirement and savings plans, fixed deferred annuities, interest sensitive whole life products, universal life and, to a lesser degree, liability amounts for unit-linked-type funds 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 accounted for as embedded derivatives and recorded at estimated fair value and are also included within policyholder account balances. These liabilities are generally impacted by sustained periods of low interest rates, where there are interest rate guarantees. We mitigate our risks by applying various ALM strategies 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.

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The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed crediting rates for Asia:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Account
Value (2)
 
Account
Value at
Guarantee (2)
Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate (1)
(In millions)
Annuities
 
 
 
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
18,794

 
$
3,188

Equal to 2% but less than 4%
$
1,022

 
$
239

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
1

 
$
1

Life & Other
 
 
 
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
6,283

 
$
5,947

Equal to 2% but less than 4%
$
17,661

 
$
8,021

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
266

 
$

__________________
(1)
Excludes negative VOBA liabilities of $1.3 billion at September 30, 2015, primarily held in Japan. These liabilities were established in instances where the estimated fair value of contract obligations exceeded the book value of assumed insurance policy liabilities associated with the acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”) and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DelAm”) (collectively, “ALICO”). These negative liabilities were established primarily for decreased market interest rates subsequent to the issuance of the policy contracts.
(2)
These amounts are not adjusted for policy loans.
EMEA
Policyholder account balances in this segment 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. We mitigate our risks by applying various ALM strategies. Liabilities for unit-linked-type funds are impacted by changes in the fair value of the associated investments, as the return on assets is generally passed directly to the policyholder.
Corporate & Other
Policyholder account balances in Corporate & Other are held for variable annuity guaranteed minimum benefits assumed from a former operating joint venture in Japan that are accounted for as embedded derivatives.
Variable Annuity Guarantees
We issue, directly and through assumed business, 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. In some cases, the benefit base may be increased by additional deposits, bonus amounts, accruals or optional market value resets. See Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report, as well as Note 3 of the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Certain guarantees, including portions thereof, have insurance liabilities established that are included in future policy benefits. Guarantees accounted for in this manner include GMDBs, the life-contingent portion of certain guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWBs”), and the portions of both guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIBs”) and non-life contingent GMWBs that require 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 are based on best estimate assumptions consistent with those used to amortize DAC. 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, we update 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.

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Certain guarantees, including portions thereof, accounted for as embedded derivatives, are recorded at estimated fair value and included in policyholder account balances. Guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives include guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMABs”), and the portions of both non-life contingent GMWBs and GMIBs 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 our nonperformance risk and adding a risk margin. For more information on the determination of estimated fair value, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The table below contains the carrying value for guarantees at: 
 
Future Policy
Benefits
 
Policyholder
Account Balances
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Americas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
$
904

 
$
710

 
$

 
$

GMIB
2,357

 
1,993

 
(155
)
 
(1,278
)
GMAB

 

 
17

 
2

GMWB
125

 
104

 
540

 
38

Asia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
25

 
29

 

 

GMAB

 

 
37

 
22

GMWB
85

 
91

 
142

 
129

EMEA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
2

 
2

 

 

GMAB

 

 
21

 
23

GMWB
28

 
26

 
(31
)
 
(61
)
Corporate & Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
12

 
17

 

 

GMAB

 

 
24

 
23

GMWB
101

 
74

 
991

 
949

Total
$
3,639

 
$
3,046

 
$
1,586

 
$
(153
)
The carrying amounts for guarantees included in policyholder account balances above include nonperformance risk adjustments of $522 million and $299 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These 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. The nonperformance risk adjustment does not have an economic impact on us as it cannot be monetized given the nature of these policyholder liabilities. The change in valuation arising from the nonperformance risk adjustment is not hedged.
The carrying values of these guarantees can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, equity volatility, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. Carrying values are also impacted by our assumptions around mortality, separate account returns and policyholder behavior, including lapse rates.
As discussed below, we use a combination of product design, reinsurance, hedging strategies, and other risk management actions to mitigate the risks related to these benefits. Within each type of guarantee, there is a range of product offerings reflecting the changing nature of these products over time. Changes in product features and terms are in part driven by customer demand but, more importantly, reflect our risk management practices of continuously evaluating the guaranteed benefits and their associated asset-liability matching.

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The sections below provide further detail by total contract account value for certain of our most popular guarantees. Total contract account values include amounts not reported in the consolidated balance sheets from assumed business, contractholder-directed investments which do not qualify for presentation as separate account assets, and amounts included in our general account. The total contract account values and the net amounts at risk include direct and assumed business, but exclude offsets from hedging or ceded reinsurance, if any.
GMDBs
We offer a range of GMDBs to our contractholders. The table below presents GMDBs, by benefit type, at September 30, 2015:
 
Total Contract
Account Value (1)
 
Americas
 
Asia & EMEA
 
Corporate &
Other
 
(In millions)
Return of premium or five to seven year step-up
$
98,983

 
$
10,225

 
$
10,992

Annual step-up
27,570

 

 

Roll-up and step-up combination
36,474

 

 

Total
$
163,027

 
$
10,225

 
$
10,992

__________________
(1)
Total contract account value excludes $2.1 billion for contracts with no GMDBs. Further, many of our annuity contracts offer more than one type of guarantee such that GMDB amounts listed above are not mutually exclusive to the amounts in the living benefit guarantees table below.
Based on total contract account value, less than 39% of our GMDBs included enhanced death benefits such as the annual step-up or roll-up and step-up combination products. We expect the above GMDB risk profile to be relatively consistent for the foreseeable future.
As part of our risk management of the GMDB business, we have been opportunistically reinsuring in-force blocks, taking advantage of favorable capital market conditions. Our approach for such treaties has been to seek coverage for the enhanced GMDBs, such as the annual step-up and the roll-up and step-up combination. These treaties tend to cover long periods until claims start running off, and are written either on a first dollar basis or with a deductible.
Living Benefit Guarantees
The table below presents our living benefit guarantees based on total contract account values at September 30, 2015:
 
Total Contract
Account Value (1)
 
Americas
 
Asia & EMEA
 
Corporate &
Other
 
(In millions)
GMIB
$
89,914

 
$

 
$

GMWB - non-life contingent (2)
5,728

 
2,673

 
2,526

GMWB - life-contingent
21,114

 
4,648

 
7,443

GMAB
593

 
1,399

 
1,023

 
$
117,349

 
$
8,720

 
$
10,992

__________________
(1)
Total contract account value excludes $47.8 billion for contracts with no living benefit guarantees. Further, many of our annuity contracts offer more than one type of guarantee such that living benefit guarantee amounts listed above are not mutually exclusive of the amounts in the GMDBs table above.
(2)
The Asia and EMEA segments include the non-life contingent portion of the GMWB total contract account value of $938 million with a guarantee at annuitization.

