Annual Statements Open main menu

METLIFE INC - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 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, 2017
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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
¨

Smaller reporting company
¨

 
 
Emerging growth company
¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨No þ
At October 25, 2017, 1,052,299,271 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, 2017 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2016 and for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited))
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
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 global 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 global financial and capital market risks, including as a result of the United Kingdom’s notice of withdrawal from the European Union, other disruption in Europe and possible withdrawal of one or more countries from the Euro zone; (4) impact on us of comprehensive financial services regulation reform, including potential regulation of MetLife, Inc. 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) unanticipated or adverse developments that could adversely affect our achieving expected operational or other benefits from the separation of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and it subsidiaries (“Brighthouse”); (9) our equity market exposure to Brighthouse Financial, Inc. following the separation of Brighthouse; (10) liabilities, losses or indemnification obligations arising from our transitional services, investment management or tax arrangements or other agreements with Brighthouse; (11) failure of the separation of Brighthouse to qualify for intended tax-free treatment; (12) our ability to address difficulties, unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, or rating agency actions arising from (a) business acquisitions and integrating and managing the growth of such acquired businesses, (b) dispositions of businesses via sale, initial public offering, spin-off or otherwise, including failure to achieve projected operational benefit from such transactions and any restrictions, liabilities, losses or indemnification obligations arising from any transitional services or tax arrangements related to the separation of any business, or from the failure of such a separation to qualify for any intended tax-free treatment, (c) entry into joint ventures, or (d) legal entity reorganizations; (13) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (14) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (15) changes in assumptions related to investment valuations, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (16) impairments of goodwill and realized losses or market value impairments to illiquid assets; (17) defaults on our mortgage loans; (18) the defaults or deteriorating credit of other financial institutions that could adversely affect us; (19) economic, political, legal, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (20) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (21) a deterioration in the experience of the closed block established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (22) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance, hedging or indemnification arrangements, as well as any default or failure of counterparties to perform; (23) differences between actual claims experience and underwriting and reserving assumptions; (24) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (25) catastrophe losses; (26) increasing cost and limited market capacity for statutory life insurance reserve financings; (27) 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; (28) exposure to losses related to variable annuity guarantee benefits, including from significant and sustained downturns or extreme volatility in equity markets, reduced interest rates, unanticipated policyholder behavior, mortality or longevity, and any adjustment for nonperformance risk; (29) legal, regulatory and other restrictions affecting MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase common stock; (30) MetLife, Inc.’s and its subsidiary holding companies’ primary reliance, as holding companies, on dividends from subsidiaries to meet free cash flow targets and debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (31) 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; (32) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (33) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (34) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; (35) difficulties in marketing and distributing products through our distribution channels; (36) provisions of laws and our incorporation documents may delay, deter or prevent takeovers and corporate combinations involving MetLife; (37) 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; (38) any failure to protect the confidentiality of client information; (39) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; and (40) 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, news 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 “Item 6. Exhibits — 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, 2017 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2016
(In millions, except share and per share data)
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $286,684 and $271,701, respectively)
 
$
308,894

 
$
289,563

Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $2,386 and $2,464, respectively)
 
2,776

 
2,894

Fair value option securities, at estimated fair value (includes $7 and $8, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
16,538

 
13,923

Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $316 and $304, respectively; includes $564 and $566, respectively, under the fair value option)
 
68,057

 
65,167

Policy loans
 
9,585

 
9,511

Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $61 and $59, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)
 
9,486

 
8,891

Other limited partnership interests (includes $0 and $14, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
5,501

 
5,136

Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value
 
7,217

 
6,523

Other invested assets (includes $133 and $31, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
17,652

 
19,303

Total investments
 
445,706

 
420,911

Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $9 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
13,023

 
12,651

Accrued investment income
 
3,692

 
3,308

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $3 and $2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
18,588

 
15,445

Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
 
18,399

 
17,590

Current income tax recoverable
 
3

 
20

Goodwill
 
9,556

 
9,220

Assets of disposed subsidiary
 

 
216,983

Other assets (includes $3 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
 
8,149

 
7,058

Separate account assets
 
203,399

 
195,578

Total assets
 
$
720,515

 
$
898,764

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
$
176,005

 
$
166,701

Policyholder account balances
 
182,513

 
173,168

Other policy-related balances
 
15,026

 
13,030

Policyholder dividends payable
 
730

 
696

Policyholder dividend obligation
 
2,201

 
1,931

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
 
27,132

 
25,873

Short-term debt
 
214

 
242

Long-term debt (includes $6 and $12, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)
 
16,688

 
16,441

Collateral financing arrangement
 
1,220

 
1,274

Junior subordinated debt securities
 
3,144

 
3,169

Liabilities of disposed subsidiary
 

 
202,707

Deferred income tax liability
 
8,554

 
6,774

Other liabilities
 
26,745

 
23,700

Separate account liabilities
 
203,399

 
195,578

Total liabilities
 
663,571

 
831,284

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 14)
 

 

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

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,167,535,225 and 1,164,029,985 shares issued, respectively; 1,054,286,620 and 1,095,519,005 shares outstanding, respectively
 
12

 
12

Additional paid-in capital
 
31,066

 
30,944

Retained earnings
 
24,410

 
34,480

Treasury stock, at cost; 113,248,605 and 68,510,980 shares, respectively
 
(5,779
)
 
(3,474
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
7,005

 
5,347

Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
 
56,714

 
67,309

Noncontrolling interests
 
230

 
171

Total equity
 
56,944

 
67,480

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
720,515

 
$
898,764

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, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)
(In millions, except per share data)

 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
10,876

 
$
9,839

 
$
29,421

 
$
27,956

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
1,428

 
1,341

 
4,152

 
4,127

Net investment income
4,295

 
4,609

 
12,909

 
12,527

Other revenues
301

 
356

 
935

 
1,309

Net investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
(74
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
1

 
(5
)
 
1

 
(9
)
Other net investment gains (losses)
(601
)
 
240

 
(432
)
 
681

Total net investment gains (losses)
(606
)
 
231

 
(439
)
 
598

Net derivative gains (losses)
(190
)
 
(543
)
 
(663
)
 
1,438

Total revenues
16,104

 
15,833

 
46,315

 
47,955

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims
10,645

 
9,612

 
28,923

 
27,394

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
1,338

 
1,544

 
4,081

 
3,819

Policyholder dividends
302

 
302

 
925

 
924

Other expenses
3,318

 
3,216

 
9,904

 
10,296

Total expenses
15,603

 
14,674

 
43,833

 
42,433

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
501

 
1,159

 
2,482

 
5,522

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
(392
)
 
135

 
(148
)
 
1,253

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
893

 
1,024

 
2,630

 
4,269

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
(968
)
 
(451
)
 
(989
)
 
(1,379
)
Net income (loss)
(75
)
 
573

 
1,641

 
2,890

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
6

 
(4
)
 
12

 
2

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
(81
)
 
577

 
1,629

 
2,888

Less: Preferred stock dividends
6

 
6

 
58

 
58

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
$
(87
)
 
$
571

 
$
1,571

 
$
2,830

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(182
)
 
$
(463
)
 
$
4,623

 
$
11,809

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax
10

 
(3
)
 
16

 
97

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
$
(192
)
 
$
(460
)
 
$
4,607

 
$
11,712

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.83

 
$
0.93

 
$
2.38

 
$
3.82

Diluted
$
0.82

 
$
0.92

 
$
2.36

 
$
3.80

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.52

 
$
1.46

 
$
2.57

Diluted
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.51

 
$
1.45

 
$
2.55

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.400

 
$
0.400

 
$
1.200

 
$
1.175

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, 2017 and 2016 (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
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
12

 
$
30,944

 
$
34,480

 
$
(3,474
)
 
$
5,347

 
$
67,309

 
$
171

 
$
67,480

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
 
 
 

 


 
 
 
(2,305
)
 
 
 
(2,305
)
 
 
 
(2,305
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
122

 
 
 
122

Dividends on preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(58
)
 
 
 
 
 
(58
)
 
 
 
(58
)
Dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,295
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,295
)
 
 
 
(1,295
)
Distribution of Brighthouse (Note 3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(10,346
)
 
 
 
(1,320
)
 
(11,666
)
 
 
 
(11,666
)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
43

 
43

Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,629

 
 
 
 
 
1,629

 
12

 
1,641

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,978

 
2,978

 
4

 
2,982

Balance at September 30, 2017
 
$

 
$
12

 
$
31,066

 
$
24,410

 
$
(5,779
)
 
$
7,005

 
$
56,714

 
$
230

 
$
56,944

 
 
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
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
12

 
$
30,749

 
$
35,519

 
$
(3,102
)
 
$
4,771

 
$
67,949

 
$
470

 
$
68,419

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(70
)
 
 
 
(70
)
 
 
 
(70
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
48

 
 
 
48

Dividends on preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(58
)
 
 
 
 
 
(58
)
 
 
 
(58
)
Dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,295
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,295
)
 
 
 
(1,295
)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(387
)
 
(387
)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,888

 
 
 
 
 
2,888

 
2

 
2,890

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,824

 
8,824

 
95

 
8,919

Balance at September 30, 2016
 
$

 
$
12

 
$
30,797

 
$
37,054

 
$
(3,172
)
 
$
13,595

 
$
78,286

 
$
180

 
$
78,466

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, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)
(In millions)

 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
10,233

 
$
9,131

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Sales, maturities and repayments of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
66,544

 
101,614

Equity securities
904

 
1,019

Mortgage loans
6,721

 
10,518

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
689

 
323

Other limited partnership interests
882

 
1,025

Purchases of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
(76,010
)
 
(108,418
)
Equity securities
(705
)
 
(802
)
Mortgage loans
(9,988
)
 
(14,686
)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
(1,078
)
 
(958
)
Other limited partnership interests
(1,064
)
 
(806
)
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives
4,890

 
3,258

Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives
(7,404
)
 
(4,317
)
Cash disposed due to distribution of Brighthouse
(663
)
 

Sales of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed of $0 and $135, respectively

 
156

Purchases of businesses
(211
)
 

Purchases of investments in operating joint ventures


 
(39
)
Net change in policy loans
(16
)
 
201

Net change in short-term investments
(209
)
 
(2,232
)
Net change in other invested assets
(184
)
 
(58
)
Other, net
(256
)
 
(384
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(17,158
)
 
(14,586
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
Policyholder account balances:
 
 
 
Deposits
67,565

 
65,225

Withdrawals
(62,233
)
 
(61,145
)
Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
2,316

 
7,227

Long-term debt issued
3,657

 

Long-term debt repaid
(60
)
 
(1,273
)
Collateral financing arrangements repaid
(2,852
)
 
(55
)
Distribution of Brighthouse
(2,793
)
 

Financing element on certain derivative instruments and other derivative related transactions, net
(109
)
 
(336
)
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
(2,305
)
 
(70
)
Dividends on preferred stock
(58
)
 
(58
)
Dividends on common stock
(1,295
)
 
(1,295
)
Other, net
(144
)
 
60

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1,689

 
8,280

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances
382

 
306

Change in cash and cash equivalents
(4,854
)
 
3,131

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
17,877

 
12,752

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
13,023

 
$
15,883

Cash and cash equivalents, of disposed subsidiary, beginning of period
$
5,226

 
$
1,570

Cash and cash equivalents, of disposed subsidiary, end of period
$

 
$
2,825

Cash and cash equivalents, from continuing operations, beginning of period
$
12,651

 
$
11,182

Cash and cash equivalents, from continuing operations, end of period
$
13,023

 
$
13,058

 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
Net cash paid (received) for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
806

 
$
875

Income tax
$
633

 
$
464

Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Disposal of Brighthouse (See Note 3):

 
 
 
Assets disposed

$
225,502

 
$

Liabilities disposed

(210,999
)
 

   Net assets disposed

$
14,503

 
$

Cash disposed

(3,456
)
 

   Net non-cash disposed

$
11,047

 
$

Fixed maturity securities received in connection with pension risk transfer transactions

$

 
$
985

Reduction of fixed maturity securities in connection with a reinsurance transaction
$

 
$
224

Deconsolidation of operating joint venture:
 
 
 
Reduction of fixed maturity securities
$

 
$
917

Reduction of noncontrolling interests
$

 
$
373


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 one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. MetLife is organized into five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and MetLife Holdings.
On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the separation of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Brighthouse”) through a distribution of 96,776,670 shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock to the MetLife, Inc. common shareholders (the “Separation”). See Note 3 for additional information on the Separation.
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 on 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 these estimates.
Consolidation
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.
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. 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.
Discontinued Operations
The results of operations of a component of the Company that has either been disposed of or is classified as held-for-sale are reported in discontinued operations if certain criteria are met. A disposal of a component is reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financials. The results of Brighthouse are reflected in the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. Prior period results have been revised to reflect discontinued operations. Intercompany transactions between the Company and Brighthouse prior to the Separation have been eliminated. Transactions between the Company and Brighthouse after the Separation are reflected in continuing operations for the Company. See Note 3 for information on discontinued operations and transactions with Brighthouse.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior year periods’ interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2017 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, 2016 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, 2016 (the “2016 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 2016 Annual Report.

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)

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2017, the Company early adopted guidance relating to business combinations. The new guidance clarifies the definition of a business and requires that an entity apply certain criteria in order to determine when a set of assets and activities qualifies as a business. The adoption of this standard will result in fewer acquisitions qualifying as businesses and, accordingly, acquisition costs for those acquisitions that do not qualify as businesses will be capitalized rather than expensed. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2017, the Company retrospectively adopted guidance relating to consolidation. The new guidance does not change the characteristics of a primary beneficiary under current GAAP. It changes how a reporting entity evaluates whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by changing how a reporting entity that is a single decisionmaker of a VIE handles indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted guidance related to stock-based compensation. The new guidance changes several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment and award transactions, including (i) income tax consequences when awards vest or are settled; (ii) classification as either equity or liability due to statutory tax withholding requirements; and (iii) classification on the statement of cash flows. In addition, the new guidance provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than to account for them based on an estimate of expected forfeitures. The Company has elected to continue to account for forfeitures based on an estimate of expected forfeitures. In addition, the Company elected to apply the change in presentation in the statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits prospectively and prior periods have not been adjusted. The change in presentation for cash paid to a taxing authority when directly withholding equivalent shares has been classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The change was applied retrospectively and thus the directly withheld share equivalent amount was reclassified from an operating activity to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other
Effective January 3, 2017, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) amended its rulebook, resulting in the characterization of variation margin transfers as settlement payments, as opposed to adjustments to collateral. These amendments impacted the accounting treatment of the Company’s centrally cleared derivatives for which the CME serves as the central clearing party. As of the effective date, the application of the amended rulebook reduced gross derivative assets by $1.8 billion, gross derivative liabilities by $2.0 billion, accrued investment income by $101 million, accrued investment expense recorded within other liabilities by $14 million, collateral receivables recorded within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables of $991 million, and collateral payables recorded within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions of $816 million.
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on hedging activities (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance simplifies the application of hedge accounting in certain situations and amends the hedge accounting model to enable entities to better portray the economics of their risk management activities in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on share-based payment awards (ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification Accounting). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Early adoption is permitted. The ASU includes guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.


8

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)

In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on purchased callable debt securities (ASU 2017-08, Receivables -Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings. Early adoption is permitted. The ASU shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. However, the new guidance does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount whose discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost (ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost). The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance. The guidance requires that an employer that offers to its employees defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The guidance should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component in the income statement and allows a practical expedient for the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on derecognition of nonfinancial assets (ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption was permitted for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The guidance may be applied retrospectively for all periods presented or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment at the date of adoption. The new guidance clarifies the scope and accounting of a financial asset that meets the definition of an “in-substance nonfinancial asset” and defines the term, “in-substance nonfinancial asset.” The ASU also adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on goodwill impairment (ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The new guidance simplifies the current two-step goodwill impairment test by eliminating Step 2 of the test. The new guidance requires a one-step impairment test in which an entity compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, if any. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on restricted cash (ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, the new guidance requires that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance does not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

9

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)

In October 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on tax accounting for intra-entity transfers of assets (ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted in the first interim or annual reporting period. Current guidance prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Also, the guidance eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on cash flow statement presentation (ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. This ASU addresses diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on measurement of credit losses on financial instruments (ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. This ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with one that reflects expected credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses should be based on historical loss information, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new guidance requires that an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on a debt security will be recognized as an allowance going forward, such that improvements in expected future cash flows after an impairment will no longer be reflected as a prospective yield adjustment through net investment income, but rather a reversal of the previous impairment and recognized through realized investment gains and losses. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures. The Company has assessed the asset classes impacted by the new guidance and is currently assessing the accounting and reporting system changes that will be required to comply with the new guidance. The Company believes that the most significant impact upon adoption will be to its mortgage loan investments. The Company is continuing to evaluate the overall impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on leasing transactions (ASU 2016-02, Leases - Topic 842). The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases would be classified as finance or operating leases and both types of leases will be recognized on the balance sheet. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged from current guidance except for certain targeted changes. The new guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The Company’s implementation efforts are primarily focused on the review of its existing lease contracts, as well as identification of other contracts that may fall under the scope of the new guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

10

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)

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities) on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the instrument-specific credit risk provision. The new guidance changes the current accounting guidance related to (i) the classification and measurement of certain equity investments, (ii) the presentation of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option (“FVO”) that are due to instrument-specific credit risk, and (iii) certain disclosures associated with the fair value of financial instruments. Additionally, there will no longer be a requirement to assess equity securities for impairment since such securities will be measured at fair value through net income. The Company has assessed the population of financial instruments that are subject to the new guidance and has determined that the most significant impact will be the requirement to report changes in fair value in net income each reporting period for all equity securities currently classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and to a lesser extent, other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures that are currently accounted for under the cost method. The estimated impact, using values as of September 30, 2017, related to the change in accounting for equity securities AFS, was $250 million of net unrealized investment gains, net of income tax, which would be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. The estimated financial statement impact related to cost method other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures was not material.
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, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will apply this guidance retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of January 1, 2018. The new guidance will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. However, it will not impact the accounting for insurance and investment contracts within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 944, Financial Services - Insurance, leases, financial instruments and certain guarantees. For those contracts that are impacted, the new 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. Given the scope of the new revenue recognition guidance, the Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated revenues or statements of operations, with the Company’s implementation efforts primarily focused on other revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. Other revenues on the consolidated statements of operations represents less than 3% of consolidated total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Based on implementation efforts completed to date, the Company has identified revenue streams within the scope of the guidance and is evaluating the related contracts, primarily consisting of prepaid legal plans and administrative-only contracts in the U.S. segment, advisory fees in the MetLife Holdings segment, and fee-based investment management services in Corporate & Other. While the Company has not yet identified any material changes in the recognition and measurement of other revenue, the Company’s assessment is ongoing, including the consideration of the new disclosure requirements.