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In terms of total contract account value, GMIBs are our most significant living benefit guarantee. Our primary risk management strategy for our GMIB products is our derivatives hedging program as discussed below. Additionally, we have engaged in certain reinsurance agreements covering some of our GMIB business. As part of our overall risk management approach for living benefit guarantees, we continually monitor the reinsurance markets for the right opportunity to purchase additional coverage for our GMIB business.
The table below presents our GMIB associated total contract account values, by their guaranteed payout basis, at September 30, 2015:
 
Total Contract
Account Value
 
(In millions)
7-year setback, 2.5% interest rate
$
32,133

7-year setback, 1.5% interest rate
5,547

10-year setback, 1.5% interest rate
18,242

10-year mortality projection, 10-year setback, 1.0% interest rate
29,763

10-year mortality projection, 10-year setback, 0.5% interest rate
4,229

 
$
89,914

The annuitization interest rates on GMIBs have been decreased from 2.5% to 0.5% over time, partially in response to the low interest rate environment, accompanied by an increase in the setback period from seven years to 10 years and the recent introduction of the 10-year mortality projection. We expect new contracts to have comparable guarantee features for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, 33% of the GMIB total contract account value has been invested in managed volatility funds as of September 30, 2015. These funds seek to manage volatility by adjusting the fund holdings within certain guidelines based on capital market movements. Such activity reduces the overall risk of the underlying funds while maintaining their growth opportunities. These risk mitigation techniques translate to a reduction or elimination of the need for us to manage the funds’ volatility through hedging or reinsurance. We expect the proportion of total contract account value invested in these funds to increase for the foreseeable future, as new contracts with GMIB are required to invest in these funds.
Our GMIB products typically have a waiting period of 10 years to be eligible for annuitization. As of September 30, 2015, only 14% of our contracts with GMIBs were eligible for annuitization. The remaining contracts are not eligible for annuitization for an average of six years.

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Once eligible for annuitization, contractholders would only be expected to annuitize if their contracts were in-the-money. We calculate in-the-moneyness with respect to GMIBs consistent with net amount at risk as discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, by comparing the contractholders’ income benefits based on total contract account values and current annuity rates versus the guaranteed income benefits. The net amount at risk was $2,909 million at September 30, 2015, of which $2,768 million was related to GMIB guarantees. For those contracts with GMIB, the table below presents details of contracts that are in-the-money and out-of-the-money at September 30, 2015:
 
In-the-
Moneyness
 
Total Contract
Account Value
 
% of Total

 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
In-the-money
30% +
 
$
2,586

 
2.9
%
 
20% to 30%
 
2,184

 
2.4
%
 
10% to 20%
 
3,966

 
4.4
%
 
0% to 10%
 
6,541

 
7.3
%
 
 
 
15,277

 
 
Out-of-the-money
-10% to 0%
 
14,296

 
15.9
%
 
-20% to -10%
 
8,823

 
9.8
%
 
-20% +
 
51,518

 
57.3
%
 
 
 
74,637

 
 
Total GMIBs
 
 
$
89,914

 
 
Derivatives Hedging Variable Annuity Guarantees
In addition to reinsurance and our risk mitigating steps described above, we have a hedging strategy that uses various OTC and exchanged traded derivatives. The table below presents the gross notional amount, estimated fair value and primary underlying risk exposure of the derivatives hedging our variable annuity guarantees:
 
 
Instrument Type
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Primary Underlying
Risk Exposure
 
Gross Notional
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Notional
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Interest rate
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
23,506

 
$
2,159

 
$
966

 
$
22,794

 
$
1,881

 
$
834

 
 
Interest rate futures
 
3,874

 
3

 
9

 
2,707

 
3

 
9

 
 
Interest rate options
 
25,260

 
1,129

 
1

 
36,510

 
908

 
26

Foreign currency exchange rate
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
2,306

 
67

 
4

 
2,241

 
1

 
137

 
 
Foreign currency futures
 
183

 
1

 

 
522

 
2

 

Equity market
 
Equity futures
 
6,748

 
22

 
82

 
6,065

 
65

 
2

 
 
Equity options
 
45,115

 
1,678

 
920

 
37,427

 
1,422

 
1,035

 
 
Variance swaps
 
24,872

 
209

 
682

 
24,598

 
196

 
639

 
 
Total rate of return swaps
 
3,847

 
248

 
4

 
3,297

 
22

 
101

 
 
Total
 
$
135,711

 
$
5,516

 
$
2,668

 
$
136,161

 
$
4,500

 
$
2,783

The change in estimated fair values of our derivatives is recorded in policyholder benefits and claims if they are hedging guarantees included in future policy benefits, and in net derivative gains (losses) if they are hedging guarantees included in policyholder account balances.
Our hedging strategy involves the significant use of static longer-term derivative instruments to avoid the need to execute transactions during periods of market disruption or higher volatility. We continually monitor the capital markets for opportunities to adjust our liability coverage, as appropriate. Futures are also used to dynamically adjust the daily coverage levels as markets and liability exposures fluctuate.

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We remain liable for the guaranteed benefits in the event that reinsurers or derivative counterparties are unable or unwilling to pay. Certain of our 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, we are 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 markets and economy continue to experience volatility that may affect our financing costs and market interest for our debt or equity securities. For further information regarding market factors that could affect our ability to meet liquidity and capital needs, see “— Industry Trends” and “— Investments — Current Environment.”
Liquidity Management
Based upon the strength of our franchise, diversification of our businesses, strong financial fundamentals and the substantial funding sources available to us as described herein, we continue to believe we have access to ample liquidity to meet business requirements under current market conditions and reasonably possible stress scenarios. We continuously monitor and adjust our liquidity and capital plans for MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries in light of market conditions, as well as changing needs and opportunities.
Short-term Liquidity
We maintain a substantial short-term liquidity position, which was $13.2 billion and $14.0 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Short-term liquidity includes cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed including: (i) amounts related to cash collateral received under our securities lending program; (ii) amounts related to cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivatives; and (iii) cash held in the closed block.
Liquid Assets
An integral part of our liquidity management includes managing our level of liquid assets, which was $225.6 billion and $237.4 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed. Assets pledged or otherwise committed include: (i) amounts related to cash collateral received under our securities lending program; (ii) amounts related to cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivatives; (iii) cash and investments held in the closed block, in regulatory custodial accounts or on deposit with regulatory agencies; (iv) investments held in trust in support of collateral financing arrangements; and (v) investments pledged in support of funding agreements, derivatives and short sale agreements.
Capital Management
We have established several senior management committees as part of our capital management process. These committees, including the Capital Management Committee and the Enterprise Risk Committee (“ERC”), regularly review actual and projected capital levels (under a variety of scenarios including stress scenarios) and our annual capital plan in accordance with our capital policy. The Capital Management Committee is comprised of members of senior management, including MetLife, Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”). The ERC is also comprised of members of senior management, including MetLife, Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer, CRO and Chief Investment Officer.
Our Board and senior management are directly involved in the development and maintenance of our 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 annual 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.

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For information regarding restrictions on payment of dividends and stock repurchases, see “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — Regulatory Restrictions and Uncertainty and Restrictions Under the Terms of Certain of Our Securities May Prevent Us from Repurchasing Our Stock and Paying Dividends at the Level We Wish” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented by the information under the similarly named section in MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, as well as Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report. See also “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Common Stock Repurchases” for information regarding MetLife, Inc.’s common stock repurchase authorizations.
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, we have various alternatives available depending on market conditions and the amount and timing of the liquidity need. These available alternatives include cash flows from operations, sales of liquid assets, global funding sources and various credit facilities.
Capital
We manage our capital position to maintain our financial strength and credit ratings. Our capital position is supported by our ability to generate strong cash flows within our operating companies and borrow funds at competitive rates, as well as by our demonstrated ability to raise additional capital to meet operating and growth needs despite adverse market and economic conditions.

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Summary of the Company’s Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital
Our primary sources and uses of liquidity and capital are summarized as follows:
 
Nine Months 
 Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Sources:
 
 
 
Operating activities, net
$
9,527

 
$
10,950

Changes in policyholder account balances, net

 
2,554

Changes in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions, net
2,664

 
3,481

Long-term debt issued
1,578

 
1,000

Preferred stock issued, net of issuance costs
1,483

 

Cash received in connection with collateral financing arrangements
6

 

Other, net
6

 

Total sources
15,264

 
17,985

Uses:
 
 
 
Investing activities, net
6,907

 
11,669

Changes in policyholder account balances, net
3,557

 

Short-term debt repayments, net

 
75

Long-term debt repaid
1,078

 
2,802

Collateral financing arrangements repaid
44

 

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
1,107

 
443

Repurchase of preferred stock
1,460

 

Preferred stock repurchase premium
42

 

Dividends on preferred stock
67

 
91

Dividends on common stock
1,234

 
1,101

Other, net

 
546

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
360

 
60

Total uses
15,856

 
16,787

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(592
)
 
$
1,198

Cash Flows from Operations
The principal cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, net investment income, annuity considerations and deposit funds. The principal cash outflows relate to various life insurance, property & casualty, annuity and pension products, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. A primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal.
Cash Flows from Investments
The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases of investments, issuances of policy loans and settlements of freestanding derivatives. Additional cash outflows relate to purchases of businesses. We typically have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are reinvested in accordance with our ALM discipline to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors and market disruption.

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Cash Flows from Financing
The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from issuances of debt and other securities, deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from repayments of debt, payments of dividends on and repurchases of MetLife, Inc.’s securities, withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal.
Liquidity and Capital Sources
In addition to the general description of liquidity and capital sources in “— Summary of the Company’s Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital,” the following additional information is provided regarding our primary sources of liquidity and capital:
Global Funding Sources
Liquidity is provided by a variety of global funding sources, including funding agreements, credit facilities and commercial paper. Capital is provided by a variety of global funding sources, including short-term and long-term debt, collateral financing arrangements, junior subordinated debt securities, preferred securities, equity securities and equity-linked securities. The diversity of our global funding sources enhances our funding flexibility, limits dependence on any one market or source of funds and generally lowers the cost of funds. Our primary global funding sources include:
Preferred Stock
In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued 1,500,000 shares of 5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C preferred stock”), with a $0.01 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $1.5 billion. See “— Liquidity and Capital Uses — Preferred Stock Repurchase,” and Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Common Stock
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, MetLife, Inc. issued 5,312,287 and 5,225,340 new shares of its common stock for $208 million and $196 million, respectively, to satisfy various stock option exercises and other stock-based awards.
Commercial Paper, Reported in Short-term Debt
MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc. (“MetLife Funding”) each have a commercial paper program which are both supported by the $4.0 billion general corporate credit facility (see “— Credit and Committed Facilities”). MetLife Funding, a subsidiary of MLIC, serves as our centralized finance unit. 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 affiliates in order to enhance the financial flexibility and liquidity of these companies. Outstanding balances for the commercial paper programs fluctuate in line with changes to affiliates’ financing arrangements.
Federal Home Loan Bank Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
Certain of our domestic insurance subsidiaries are members of a regional Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we issued $16.5 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively, and repaid $16.0 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively, under funding agreements with certain regional FHLBs. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $15.5 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Special Purpose Entity Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
We issue 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we issued $35.5 billion and $38.4 billion, respectively, and repaid $38.2 billion and $35.0 billion, respectively, under such funding agreements. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $30.8 billion and $33.9 billion, respectively. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.