11

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

2. Segment Information
Following the Separation and the elimination of the Brighthouse Financial segment, as described in Note 3, MetLife is organized into five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; EMEA; and MetLife Holdings. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other.
U.S.
The U.S. segment offers a broad range of protection products and services aimed at serving the financial needs of customers throughout their lives. These products are sold to corporations and their respective employees, other institutions and their respective members, as well as individuals. The U.S. segment is organized into three businesses: Group Benefits, Retirement and Income Solutions and Property & Casualty.
The Group Benefits business offers insurance products and services which include life, dental, group short- and long-term disability, individual disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, vision and accident & health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans. This business also sells administrative services-only arrangements to some employers.
The Retirement and Income Solutions business offers a broad range of annuity and investment products, including guaranteed interest contracts and other stable value products, institutional income annuities and separate account contracts for the investment management of defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets. This business also includes structured settlements and certain products to fund postretirement benefits and company-, bank- or trust-owned life insurance used to finance nonqualified benefit programs for executives.
The Property & Casualty business offers personal and commercial lines of property and casualty insurance, including private passenger automobile, homeowners’ and personal excess liability insurance. In addition, Property & Casualty offers small business owners property, liability and business interruption insurance.
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.
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 and savings 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 and savings products.
MetLife Holdings
The MetLife Holdings segment consists of operations relating to products and businesses no longer actively marketed by the Company in the United States. These products and businesses include variable, universal, term and whole life, as well as variable, fixed and index-linked annuities. The MetLife Holdings segment also includes the Company’s discontinued long-term care business and the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan.

12

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 and disposition costs, internal resource costs for associates committed to acquisitions and dispositions, enterprise-wide strategic initiative restructuring charges and 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, as well as the direct to consumer portion of the U.S. Direct business). Corporate & Other also includes interest expense related to the majority of the Company’s outstanding debt, as well as expenses associated with certain legal proceedings and income tax audit issues. In addition, Corporate & Other includes the elimination of intersegment amounts, which generally relate to affiliated reinsurance and intersegment loans, which bear interest rates commensurate with related borrowings. As a result of the Separation, Corporate & Other includes corporate overhead costs previously allocated to the former Brighthouse Financial segment.
Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies
Operating earnings is used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is also the Company’s GAAP 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 allows analysis of the Company’s performance relative to the Company’s business plan and facilitates comparisons to industry results.
Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, both net of income tax.
The financial measures of operating revenues and operating expenses focus on the Company’s primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends, and revenues and costs related to non-core products and certain entities required to be consolidated under GAAP. Also, these measures exclude results of discontinued operations under GAAP and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife but do not meet the discontinued operations criteria under GAAP and are referred to as divested businesses. Divested businesses also includes the net impact of transactions with exited businesses that have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP and costs relating to businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife that do not meet the criteria to be included in results of discontinued operations under GAAP. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, operating revenues and operating expenses exclude the financial impact of converting the Company’s Japan operations to calendar year-end reporting without retrospective application of this change to prior periods and is referred to as lag elimination. 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 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”); and
Net investment income: (i) includes earned income on derivatives 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) excludes post-tax operating earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iii) excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments and (iv) 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.

13

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 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 earned income on derivatives 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, integration and other 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.
The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above are calculated net of the U.S. or foreign statutory tax rate, which could differ from the Company’s effective tax rate. Additionally, the provision for income tax (expense) benefit also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.
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, 2017 and 2016. The segment accounting policies are the same as those used to prepare the Company’s consolidated financial statements, except for operating earnings adjustments as defined above. In addition, segment accounting policies include the method of capital allocation described below.
Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in the Company’s business.
The Company’s economic capital model, 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, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax or operating earnings.
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.

14

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

 
 
Operating Results
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin
America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife
Holdings
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
6,987

 
$
1,696

 
$
701

 
$
527

 
$
989

 
$
13

 
$
10,913

 
$
(37
)
 
$
10,876

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
247

 
458

 
229

 
109

 
349

 

 
1,392

 
36

 
1,428

Net investment income
 
1,602

 
762

 
299

 
77

 
1,390

 
26

 
4,156

 
139

 
4,295

Other revenues
 
197

 
11

 
7

 
(2
)
 
37

 
65

 
315

 
(14
)
 
301

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(606
)
 
(606
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(190
)
 
(190
)
Total revenues
 
9,033

 
2,927

 
1,236

 
711

 
2,765

 
104

 
16,776

 
(672
)
 
16,104

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
6,904

 
1,223

 
640

 
282

 
1,661

 
7

 
10,717

 
230

 
10,947

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
376

 
349

 
99

 
26

 
255

 

 
1,105

 
233

 
1,338

Capitalization of DAC
 
(126
)
 
(420
)
 
(94
)
 
(109
)
 
(14
)
 
(2
)
 
(765
)
 
4

 
(761
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
118

 
424

 

 
78

 
(70
)
 
3

 
553

 
73

 
626

Amortization of negative VOBA
 

 
(24
)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 

 

 
(30
)
 
(2
)
 
(32
)
Interest expense on debt
 
2

 

 
1

 

 
2

 
279

 
284

 

 
284

Other expenses
 
933

 
905

 
377

 
347

 
322

 
237

 
3,121

 
80

 
3,201

Total expenses
 
8,207

 
2,457

 
1,022

 
619

 
2,156

 
524

 
14,985

 
618

 
15,603

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
280

 
156

 
51

 
21

 
199

 
(90
)
 
617

 
(1,009
)
 
(392
)
Operating earnings
 
$
546

 
$
314

 
$
163

 
$
71

 
$
410

 
$
(330
)
 
1,174

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(672
)
 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(618
)
 
 
 
 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,009

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
893

 
 
 
$
893


15

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

 
 
Operating Results
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin
America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife
Holdings
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
5,936

 
$
1,822

 
$
653

 
$
500

 
$
1,093

 
$
41

 
$
10,045

 
$
(206
)
 
$
9,839

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
245

 
394

 
227

 
104

 
357

 

 
1,327

 
14

 
1,341

Net investment income
 
1,590

 
707

 
311

 
81

 
1,537

 
53

 
4,279

 
330

 
4,609

Other revenues
 
192

 
12

 
11

 
17

 
105

 
22

 
359

 
(3
)
 
356

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
231

 
231

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(543
)
 
(543
)
Total revenues
 
7,963

 
2,935

 
1,202

 
702

 
3,092

 
116

 
16,010

 
(177
)
 
15,833

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
5,894

 
1,363

 
681

 
257

 
1,853

 
31

 
10,079

 
(165
)
 
9,914

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
322

 
331

 
85

 
28

 
261

 
(1
)
 
1,026

 
518

 
1,544

Capitalization of DAC
 
(124
)
 
(440
)
 
(83
)
 
(103
)
 
(44
)
 
1

 
(793
)
 
23

 
(770
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
117

 
331

 
(2
)
 
106

 
219

 
1

 
772

 
(112
)
 
660

Amortization of negative VOBA
 

 
(46
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 

 

 
(50
)
 
(5
)
 
(55
)
Interest expense on debt
 
2

 

 
1

 

 
15

 
275

 
293

 
(13
)
 
280

Other expenses
 
912

 
930

 
335

 
332

 
401

 
85

 
2,995

 
106

 
3,101

Total expenses
 
7,123

 
2,469

 
1,016

 
617

 
2,705

 
392

 
14,322

 
352

 
14,674

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
288

 
142

 
53

 
11

 
121

 
(288
)
 
327

 
(192
)
 
135

Operating earnings
 
$
552

 
$
324

 
$
133

 
$
74

 
$
266

 
$
12

 
1,361

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(177
)
 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(352
)
 
 
 
 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
192

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,024

 
 
 
$
1,024



16

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



Operating Results




Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin
America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife
Holdings
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated


(In millions)
Revenues


















Premiums

$
18,049


$
5,063


$
1,993


$
1,534


$
3,070


$
59


$
29,768


$
(347
)

$
29,421

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

763


1,199


764


296


1,056




4,078


74


4,152

Net investment income

4,789


2,193


891


229


4,232


107


12,441


468


12,909

Other revenues

600


32


24


43


170


185


1,054


(119
)

935

Net investment gains (losses)















(439
)

(439
)
Net derivative gains (losses)















(663
)

(663
)
Total revenues

24,201

 
8,487

 
3,672

 
2,102

 
8,528

 
351

 
47,341

 
(1,026
)
 
46,315

Expenses









 



 



 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends

18,017


3,785


1,869


821


5,117


33


29,642


206


29,848

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

1,086


1,003


275


75


767


1


3,207


874


4,081

Capitalization of DAC

(342
)

(1,268
)

(264
)

(301
)

(71
)

(6
)

(2,252
)

34


(2,218
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA

346


1,005


146


260


143


5


1,905


40


1,945

Amortization of negative VOBA



(91
)

(1
)

(13
)





(105
)

(8
)

(113
)
Interest expense on debt

8




4




22


833


867


(16
)

851

Other expenses

2,756


2,675


1,060


995


1,032


649


9,167


272


9,439

Total expenses

21,871

 
7,109

 
3,089

 
1,837

 
7,010

 
1,515

 
42,431

 
1,402

 
43,833

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

782


459


123


47


488


(642
)

1,257


(1,405
)

(148
)
Operating earnings

$
1,548

 
$
919

 
$
460

 
$
218

 
$
1,030

 
$
(522
)

3,653





Adjustments to:













 



 
Total revenues













(1,026
)



 
Total expenses













(1,402
)



 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1,405




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

$
2,630




$
2,630


17

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

 
 
Operating Results
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin
America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife
Holdings
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
 
Adjustments
 
Total
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
16,127

 
$
5,161

 
$
1,885

 
$
1,519

 
$
3,312

 
$
50

 
$
28,054

 
$
(98
)
 
$
27,956

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
743

 
1,114

 
764

 
294

 
1,073

 
2

 
3,990

 
137

 
4,127

Net investment income
 
4,615

 
2,003

 
809

 
244

 
4,489

 
141

 
12,301

 
226

 
12,527

Other revenues
 
589

 
45

 
26

 
56

 
512

 
70

 
1,298

 
11

 
1,309

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
598

 
598

Net derivative gains (losses)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,438

 
1,438

Total revenues
 
22,074

 
8,323

 
3,484

 
2,113

 
9,386

 
263

 
45,643

 
2,312

 
47,955

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
16,210

 
3,923

 
1,814

 
801

 
5,603

 
23

 
28,374

 
(56
)
 
28,318

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
967

 
974

 
249

 
87

 
780

 
5

 
3,062

 
757

 
3,819

Capitalization of DAC
 
(356
)
 
(1,251
)
 
(236
)
 
(310
)
 
(240
)
 
(7
)
 
(2,400
)
 
(22
)
 
(2,422
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
353

 
921

 
127

 
311

 
636

 
7

 
2,355

 
(303
)
 
2,052

Amortization of negative VOBA
 

 
(167
)
 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 

 

 
(178
)
 
(43
)
 
(221
)
Interest expense on debt
 
7

 

 
1

 

 
43

 
862

 
913

 
(38
)
 
875

Other expenses
 
2,772

 
2,658

 
968

 
1,001

 
1,861

 
401

 
9,661

 
351

 
10,012

Total expenses
 
19,953

 
7,058

 
2,922

 
1,880

 
8,683

 
1,291

 
41,787

 
646

 
42,433

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
720

 
377

 
141

 
32

 
203

 
(658
)
 
815

 
438

 
1,253

Operating earnings
 
$
1,401

 
$
888

 
$
421

 
$
201

 
$
500

 
$
(370
)
 
3,041

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,312

 
 
 
 
Total expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(646
)
 
 
 
 
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(438
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
4,269

 
 
 
$
4,269


18

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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
U.S.
 
$
258,651

 
$
253,683

Asia
 
134,070

 
120,656

Latin America
 
77,617

 
67,233

EMEA
 
30,244

 
25,596

MetLife Holdings
 
185,054

 
184,276

Corporate & Other (1)
 
34,879

 
247,320

Total
 
$
720,515

 
$
898,764

__________________
(1)
Includes assets of disposed subsidiary of $216,983 million at December 31, 2016.
3. Separation
Separation of Brighthouse
In January 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced its plan to separate a substantial portion of its former Retail segment, as well as certain portions of its former Corporate Benefit Funding segment and Corporate & Other. MetLife, Inc. subsequently re-segmented the business to be separated and rebranded it as “Brighthouse Financial.” On July 6, 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s registration statement on Form 10 effective. Additionally, all required state regulatory approvals were granted.
On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the separation of Brighthouse. MetLife, Inc. common shareholders received a distribution of one share of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock for every 11 shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock they owned as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the July 19, 2017 record date. Shareholders of MetLife, Inc. who owned less than 11 shares of common stock, or others who would have otherwise received fractional shares, received cash. MetLife, Inc. distributed 96,776,670 of the 119,773,106 shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock outstanding, representing approximately 80.8% of those shares. Certain MetLife affiliates hold MetLife, Inc. common stock and, as a result, participated in the distribution.
The loss recognized in the third quarter of 2017 in connection with the Separation was $1,084 million, net of income tax, which includes: (i) a $1,061 million loss on MetLife's retained investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc., (ii) a $42 million net tax charge and (iii) a $42 million charge, net of income tax, for transaction costs, partially offset by a $61 million gain, net of income tax, for previously deferred intercompany gains realized upon Separation. The $42 million net tax charge is comprised of a $1,093 million tax separation agreement charge offset by $1,051 million of Separation tax benefits. Of the $1,084 million total loss, net of income tax, a $104 million loss, net of income tax, was reported within continuing operations as (i) a $738 million net investment loss, (ii) a $147 million charge within policyholder benefits and claims, (iii) a $107 million charge within other expenses, and (iv) an $888 million income tax benefit. The remaining $980 million loss was reported within discontinued operations, which primarily includes a tax-related charge.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the loss recognized in connection with the Separation was $1,347 million, net of income tax, which included additional transaction costs. Of the $1,347 million total loss, net of income tax, a $176 million loss, net of income tax, was reported within continuing operations as (i) a $738 million net investment loss, (ii) a $147 million charge within policyholder benefits and claims, (iii) a $218 million charge within other expenses, and (iv) a $927 million income tax benefit. The remaining $1,171 million loss was reported within discontinued operations, which primarily includes a tax-related charge.

19

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


MetLife, Inc. retained the remaining ownership interest of 22,996,436 shares, or 19.2%, of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock and recognized its investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock based on the NASDAQ reported market price. The Company elected to record the investment under the FVO as an observable measure of estimated fair value that is aligned with the Company’s intent to divest of the retained shares as soon as practicable. Subsequent changes in estimated fair value of the investment are recorded to net investment gains (losses). The estimated fair value of the Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock held by the Company (“FVO Brighthouse Common Stock”) as of September 30, 2017 was $1.4 billion reported within fair value option securities. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $1,016 million mark-to-market loss on its retained investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc. to net investment gains (losses) at Separation and an additional $45 million loss to net investment gains (losses) for the change in Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s common stock share price from the Separation date to September 30, 2017. As of the Separation date, the Company evaluated the assets of Brighthouse for potential impairment, and determined that no impairment charge was required.
The Company incurred pre-tax Separation-related transaction costs of $64 million and $470 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, primarily related to fees for the terminations of financing arrangements and professional services. The Company incurred pre-tax Separation-related transaction costs of $51 million and $108 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, primarily related to professional services. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported $39 million and $333 million, respectively, within discontinued operations for fees for the terminations of financing arrangements and costs required to complete the Separation. All other Separation-related transaction costs are recorded in other expenses and reported within continuing operations.
Upon Separation, MetLife, Inc. terminated a net worth maintenance agreement with Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (formerly, First MetLife Investors Insurance Company) in accordance with its terms. See Schedule II included in the 2016 Annual Report for further information.
Agreements
In connection with the Separation, MetLife and Brighthouse entered into various agreements. The significant agreements were as follows:
Master Separation Agreement
MetLife entered into a master separation agreement with Brighthouse prior to the completion of the distribution. The master separation agreement sets forth agreements with Brighthouse relating to the ownership of certain assets and the allocation of certain liabilities in connection with the separation of Brighthouse from MetLife. It also sets forth other agreements governing the relationship with Brighthouse after the distribution, including certain payment obligations between the parties.
Tax Agreements
Immediately prior to the Separation, MetLife entered into a tax separation agreement with Brighthouse. Among other things, the tax separation agreement governs the allocation between MetLife and Brighthouse of the responsibility for the taxes of the MetLife group. The tax separation agreement also allocates rights, obligations and responsibilities in connection with certain administrative matters relating to the preparation of tax returns and control of tax audits and other proceedings relating to taxes. For the taxable periods prior to Separation, MetLife and Brighthouse have joint and several liability for the MetLife consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns’ current taxes (and the benefits of tax attributes such as losses) allocated to Brighthouse. The tax separation agreement provides that the Brighthouse allocation of taxes could vary depending upon the outcome of Internal Revenue Service examinations. Upon Separation, the Company recorded a current income tax receivable of $1.4 billion and a corresponding payable to Brighthouse reported in other liabilities. On October 2, 2017, in accordance with the tax separation agreement, $729 million of this amount was paid by MetLife to Brighthouse.