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Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
We have issued funding agreements to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”), as well as to certain SPEs that have issued debt securities for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements, and 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we issued $50 million and $200 million, respectively, and repaid $250 million and $200 million, respectively, under such funding agreements. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Debt Issuances
In March 2015, MetLife, Inc. issued $1.5 billion of senior notes for general corporate purposes, which included repayment of certain senior notes due in 2015. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Credit and Committed Facilities
 At September 30, 2015, we maintained a $4.0 billion unsecured credit facility and certain committed facilities aggregating $12.2 billion. When drawn upon, these facilities bear interest at varying rates in accordance with the respective agreements.
The unsecured credit facility is used for general corporate purposes, to support the borrowers’ commercial paper programs and for the issuance of letters of credit. At September 30, 2015, we had outstanding $472 million in letters of credit and no drawdowns against this facility. Remaining availability was $3.5 billion at September 30, 2015.
The committed facilities are used for collateral for certain of our affiliated reinsurance liabilities. At September 30, 2015, $6.8 billion in letters of credit and $2.8 billion in aggregate drawdowns under collateral financing arrangements were outstanding. Remaining availability was $2.6 billion at September 30, 2015.
See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for further information about these facilities.
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 our actual future cash funding requirements.
Outstanding Debt Under Global Funding Sources
The following table summarizes our outstanding debt at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Short-term debt
$
100

 
$
100

Long-term debt (1)
$
16,683

 
$
16,135

Collateral financing arrangements
$
4,152

 
$
4,196

Junior subordinated debt securities
$
3,194

 
$
3,193

__________________
(1)
Excludes $72 million and $151 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of long-term debt relating to CSEs — FVO (see Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
Debt and Facility Covenants
Certain of our debt instruments and committed facilities, as well as our unsecured credit facility, contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. We believe we were in compliance with all such covenants at September 30, 2015.
Dispositions
Cash proceeds from dispositions during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $0 and $714 million, respectively.

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Liquidity and Capital Uses
In addition to the general description of liquidity and capital uses in “— Summary of the Company’s Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital” the following additional information is provided regarding our primary uses of liquidity and capital:
Preferred Stock Repurchase
In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. conducted a tender offer for up to 59,850,000 of its 60,000,000 shares of Series B preferred stock, at a purchase price of $25 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued, unpaid and undeclared dividends from, and including, June 15, 2015 to, but excluding, June 29, 2015, the settlement date of the tender offer. In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. also delivered a notice of redemption to the holders of the Series B preferred stock, pursuant to which it would redeem any Series B preferred stock not purchased by it in the tender offer at a redemption price of $25 per share, without any payment for accrued, unpaid and undeclared dividends on the Series B preferred stock from, and including, June 15, 2015 to, but excluding July 1, 2015, the redemption date. On June 29, 2015, MetLife, Inc. repurchased and canceled 37,192,413 shares of Series B preferred stock in the tender offer for $932 million in cash. On July 1, 2015, MetLife, Inc. redeemed and canceled the remaining 22,807,587 shares of Series B preferred stock not tendered in the tender offer for an aggregate redemption price of $570 million in cash. In connection with the tender offer and redemption, MetLife, Inc. recognized a preferred stock repurchase premium of $42 million (calculated as the difference between the carrying value of the Series B preferred stock and the total amount paid by MetLife, Inc. to the holders of the Series B preferred stock in connection with the tender offer and redemption), which was reflected as a reduction to retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Common Stock Repurchases
Utilizing existing authorizations from the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors, 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 (“Exchange Act”)) and in privately negotiated transactions. See “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds — Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.”
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 22,475,816 shares and 8,168,318 shares of common stock in the open market purchases for $1.1 billion and $443 million, respectively.
In September 2015, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized additional repurchases of $739 million of its common stock, bringing MetLife, Inc.’s available repurchase authorization under the December 2014 and September 2015 authorizations to $1.0 billion. At September 30, 2015, MetLife, Inc. had $893 million remaining under its common stock repurchase authorization. Common stock repurchases are dependent upon several factors, including our capital position, liquidity, financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions, 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 Note 15 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on common stock repurchases subsequent to September 30, 2015.

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Preferred Stock Dividends
Information on the declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for MetLife, Inc.’s preferred stock was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Preferred Stock Dividend
Series A
Per Share
 
Series A
Aggregate
 
Series B
Per Share
 
Series B
Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
August 17, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
 
September 15, 2015
 
$
0.256

 
$
6

 
$

 
$

May 15, 2015
 
May 31, 2015
 
June 15, 2015
 
$
0.256

 
7

 
$
0.406

 
24

March 5, 2015
 
February 28, 2015
 
March 16, 2015
 
$
0.250

 
6

 
$
0.406

 
24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19

 
 
 
$
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 15, 2014
 
August 31, 2014
 
September 15, 2014
 
$
0.256

 
$
6

 
$
0.406

 
$
24

May 15, 2014
 
May 31, 2014
 
June 16, 2014
 
$
0.256

 
7

 
$
0.406

 
24

March 5, 2014
 
February 28, 2014
 
March 17, 2014
 
$
0.250

 
6

 
$
0.406

 
24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19

 
 
 
$
72

Preferred stock dividends are paid quarterly in accordance with the terms of MetLife, Inc.’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, and its Series B preferred stock, while such dividends are paid semi-annually on Series C preferred stock commencing December 15, 2015 and ending on June 15, 2020, and thereafter are paid quarterly. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the repurchase of the Series B preferred stock and the issuance of the Series C preferred stock.
Common Stock Dividends
Information on the declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for MetLife, Inc.’s common stock was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Common Stock Dividend
Per Share
 
Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
July 7, 2015
 
August 7, 2015
 
September 11, 2015
 
$
0.375

 
$
420

April 28, 2015
 
May 11, 2015
 
June 12, 2015
 
$
0.375

 
420

January 6, 2015
 
February 6, 2015
 
March 13, 2015
 
$
0.350

 
394

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,234

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 7, 2014
 
August 8, 2014
 
September 12, 2014
 
$
0.350

 
$
395

April 22, 2014
 
May 9, 2014
 
June 13, 2014
 
$
0.350

 
395

January 6, 2014
 
February 6, 2014
 
March 13, 2014
 
$
0.275

 
311

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,101

The declaration and payment of common stock dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, and will depend on MetLife, Inc.’s financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects, regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. On October 27, 2015, the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2015 common stock dividend of $0.375 per share, payable on December 11, 2015 to shareholders of record as of November 6, 2015. The Company estimates that the aggregate dividend payment will be $418 million.

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Dividend Restrictions
The payment of dividends and other distributions by MetLife, Inc. to its security holders may be subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve as a result of MetLife, Inc.’s designation as a non-bank SIFI. See “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation — Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as supplemented by discussions of regulatory developments in MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — U.S. Regulation — Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI.” In addition, if additional capital requirements are imposed on MetLife, Inc. as a G-SII, its ability to pay dividends could be reduced by any such additional capital requirements that might be imposed. See “— Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — International Regulation — Global Systemically Important Insurers.” The payment of dividends is also subject to restrictions under the terms of our preferred stock and junior subordinated debentures in situations where we may be experiencing financial stress. See “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — Regulatory Restrictions and Uncertainty and Restrictions Under the Terms of Certain of Our Securities May Prevent Us from Repurchasing Our Stock and Paying Dividends at the Level We Wish” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented by the information under the similarly named section in MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, as well as Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Debt Repayments
In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. repaid at maturity its $1.0 billion 5.0% senior notes.
In September and June 2015, following regulatory approval, MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., repurchased and canceled $12 million and $32 million, respectively, in aggregate principal amount of its surplus notes. See Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
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 at our discretion.
Support Agreements
MetLife, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries (each, an “Obligor”) are parties to various capital support commitments and guarantees with subsidiaries. Under these arrangements, each Obligor, with respect to the applicable entity, has agreed to cause such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels or has guaranteed certain contractual obligations. We anticipate that in the event that these arrangements place demands upon us, there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable us to meet anticipated demands. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — MetLife, Inc. — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Support Agreements” included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Insurance Liabilities
Liabilities arising from our insurance activities primarily relate to benefit payments under various life insurance, property & casualty, annuity and group pension products, as well as payments for policy surrenders, withdrawals and loans. For annuity or deposit type products, surrender or lapse 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, general account surrenders and withdrawals from annuity products were $2.6 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively. In the Corporate Benefit Funding segment, which includes pension closeouts, bank-owned life insurance and other fixed annuity contracts, as well as funding agreements and other capital market products, most of the products offered have fixed maturities or fairly predictable surrenders or withdrawals. With regard to the Corporate Benefit Funding segment liabilities that provide customers with limited rights to accelerate payments, at September 30, 2015 there were no funding agreements or other capital market products that could be put back to the Company.

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Pledged Collateral
We pledge collateral to, and have collateral pledged to us by, counterparties in connection with our derivatives. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we were obligated to return cash collateral pledged to the Company of $7.5 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had pledged cash collateral of $286 million and $391 million, respectively. With respect to OTC-bilateral derivatives in a net liability position that have credit contingent provisions, a one-notch downgrade in the Company’s credit rating would have required $3 million of additional collateral be provided to our counterparties as of September 30, 2015. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about collateral pledged to us, collateral we pledge and derivatives subject to credit contingent provisions.
We pledged collateral and have had collateral pledged to us, and may be required from time to time to pledge additional collateral or be entitled to have additional collateral pledged to us, in connection with collateral financing arrangements related to the reinsurance of closed block and universal life secondary guarantee liabilities.
We pledged collateral from time to time in connection with funding agreements. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Securities Lending
We participate in a securities lending program whereby securities are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. We obtain collateral, usually cash, from the borrower, which must be returned to the borrower when the loaned securities are returned to us. Under our securities lending program, we were liable for cash collateral under our control of $30.4 billion and $30.8 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Of these amounts, $10.2 billion and $10.7 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were on open, meaning that the related loaned security could be returned to us on the next business day requiring the immediate return of cash collateral we hold. The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at September 30, 2015 was $10.0 billion, over 99% of which were U.S. Treasury and agency securities which, if put to us, could be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirements to immediately return the cash collateral. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement for further information.
Litigation
Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation, and claims and assessments against us, in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and those otherwise provided for in the consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of our business, including, but not limited to, in connection with our activities as an insurer, employer, investor, investment advisor, taxpayer and, formerly, a mortgage lending bank. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning our compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations. See Note 14 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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. For material matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible but not probable, no accrual is made but we disclose 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 our financial position, based on information currently known by us, in our 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 our consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Acquisitions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were $0 and $277 million cash outflows for acquisitions, respectively.

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Contractual Obligations
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Contractual Obligations” included in the 2014 Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations.
MetLife, Inc.
Liquidity and Capital Management
Liquidity and capital are managed to preserve stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of cash to meet all current and future financial obligations and are provided by a variety of sources, including a portfolio of liquid assets, a diversified mix of short- and long-term funding sources from the wholesale financial markets and the ability to borrow through credit and committed facilities. Liquidity is monitored through the use of internal liquidity risk metrics, including the composition and level of the liquid asset portfolio, timing differences in short-term cash flow obligations, access to the financial markets for capital and debt transactions and exposure to contingent draws on MetLife, Inc.’s liquidity. MetLife, Inc. is an active participant in the global financial markets through which it obtains a significant amount of funding. These markets, which serve as cost-effective sources of funds, are critical components of MetLife, Inc.’s liquidity and capital management. Decisions to access these markets are based upon relative costs, prospective views of balance sheet growth and a targeted liquidity profile and capital structure. A disruption in the financial markets could limit MetLife, Inc.’s access to liquidity.
MetLife, Inc.’s ability to maintain regular access to competitively priced wholesale funds is fostered by its current credit ratings from the major credit rating agencies. We view our capital ratios, credit quality, stable and diverse earnings streams, diversity of liquidity sources and our liquidity monitoring procedures as critical to retaining such credit ratings.
Liquidity
For a summary of MetLife, Inc.’s liquidity, see “— The Company — Liquidity.”
Capital
For a summary of MetLife, Inc.’s capital, see “— The Company — Capital.” For further information regarding potential capital restrictions and limitations on MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI and G-SII, see “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation — Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as supplemented by discussions of regulatory developments in MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — U.S. Regulation — Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI,” as well as “— Industry Trends — Regulatory Developments — International Regulation — Global Systemically Important Insurers.” See also “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Common Stock Repurchases” and “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Preferred Stock Repurchase” for information regarding MetLife, Inc.’s common and preferred stock repurchases, respectively.
Liquid Assets
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, MetLife, Inc. and other MetLife holding companies had $5.5 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively, in liquid assets. Of these amounts, $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion were held by MetLife, Inc. and $337 million and $681 million were held by other MetLife holding companies, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed. Assets pledged or otherwise committed include: (i) amounts related to cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivatives; (ii) investments held in trust in support of collateral financing arrangements; and (iii) investments pledged in support of derivatives.
Liquid assets held in non-U.S. holding companies are generated in part through dividends from non-U.S. insurance operations. Such dividends are subject to local insurance regulatory requirements, as discussed in “— Liquidity and Capital Sources — Dividends from Subsidiaries.” The cumulative earnings of certain active non-U.S. operations have been reinvested indefinitely in such non-U.S. operations, as described in Note 19 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report. Under current tax laws, should we repatriate such earnings, we may be subject to additional U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — MetLife, Inc. — Liquid Assets” included in the 2014 Annual Report for additional information on the sources and uses of liquid assets for MetLife, Inc. and other MetLife holding companies.