20

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


As part of the tax separation agreement, MetLife is liable for the U.S. federal income tax cost of a discrete Separation‑related tax charge incurred by Brighthouse. The income tax charge arises from the recapture of certain tax benefits incurred prior to Separation, and is caused by the deconsolidation of Brighthouse from the MetLife tax group at Separation. As a result, during the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a decrease to current income tax recoverable and a charge to provision for income tax expense (benefit) of $1,093 million, which was reported in discontinued operations.
Additionally, MetLife has the right to receive future payments from Brighthouse for a tax asset that Brighthouse received as a result of restructuring prior to the Separation. Included in other assets at September 30, 2017, is a receivable from Brighthouse of $555 million related to these future payments.
Transactions Prior to the Separation
Prior to the Separation, the Company completed the following transactions in 2017. See “— Discontinued Operations” for additional information.
Contributions of Entities, Mergers and Dividend
In April 2017, following receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, MetLife contributed certain captive reinsurance companies to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (“Brighthouse Insurance”), which were merged into Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware (“BRCD”), a newly-formed captive reinsurance company that is wholly-owned by Brighthouse Insurance.
In July 2017, MetLife, Inc. contributed the voting common interests of Brighthouse Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., to Brighthouse Financial, Inc. Brighthouse Holdings, LLC is an intermediate holding company, which owns all of the subsidiaries within Brighthouse.
On August 3, 2017, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. paid a cash dividend to MetLife, Inc. of $1.8 billion in connection with the Separation.
Termination of Financing Arrangements
In April 2017, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) terminated the MRSC collateral financing arrangement associated with secondary guarantees. As a result, the $2.8 billion collateral financing arrangement liability outstanding was extinguished utilizing $2.8 billion of assets held in trust with the remaining $590 million of assets held in trust returned to MetLife, Inc. as a cash return of capital from a subsidiary. Total fees associated with the termination were $37 million and were reported in discontinued operations.
In April 2017, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont (“MRV”) terminated the $4.3 billion committed facility, and MetLife, Inc. and MRSC terminated the $3.5 billion committed facility. Total fees associated with the terminations were $257 million and were reported in discontinued operations.
See Note 9 for discussion of impacts to the junior subordinated debentures as a result of the Separation.
New Financing Arrangements
In April 2017, BRCD entered into a new financing arrangement with a pool of highly rated third-party reinsurers with a total capacity of $10.0 billion. This financing arrangement consists of credit-linked notes that each has a term of 20 years.
In June 2017, Brighthouse Holdings, LLC issued 50,000 units of 6.50% fixed rate cumulative preferred units to MetLife, Inc. and in turn MetLife, Inc. sold the preferred units to third-party investors, for net proceeds of $49 million.
In June 2017, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. issued $1.5 billion of senior notes due in June 2027 (the “2027 Senior Notes”) which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.70%, payable semi-annually. Also in June 2017, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. issued $1.5 billion of senior notes due in June 2047 (the “2047 Senior Notes,” and together with the 2027 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”) which bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.70%, payable semi-annually. In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, MetLife, Inc. had initially guaranteed the Senior Notes on a senior unsecured basis. The guarantee was released, in accordance with its terms, in connection with consummation of the Separation.

21

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


In June 2017, subsequent to the issuance of the Senior Notes, the borrowing capacity under Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s three-year senior unsecured delayed draw term loan agreement (the “2016 Term Loan Agreement”) was decreased from $3.0 billion to $536 million. On July 21, 2017, concurrently with entering into a new term loan agreement described below, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. terminated the 2016 Term Loan Agreement without penalty.
In July 2017, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. entered into a new $600 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan agreement (the “2017 Term Loan Agreement”). Under the 2017 Term Loan Agreement, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. may borrow up to a maximum of $600 million which may be used for general corporate purposes, including in connection with the Separation, of which $500 million was available prior to the Separation. The 2017 Term Loan Agreement contains certain covenants that could restrict the operations and use of funds of Brighthouse. On August 2, 2017, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. borrowed $500 million under the 2017 Term Loan Agreement in connection with the Separation.
Termination of Support Agreements
In April 2017, in connection with the contribution of entities, mergers and financing transactions discussed above, MetLife, Inc. terminated various support agreements with the captive reinsurance companies merged into BRCD. See Schedule II included in the 2016 Annual Report for information on the support agreements that were terminated.
Ongoing Transactions with Brighthouse
The Company considered all of its continuing involvement with Brighthouse in determining to deconsolidate and present Brighthouse results as discontinued operations, including the agreements described above and the ongoing transactions described below.
The Company entered into reinsurance, committed facility, structured settlement, and contract administrative services transactions with Brighthouse in the normal course of business and such transactions will continue based upon business needs. In addition, prior to and in connection with the Separation, the Company entered into various other agreements with Brighthouse for services necessary for both the Company and Brighthouse to conduct their activities. Intercompany transactions prior to the Separation between the Company and Brighthouse are eliminated and excluded from the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. Transactions between the Company and Brighthouse that continue after the Separation are included on the Company’s interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and interim condensed consolidated balance sheets.

22

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


Reinsurance
The Company entered into reinsurance transactions with Brighthouse in the normal course of business and such transactions will continue based upon business needs. Information regarding the significant effects of reinsurance transactions with Brighthouse was as follows:
 
Included on Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Excluded from Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Three and Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017 (1)
 
2017 (2)
 
2016
 
2017 (2)
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance assumed
$
70

 
$
36


$
111


$
248


$
338

Reinsurance ceded
(2
)
 
1


(3
)

(7
)

(10
)
Net premiums
$
68

 
$
37

 
$
108

 
$
241

 
$
328

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance assumed
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)

$
(2
)

$
(6
)

$
(2
)
Reinsurance ceded
(22
)
 
(8
)

(30
)

(55
)

(76
)
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees
$
(23
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(32
)
 
$
(61
)
 
$
(78
)
Policyholder benefits and claims
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance assumed
$
55

 
$
30


$
103


$
196


$
286

Reinsurance ceded
(6
)
 
(3
)

(14
)

(16
)

(9
)
Net policyholder benefits and claims
$
49

 
$
27

 
$
89

 
$
180

 
$
277

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance assumed
$
3

 
$
1


$
4


$
10


$
12

Reinsurance ceded
(12
)
 
(6
)

(18
)

(42
)

(56
)
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances
$
(9
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(32
)
 
$
(44
)
Other expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance assumed
$
6

 
$
4


$
18


$
10


$
63

Reinsurance ceded
(7
)
 
(3
)

(8
)

(28
)

(24
)
Net other expenses
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
$
10

 
$
(18
)
 
$
39

__________________
(1)
Includes transactions after the Separation.
(2)
Includes transactions prior to the Separation.

23

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


Information regarding the significant effects of reinsurance transactions with Brighthouse included on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
Assumed
 
Ceded
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
$
162

 
$
1,786

Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
393

 
(22
)
Total assets
$
555

 
$
1,764

Liabilities
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
$
1,666

 
$

Other policy-related balances
121

 
29

Other liabilities
1,460

 
22

Total liabilities
$
3,247

 
$
51

Investment Management
In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into investment management services agreements with Brighthouse. Each agreement has an initial term of 18 months after the date of Separation, after which period either party to the agreement is permitted to terminate upon notice to the other party. After the Separation, during both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized $18 million in other revenues for services provided under the agreements. Prior to the Separation, during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company charged Brighthouse $8 million and $57 million, respectively, for services provided under the agreements, which were intercompany transactions and eliminated and excluded from the interim condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Debt
MRV and MetLife, Inc. have a $2.9 billion committed facility which is used as collateral for certain affiliated reinsurance liabilities. As of September 30, 2017, Brighthouse is a beneficiary of $2.3 billion of letters of credit issued under this committed facility and in consideration Brighthouse reimburses MetLife, Inc. a portion of the letter of credit fees. The Company entered into the committed facility with Brighthouse in the normal course of business and such transactions will continue based upon business needs.
See “— Transactions Prior to the Separation Termination of Financing Arrangements” for additional transactions with Brighthouse.
Transition Services
In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with Brighthouse for services necessary for Brighthouse to conduct their activities. The services are expected to continue up to 36 months, with certain services potentially to be made available for several years thereafter. After the Separation, during the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized $60 million as a reduction to other expenses for transitional services provided under the agreement. Prior to the Separation, during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company charged Brighthouse $27 million and $191 million, respectively, for services provided under the agreement, which were intercompany transactions and eliminated and excluded from the interim condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

24

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


Other
The Company has existing assumed structured settlement claim obligations as an assignment company for Brighthouse. These liabilities are measured at the present value of the periodic claims to be provided and reported as other policy-related balances. The Company receives a fee for assuming these claim obligations and, as the assignee of the claim, is legally obligated to ensure periodic payments are made to the claimant. The Company purchased annuities from Brighthouse to fund these obligations and designates payments to be made directly to the claimant by Brighthouse as the annuity writer. The aggregate contract values of annuities funding structured settlement claims are recorded as an asset for which the Company has also recorded an unpaid claim obligation reported in other policy-related balances. Such aggregated contract values were $1.3 billion at September 30, 2017. The Company entered into these transactions with Brighthouse in the normal course of business and such transactions will continue based upon business needs.
The Company provides services necessary for Brighthouse to conduct its business, which primarily include contract administrative services for certain Brighthouse investment-type products. After the Separation, during both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized $21 million in universal life and investment-type product policy fees for administrative services provided to Brighthouse. Prior to the Separation, during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company provided administrative services to Brighthouse for $10 million and $73 million, respectively, which were intercompany transactions and eliminated and excluded from the interim condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company entered into these transactions with Brighthouse in the normal course of business and such transactions will continue based upon business needs.
In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into an employee matters agreement with Brighthouse to allocate obligations and responsibilities relating to employee compensation and benefit plans and other related matters. The employee matters agreement provides that MetLife will reimburse Brighthouse for certain pension benefit payments, retiree health and life benefit payments and deferred compensation payments. Included in other liabilities at September 30, 2017, is a payable to Brighthouse of $186 million related to these future payments.
At September 30, 2017, the Company had a net receivable from Brighthouse of $40 million related to services provided and received.

25

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


Discontinued Operations
The following table presents the amounts related to the operations and loss on disposal of Brighthouse that have been reflected in discontinued operations:
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017 (1)
 
2016
 
2017 (1)
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
116

 
$
552

 
$
820

 
$
1,544

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
320

 
955

 
2,201

 
2,799

Net investment income
243

 
857

 
1,783

 
2,384

Other revenues
27

 
8

 
150

 
31

Total net investment gains (losses)
1

 
26

 
(53
)
 
(60
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
(171
)
 
(509
)
 
(1,061
)
 
(3,254
)
Total revenues
536

 
1,889

 
3,840

 
3,444

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims
335

 
1,244

 
2,217

 
3,414

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
89

 
276

 
620

 
827

Policyholder dividends
2

 
10

 
16

 
27

Goodwill impairment

 
260

 

 
260

Other expenses
108

 
710

 
853

 
1,068

Total expenses
534

 
2,500

 
3,706

 
5,596

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision for income tax and loss on disposal of discontinued operations
2

 
(611
)
 
134

 
(2,152
)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
(10
)
 
(160
)
 
(48
)
 
(773
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax
12

 
(451
)
 
182

 
(1,379
)
Transaction costs associated with the Separation, net of income tax
(25
)
 

 
(216
)
 

Tax charges associated with the Separation
(955
)
 

 
(955
)
 

Income (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax
(980
)
 

 
(1,171
)
 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
$
(968
)
 
$
(451
)
 
$
(989
)
 
$
(1,379
)
__________________
(1)
Includes transactions prior to the Separation.

26

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


The following table presents the amounts related to the financial position of Brighthouse that have been reflected in the assets and liabilities of disposed subsidiary:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
Investments:
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
$
61,326

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
300

Mortgage loans
 
9,378

Policy loans
 
1,517

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
 
150

Other limited partnership interests
 
1,642

Short-term investments
 
1,288

Other invested assets
 
3,881

Total investments
 
79,482

Cash and cash equivalents
 
5,226

Accrued investment income
 
680

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
10,636

Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
 
7,207

Other assets
 
709

Separate account assets
 
113,043

Total assets of disposed subsidiary
 
$
216,983

Liabilities
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
$
33,270

Policyholder account balances
 
37,066

Other policy-related balances
 
1,356

Policyholder dividends payable
 
12

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
 
7,390

Long-term debt
 
60

Collateral financing arrangements
 
2,797

Deferred income tax liability
 
2,594

Other liabilities
 
5,119

Separate account liabilities
 
113,043

Total liabilities of disposed subsidiary
 
$
202,707



27

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


In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified. As such, the following table presents selected financial information regarding cash flows of the discontinued operation.

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2017

2016
 
(In millions)
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
1,329


$
2,590

Investing activities
$
(2,732
)

$
(5,074
)
Financing activities
$
(367
)
 
$
3,739

4. Insurance
Guarantees
As discussed in Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report, the Company issues directly and assumes through reinsurance variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMABs”) and 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 7.
The Company also issues other annuity contracts that apply a lower rate on funds deposited if the contractholder elects to surrender the contract for cash and a higher rate if the contractholder elects to annuitize. 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.
Information regarding the Company’s guarantee exposure, which includes direct and assumed business, but excludes offsets from hedging or ceded reinsurance, if any, was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Annuity Contracts (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable Annuity Guarantees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total account value (2), (3)
 
$
66,814

 
 
$
26,098

 
 
$
66,176

 
 
$
25,335

 
Separate account value
 
$
45,046

 
 
$
24,179

 
 
$
43,359

 
 
$
23,330

 
Net amount at risk (2)
 
$
1,401

(4
)
 
$
568

(5
)
 
$
1,842

(4
)
 
$
521

(5
)
Average attained age of contractholders
 
65 years

 
 
65 years

 
 
64 years

 
 
65 years

 
Other Annuity Guarantees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total account value (3)
 
N/A

 
 
$
1,432

 
 
N/A

 
 
$
1,393

 
Net amount at risk
 
N/A

 
 
$
580

(6
)
 
N/A

 
 
$
490

(6
)
Average attained age of contractholders
 
N/A

 
 
50 years

 
 
N/A

 
 
50 years

 

28

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

 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Secondary
Guarantees
 
Paid-Up
Guarantees
 
Secondary
Guarantees
 
Paid-Up
Guarantees
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Universal and Variable Life Contracts (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total account value (3)
 
$
8,796

 
$
3,238

 
$
8,363

 
$
3,337

Net amount at risk (7)
 
$
67,950

 
$
16,905

 
$
70,225

 
$
17,785

Average attained age of policyholders
 
56 years

 
63 years

 
55 years

 
62 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 reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from the Company’s former operating joint venture in Japan.
(3)
Includes the contractholder’s investments in the general account and separate account, if applicable.
(4)
Defined as the death benefit less the total 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.
(5)
Defined as the amount (if any) that would be required to be added to the total 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.
(6)
Defined as either the excess of the upper tier, adjusted for a profit margin, less the lower tier, as of the balance sheet date or the amount (if any) that would be required to be added to the total account value to purchase a lifetime income stream, based on current annuity rates, equal to the minimum amount provided under the guaranteed benefit. These amounts represent the Company’s potential economic exposure to such guarantees in the event all contractholders were to annuitize on the balance sheet date.
(7)
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.

29

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

Liabilities for Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses
Rollforward of Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Information regarding the liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses was as follows:
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In millions)
Balance at December 31 of prior period
 
$
16,151

 
$
9,669

Less: Reinsurance recoverables
 
1,226

 
476

Net Balance at December 31 of prior period
 
14,925

 
9,193

Cumulative adjustment (1)
 

 
4,897

Net balance, beginning of period
 
14,925

 
14,090

Incurred related to:
 
 
 
 
Current period
 
18,028

 
18,157

Prior periods (2)
 
156

 
147

Total incurred
 
18,184

 
18,304

Paid related to:
 
 
 
 
Current period
 
(13,880
)
 
(12,818
)
Prior periods
 
(4,213
)
 
(4,620
)
Total paid
 
(18,093
)
 
(17,438
)
Net balance, end of period
 
15,016

 
14,956

Add: Reinsurance recoverables
 
2,205

 
2,052

Balance, end of period (included in future policy benefits and other policy-related balances)
 
$
17,221

 
$
17,008

__________________
(1)
Reflects the accumulated adjustment, net of reinsurance, upon implementation of the new short-duration contracts guidance which clarified the requirement to include claim information for long-duration contracts. The accumulated adjustment primarily reflects unpaid claim liabilities, net of reinsurance, for long-duration contracts as of the beginning of the period presented.
(2)
During both the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, as a result of changes in estimates of insured events in the respective prior periods, the claims and claim adjustment expenses associated with prior periods increased due to unfavorable claims experience.
5. 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.

30

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

Information regarding the closed block liabilities and assets designated to the closed block was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Closed Block Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
$
40,489

 
$
40,834

Other policy-related balances
 
193

 
257

Policyholder dividends payable
 
483

 
443

Policyholder dividend obligation
 
2,201

 
1,931

Current income tax payable
 

 
4

Other liabilities
 
277

 
196

Total closed block liabilities
 
43,643

 
43,665

Assets Designated to the Closed Block
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
 
27,541

 
27,220

Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
 
71

 
100

Mortgage loans
 
5,904

 
5,935

Policy loans
 
4,542

 
4,553

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
 
628

 
655

Other invested assets
 
1,053

 
1,246

Total investments
 
39,739

 
39,709

Cash and cash equivalents
 
60

 
18

Accrued investment income
 
487

 
467

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
68

 
68

Current income tax recoverable
 
30

 

Deferred income tax assets
 
109

 
177

Total assets designated to the closed block
 
40,493

 
40,439

Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block
 
3,150

 
3,226

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax
 
1,851

 
1,517

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of income tax
 
23

 
95

Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax
 
(1,431
)
 
(1,255
)
Total amounts included in AOCI
 
443

 
357

Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities
 
$
3,593

 
$
3,583

Information regarding the closed block policyholder dividend obligation was as follows:
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
 
Year
Ended
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
1,931

 
$
1,783

Change in unrealized investment and derivative gains (losses)
 
270

 
148

Balance, end of period
 
$
2,201

 
$
1,931


31

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

Information regarding the closed block revenues and expenses was as follows:
 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
413

 
$
436

 
$
1,247

 
$
1,297

Net investment income
 
450

 
486

 
1,368

 
1,435

Net investment gains (losses)
 

 
(3
)
 
(10
)
 
(19
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
 
(6
)
 
4

 
(24
)
 
(3
)
Total revenues
 
857

 
923

 
2,581

 
2,710

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims
 
591

 
619

 
1,773

 
1,861

Policyholder dividends
 
235

 
232

 
732

 
723

Other expenses
 
30

 
33

 
94

 
100

Total expenses
 
856

 
884

 
2,599

 
2,684

Revenues, net of expenses before provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
1

 
39

 
(18
)
 
26

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 

 
13

 
(8
)
 
8

Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
1

 
$
26

 
$
(10
)
 
$
18

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.

32

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

6. 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 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”), asset-backed securities (“ABS”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (collectively, “Structured Securities”).
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 

Gains
 
Temporary
Losses
 
OTTI
Losses (1)
 

Gains
 
Temporary
Losses
 
OTTI
Losses (1)
 
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$
75,221

 
$
6,827

 
$
393

 
$

 
$
81,655

 
$
73,280

 
$
6,027

 
$
764

 
$

 
$
78,543

Foreign government
54,618

 
6,486

 
315

 

 
60,789

 
49,864

 
6,485

 
373

 

 
55,976

Foreign corporate
52,185

 
3,705

 
750

 

 
55,140

 
49,333

 
2,901

 
1,572

 
(1
)
 
50,663

U.S. government and agency
43,911

 
4,056

 
303

 

 
47,664

 
41,294

 
3,682

 
543

 

 
44,433

RMBS
30,368

 
1,222

 
232

 
(40
)
 
31,398

 
28,393

 
1,039

 
410

 
(10
)
 
29,032

State and political subdivision
10,754

 
1,615

 
24

 

 
12,345

 
10,977

 
1,340

 
85

 
1

 
12,231

ABS
11,702

 
114

 
42

 
3

 
11,771

 
11,266

 
90

 
128

 
3

 
11,225

CMBS
7,925

 
251

 
44

 

 
8,132

 
7,294

 
237

 
71

 

 
7,460

Total fixed maturity securities
$
286,684


$
24,276


$
2,103


$
(37
)

$
308,894


$
271,701


$
21,801


$
3,946


$
(7
)

$
289,563

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
$
1,883

 
$
379

 
$
20

 
$

 
$
2,242

 
$
1,827

 
$
464

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
2,278

Non-redeemable preferred stock
503

 
36

 
5

 

 
534

 
637

 
19

 
40

 

 
616

Total equity securities
$
2,386


$
415


$
25


$


$
2,776


$
2,464


$
483


$
53


$


$
2,894

__________________
(1)
Noncredit OTTI losses included in AOCI in an unrealized gain position are 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 $4 million and $1 million, and unrealized gains (losses) of ($3) million and ($3) million, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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, 2017:
 
 
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
 
$
12,720

 
$
63,453

 
$
60,957

 
$
99,559

 
$
49,995

 
$
286,684

Estimated fair value
 
$
12,827

 
$
66,568

 
$
64,549

 
$
113,649

 
$
51,301

 
$
308,894


33

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

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 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 at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
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
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
 
$
6,647

 
$
161

 
$
3,015

 
$
232

 
$
11,471

 
$
466

 
$
2,938

 
$
298

Foreign government
 
6,856

 
202

 
1,669

 
113

 
5,955

 
260

 
918

 
113

Foreign corporate
 
5,856

 
149

 
6,137

 
601

 
10,147

 
573

 
5,493

 
998

U.S. government and agency
 
19,305

 
275

 
362

 
28

 
9,104

 
523

 
141

 
20

RMBS
 
7,731

 
106

 
2,025

 
86

 
9,449

 
291

 
1,800

 
109

State and political subdivision
 
560

 
13

 
165

 
11

 
1,747

 
80

 
56

 
6

ABS
 
1,976

 
5

 
921

 
40

 
2,224

 
28

 
2,328

 
103

CMBS
 
1,555

 
12

 
337

 
32

 
998

 
22

 
564

 
49

Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
50,486

 
$
923

 
$
14,631

 
$
1,143

 
$
51,095

 
$
2,243

 
$
14,238

 
$
1,696

Equity securities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock
 
$
133

 
$
20

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
105

 
$
13

 
$
11

 
$

Non-redeemable preferred stock
 

 

 
82

 
5

 
139

 
7

 
125

 
33

Total equity securities
 
$
133

 
$
20

 
$
86

 
$
5

 
$
244

 
$
20

 
$
136

 
$
33

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position
 
3,249

 

 
1,638

 

 
3,580

 

 
1,307

 

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 2016 Annual Report, the Company performs a regular evaluation of all investment classes for impairment, including fixed maturity securities, equity securities and perpetual hybrid securities, in accordance with its impairment policy, in order to evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.
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, 2017. 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, as well as a change in the Company’s intention to hold or sell a security that is in an unrealized loss position. 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 decreased $1.9 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $2.1 billion. The decrease in gross unrealized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to decreasing longer-term interest rates and narrowing credit spreads, and to a lesser extent the impact of strengthening foreign currencies on non-functional currency denominated fixed maturity securities.

34

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

At September 30, 2017, $117 million of the total $2.1 billion of gross unrealized losses were from 46 fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss position of 20% or more of amortized cost for six months or greater.
Gross unrealized losses on equity securities decreased $28 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $25 million.
Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities
Of the $117 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, $75 million, or 64%, were related to gross unrealized losses on 19 investment grade fixed maturity securities. Unrealized losses on investment grade fixed maturity securities are principally related to widening credit spreads since purchase and, with respect to fixed-rate fixed maturity securities, rising interest rates since purchase.
Below Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities
Of the $117 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, $42 million, or 36%, were related to gross unrealized losses on 27 below investment grade fixed maturity securities. Unrealized losses on below investment grade fixed maturity securities are principally related to U.S. and foreign corporate securities (primarily industrial and utility securities) and are the result of significantly wider credit spreads resulting from higher risk premiums since purchase, largely due to economic and market uncertainty including concerns over lower oil prices in the energy sector. Management evaluates U.S. and foreign corporate securities based on factors such as expected cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuers.
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying Value
 
% of
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
43,243

 
63.6
 %
 
$
41,512

 
63.7
 %
Agricultural
12,967

 
19.1

 
12,564

 
19.3

Residential
11,599

 
17.0

 
10,829

 
16.6

Subtotal (1)
67,809

 
99.7

 
64,905

 
99.6

Valuation allowances
(316
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(304
)
 
(0.5
)
Subtotal mortgage loans, net
67,493

 
99.2

 
64,601

 
99.1

Residential — FVO
564

 
0.8

 
566

 
0.9

Total mortgage loans, net
$
68,057

 
100.0
 %
 
$
65,167

 
100.0
 %
__________________
(1)
Purchases of mortgage loans, primarily residential, were $411 million and $1.9 billion for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $733 million and $1.9 billion for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.


35

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. 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, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
43,243

 
$
213

 
$

Agricultural
 
22

 
21

 
2

 
28

 
28

 
12,918

 
39

 
47

Residential
 

 

 

 
335

 
304

 
11,295

 
62

 
304

Total
 
$
22


$
21


$
2


$
363


$
332


$
67,456


$
314


$
351

December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
12

 
$
41,500

 
$
202

 
$
12

Agricultural
 
11

 
10

 
1

 
27

 
27

 
12,527

 
38

 
36

Residential
 

 

 

 
265

 
241

 
10,588

 
63

 
241

Total
 
$
11


$
10


$
1


$
304


$
280


$
64,615


$
303


$
289

The average recorded investment for impaired commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans was $0, $31 million and $297 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2017; and $6 million, $28 million and $275 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
The average recorded investment for impaired commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans was $90 million, $49 million and $202 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2016; and $109 million, $53 million and $174 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Valuation Allowance Rollforward by Portfolio Segment
The changes in the valuation allowance, by portfolio segment, were as follows:
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Commercial
 
Agricultural
 
Residential
 
Total
 
Commercial
 
Agricultural
 
Residential
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
202

 
$
39

 
$
63

 
$
304

 
$
188

 
$
37

 
$
56

 
$
281

Provision (release) (1)
11

 
4

 
10

 
25

 
149

 
3

 
11

 
163

Charge-offs, net of recoveries (1)

 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(13
)
 
(143
)
 
(2
)
 
(12
)
 
(157
)
Balance, end of period
$
213


$
41


$
62


$
316


$
194


$
38


$
55


$
287

__________________
(1)
In connection with an acquisition in 2010, certain impaired commercial mortgage loans were acquired and, accordingly, were not originated by the Company. Such commercial mortgage loans have been accounted for as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) commercial mortgage loans. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected on PCI commercial mortgage loans can result in provisions for losses on mortgage loans. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, in connection with the maturity of an acquired PCI commercial mortgage loan, an increase to the commercial mortgage loan valuation allowance of $143 million was recorded and charged-off upon maturity. The Company has recovered a substantial portion of the loss on the loan incurred through an indemnification agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition in 2010.

36

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. 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
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-value ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 65%
 
$
37,404

 
$
1,488

 
$
222

 
$
39,114

 
90.5
%
 
$
39,904

 
90.7
%
65% to 75%
 
3,367

 
168

 
173

 
3,708

 
8.6

 
3,705

 
8.4

76% to 80%
 
217

 

 
57

 
274

 
0.6

 
262

 
0.6

Greater than 80%
 

 

 
147

 
147

 
0.3

 
143

 
0.3

Total
 
$
40,988


$
1,656


$
599


$
43,243


100
%

$
44,014


100
%
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-value ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 65%
 
$
36,067

 
$
1,077

 
$
707

 
$
37,851

 
91.2
%
 
$
38,237

 
91.5
%
65% to 75%
 
3,044

 

 
202

 
3,246

 
7.8

 
3,185

 
7.6

76% to 80%
 
195

 

 

 
195

 
0.5

 
182

 
0.4

Greater than 80%
 
118

 
27

 
75

 
220

 
0.5

 
213

 
0.5

Total
 
$
39,424


$
1,104


$
984


$
41,512

 
100.0
%
 
$
41,817

 
100.0
%
Credit Quality of Agricultural Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of agricultural mortgage loans was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Loan-to-value ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 65%
 
$
12,403

 
95.6
%
 
$
12,023

 
95.7
%
65% to 75%
 
546

 
4.2

 
436

 
3.5

76% to 80%
 
9

 
0.1

 
17

 
0.1

Greater than 80%
 
9

 
0.1

 
88

 
0.7

Total
 
$
12,967

 
100.0
%
 
$
12,564

 
100.0
%
The estimated fair value of agricultural mortgage loans was $13.1 billion and $12.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Credit Quality of Residential Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of residential mortgage loans was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Performance indicators:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing
 
$
11,169

 
96.3
%
 
$
10,448

 
96.5
%
Nonperforming
 
430

 
3.7

 
381

 
3.5

Total
 
$
11,599

 
100.0
%
 
$
10,829

 
100.0
%

37

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

The estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans was $12.1 billion and $11.2 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Past Due and Nonaccrual 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 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 nonaccrual mortgage loans at recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by portfolio segment, were as follows at:
 
 
Past Due
 
Greater than 90 Days Past Due and Still
Accruing Interest
 
Nonaccrual
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Commercial
 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$

Agricultural
 
134

 
127

 
125

 
104

 
36

 
23

Residential
 
430

 
381

 
30

 
37

 
400

 
344

Total
 
$
565

 
$
511

 
$
155

 
$
144

 
$
437

 
$
367

Mortgage Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring
During both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 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 was $7.3 billion and $7.4 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
21,979

 
$
20,300

Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses included in AOCI
 
37

 
8

Total fixed maturity securities
 
22,016

 
20,308

Equity securities
 
444

 
485

Derivatives
 
1,690

 
2,923

Other
 
121

 
23

Subtotal
 
24,271

 
23,739

Amounts allocated from:
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
(63
)
 
(1,114
)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
DAC, VOBA and DSI
 
(1,647
)
 
(1,430
)
Policyholder dividend obligation
 
(2,201
)
 
(1,931
)
Subtotal
 
(3,912
)
 
(4,478
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
(6,997
)
 
(6,623
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
13,351

 
12,637

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(8
)
 
(6
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
 
$
13,343

 
$
12,631

The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
12,631

Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized
29

Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period
503

Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:
 
Future policy benefits
1,051

DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
2

DAC, VOBA and DSI
(217
)
Policyholder dividend obligation
(270
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
(10
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
(374
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
13,345

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(2
)
Balance, end of period
$
13,343

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)
$
714

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(2
)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
$
712


38

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

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 $26.9 billion and $24.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and in fixed income securities of the Korean government and its agencies with an estimated fair value of $6.1 billion at September 30, 2017. At December 31, 2016, the investments in Korean government fixed income securities were less than 10% of the Company’s equity.
Securities Lending
Elements of the securities lending program are presented below at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(In millions)
Securities on loan: (1)
 
 
 
Amortized cost
$
18,219

 
$
18,798

Estimated fair value
$
19,542

 
$
19,753

Cash collateral received from counterparties (2)
$
19,996

 
$
20,114

Security collateral received from counterparties (3)
$

 
$
20

Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value
$
20,155

 
$
20,133

__________________
(1)
Included within fixed maturity securities.
(2)
Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions.
(3)
Security collateral received from counterparties may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.
The cash collateral liability by loaned security type and remaining tenor of the agreements was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Remaining Tenor of Securities
Lending Agreements
 
 
 
Remaining Tenor of Securities
Lending Agreements
 
 
 
 
Open (1)
 
1 Month
or Less
 
1 to 6
Months
 
Total
 
Open (1)
 
1 Month
or Less
 
1 to 6
Months
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Cash collateral liability by loaned security type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency
 
$
4,362

 
$
7,952

 
$
6,694

 
$
19,008

 
$
4,480

 
$
6,496

 
$
8,383

 
$
19,359

Foreign government
 

 
507

 
481

 
988

 

 
569

 
143

 
712

U.S. corporate
 

 

 

 

 

 
43

 

 
43

Total
 
$
4,362


$
8,459


$
7,175


$
19,996

 
$
4,480

 
$
7,108

 
$
8,526

 
$
20,114

__________________
(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, 2017 was $4.3 billion, all of which were U.S. government and agency securities which, if put back to the Company, could be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirement.

39

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

The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including agency RMBS, U.S. government and agency securities and ABS), short-term investments and cash equivalents, with 64% invested in agency RMBS, short-term investments, U.S. government and agency securities, cash equivalents or held in cash. 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.
Repurchase Agreements
Elements of the short-term repurchase agreements are presented below at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Securities on loan: (1)
 
 
 
 
Amortized cost
 
$
1,972

 
$
98

Estimated fair value
 
$
2,108

 
$
113

Cash collateral received from counterparties (2)
 
$
2,062

 
$
102

Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value
 
$
2,072

 
$
100

__________________
(1)
Included within fixed maturity securities.
(2)
Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions and other liabilities.
The cash collateral liability by loaned security type and remaining tenor of the agreements was as follows at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Remaining Tenor of
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
Remaining Tenor of
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
1 Month
or Less
 
1 to 6 
Months
 
Total
 
1 Month
or Less
 
1 to 6
Months
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Cash collateral liability by loaned security type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency
 
$
1,960

 
$
5

 
$
1,965

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
5

All other corporate and government
 

 
97

 
97

 
46

 
51

 
97

Total
 
$
1,960

 
$
102

 
$
2,062

 
$
51

 
$
51

 
$
102

The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including agency RMBS, U.S. government and agency securities and ABS), short-term investments and cash equivalents, with 67% invested in agency RMBS, U.S. government and agency securities, short-term investments, cash equivalents or held in cash. 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.
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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits)
 
$
1,944

 
$
1,925

Invested assets held in trust (collateral financing arrangement and reinsurance agreements)
 
2,655

 
2,057

Invested assets pledged as collateral 
 
23,817

 
23,882

Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral
 
$
28,416


$
27,864



40

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

The Company has assets held in trust and 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 2016 Annual Report), a collateral financing arrangement (see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report) and derivative transactions (see Note 7).
See “— Securities Lending” and “— Repurchase Agreements” for information regarding securities on loan and Note 5 for information regarding investments designated to the closed block.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company has invested in legal entities that are VIEs. In certain instances, the Company holds both the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity, as well as an economic interest in the entity and, as such, is deemed to be the primary beneficiary or consolidator of the entity. The 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.
Consolidated VIEs
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.
The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to investment-related VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Total
Assets
 
Total
Liabilities
 
Total
Assets
 
Total
Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Renewable energy partnership (1)
 
$
114

 
$

 
$

 
$

CSEs (assets (primarily FVO securities) and liabilities (primarily debt)) (2)
 
7

 
6

 
9

 
12

Other investments (3)
 
34

 

 
50

 

Total
 
$
155


$
6


$
59


$
12

__________________
(1)
Assets of the renewable energy partnership, primarily consisting of other invested assets, were consolidated in earlier periods as the two investors are subsidiaries of MLIC and Brighthouse. As a result of the Separation and a reassessment in the third quarter of 2017, the renewable energy partnership was determined to be a consolidated VIE.
(2)
The Company consolidates entities that are structured as collateralized debt obligations. The assets of these entities can only be used to settle their respective liabilities, and under no circumstances is the Company liable for any principal or interest shortfalls should any arise.
(3)
Other investments is primarily comprised of other invested assets and other limited partnership interests.