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Liquidity and Capital Sources
In addition to the description of liquidity and capital sources in “— The Company — Summary of the Company’s Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital” and “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources,” the following additional information is provided regarding MetLife, Inc.’s primary sources of liquidity and capital:
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 we conduct 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 in 2015 by MetLife, Inc.’s primary insurance subsidiaries without insurance regulatory approval and the respective dividends paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:
 
 
2015
Company
 
Paid
 
Permitted w/o
Approval (1)
 
 
(In millions)
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
 
$
600

 
$
1,200

American Life Insurance Company
 
$

 
$

MetLife Insurance Company USA
 
$
500

 
$
3,056

Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company
 
$

 
$
239

Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
 
$

 
$
102

__________________
(1)
Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid during 2015 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 2015, some or all of such dividends may require regulatory approval.
In September 2015, MetLife, Inc. recorded a non-cash charge to operating earnings and net income, related to the tax treatment of a wholly-owned UK investment subsidiary of MLIC. We expect the impact to dividends permitted to be paid by MLIC in 2016 without regulatory approval to be a reduction of approximately $90 million. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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.
We actively manage target and excess capital levels and dividend flows on a proactive basis and forecast 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. We cannot provide assurance 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 “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — As a Holding Company, MetLife, Inc. Depends on the Ability of Its Subsidiaries to Transfer Funds to It to Meet Its Obligations and Pay Dividends” included in the 2014 Annual Report and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.

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Short-term Debt
MetLife, Inc. maintains a commercial paper program, the proceeds of which can be used to finance the general liquidity needs of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries. MetLife, Inc. had no short-term debt outstanding at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Preferred Stock
For information on MetLife, Inc.’s preferred stock issuance, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Preferred Stock.”
Debt Issuances
For information on MetLife, Inc.’s unaffiliated debt issuances and other borrowings, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Debt Issuances.”
Credit and Committed Facilities
See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” for information about MetLife, Inc.’s unsecured credit facility.
MetLife, Inc. maintains a committed facility with a capacity of $470 million. At September 30, 2015, MetLife, Inc. had outstanding $470 million in letters of credit and no drawdowns against this facility. In addition, MetLife, Inc. is a party and/or guarantor to committed facilities of certain of its subsidiaries, which aggregated $11.7 billion at September 30, 2015. The committed facilities are used as collateral for certain of the Company’s affiliated reinsurance liabilities.
See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” for further information regarding these facilities.
Long-term Debt Outstanding
The following table summarizes the outstanding long-term debt of MetLife, Inc. at:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In millions)
Long-term debt — unaffiliated
$
15,777

 
$
15,317

Long-term debt — affiliated
$
3,600

 
$
3,600

Collateral financing arrangements
$
2,797

 
$
2,797

Junior subordinated debt securities
$
1,748

 
$
1,748

Debt and Facility Covenants
Certain of MetLife, Inc.’s debt instruments, committed facilities and our credit facility contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. MetLife, Inc. believes it was in compliance with all such covenants at September 30, 2015.
Dispositions
During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no cash proceeds from dispositions.
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, common and preferred stock repurchases, 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 investment 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, pay cash dividends on its common and preferred stock, contribute capital to its subsidiaries, repurchase its common and preferred stock, pay all general operating expenses and meet its cash needs.
In addition to the description of liquidity and capital uses in “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses,” the following additional information is provided regarding MetLife, Inc.’s primary uses of liquidity and capital:

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Affiliated Capital Transactions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, MetLife, Inc. invested an aggregate of $230 million and $520 million, respectively, in various subsidiaries.
MetLife, Inc. lends funds, as necessary, to its subsidiaries and affiliates, some of which are regulated, to meet their capital requirements. MetLife, Inc. had loans to subsidiaries outstanding of $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
In June and September 2015, MetLife Ireland Treasury Limited made loan payments of the Chilean peso equivalent of $231 million and $153 million, respectively, to MetLife, Inc. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.5%, payable annually. At September 30, 2015, the remaining balance on the loan was $78 million.
In May 2015, American Life issued a $150 million short-term note to MetLife, Inc. which was repaid in June 2015. The short-term note bore interest at six-month LIBOR plus 1.00%.
In April 2015, American Life issued a $150 million short-term note to MetLife, Inc. which was repaid in May 2015. The short-term note bore interest at six-month LIBOR plus 0.875%.
Support Agreements
MetLife, Inc. is party to various capital support commitments and guarantees with certain of its subsidiaries. Under these arrangements, MetLife, Inc. has agreed to cause each such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels or has guaranteed certain contractual obligations. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Support Agreements.”
Acquisitions
During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no cash outflows from MetLife, Inc. for acquisitions.
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.
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures
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 and are referred to as divested businesses. Operating revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses). Operating expenses also excludes goodwill impairments.
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 or that are used to replicate certain 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.

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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 and other pass through adjustments (“Inflation and Pass Through Adjustments”) (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 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.
Operating earnings also excludes the recognition of certain contingent assets and liabilities that could not be recognized at acquisition or adjusted for during the measurement period under GAAP business combination accounting guidance. In addition to the tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above, provision for income tax expense (benefit) also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.
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, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, and 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 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. The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of our financial results:
Operating ROE is defined as operating earnings available to common shareholders, divided by average GAAP common stockholders’ equity;
Operating ROE, excluding AOCI other than FCTA, is defined as operating earnings available to common shareholders divided by average GAAP common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA;
Allocated equity is defined as the portion of common stockholders’ equity that management allocates to each of its segments and sub-segments based on our economic capital model, coupled with considerations of local capital requirements. See “— Economic Capital;”
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 each of the comparable periods; and
Asymmetrical and non-economic accounting for insurance contracts refers to Inflation and Pass Through Adjustments as noted above within the definition of operating expenses.

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In this discussion, we also provide forward-looking guidance on an operating, or non-GAAP, basis. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is not accessible on a forward-looking basis because we believe it is not possible to provide other than a range of net investment gains and losses and net derivative gains and losses, which can fluctuate significantly within or outside the range and from period to period and may have a significant impact on GAAP net income.
Subsequent Events
See Note 15 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We regularly analyze our exposure to interest rate, equity market price and foreign currency exchange rate risks. As a result of that analysis, we have 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. We have exposure to market risk through our insurance operations and investment activities. We use a variety of strategies to manage interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market risk, including the use of derivatives. A description of our market risk exposures may be found under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A, of the 2014 Annual Report. There have been no material changes to our market risk exposures from the market risk exposures previously disclosed in the 2014 Annual Report.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and 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 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 September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The following should be read in conjunction with (i) Part I, Item 3, of the 2014 Annual Report; (ii) Part II, Item 1, of MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015; and (iii) Note 14 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this report.
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.
As reported in the 2014 Annual Report, MLIC received approximately 4,636 asbestos-related claims in 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, MLIC received approximately 2,971 and 3,641 new asbestos-related claims, respectively. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for historical information concerning asbestos claims and MLIC’s increase in its recorded liability at December 31, 2014. 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 United States, 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 reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through September 30, 2015.
Regulatory Matters
FINRA Investigation of Sale and Replacement of Variable Annuities
On September 25, 2015, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) served notice that it will recommend disciplinary action against MetLife, Inc.’s affiliated broker-dealer, MetLife Securities Inc., in connection with potential violations of FINRA rules regarding alleged misrepresentations, suitability, and supervision in connection with sales and replacements of variable annuities and certain riders on such annuities. FINRA staff has indicated they will seek a significant fine. The Company is cooperating in this investigation. The Company has included what it currently believes to be the probable and estimable amount of such loss in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and has included amounts for potential additional liability in excess of that accrued in the aggregate estimate of reasonably possible loss provided above.
Unclaimed Property Litigation
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 a second amended complaint alleging that MetLife, Inc. and several current and former directors and executive officers of MetLife, Inc. violated the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), as well as the Exchange Act 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. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. On September 11, 2015, the court issued an order dismissing all claims under the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5, and dismissing all claims under the Securities Act except for those based on alleged misrepresentations of mortality ratios. Following the court’s September 11, 2015 order, the plaintiff filed a third amended complaint that supplemented the factual allegations of the second amended complaint. The defendants intend to continue to defend this action vigorously.

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City of Birmingham Retirement and Relief System v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (Circuit Court of 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 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. On March 31, 2015, a federal court granted plaintiff’s motion to remand this action to state court. On October 14, 2015, the state court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.
Derivative Actions and Demands
Seeking to sue derivatively on behalf of MetLife, Inc., two shareholders commenced separate actions against members of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors, alleging that they breached their fiduciary and other duties to the Company. Plaintiffs 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 two actions (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)) have been consolidated. The defendants intend to continue to defend these actions vigorously.
Reinsurance Litigation
Robainas, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., December 16, 2014)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all persons and entities who, directly or indirectly, purchased, renewed or paid premiums on life insurance policies issued by MLIC from 2009 through 2014 (the “Policies”). Two similar actions were subsequently filed, Yale v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., January 12, 2015) and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 15 v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (E.D.N.Y., February 2, 2015). Both of these actions were consolidated with the Robainas action. The consolidated complaint alleges that MLIC inadequately disclosed in its statutory annual statements that certain reinsurance transactions with affiliated reinsurance companies were collateralized using “contractual parental guarantees,” and thereby allegedly misrepresented its financial condition and the adequacy of its reserves. The lawsuit sought recovery under Section 4226 of the New York Insurance Law of a statutory penalty in the amount of the premiums paid for the Policies. On October 9, 2015, the court granted MLIC’s motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint, finding that plaintiffs lacked Article III standing because they did not allege any concrete injury as a result of the alleged conduct.
Intoccia v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., April 20, 2015)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action on behalf of themselves and all persons and entities who, directly or indirectly, purchased, renewed or paid premiums for Guaranteed Benefits Insurance Riders attached to variable annuity contracts with MLIC from 2009 through 2015 (the “Annuities”). The court consolidated Weilert v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (S.D.N.Y., April 30, 2015) with the Intoccia case, and the consolidated, amended complaint alleges that MLIC inadequately disclosed in its statutory annual statements that certain reinsurance transactions with affiliated reinsurance companies were collateralized using “contractual parental guarantees,” and thereby allegedly misrepresented its financial condition and the adequacy of its reserves. The lawsuits seek recovery under Section 4226 of the New York Insurance Law of a statutory penalty in the amount of the premiums paid for Guaranteed Benefits Insurance Riders attached to the Annuities. On October 9, 2015, the court issued an order to show cause why the Intoccia action should not be dismissed pursuant to the reasoning in the court’s order dismissing the Robainas case discussed above.
Other Litigation
MetLife, Inc. v. Financial Stability Oversight Council (D. D.C., January 13, 2015)
MetLife, Inc. filed this action in federal court seeking to overturn the FSOC’s designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI. The suit is brought under the section of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act providing that a company designated as a non-bank SIFI may petition the federal courts for review, and seeks an order requiring that the final determination be rescinded. The court scheduled oral argument on the parties’ cross motions for summary judgment for February 10, 2016.

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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 net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Certain factors that may affect the Company’s business or operations are described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented by 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, 2015. There have been no other material changes to our risk factors from the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented by such information in MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.