41

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
 
(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Structured Securities (2)
 
$
49,663

 
$
49,663

 
$
46,773

 
$
46,773

U.S. and foreign corporate
 
1,605

 
1,605

 
1,940

 
1,940

Other limited partnership interests
 
4,657

 
8,417

 
4,714

 
8,990

Other invested assets
 
2,286

 
2,697

 
2,206

 
2,777

Other (3)
 
114

 
128

 
199

 
215

Total
 
$
58,325


$
62,510


$
55,832


$
60,695

__________________
(1)
The maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity securities AFS 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 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 $123 million and $150 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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.
(3)
Other is primarily comprised of real estate joint ventures and common stock.
As described in Note 15, 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, 2017 and 2016.

42

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

Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income were as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Investment income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
$
2,869

 
$
2,906

 
$
8,528

 
$
8,838

Equity securities
31

 
29

 
93

 
90

FVO securities — FVO general account securities (1)
16

 
25

 
61

 
41

Mortgage loans
809

 
710

 
2,303

 
2,165

Policy loans
130

 
129

 
386

 
385

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
156

 
199

 
478

 
490

Other limited partnership interests
214

 
184

 
648

 
309

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
52

 
38

 
159

 
112

Operating joint ventures
6

 
5

 
13

 
28

Other
71

 
90

 
196

 
178

Subtotal
4,354

 
4,315


12,865

 
12,636

Less: Investment expenses
293

 
235

 
820

 
732

Subtotal, net
4,061

 
4,080


12,045

 
11,904

FVO securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments (1)
234

 
529

 
864

 
623

Net investment income
$
4,295

 
$
4,609


$
12,909

 
$
12,527

__________________
(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 $154 million and $540 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $407 million and $283 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
FVO securities are primarily comprised of securities for which the FVO has been elected. FVO securities are primarily comprised of contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities which do not qualify as separate accounts. The remainder is comprised of FVO Brighthouse Common Stock (see Note 3), FVO general account securities and FVO securities held by consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”). The Company previously maintained a trading securities portfolio, principally invested in fixed maturity securities. In June 2016, the Company commenced a reinvestment of this portfolio into other asset classes and, at September 30, 2016 the Company no longer held any actively traded securities.
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs.

43

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. 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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(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
$
(4
)
 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$

Industrial

 

 

 
(63
)
Communications

 

 

 
(3
)
Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities
(4
)


 
(4
)
 
(66
)
RMBS
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(1
)
 
(15
)
ABS

 

 

 
(2
)
State and political subdivision

 

 
(2
)
 

OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings
(5
)

(9
)
 
(7
)
 
(83
)
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals (1)
284

 
129

 
325

 
455

Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
279


120

 
318

 
372

Total gains (losses) on equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
(16
)
 
(71
)
Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

 
(1
)
 

OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings
(4
)

(5
)
 
(17
)
 
(71
)
Equity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals
6

 
9

 
55

 
24

Total gains (losses) on equity securities
2

 
4

 
38

 
(47
)
Mortgage loans (2)
29

 
(41
)
 
3

 
(197
)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
169

 
19

 
436

 
67

Other limited partnership interests
(33
)
 
(9
)
 
(51
)
 
(43
)
Other
29

 
(24
)
 
(92
)
 
(105
)
Subtotal
475


69

 
652

 
47

FVO CSEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities

 
1

 

 
2

Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) (3)(4)(5)
(1,081
)
 
161

 
(1,091
)
 
549

Subtotal
(1,081
)
 
162

 
(1,091
)
 
551

Total net investment gains (losses)
$
(606
)

$
231

 
$
(439
)
 
$
598

__________________
(1)
Fixed maturity securities net gains (losses) on sales and disposals for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes $276 million in previously deferred gains on prior period transfers of securities to Brighthouse, as such gains are no longer eliminated in consolidation after the Separation. See Note 3.
(2)
Mortgage loans gains (losses) for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes $47 million of previously deferred gains on prior period transfers of mortgage loans to Brighthouse as such gains are no longer eliminated in consolidation after the Separation. See Note 3.

44

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

(3)
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes a loss of $1,016 million which represents a mark-to-market loss attributable to the FVO Brighthouse Common Stock held by the Company at Separation. See Note 3.
(4)
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes a loss of $45 million which represents the change in estimated fair value of FVO Brighthouse Common Stock held by the Company from the date of Separation to September 30, 2017. See Note 3.
(5)
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016 includes a gain of $103 million in connection with the sale to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs.
Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions included within net investment gains (losses) were ($14) million and ($77) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $40 million and $398 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
Sales or Disposals and Impairments of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. 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 table below.

 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
(In millions)
Proceeds
$
8,586

 
$
16,634

 
$
316

 
$
35

Gross investment gains
$
364

 
$
232

 
$
11

 
$
11

Gross investment losses
(80
)
 
(103
)
 
(5
)
 
(2
)
OTTI losses
(5
)
 
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
(5
)
Net investment gains (losses)
$
279

 
$
120

 
$
2

 
$
4


 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017

2016

2017

2016
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
(In millions)
Proceeds
$
35,742

 
$
60,006

 
$
702

 
$
109

Gross investment gains
$
623

 
$
921

 
$
66

 
$
34

Gross investment losses
(298
)
 
(466
)
 
(11
)
 
(10
)
OTTI losses
(7
)
 
(83
)
 
(17
)
 
(71
)
Net investment gains (losses)
$
318


$
372


$
38


$
(47
)

45

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. 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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
170

 
$
198

 
$
192

 
$
211

Addition:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI on securities previously impaired

 
9

 

 
14

Reduction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) of securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI
(5
)
 
(10
)
 
(27
)
 
(28
)
Balance, end of period
$
165

 
$
197

 
$
165


$
197


46

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

7. 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
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.

47

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

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).
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 8 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 markets.

48

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

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, interest rate total return 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 nonqualifying 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. government and agency, or other fixed maturity security. Structured interest rate swaps are included in interest rate swaps and are not designated as hedging instruments.
Interest rate total return swaps 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. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by the counterparty at each due date. Interest rate total return swaps are used by the Company to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches). The Company utilizes interest rate total return swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
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 nonqualifying 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 nonqualifying 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 nonqualifying 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 and nonqualifying 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.

49

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

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 nonqualifying 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 nonqualifying 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 nonqualifying 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 nonqualifying hedging relationships.
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 nonqualifying 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. government and agency securities, or other fixed maturity securities. 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 equity total return swaps.
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 nonqualifying hedging relationships.

50

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

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 nonqualifying 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 nonqualifying hedging relationships.
In an equity total return swap, 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 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 equity total return swaps to hedge its equity market guarantees in certain of its insurance products. Equity total return swaps can be used as hedges or to synthetically create investments. The Company utilizes equity total return swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.

51

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

Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives
The following table presents the primary underlying risk exposure, gross notional amount, and estimated fair value of the Company’s derivatives, excluding embedded derivatives, held at:
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
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
 
$
3,959

 
$
2,305

 
$
3

 
$
5,021

 
$
2,221

 
$
6

Foreign currency swaps
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
658

 
47

 
5

 
1,221

 
34

 
224

Foreign currency forwards
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
2,624

 

 
65

 
1,085

 

 
54

Subtotal
 
 
 
7,241

 
2,352

 
73

 
7,327

 
2,255

 
284

Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest rate
 
3,781

 
308

 
8

 
2,040

 
325

 
34

Interest rate forwards
 
Interest rate
 
3,412

 

 
203

 
4,032

 

 
370

Foreign currency swaps
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
30,751

 
1,304

 
1,563

 
26,680

 
1,877

 
2,054

Subtotal
 
 
 
37,944

 
1,612

 
1,774

 
32,752

 
2,202

 
2,458

Foreign operations hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
975

 
10

 
24

 
1,394

 
47

 
5

Currency options
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
8,259

 
28

 
111

 
8,878

 
148

 
45

Subtotal
 
 
 
9,234

 
38

 
135

 
10,272

 
195

 
50

Total qualifying hedges
 
54,419

 
4,002

 
1,982

 
50,351

 
4,652

 
2,792

Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest rate
 
59,494

 
2,246

 
570

 
53,349

 
4,089

 
1,641

Interest rate floors
 
Interest rate
 
7,201

 
128

 

 
12,101

 
181

 
7

Interest rate caps
 
Interest rate
 
73,018

 
54

 
2

 
78,358

 
112

 
2

Interest rate futures
 
Interest rate
 
4,256

 
13

 

 
4,793

 
3

 
12

Interest rate options
 
Interest rate
 
12,009

 
657

 
35

 
5,334

 
628

 
1

Interest rate forwards
 
Interest rate
 
217

 

 
37

 
613

 

 
25

Interest rate total return swaps
 
Interest rate
 
1,048

 
3

 
9

 
1,549

 
2

 
127

Synthetic GICs
 
Interest rate
 
11,254

 

 

 
5,566

 

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
10,509

 
796

 
426

 
11,651

 
1,445

 
462

Foreign currency forwards
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
16,502

 
95

 
527

 
15,422

 
117

 
977

Currency futures
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
874

 

 
3

 
915

 

 

Currency options
 
Foreign currency exchange rate
 
2,929

 
42

 
3

 
3,615

 
195

 
17

Credit default swaps — purchased
 
Credit
 
2,329

 
11

 
46

 
2,001

 
14

 
40

Credit default swaps — written
 
Credit
 
11,946

 
256

 
1

 
10,732

 
161

 
9

Equity futures
 
Equity market
 
4,309

 
4

 
28

 
4,457

 
30

 
3

Equity index options
 
Equity market
 
12,371

 
382

 
679

 
16,527

 
426

 
523

Equity variance swaps
 
Equity market
 
8,337

 
103

 
285

 
8,263

 
83

 
240

Equity total return swaps
 
Equity market
 
1,103

 

 
35

 
1,046

 
1

 
43

Total non-designated or nonqualifying derivatives
 
239,706

 
4,790

 
2,686

 
236,292

 
7,487

 
4,129

Total
 
 
 
$
294,125

 
$
8,792

 
$
4,668

 
$
286,643

 
$
12,139

 
$
6,921


52

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

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, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 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 and interest rate swaps that are used to synthetically create investments and that do not qualify for hedge accounting because they do not involve a hedging relationship. For these nonqualified 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.
Net Derivative Gains (Losses)
The components of net derivative gains (losses) were as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Freestanding derivatives and hedging gains (losses) (1)
$
(424
)
 
$
(820
)
 
$
(1,084
)
 
$
2,918

Embedded derivatives gains (losses)
234

 
277

 
421

 
(1,480
)
Total net derivative gains (losses)
$
(190
)
 
$
(543
)
 
$
(663
)
 
$
1,438

__________________
(1)
Includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items in cash flow and nonqualifying 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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Qualifying hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
$
72

 
$
71

 
$
217

 
$
192

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
(19
)
 

 
(40
)
 
7

Other expenses
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 
(9
)
Nonqualifying hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income

 

 

 
(1
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
126

 
187

 
440

 
522

Policyholder benefits and claims
2

 
2

 
6

 
6

Total
$
179

 
$
257

 
$
616

 
$
717


53

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

Nonqualifying 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 not qualifying as hedging instruments:
 
 
Net
Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 
Net
Investment
Income (1)
 
Policyholder
Benefits and
Claims (2)
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
(148
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
 
(346
)
 

 
2

Credit derivatives — purchased
 
(2
)
 

 

Credit derivatives — written
 
35

 

 

Equity derivatives
 
(238
)
 
(3
)
 
(61
)
Total
 
$
(699
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(62
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
(710
)
 
$

 
$
22

Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
 
154

 

 
(5
)
Credit derivatives — purchased
 
(21
)
 

 

Credit derivatives — written

51

 

 

Equity derivatives
 
(418
)
 
(3
)
 
(72
)
Total
 
$
(944
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(55
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
(466
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(16
)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
 
(527
)
 

 
4

Credit derivatives — purchased
 
(17
)
 

 

Credit derivatives — written
 
111

 

 

Equity derivatives
 
(824
)
 
(7
)
 
(176
)
Total
 
$
(1,723
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(188
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
1,503

 
$

 
$
90

Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives
 
1,841

 

 
(17
)
Credit derivatives — purchased
 
(48
)
 

 

Credit derivatives — written
 
49

 

 

Equity derivatives
 
(327
)
 
(13
)
 
(88
)
Total
 
$
3,018

 
$
(13
)
 
$
(15
)
__________________
(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.

54

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

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.
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, 2017
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
(14
)
 
13

 
(1
)
Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
(10
)
 
10

 

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
15

 
(16
)
 
(1
)
Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
(4
)
 
4

 

Total
 
$
(12
)
 
$
11

 
$
(1
)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
5

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1

 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
(47
)
 
42

 
(5
)
Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
1

 
(1
)
 

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
(1
)
 
1

 

Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
19

 
(18
)
 
1

Total
 
$
(23
)
 
$
20

 
$
(3
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
2

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
(16
)
 
84

 
68

Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
(15
)
 
16

 
1

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
61

 
(40
)
 
21

Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
20

 
(18
)
 
2

Total
 
$
52

 
$
40

 
$
92

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
(3
)
 
$
1

 
$
(2
)
 
 
Policyholder liabilities (1)
 
472

 
(482
)
 
(10
)
Foreign currency swaps:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
7

 
(7
)
 

 
 
Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)
 
(27
)
 
24

 
(3
)
Foreign currency forwards:
 
Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities
 
295

 
(272
)
 
23

Total
 
$
744

 
$
(736
)
 
$
8

__________________
(1)
Fixed rate liabilities reported in policyholder account balances or future policy benefits.
(2)
Fixed rate or floating rate liabilities.

55

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

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, 2017, the component of the change in estimated fair value of derivatives that was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness was ($6) million and ($30) million, respectively. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the component of the change in estimated fair value of derivatives that was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness was ($6) million and ($16) million, respectively.
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 ($4) million and $16 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $11 million and $6 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
At both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 five years.
At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the balance in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges was $1.7 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. As a result of the Separation, the Company recorded a reduction of $414 million of deferred gains within AOCI during the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, there were ($16) million and $75 million, respectively, of deferred gains (losses) from Brighthouse.
The amount of income reclassified from AOCI into income (loss) from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was not significant. The amount of income reclassified from AOCI into income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $16 million. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the amount of income reclassified from AOCI into income (loss) from discontinued operations was $8 million and $24 million, respectively.

56

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. 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. The table excludes the effects of Brighthouse derivatives prior to the Separation.
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, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
14

 
$
9

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
(2
)
Interest rate forwards
 
1

 
(1
)
 

 

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
(140
)
 
294

 

 

 
(3
)
Credit forwards
 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
(125
)
 
$
302

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
(5
)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
22

 
$
28

 
$
3

 
$

 
$

Interest rate forwards
 
(7
)
 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
(23
)
 
54

 

 

 
(3
)
Credit forwards
 

 

 
1

 

 

Total
 
$
(8
)
 
$
82

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
(3
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
91

 
$
23

 
$
12

 
$

 
$
5

Interest rate forwards
 
138

 
(5
)
 
2

 
1

 
(1
)
Foreign currency swaps
 
(99
)
 
915

 
(1
)
 
1

 
(2
)
Credit forwards
 

 
1

 

 

 

Total
 
$
130

 
$
934

 
$
13

 
$
2

 
$
2

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
339

 
$
44

 
$
9

 
$

 
$

Interest rate forwards
 
33

 

 
2

 
1

 

Foreign currency swaps
 
1,025

 
90

 
(1
)
 
1

 
(1
)
Credit forwards
 

 
3

 
1

 

 

Total
 
$
1,397

 
$
137

 
$
11

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
At September 30, 2017, the Company expected to reclassify ($81) million of deferred net gains (losses) on derivatives in AOCI 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.

57

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. 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, 2017
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
(35
)
Currency options
 
(1
)
Total
 
$
(36
)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
(23
)
Currency options
 
(37
)
Total
 
$
(60
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
(161
)
Currency options
 
(234
)
Total
 
$
(395
)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
(358
)
Currency options
 
(351
)
Total
 
$
(709
)
__________________
(1)
During both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in AOCI related to hedges of net investments in foreign operations was $359 million and $754 million, respectively.
Credit Derivatives
In connection with synthetically created credit investment transactions, the Company writes credit default swaps for which it receives a premium to insure credit risk. Such credit derivatives are included within the nonqualifying 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 $11.9 billion and $10.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company would have received $255 million and $152 million, respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.

58

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Rating Agency Designation of Referenced
Credit Obligations (1)
 
Estimated
Fair Value
of Credit
Default
Swaps
 
Maximum
Amount of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps
 
Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (2)
 
Estimated
Fair Value
of Credit
Default
Swaps
 
Maximum
Amount of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps
 
Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (2)
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Aaa/Aa/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (3)
 
$
8

 
$
445

 
2.5

 
$
6

 
$
449

 
3.1

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 
43

 
2,268

 
3.0

 
34

 
2,335

 
3.6

Subtotal
 
51

 
2,713

 
2.9

 
40

 
2,784

 
3.5

Baa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (3)
 
8

 
685

 
1.9

 
5

 
751

 
2.5

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 
168

 
8,073

 
5.3

 
88

 
6,711

 
5.0

Subtotal
 
176

 
8,758

 
5.0

 
93

 
7,462

 
4.8

Ba
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (3)
 

 
115

 
3.6

 
(2
)
 
135

 
4.1

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
 

 
115

 
3.6

 
(2
)
 
135

 
4.1

B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name credit default swaps (3)
 
2

 
30

 
2.6

 
1

 
70

 
1.8

Credit default swaps referencing indices
 
26

 
330

 
5.2

 
20

 
281

 
5.0

Subtotal
 
28

 
360

 
5.0

 
21

 
351

 
4.3

Total
 
$
255

 
$
11,946

 
4.5

 
$
152

 
$
10,732

 
4.4

__________________
(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 Global Ratings (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
(2)
The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average gross notional amounts.
(3)
Single name credit default swaps may be referenced to the credit of corporations, foreign governments, or state and political subdivisions.
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 amount of potential future recoveries available to offset the $11.9 billion and $10.7 billion from the table above were $441 million and $30 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

59

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

Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives
The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by its 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 8 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Derivatives Subject to a Master Netting Arrangement or a Similar Arrangement (1)
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
(In millions)
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral (1)
 
$
8,227

 
$
4,346

 
$
9,976

 
$
5,721

OTC-cleared (1), (6)
 
621

 
248

 
2,275

 
1,142

Exchange-traded
 
17

 
31

 
33

 
15

Total gross estimated fair value of derivatives (1)
 
8,865

 
4,625

 
12,284

 
6,878

Amounts offset on the consolidated balance sheets
 

 

 

 

Estimated fair value of derivatives presented on the consolidated balance sheets (1), (6)
 
8,865

 
4,625

 
12,284

 
6,878

Gross amounts not offset on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral
 
(2,654
)
 
(2,654
)
 
(3,787
)
 
(3,787
)
OTC-cleared
 
(60
)
 
(60
)
 
(903
)
 
(903
)
Exchange-traded
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Cash collateral: (3), (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral
 
(4,351
)
 

 
(4,244
)
 
(84
)
OTC-cleared
 
(541
)
 
(183
)
 
(1,335
)
 
(234
)
Exchange-traded
 

 
(13
)
 

 
(9
)
Securities collateral: (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-bilateral
 
(1,129
)
 
(1,583
)
 
(1,640
)
 
(1,818
)
OTC-cleared
 

 
(5
)
 

 

Exchange-traded
 

 
(8
)
 

 

Net amount after application of master netting agreements and collateral
 
$
120

 
$
109

 
$
370

 
$
38

__________________

60

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

(1)
At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, derivative assets included income or (expense) accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of $73 million and $145 million, respectively, and derivative liabilities included (income) or expense accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of ($43) million and ($43) 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.
(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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company received excess cash collateral of $284 million and $164 million, respectively, and provided excess cash collateral of $281 million and $461 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, 2017, 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company received excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $148 million and $82 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company provided excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $364 million and $189 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, and $440 million and $544 million, respectively, for its OTC-cleared derivatives, and $101 million and $116 million, respectively, for its exchange-traded derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.
(6)
Effective January 3, 2017, the CME amended its rulebook, resulting in the characterization of variation margin transfers as settlement payments, as opposed to adjustments to collateral. See Note 1 for further information on the CME amendments.
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 collateral amount owed by that counterparty reaches a minimum transfer amount. A small number of these arrangements also include credit-contingent provisions that include a threshold above which collateral must be posted. Such agreements 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 MetLife, Inc. and/or the counterparty. In addition, substantially all 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 or financial strength rating, as applicable, 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 MetLife, Inc. would be required to provide if there was a one-notch downgrade in MetLife, Inc.’s senior unsecured debt rating at the reporting date or if the Company’s credit or financial strength rating, as applicable, 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.

61

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

 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Derivatives
Subject to
Credit-
Contingent
Provisions
 
Derivatives
Not Subject
to Credit-
Contingent
Provisions
 
Total
 
Derivatives
Subject to
Credit-
Contingent
Provisions
 
Derivatives
Not Subject
to Credit-
Contingent
Provisions
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Estimated Fair Value of Derivatives in a Net Liability Position (1)
 
$
1,665

 
$
27

 
$
1,692

 
$
1,909

 
$
25

 
$
1,934

Estimated Fair Value of Collateral Provided:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
1,829

 
$
24

 
$
1,853

 
$
1,965

 
$
31

 
$
1,996

Cash
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
91

 
$

 
$
91

Estimated Fair Value of Incremental Collateral Provided Upon:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

One-notch downgrade in the Company’s credit or financial strength rating, as applicable
 
$
7

 
$

 
$
7

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
6

Downgrade in the Company’s credit or financial strength rating, as applicable, to a level that triggers full overnight collateralization or termination of the derivative position
 
$
12

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
9

__________________
(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, 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 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded guaranteed minimum benefits
 
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
$
145

 
$
143

Options embedded in debt or equity securities
 
Investments
 
(140
)
 
(88
)
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts
 
$
5

 
$
55

Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits
 
Policyholder account balances
 
$
99

 
$
361

Assumed guaranteed minimum benefits
 
Policyholder account balances
 
1,240

 
1,205

Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance
 
Other liabilities
 
6

 
(30
)
Fixed annuities with equity indexed returns
 
Policyholder account balances
 
54

 
18

Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts
 
$
1,399

 
$
1,554


62

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. 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,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In millions)
Net derivative gains (losses) (1)
 
$
234

 
$
277

 
$
421

 
$
(1,480
)
__________________
(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 ($52) million and ($161) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and ($154) million and $738 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
8. 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 at:

63

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

 
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
 
$

 
$
75,807

 
$
5,848

 
$
81,655

Foreign government
 

 
60,591

 
198

 
60,789

Foreign corporate
 

 
48,870

 
6,270

 
55,140

U.S. government and agency
 
26,275

 
21,389

 

 
47,664

RMBS
 
513

 
27,233

 
3,652

 
31,398

State and political subdivision
 

 
12,284

 
61

 
12,345

ABS
 

 
11,199

 
572

 
11,771

CMBS
 

 
7,823

 
309

 
8,132

Total fixed maturity securities
 
26,788

 
265,196

 
16,910

 
308,894

Equity securities
 
1,332

 
1,020

 
424

 
2,776

FVO securities (1)
 
13,906

 
2,328

 
304

 
16,538

Short-term investments (2)
 
3,925

 
2,310

 
403

 
6,638

Residential mortgage loans — FVO
 

 

 
564

 
564

Other investments
 
80

 
114

 

 
194

Derivative assets: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
 
13

 
5,698

 
3

 
5,714

Foreign currency exchange rate
 

 
2,218

 
104

 
2,322

Credit
 

 
229

 
38

 
267

Equity market
 
4

 
358

 
127

 
489

Total derivative assets
 
17

 
8,503

 
272

 
8,792

Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (4)
 

 

 
145

 
145

Separate account assets (5)
 
87,151

 
115,207

 
1,041

 
203,399

Total assets
 
$
133,199

 
$
394,678

 
$
20,063

 
$
547,940

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
 
$

 
$
655

 
$
212

 
$
867

Foreign currency exchange rate
 
3

 
2,686

 
38

 
2,727

Credit
 

 
47

 

 
47

Equity market
 
28

 
714

 
285

 
1,027

Total derivative liabilities
 
31

 
4,102

 
535

 
4,668

Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (4)
 

 

 
1,399

 
1,399

Separate account liabilities (5)
 
1

 
6

 
2

 
9

Total liabilities
 
$
32

 
$
4,108

 
$
1,936

 
$
6,076


64

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

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
 
$

 
$
72,811

 
$
5,732

 
$
78,543

Foreign government
 

 
55,687

 
289

 
55,976

Foreign corporate
 

 
44,858

 
5,805

 
50,663

U.S. government and agency
 
24,943

 
19,490

 

 
44,433

RMBS
 

 
25,194

 
3,838

 
29,032

State and political subdivision
 

 
12,221

 
10

 
12,231

ABS
 

 
10,196

 
1,029

 
11,225

CMBS
 

 
7,112

 
348

 
7,460

Total fixed maturity securities
 
24,943

 
247,569

 
17,051

 
289,563

Equity securities
 
1,334

 
1,092

 
468

 
2,894

FVO securities (1)
 
11,123

 
2,513

 
287

 
13,923

Short-term investments (2)
 
4,091

 
1,868

 
46

 
6,005

Residential mortgage loans — FVO
 

 

 
566

 
566

Other investments
 
86

 
71

 

 
157

Derivative assets: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
 
3

 
7,556

 
2

 
7,561

Foreign currency exchange rate
 

 
3,783

 
80

 
3,863

Credit
 

 
145

 
30

 
175

Equity market
 
30

 
390

 
120

 
540

Total derivative assets
 
33

 
11,874

 
232

 
12,139

Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (4)
 

 

 
143

 
143

Separate account assets (5)
 
82,818

 
111,612

 
1,148

 
195,578

Total assets
 
$
124,428

 
$
376,599

 
$
19,941

 
$
520,968

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
 
$
12

 
$
1,713

 
$
500

 
$
2,225

Foreign currency exchange rate
 

 
3,784

 
54

 
3,838

Credit
 

 
49

 

 
49

Equity market
 
3

 
566

 
240

 
809

Total derivative liabilities
 
15

 
6,112

 
794

 
6,921

Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (4)
 

 

 
1,554

 
1,554

Separate account liabilities (5)
 

 
16

 
7

 
23

Total liabilities
 
$
15

 
$
6,128

 
$
2,355

 
$
8,498

__________________
(1)
FVO securities were comprised of over 85% FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
(2)
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.

65

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

(3)
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.
(4)
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts are presented within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheets. 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, debt and equity securities also included embedded derivatives of ($140) million and ($88) million, respectively.
(5)
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. Separate account liabilities presented in the tables above represent derivative liabilities.
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 2% of the total estimated fair value of Level 3 fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2017.

66

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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 and Other Investments
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 and other investments 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.

67

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

Instrument
Level 2
Observable Inputs
Level 3
Unobservable Inputs
Fixed Maturity Securities
U.S. corporate and Foreign corporate securities
 
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market and income approaches.
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
 
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
 
quoted prices in markets that are not active
illiquidity premium
 
benchmark yields; spreads off benchmark yields; new issuances; issuer rating
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
 
trades of identical or comparable securities; duration
credit spreads
 
Privately-placed securities are valued using the additional key inputs:
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
 
 
market yield curve; call provisions
 
 
 
observable prices and spreads for similar public or private securities that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer
independent non-binding broker quotations
 
 
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
 
 
Foreign government, U.S. government and agency and State and political subdivision securities
 
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
Valuation Approaches: 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; broker-dealer quotes
credit spreads
 
comparable securities that are actively traded
 
 
Structured Securities
 
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market and income approaches.
Valuation Approaches: 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; spreads off benchmark 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
 
expected prepayment speeds and volumes
 
 
current and forecasted loss severity; ratings; geographic region
independent non-binding broker quotations
 
weighted average coupon and weighted average maturity
 
 
 
average delinquency rates; debt-service coverage ratios
 
 
 
issuance-specific information, including, but not limited to:
 
 
 
 
collateral type; structure of the security; vintage of the loans
 
 
 
 
payment terms of the underlying assets
 
 
 
 
payment priority within the tranche; deal performance
 
 

68

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

Instrument
Level 2
Observable Inputs
Level 3
Unobservable Inputs
Equity Securities
 
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
Valuation Approaches: 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 securities, Short-term investments, and Other investments
 
Contractholder-directed unit-linked investments include mutual fund interests without readily determinable fair values given prices are not published publicly. Valuation of these mutual funds is based upon quoted prices or reported net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the fund managers, which were based on observable inputs.
FVO securities and short-term investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity and equity securities described above; accordingly, the valuation approaches and unobservable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above.
 
All other investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity and equity securities described above; accordingly, the valuation approaches and observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above.
 
 
Residential mortgage loans — FVO
 
N/A
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
 
 
 
Valuation Techniques and Key Inputs: These investments are based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques that utilize inputs from mortgage servicers that are unobservable or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Separate Account Assets and Separate Account Liabilities (1)
Mutual funds and hedge funds without readily determinable fair values as prices are not published publicly
 
Key Input:
N/A
 
quoted prices or reported NAV provided by the fund managers
 
 
Other limited partnership interests
 

N/A
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; 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 and Other Investments” and “— Derivatives — Freestanding Derivatives.”

69

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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
Level 2 Valuation Approaches and Key Inputs:
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 Valuation Approaches and Key Inputs:
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.

70

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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 curves
swap yield curves
swap yield curves
swap yield curves
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 curves (2)
swap yield curves (2)
swap yield curves (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)
 
repurchase rates
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 agreements. 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 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 as compared to MetLife, Inc.

71

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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 described in “— Investments — Securities, Short-term Investments and Other Investments.” 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.

72

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

Embedded Derivatives Within Asset and Liability Host Contracts
Level 3 Valuation Approaches 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 curves, 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 curves 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:
There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at September 30, 2017. Transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at December 31, 2016 were not significant.
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.

73

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
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
 
Offered quotes (4)
 
21
-
140
 
107
 
18
-
138
 
106
 
Increase
 
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (4)
 
25
-
498
 
120
 
6
-
700
 
116
 
Increase
 
Consensus pricing
 
Offered quotes (4)
 
40
-
112
 
103
 
37
-
120
 
102
 
Increase
RMBS
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (4)
 
5
-
173
 
94
 
19
-
137
 
91
 
Increase (5)
ABS
Market pricing
 
Quoted prices (4)
 
5
-
118
 
100
 
5
-
106
 
99
 
Increase (5)
 
Consensus pricing
 
Offered quotes (4)
 
99
-
102
 
100
 
96
-
102
 
100
 
Increase (5)
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
Present value techniques
 
Swap yield (6)
 
200
-
300
 
 
 
200
-
300
 
 
 
Increase (7)
 
 
 
 
Repurchase rates (8)
 
-
8
 
 
 
(44)
 
18
 
 
 
Decrease (7)
Foreign currency exchange rate
Present value techniques
 
Swap yield (6)
 
(24)
-
328
 
 
 
50
-
328
 
 
 
Increase (7)
Credit
Present value techniques
 
Credit spreads (9)
 
97
-
100
 
 
 
97
-
98
 
 
 
Decrease (7)
 
Consensus pricing
 
Offered quotes (10)
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity market
Present value techniques or option pricing models
 
Volatility (11)
 
8%
-
30%
 
 
 
12%
-
32%
 
 
 
Increase (7)
 
 
 
 
Correlation (12)
 
10%
-
30%
 
 
 
40%
-
40%
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct, assumed and ceded guaranteed minimum benefits
Option pricing techniques
 
Mortality rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ages 0 - 40
 
0%
-
0.21%
 
 
 
0%
-
0.21%
 
 
 
Decrease (13)
 
 
 
 
 
Ages 41 - 60
 
0.03%
-
0.75%
 
 
 
0.01%
-
0.78%
 
 
 
Decrease (13)
 
 
 
 
 
Ages 61 - 115
 
0.16%
-
100%
 
 
 
0.04%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (13)
 
 
 
 
Lapse rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durations 1 - 10
 
0.25%
-
100%
 
 
 
0.25%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (14)
 
 
 
 
 
Durations 11 - 20
 
2%
-
100%
 
 
 
2%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (14)
 
 
 
 
 
Durations 21 - 116
 
1.25%
-
100%
 
 
 
1.25%
-
100%
 
 
 
Decrease (14)
 
 
 
 
Utilization rates
 
0%
-
25%
 
 
 
0%
-
25%
 
 
 
Increase (15)
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal rates
 
0%
-
20%
 
 
 
0%
-
20%
 
 
 
(16)
 
 
 
 
Long-term equity volatilities
 
8.76%
-
33%
 
 
 
9.95%
-
33%
 
 
 
Increase (17)
 
 
 
 
Nonperformance risk spread
 
0.03%
-
1.38%
 
 
 
0.04%
-
1.70%
 
 
 
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 estimated fair value. For embedded derivatives, changes to direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits are based on liability positions; changes to ceded guaranteed minimum benefits are based on asset 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 accordance with the market convention for fixed maturity securities of dollars per hundred dollars of par.
(5)
Changes in the assumptions used for the probability of default are 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.

74

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

(6)
Ranges represent the rates across different yield curves and are presented in basis points. The swap yield curves are 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.
(7)
Changes in estimated fair value are based on long U.S. dollar net asset positions and will be inversely impacted for short U.S. dollar net asset positions.
(8)
Ranges represent different repurchase rates utilized as components within the valuation methodology and are presented in basis points.
(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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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)
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.
(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 contractholders 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.