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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 September 30, 2015 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)
July 1 — July 31, 2015
 
1,312

 
$
54.83

 

 
$
260,735,204

August 1 — August 31, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
$
260,735,204

September 1 — September 30, 2015
 
2,300,289

 
$
46.70

 
2,299,631

 
$
892,600,098

__________________
(1)
During the periods July 1 through July 31, 2015, August 1 through August 31, 2015 and September 1 through September 30, 2015, separate account index funds purchased 1,312 shares, 0 shares and 658 shares, respectively, of common stock on the open market in nondiscretionary transactions. Except for the foregoing, there were no shares of common stock which were repurchased by MetLife, Inc. other than through a publicly announced plan or program.
(2)
On April 22, 2008, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized $1.0 billion of common stock repurchases, which were completed in January 2015. On December 12, 2014, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.0 billion of common stock repurchases under which purchases commenced in January 2015, and on September 22, 2015, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized additional repurchases of $739 million of its common stock, bringing MetLife, Inc.’s available repurchase authorization under the December 2014 and September 2015 authorizations to $1.0 billion. At September 30, 2015, MetLife, Inc. had $893 million remaining under these authorizations. In October 2015, MetLife, Inc. purchased 3,288,239 shares of its common stock in the open market under these authorizations, and at October 30, 2015 MetLife, Inc. had $739 million remaining under these authorizations. Under the April 2008, December 2014 and September 2015 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 Exchange Act) and in privately negotiated transactions. Common stock repurchases are dependent upon several factors, including our capital position, liquidity, financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions, 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 — Capital-Related Risks — Regulatory Restrictions and Uncertainty and Restrictions Under the Terms of Certain of Our Securities May Prevent Us from Repurchasing Our Stock and Paying Dividends at the Level We Wish” included in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented by the information under the similarly named section in MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, as well as Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Annual Report. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on common stock repurchases subsequent to September 30, 2015.
Purchases of preferred stock made by or on behalf of MetLife, Inc. or its affiliates during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 are set forth below:
Period
 
(a) Total Number
of Shares Purchased
 
(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 (1)
July 1 — July 31, 2015
 
22,807,587

 
$
25.00

 
22,807,587

 
$

August 1 — August 31, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
$

September 1 — September 30, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
$






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__________________
(1)
In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. conducted a tender offer for up to 59,850,000 of its 60,000,000 shares of Series B preferred stock, at a purchase price of $25 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued, unpaid and undeclared dividends from, and including, June 15, 2015 to, but excluding, June 29, 2015, the settlement date of the tender offer. In June 2015, MetLife, Inc. also delivered a notice of redemption to the holders of the Series B preferred stock, pursuant to which it would redeem any Series B preferred stock not purchased by it in the tender offer at a redemption price of $25 per share, without any payment for accrued, unpaid and undeclared dividends on the Series B preferred stock from, and including, June 15, 2015 to, but excluding July 1, 2015, the redemption date. On June 29, 2015, MetLife, Inc. repurchased and canceled 37,192,413 shares of Series B preferred stock in connection with its publicly announced tender offer for $932 million in cash (or $25.06 per share). On July 1, 2015, MetLife, Inc. redeemed and canceled the remaining 22,807,587 shares of Series B preferred stock not tendered in the tender offer for an aggregate redemption price of $570 million in cash. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Item 5. Other Information
On November 3, 2015, MetLife, Inc. filed a Certificate of Elimination (the “Certificate of Elimination”) of 6.500% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to eliminate all references to the Series B preferred stock in MetLife, Inc.’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), including the related Certificate of Designations. On June 16, 2005, MetLife, Inc. issued 60,000,000 shares of the Series B preferred stock in a public offering. As further described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Preferred Stock Repurchase” and Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, MetLife, Inc. repurchased all 60,000,000 shares of the Series B preferred stock in connection with a tender offer and redemption. Accordingly, no shares of Series B preferred stock remain outstanding and, following the filing of the Certificate of Elimination, no shares of Series B preferred stock will be issued subject to the Certificate of Designations. As a result of the filing of the Certificate of Elimination, the Certificate of Incorporation was amended to eliminate all references therein to the Series B preferred stock, and the shares that were designated to such series were returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MetLife, Inc., without designation as to series. The Certificate of Elimination does not affect the total number of authorized shares of capital stock of MetLife, Inc. or the total number of authorized shares of preferred stock. The foregoing description of the Certificate of Elimination is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Certificate of Elimination which is filed as Exhibit 3.7 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.)
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to MetLife, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (the "2011 Annual Report")).
3.2
 
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 7, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 2011 Annual Report).
3.3
 
Certificate of Designations of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 10, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 2011 Annual Report).
3.4
 
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc., dated April 29, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the 2011 Annual Report).
3.5
 
Certificate of Retirement of Series B Contingent Convertible Junior Participating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 5, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to MetLife, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013).
3.6
 
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc., dated April 29, 2015. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to MetLife, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2015).
3.7
 
Certificate of Elimination of 6.500% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 3, 2015.
10.1
 
Separation Agreement, Waiver and General Release, dated July 30, 2015, between MetLife Group, Inc. and William J. Wheeler.
10.2
 
Agreement to Protect Corporate Property executed by William J. Wheeler on June 21, 2001.
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of 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 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.

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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
             and Chief Accounting Officer
             (Authorized Signatory and Principal
              Accounting Officer)
Date: November 5, 2015

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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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.) 
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to MetLife, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (the "2011 Annual Report")).
3.2
 
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 7, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 2011 Annual Report).
3.3
 
Certificate of Designations of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 10, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 2011 Annual Report).
3.4
 
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc., dated April 29, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the 2011 Annual Report).
3.5
 
Certificate of Retirement of Series B Contingent Convertible Junior Participating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 5, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to MetLife, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013).
3.6
 
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc., dated April 29, 2015. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to MetLife, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2015).
3.7
 
Certificate of Elimination of 6.500% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 3, 2015.
10.1
 
Separation Agreement, Waiver and General Release, dated July 30, 2015, between MetLife Group, Inc. and William J. Wheeler.
10.2
 
Agreement to Protect Corporate Property executed by William J. Wheeler on June 21, 2001.
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of 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 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.

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