75

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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, and embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain ceded reinsurance, 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 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
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate (1)
 
Foreign
Government
 
U.S.
Government
and Agency
 
Structured
Securities
 
State and
Political
Subdivision
 
Equity
Securities
 
FVO
Securities (2)
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
11,632

 
$
208

 
$

 
$
4,939

 
$

 
$
468

 
$
312

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3) (4)
 
(3
)
 
1

 

 
13

 

 
(1
)
 
7

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 
164

 
(2
)
 

 
31

 

 
(4
)
 

Purchases (5)
 
713

 

 

 
468

 

 
13

 
73

Sales (5)
 
(285
)
 

 

 
(478
)
 
(1
)
 
(52
)
 
(70
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
123

 

 

 

 
62

 

 
3

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(226
)
 
(9
)
 

 
(440
)
 

 

 
(21
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
12,118

 
$
198

 
$

 
$
4,533

 
$
61

 
$
424

 
$
304

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
10,938

 
$
367

 
$
297

 
$
4,862

 
$
45

 
$
509

 
$
231

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3) (4)
 
8

 
2

 

 
26

 

 
4

 
4

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 
96

 
2

 
(1
)
 
25

 
3

 
(12
)
 

Purchases (5)
 
588

 
21

 
100

 
918

 

 
4

 
18

Sales (5)
 
(414
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(367
)
 

 
(11
)
 
(6
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
373

 

 

 
44

 
7

 
1

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(202
)
 
(62
)
 
(101
)
 
(236
)
 
(17
)
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
11,387

 
$
323

 
$
295

 
$
5,272

 
$
38

 
$
489

 
$
243

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2017: (7)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
22

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
7

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2016: (7)
 
$

 
$
2

 
$

 
$
26

 
$

 
$

 
$
4


76

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

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans — FVO
 
Net
Derivatives (8)
 
Net Embedded
Derivatives (9)
 
Separate
Accounts (10)
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
822

 
$
615

 
$
(288
)
 
$
(1,388
)
 
$
959

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3) (4)
 

 
32

 
33

 
222

 
7

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 

 

 
4

 
4

 

Purchases (5)
 
1

 
10

 

 

 
136

Sales (5)
 
(247
)
 
(72
)
 

 

 
(18
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 

 

 
1

Settlements (5)
 

 
(21
)
 
(12
)
 
(92
)
 
(1
)
Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
2

 

 

 

 
56

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(175
)
 

 

 

 
(101
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
403

 
$
564

 
$
(263
)
 
$
(1,254
)
 
$
1,039

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
64

 
$
449

 
$
51

 
$
(2,751
)
 
$
1,485

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3) (4)
 
1

 
10

 
(3
)
 
262

 
(26
)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 
(1
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(27
)
 

Purchases (5)
 
222

 
42

 

 

 
4

Sales (5)
 
(55
)
 
(5
)
 

 

 
(24
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
30

Settlements (5)
 

 
(15
)
 
(21
)
 
(84
)
 
(45
)
Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 

 

 

 

 
8

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 

 

 

 

 
(178
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
231

 
$
481

 
$
18

 
$
(2,600
)
 
$
1,254

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2017: (7)
 
$

 
$
32

 
$
27

 
$
204

 
$

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2016: (7)
 
$
1

 
$
10

 
$
7

 
$
227

 
$


77

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

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate (1)
 
Foreign
Government
 
U.S.
Government
and Agency
 
Structured
Securities
 
State and
Political
Subdivision
 
Equity
Securities
 
FVO
Securities (2)
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
11,537

 
$
289

 
$

 
$
5,215

 
$
10

 
$
468

 
$
287

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3), (4)
 
6

 
3

 

 
80

 

 
(14
)
 
20

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 
612

 
4

 

 
118

 
2

 
30

 

Purchases (5)
 
2,802

 
7

 

 
867

 

 
18

 
209

Sales (5)
 
(1,487
)
 
(97
)
 

 
(1,329
)
 

 
(74
)
 
(115
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
83

 

 

 
10

 
59

 

 
3

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(1,435
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(428
)
 
(10
)
 
(4
)
 
(100
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
12,118

 
$
198

 
$

 
$
4,533

 
$
61

 
$
424

 
$
304

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
10,311

 
$
829

 
$

 
$
5,121

 
$
34

 
$
334

 
$
270

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3), (4)
 
(4
)
 
10

 

 
74

 
1

 
(22
)
 
9

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 
846

 
(2
)
 
14

 
33

 
1

 
41

 

Purchases (5)
 
1,650

 
58

 
111

 
2,004

 

 
20

 
43

Sales (5)
 
(811
)
 
(36
)
 

 
(1,182
)
 

 
(16
)
 
(29
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements (5)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
473

 
41

 
181

 
26

 
7

 
327

 
18

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(1,078
)
 
(577
)
 
(11
)
 
(804
)
 
(5
)
 
(195
)
 
(68
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
11,387

 
$
323

 
$
295

 
$
5,272

 
$
38

 
$
489

 
$
243

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2017 (7)
 
$
6

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
68

 
$

 
$
(12
)
 
$
16

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2016 (7)
 
$

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
75

 
$
1

 
$
(26
)
 
$
9


78

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

 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans — FVO
 
Net
Derivatives (8)
 
Net Embedded
Derivatives (9)
 
Separate
Accounts (10)
 
 
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
46

 
$
566

 
$
(562
)
 
$
(1,411
)
 
$
1,141

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3), (4)
 

 
38

 
47

 
444

 
(22
)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 

 

 
144

 
(42
)
 

Purchases (5)
 
401

 
184

 

 

 
271

Sales (5)
 
(2
)
 
(155
)
 

 

 
(78
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 
(7
)
 

 
1

Settlements (5)
 

 
(69
)
 
115

 
(245
)
 
(62
)
Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
2

 

 

 

 
21

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(44
)
 

 

 

 
(233
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
403

 
$
564

 
$
(263
)
 
$
(1,254
)
 
$
1,039

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
244

 
$
314

 
$
(179
)
 
$
(675
)
 
$
1,558

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3), (4)
 
1

 
22

 
185

 
(1,450
)
 
7

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
 
4

 

 
28

 
(239
)
 

Purchases (5)
 
231

 
187

 
6

 

 
107

Sales (5)
 
(247
)
 
(12
)
 

 

 
(102
)
Issuances (5)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
28

Settlements (5)
 

 
(30
)
 
(19
)
 
(236
)
 
(57
)
Transfers into Level 3 (6)
 
1

 

 

 

 
9

Transfers out of Level 3 (6)
 
(3
)
 

 
(2
)
 

 
(296
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
231

 
$
481

 
$
18

 
$
(2,600
)
 
$
1,254

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2017 (7)
 
$

 
$
38

 
$
27

 
$
422

 
$

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at September 30, 2016 (7)
 
$
1

 
$
22

 
$
157

 
$
(1,469
)
 
$

__________________
(1)
Comprised of U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
(2)
Comprised of FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, FVO general account securities and FVO general account securities held by CSEs.
(3)
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). Substantially all realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for net derivatives and net embedded derivatives are reported in net derivatives gains (losses).
(4)
Interest and dividend accruals, as well as cash interest coupons and dividends received, are excluded from the rollforward.
(5)
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.
(6)
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.

79

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

(7)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) relate to assets and liabilities still held at the end of the respective periods. Substantially all changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for net derivatives and net embedded derivatives are reported in net derivative gains (losses).
(8)
Freestanding derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(9)
Embedded derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(10)
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 (loss). For the purpose of this disclosure, these changes are presented within net investment gains (losses). Separate account assets and liabilities are presented net for the purposes of the rollforward.
Fair Value Option
The Company elects the FVO for certain residential mortgage loans that are managed on a total return basis. The following table presents information for residential mortgage loans, which are accounted for under the FVO and were initially measured at fair value.
 
 
Residential Mortgage
Loans — FVO
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
Unpaid principal balance
 
$
711

 
$
794

Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance
 
(147
)
 
(228
)
Carrying value at estimated fair value
 
$
564

 
$
566

Loans in nonaccrual status
 
$
213

 
$
214

Loans more than 90 days past due
 
$
106

 
$
137

Loans in nonaccrual status or more than 90 days past due, or both — difference between aggregate estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance
 
$
(121
)
 
$
(150
)



80

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

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,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Carrying Value After Measurement
 
Gains (Losses)
 
 
(In millions)
Mortgage loans (1)
 
$
19

 
$
9

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

Other limited partnership interests (2)
 
$
85

 
$
75

 
$
(30
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(54
)
 
$
(43
)
Other assets (3)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(30
)
__________________
(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 on 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. The Company estimates 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, 2017 and 2016 were not significant.
(3)
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized an impairment of computer software in connection with the sale to MassMutual. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
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 tables below are not considered financial instruments subject to this disclosure.

81

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

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, 2017
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
 
$
67,493

 
$

 
$

 
$
69,218

 
$
69,218

Policy loans
 
$
9,585

 
$

 
$
335

 
$
11,092

 
$
11,427

Real estate joint ventures
 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
11

 
$
11

Other limited partnership interests
 
$
239

 
$

 
$

 
$
243

 
$
243

Other invested assets
 
$
553

 
$
159

 
$

 
$
394

 
$
553

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
$
4,140

 
$

 
$
1,244

 
$
3,089

 
$
4,333

Other assets
 
$
272

 
$

 
$
191

 
$
113

 
$
304

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder account balances
 
$
114,100

 
$

 
$

 
$
116,637

 
$
116,637

Long-term debt
 
$
16,676

 
$

 
$
18,596

 
$

 
$
18,596

Collateral financing arrangement
 
$
1,220

 
$

 
$

 
$
945

 
$
945

Junior subordinated debt securities
 
$
3,144

 
$

 
$
4,337

 
$

 
$
4,337

Other liabilities
 
$
5,122

 
$

 
$
3,466

 
$
2,293

 
$
5,759

Separate account liabilities
 
$
123,586

 
$

 
$
123,586

 
$

 
$
123,586

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
 
$
64,601

 
$

 
$

 
$
65,742

 
$
65,742

Policy loans
 
$
9,511

 
$

 
$
335

 
$
10,921

 
$
11,256

Real estate joint ventures
 
$
4

 
$

 
$

 
$
26

 
$
26

Other limited partnership interests
 
$
340

 
$

 
$

 
$
371

 
$
371

Other invested assets
 
$
497

 
$
145

 
$

 
$
352

 
$
497

Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
 
$
4,088

 
$

 
$
1,152

 
$
3,127

 
$
4,279

Other assets
 
$
237

 
$

 
$
198

 
$
71

 
$
269

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder account balances
 
$
108,255

 
$

 
$

 
$
110,359

 
$
110,359

Long-term debt
 
$
16,422

 
$

 
$
17,972

 
$

 
$
17,972

Collateral financing arrangement
 
$
1,274

 
$

 
$

 
$
978

 
$
978

Junior subordinated debt securities
 
$
3,169

 
$

 
$
3,982

 
$

 
$
3,982

Other liabilities
 
$
1,767

 
$

 
$
1,493

 
$
275

 
$
1,768

Separate account liabilities
 
$
118,385

 
$

 
$
118,385

 
$

 
$
118,385


82

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
8. 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 on 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.
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 both 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 2016 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.

83

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

Policyholder Account Balances
These policyholder account balances include investment contracts which 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 Arrangement and Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
The estimated fair values of long-term debt, a collateral financing arrangement and junior subordinated debt securities are principally determined using market standard valuation methodologies.
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 a collateral financing arrangement incorporates valuations obtained from the counterparties to the arrangement as part of the collateral management process.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consist primarily of interest payable, amounts due for securities purchased but not yet settled, and funds withheld amounts payable, which are contractually withheld by the Company in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements. 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.

84

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

9. Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
On February 10, 2017, MetLife, Inc. exchanged $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 9.250% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2068 for $750 million aggregate liquidation preference of the 9.250% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Exchangeable Surplus Trust Securities of MetLife Capital Trust X (the “Trust”). As a result of the exchange, MetLife, Inc. became the sole beneficial owner of the Trust, a special purpose entity which issued the exchangeable surplus trust securities to third-party investors. On March 23, 2017, MetLife, Inc. dissolved the Trust.
10. Equity
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock authorized, issued and outstanding was as follows at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
Series
 
Shares
Authorized
 
Shares
Issued
 
Shares
Outstanding
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
 
27,600,000

 
24,000,000

 
24,000,000

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

 

 

Not designated
 
160,900,000

 

 

Total
 
200,000,000

 
25,500,000

 
25,500,000

Common Stock
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 44,737,625 shares and 1,445,864 shares through open market purchases for $2.3 billion and $70 million, respectively.
At September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc. had $383 million remaining under the common stock repurchase authorization. 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 16 for information on subsequent common stock repurchases and authorizations.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Performance Shares and Performance Units
Final Performance Shares are paid in shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. 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, 2014 – December 31, 2016 performance period was 44.4%, which was determined within a possible range from 0% to 175%. This factor has been applied to the 1,066,076 Performance Shares and 165,587 Performance Units associated with that performance period that vested on December 31, 2016. As a result, in the first quarter of 2017, MetLife, Inc. issued 473,338 shares of its common stock (less withholding for taxes and other items, as applicable), excluding shares that payees choose to defer, and MetLife, Inc. or its affiliates paid the cash value of 73,521 Performance Units (less withholding for taxes and other items, as applicable).

85

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

Dividend Restrictions
The declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors, and will depend on its financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. The payment of dividends on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock, and MetLife, Inc.’s ability to repurchase its common stock, may also be subject to restrictions under potential regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (collectively, with the Federal Reserve Board, the “Federal Reserve”) if MetLife, Inc. were re-designated by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) as a non-bank systemically important financial institution (“non-bank SIFI”).
MetLife, Inc.’s preferred stock and junior subordinated debentures contain provisions that would automatically suspend the payment of preferred stock dividends and interest on junior subordinated debentures if MetLife, Inc. fails to meet certain risk based capital ratio, net income and stockholders’ equity tests at specified times, except to the extent of the net proceeds from the issuance of certain securities during specified periods. If preferred stock dividends or interest on junior subordinated debentures are not paid, certain provisions in those instruments (sometimes referred to as “dividend stoppers”) may restrict MetLife, Inc. from repurchasing its common or preferred stock or paying dividends on its common or preferred stock and interest on its junior subordinated debentures. If MetLife, Inc. has not paid the full dividends on its preferred stock for the latest completed dividend period, MetLife, Inc. may not repurchase or pay dividends on its common stock during a dividend period. Under the junior subordinated debentures, if MetLife, Inc. has not paid in full the accrued interest on its junior subordinated debentures through the most recent interest payment date, it may not repurchase or pay dividends on its common stock or other capital stock (including the preferred stock), subject to certain exceptions. After obtaining the approval of the holders of a majority of MetLife, Inc.’s outstanding common stock on October 19, 2017, MetLife, Inc. amended the stockholders’ equity test applicable to the preferred stock to reflect the Separation of Brighthouse, so that prospectively the test will reflect the decrease in MetLife’s shareholders’ equity as a result of the Separation. On August 28, 2017, with the consent of holders of each series of junior subordinated debentures (or securities exchangeable for junior subordinated debentures), MetLife amended the stockholders’ equity test in the junior subordinated debentures to the same effect.
The junior subordinated debentures further provide that MetLife may, at its option and provided that certain conditions are met, defer payment of interest without giving rise to an event of default for periods of up to 10 years. In that case, after five years MetLife, Inc. would be obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to sell equity securities to raise proceeds to pay the interest. MetLife, Inc. would not be subject to limitations on the number of deferral periods that MetLife, Inc. could begin, so long as all accrued and unpaid interest is paid with respect to prior deferral periods. If MetLife, Inc. were to defer payments of interest, the “dividend stopper” provisions in the junior subordinated debentures would thus prevent MetLife, Inc. from repurchasing or paying dividends on its common stock or other capital stock (including the preferred stock) during the period of deferral, subject to exceptions.

86

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
10. 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, 2017
 
 
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
 
$
13,469

 
$
1,569

 
$
(4,679
)
 
$
(1,923
)
 
$
8,436

OCI before reclassifications
 
803

 
(166
)
 
193

 
2

 
832

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
(270
)
 
56

 
(6
)
 
2

 
(218
)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
 
14,002

 
1,459

 
(4,492
)
 
(1,919
)
 
9,050

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
(360
)
 
(307
)
 

 
40

 
(627
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
126

 
107

 

 
(17
)
 
216

Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
 
(234
)
 
(200
)
 

 
23

 
(411
)
Disposal of subsidiary (2)
 
(2,286
)
 
(305
)
 
51

 
28

 
(2,512
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
800

 
107

 
(19
)
 
(10
)
 
878

Disposal of subsidiary, net of income tax
 
(1,486
)
 
(198
)
 
32

 
18

 
(1,634
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
12,282

 
$
1,061

 
$
(4,460
)
 
$
(1,878
)
 
$
7,005

 
 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2016
 
 
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
 
$
18,204

 
$
2,431

 
$
(4,020
)
 
$
(1,983
)
 
$
14,632

OCI before reclassifications
 
(1,066
)
 
(24
)
 
49

 
(259
)
 
(1,300
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
281

 
8

 
30

 
85

 
404

AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
 
17,419

 
2,415

 
(3,941
)
 
(2,157
)
 
13,736

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
(173
)
 
(94
)
 

 
46

 
(221
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
60

 
30

 

 
(10
)
 
80

Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
 
(113
)
 
(64
)
 

 
36

 
(141
)
Disposal of subsidiary (2)
 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 

 

 

 

 

Disposal of subsidiary, net of income tax
 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
 
$
17,306

 
$
2,351

 
$
(3,941
)
 
$
(2,121
)
 
$
13,595



87

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

 
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
 
 
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
 
$
10,766

 
$
1,865

 
$
(5,312
)
 
$
(1,972
)
 
$
5,347

OCI before reclassifications
 
4,826

 
37

 
710

 
(17
)
 
5,556

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
(1,686
)
 
(14
)
 
110

 
7

 
(1,583
)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
 
13,906

 
1,888

 
(4,492
)
 
(1,982
)
 
9,320

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
(211
)
 
(965
)
 

 
125

 
(1,051
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
73

 
336

 

 
(39
)
 
370

Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
 
(138
)
 
(629
)
 

 
86

 
(681
)
Disposal of subsidiary (2)
 
(2,286
)
 
(305
)
 
51

 
28

 
(2,512
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
800

 
107

 
(19
)
 
(10
)
 
878

Disposal of subsidiary, net of income tax
 
(1,486
)
 
(198
)
 
32

 
18

 
(1,634
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
12,282

 
$
1,061

 
$
(4,460
)
 
$
(1,878
)
 
$
7,005

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2016
 
 
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
 
$
10,315

 
$
1,458

 
$
(4,950
)
 
$
(2,052
)
 
$
4,771

OCI before reclassifications
 
10,872

 
1,472

 
809

 
(248
)
 
12,905

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
(3,656
)
 
(460
)
 
200

 
81

 
(3,835
)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax
 
17,531

 
2,470

 
(3,941
)
 
(2,219
)
 
13,841

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
(339
)
 
(174
)
 

 
145

 
(368
)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 
114

 
55

 

 
(47
)
 
122

Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax
 
(225
)
 
(119
)
 

 
98

 
(246
)
Disposal of subsidiary (2)
 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
 

 

 

 

 

Disposal of subsidiary, net of income tax
 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
 
$
17,306

 
$
2,351

 
$
(3,941
)
 
$
(2,121
)
 
$
13,595

__________________
(1)
See Note 6 for information on offsets to investments related to future policy benefits, DAC, VOBA and DSI, and the policyholder dividend obligation.
(2)
See Note 3.


88

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

Information regarding amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI was as follows:
AOCI Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
 
Consolidated Statements of
Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Locations
 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
$
303

 
$
113

 
$
386

 
$
317

 
Net investment gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
(1
)
 
4

 

 
23

 
Net investment income
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
55

 
(1
)
 
(89
)
 
21

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

 
57

 
(86
)
 
(22
)
 
Discontinued operations
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), before income tax
 
360

 
173

 
211

 
339

 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(126
)
 
(60
)
 
(73
)
 
(114
)
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax
 
234

 
113

 
138

 
225

 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives - cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
9

 
28

 
23

 
44

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate swaps
 
5

 
3

 
12

 
9

 
Net investment income
Interest rate swaps
 

 
1

 
2

 
14

 
Discontinued operations
Interest rate forwards
 
(1
)
 

 
(5
)
 

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate forwards
 

 

 
2

 
2

 
Net investment income
Interest rate forwards
 

 

 
1

 
1

 
Other expenses
Interest rate forwards
 

 
2

 
3

 
4

 
Discontinued operations
Foreign currency swaps
 
294

 
54

 
915

 
90

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Foreign currency swaps
 

 

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

 

 
1

 
1

 
Other expenses
Foreign currency swaps
 

 
5

 
11

 
6

 
Discontinued operations
Credit forwards
 

 

 
1

 
3

 
Net derivative gains (losses)
Credit forwards
 

 
1

 

 
1

 
Net investment income
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, before income tax
 
307

 
94

 
965

 
174

 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(107
)
 
(30
)
 
(336
)
 
(55
)
 
 
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of income tax
 
200

 
64

 
629

 
119

 
 
Defined benefit plans adjustment: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)
 
(46
)
 
(47
)
 
(143
)
 
(150
)
 
 
Amortization of prior service (costs) credit
 
6

 
1

 
18

 
5

 
 
Amortization of defined benefit plan items, before income tax
 
(40
)
 
(46
)
 
(125
)
 
(145
)
 
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
17

 
10

 
39

 
47

 
 
Amortization of defined benefit plan items, net of income tax
 
(23
)
 
(36
)
 
(86
)
 
(98
)
 
 
Total reclassifications, net of income tax
 
$
411

 
$
141

 
$
681

 
$
246

 
 
__________________
(1)
These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 12.

89

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

11. Other Expenses
Information on other expenses was as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Compensation
$
1,107

 
$
1,100

 
$
3,302

 
$
3,602

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs
86

 
78

 
242

 
308

Commissions
888

 
859

 
2,544

 
2,700

Volume-related costs
113

 
91

 
285

 
384

Capitalization of DAC
(761
)
 
(770
)
 
(2,218
)
 
(2,422
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
626

 
660

 
1,945

 
2,052

Amortization of negative VOBA
(32
)
 
(55
)
 
(113
)
 
(221
)
Interest expense on debt
284

 
280

 
851

 
875

Premium taxes, licenses and fees
145

 
174

 
467

 
544

Professional services
389

 
372

 
1,119

 
1,099

Rent and related expenses, net of sublease income
121

 
91

 
265

 
285

Other
352

 
336

 
1,215

 
1,090

Total other expenses
$
3,318

 
$
3,216

 
$
9,904

 
$
10,296

See Note 3 for further information on Separation-related transaction costs.
Restructuring Charges
The Company commenced in 2016 a unit cost improvement program related to the Company’s refreshed enterprise strategy. This global strategy focuses on transforming the Company to become more digital, driving efficiencies and innovation to achieve competitive advantage, and simplified, decreasing the costs and risks associated with the Company’s highly complex industry to customers and shareholders. Restructuring charges related to this program are included in other expenses. As the expenses relate to an enterprise-wide initiative, they are reported in Corporate & Other. Such restructuring charges were as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
 
Severance
 
(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
17

 
$
35

Restructuring charges
3

 
25

Cash payments
(3
)
 
(43
)
Balance, end of period
$
17

 
$
17

Total restructuring charges incurred since inception of initiative
$
60

 
$
60

Management anticipates further restructuring charges through the year ending December 31, 2019. However, such restructuring plans were not sufficiently developed to enable management to make an estimate of such restructuring charges at September 30, 2017.

90

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

12. Employee Benefit Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Certain subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. sponsor and/or administer various U.S. qualified and nonqualified 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 U.S. retired employees.
The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
 
(In millions)
Service costs
 
$
62

 
$
1

 
$
67

 
$
4

Interest costs
 
106

 
19

 
101

 
20

Divestitures and curtailment costs (1)
 
3

 
2

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Expected return on plan assets
 
(129
)
 
(18
)
 
(138
)
 
(19
)
Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses
 
46

 

 
45

 
2

Amortization of prior service costs (credit)
 

 
(6
)
 

 
(1
)
Net periodic benefit costs (credit)
 
$
88

 
$
(2
)
 
$
74

 
$
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
 
(In millions)
Service costs
 
$
184

 
$
4

 
$
212

 
$
8

Interest costs
 
318

 
57

 
316

 
62

Divestitures and curtailment costs (1)
 
3

 
2

 
(1
)
 
15

Expected return on plan assets
 
(387
)
 
(54
)
 
(388
)
 
(56
)
Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses
 
143

 

 
143

 
7

Amortization of prior service costs (credit)
 
(1
)
 
(17
)
 

 
(5
)
Net periodic benefit costs (credit)
 
$
260

 
$
(8
)
 
$
282

 
$
31

__________________
(1)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized curtailment charges on certain postretirement benefit plans in connection with the sale to MassMutual. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

91

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

13. Income Tax
The Company has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on the cumulative earnings of certain non-U.S. affiliates that have been reinvested indefinitely. These earnings relate to ongoing operations and have been reinvested in active non-U.S. business operations. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $444 million tax charge related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of pre-2017 earnings following the post-Separation review of its capital needs. The Company will continue to assert that earnings of these non-U.S. operations will be reinvested indefinitely for amounts earned in 2017 and subsequent years, as the Company expects to continue to invest in such operations. This charge was partially offset by a $264 million tax benefit associated with dividends from other non-U.S. operations. As a result, the Company recognized a $180 million net deferred tax liability.
14. Earnings Per Common Share
The following table presents the weighted average shares, basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for each income category presented:
 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Weighted Average Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common stock outstanding for basic earnings per common share
 
1,062.3

 
1,100.5

 
1,075.5

 
1,100.6

Incremental common shares from assumed exercise or issuance of stock-based awards
 
9.2

 
8.8

 
8.5

 
8.4

Weighted average common stock outstanding for diluted earnings per common share
 
1,071.5

 
1,109.3

 
1,084.0

 
1,109.0

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
$
893

 
$
1,024

 
$
2,630

 
$
4,269

Less: Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
6

 
(4
)
 
12

 
2

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
6

 
6

 
58

 
58

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
 
$
881

 
$
1,022

 
$
2,560

 
$
4,209

Basic
 
$
0.83

 
$
0.93

 
$
2.38

 
$
3.82

Diluted
 
$
0.82

 
$
0.92

 
$
2.36

 
$
3.80

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 
$
(968
)
 
$
(451
)
 
$
(989
)
 
$
(1,379
)
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
 
$
(968
)
 
$
(451
)
 
$
(989
)
 
$
(1,379
)
Basic
 
$
(0.91
)
 
$
(0.41
)
 
$
(0.92
)
 
$
(1.25
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.90
)
 
$
(0.41
)
 
$
(0.91
)
 
$
(1.25
)
Net Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(75
)
 
$
573

 
$
1,641

 
$
2,890

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
6

 
(4
)
 
12

 
2

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
6

 
6

 
58

 
58

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
 
$
(87
)
 
$
571

 
$
1,571

 
$
2,830

Basic
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.52

 
$
1.46

 
$
2.57

Diluted
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.51

 
$
1.45

 
$
2.55


92

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

15. 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, at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will 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 reasonably estimated at September 30, 2017. 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, the Company has not made an accrual. As of September 30, 2017, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for these matters to be $0 to $450 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.

93

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
15. 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 2016 Annual Report, MLIC received approximately 4,146 asbestos-related claims in 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, MLIC received approximately 2,742 and 3,267 new asbestos-related claims, respectively. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 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.

94

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
15. 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 regular reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through September 30, 2017.
Regulatory Matters
The Company receives and responds to subpoenas or other inquiries seeking a broad range of information 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. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely. The Company cooperates in these inquiries.
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. In September 2012, the EPA, MLIC and the third party executed an Administrative Order on Consent under which MLIC and the third party agreed to be responsible for certain environmental testing at the Chemform Site. The EPA may seek additional costs if the environmental testing identifies issues. The EPA and MLIC have reached a settlement in principal on the EPA’s claim for past costs. The Company estimates that the aggregate cost to resolve this matter, including the settlement for claims of past costs and the costs of environmental testing, will not exceed $300 thousand.
Sales Practices Regulatory Matters
Regulatory authorities in a 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”), General American Life Insurance Company, First MetLife Investors Insurance Company 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.

95

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
15. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

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 alleges that MetLife, Inc. and several current and former directors and executive officers of MetLife, Inc. violated the Securities Act of 1933, as well as the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by issuing, or causing MetLife, Inc. to issue, materially false and misleading statements concerning MetLife, Inc.’s potential liability for millions of dollars in insurance benefits that should have been paid to beneficiaries or escheated to the states. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. On September 22, 2017, the Court granted plaintiff’s motion to certify their proposed class of persons who purchased or acquired MetLife common stock in the Company’s August 3, 2010 Offering or the Company’s March 4, 2011 Offering. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.
Total Control Accounts Litigation
MLIC is a defendant in a lawsuit related to its use of retained asset accounts, known as total control accounts (“TCA”), as a settlement option for death benefits.
Owens v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (N.D. Ga., filed April 17, 2014)
Plaintiff filed this class action lawsuit on behalf of all persons for whom MLIC established a retained asset account, known as a TCA, to pay death benefits under an Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) plan. The action 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 ERISA. As damages, plaintiff seeks disgorgement of profits that MLIC realized on accounts owned by members of the class. In addition, plaintiff, on behalf of a subgroup of the class, seeks interest under Georgia’s delayed settlement interest statute, alleging that the use of the TCA as the settlement option did not constitute payment. On September 27, 2016, the court denied MLIC’s summary judgment motion in full and granted plaintiff’s partial summary judgment motion. On September 29, 2017, the court certified a nationwide class. The court also certified a Georgia subclass. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Diversified Lending Group Litigations
Hartshorne v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (Los Angeles County Superior Court, filed March 25, 2015)
Plaintiffs named MetLife, Inc., MSI, and NELICO in 12 related lawsuits in California state court alleging various causes of action including multiple negligence and statutory claims relating to a Ponzi scheme involving the Diversified Lending Group. In August 2016, a trial of claims by one of the 98 plaintiffs, Christine Ramirez, resulted in a verdict against MetLife, Inc., MSI, and NELICO for approximately $200 thousand in compensatory damages and $15 million in punitive damages. On November 30, 2016, Ramirez consented to the court’s reduction of punitive damages to approximately $7 million. These companies have filed a notice appealing this judgment to the Second Appellate District of the State of California. On May 2, 2017, the court awarded the plaintiff approximately $6.5 million in attorneys’ fees and costs; the Company has appealed this decision. The Company has reached a settlement in principle with 97 of the plaintiffs, including Ramirez.

96

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
15. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Other Litigation
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 that were subsequently transferred to Sun Life. 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 agreed to 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 alleging sales practices claims regarding the policies sold by MLIC and transferred to Sun Life. On August 30, 2011, Sun Life notified MLIC that another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Sun Life in Vancouver, BC 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.
MetLife, Inc. v. Financial Stability Oversight Council (D. D.C., January 13, 2015)
MetLife, Inc. filed this action in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (“D.C. District Court”) seeking to overturn the FSOC 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 D.C. District Court issued a decision on March 30, 2016 granting, in part, MetLife, Inc.’s cross motion for summary judgment and rescinding the FSOC’s designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI. On April 8, 2016, the FSOC appealed the D.C. District Court’s order to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (“D.C. Circuit”). On August 2, 2017, the D.C. Circuit ordered that the appeal be held in abeyance pending an upcoming report by the Secretary of the Treasury following its review of the FSOC SIFI designation process and standards.
Voshall v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (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.
Martin v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Contra Costa, filed December 17, 2015)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all California persons who have been charged compound interest by MLIC in life insurance policy and/or premium loan balances within the last four years. Plaintiffs allege that MLIC has engaged in a pattern and practice of charging compound interest on life insurance policy and premium loans without the borrower authorizing such compounding, and that this constitutes an unlawful business practice under California law. Plaintiff asserts causes of action for declaratory relief, violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law and Usury Law, and unjust enrichment. Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, restitution of interest, and damages in an unspecified amount. On April 12, 2016, the court granted MLIC’s motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs have appealed this ruling.

97

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
15. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Lau v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (S.D.N.Y. filed, December 3, 2015)
This putative class action lawsuit was filed by a single defined contribution plan participant on behalf of all ERISA plans whose assets were invested in MetLife’s “Group Annuity Contract Stable Value Funds” within the past six years. The suit alleges breaches of fiduciary duty under ERISA and challenges the “spread” with respect to the stable value fund group annuity products sold to retirement plans. The allegations focus on the methodology MetLife uses to establish and reset the crediting rate, the terms under which plan participants are permitted to transfer funds from a stable value option to another investment option, the procedures followed if an employer terminates a contract, and the level of disclosure provided. Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages in an unspecified amount. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Newman v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (N.D. Ill., filed March 23, 2016)
Plaintiff filed this putative class action alleging causes of action for breach of contract, fraud, and violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, based on MLIC’s class-wide increase in premiums charged for long-term care insurance policies. Plaintiff alleges a class consisting of herself and all persons over age 65 who selected a Reduced Pay at Age 65 payment feature and whose premium rates were increased after age 65. Plaintiff asserts that premiums could not be increased for these class members and/or that marketing material was misleading as to MLIC’s right to increase premiums. Plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, as well as recessionary and injunctive relief. On April 12, 2017, the court granted MLIC’s motion, dismissing the action with prejudice. On April 21, 2017, plaintiff appealed this ruling.
Miller, et al. v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (C.D. Cal., filed April 7, 2017)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action against MetLife, Inc. and MLIC in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, purporting to assert claims on behalf of all persons who replaced their MetLife Optional Term Life or Group Universal Life policy for a Group Variable Universal Life policy wherein MetLife allegedly charged smoker rates for certain non-smokers. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as other relief. On September 25, 2017, Plaintiffs dismissed the action and refiled the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Julian & McKinney v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (S.D.N.Y., filed February 9, 2017)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class and collective action on behalf of themselves and all current and former long-term disability (“LTD”) claims specialists between February 2011 and the present for alleged wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the New York Labor Law, and the Connecticut Minimum Wage Act. The suit alleges that MetLife improperly reclassified the plaintiffs and similarly situated LTD claims specialists from non-exempt to exempt from overtime pay in November 2013. As a result, they and members of the putative class were no longer eligible for overtime pay even though they allege they continued to work more than 40 hours per week. 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, other products or the misuse of client assets. 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.
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.

98

Table of Contents
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
15. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Commitments
Mortgage Loan Commitments
The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loan commitments. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $3.4 billion and $4.0 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 $7.5 billion and $6.9 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Guarantees
In the normal course of its business, the Company has provided certain indemnities, guarantees and commitments to third parties such that it may be required to make payments now or in the future. In the context of acquisition, disposition, investment and other transactions, the Company has provided indemnities and guarantees, including those related to tax, environmental and other specific liabilities and other indemnities and guarantees that are triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in contracts with triggers similar to the foregoing, as well as for certain other liabilities, such as third-party lawsuits. These obligations are often subject to time limitations that vary in duration, including contractual limitations and those that arise by operation of law, such as applicable statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential obligation under the indemnities and guarantees is subject to a contractual limitation ranging from less than $1 million to $329 million, with a cumulative maximum of $709 million, while in other cases such limitations are not specified or applicable. Since certain of these obligations are not subject to limitations, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future. Management believes that it is unlikely the Company will have to make any material payments under these indemnities, guarantees, or commitments.
In addition, the Company indemnifies its directors and officers as provided in its charters and by-laws. Also, the Company indemnifies its agents for liabilities incurred as a result of their representation of the Company’s interests. Since these indemnities are generally not subject to limitation with respect to duration or amount, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these indemnities in the future.
The Company has also minimum fund yield requirements on certain international pension funds in accordance with local laws. Since these guarantees are not subject to limitation with respect to duration or amount, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future.
The Company’s recorded liabilities were $6 million and $8 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, for indemnities, guarantees and commitments.

99

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

16. Subsequent Events
Common Stock Repurchases
In the fourth quarter of 2017 through October 25, 2017, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 2,301,205 shares of its common stock in the open market for $121 million. On November 1, 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors approved an additional $2.0 billion authorization for MetLife, Inc. to repurchase its common stock.
Common Stock Dividend
On October 24, 2017, the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2017 common stock dividend of $0.40 per share payable on December 13, 2017 to shareholders of record as of November 6, 2017. The Company estimates that the aggregate dividend payment will be $422 million.
The Separation
See Note 3 and Note 10 for subsequent events related to the Separation.

100

Table of Contents

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

101

Table of Contents

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, 2016 (the “2016 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”). These measures are used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is also our GAAP measure of segment performance. Operating earnings and other financial measures based on operating earnings are also the measures by which senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans. Operating earnings and other financial measures based on operating earnings allow analysis of our performance relative to our business plan and facilitate comparisons to industry results. Forward-looking guidance provided on a non-GAAP basis cannot be reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis because net income may fluctuate significantly if net investment gains and losses and net derivative gains and losses move outside of estimated ranges. See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for definitions and a discussion of these measures, and “— Results of Operations” for reconciliations of historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Executive Summary
Overview
MetLife is one of the world’s leading financial services companies providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. MetLife is organized into five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and MetLife Holdings. 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. 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.
On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the separation of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Brighthouse”) through a distribution of 96,776,670 shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock to the MetLife, Inc. common shareholders (the “Separation”). MetLife, Inc. retained the remaining ownership interest of 22,996,436 shares, or 19.2%, of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock outstanding. The Separation resulted in the elimination of the Brighthouse Financial segment. The results of Brighthouse are reflected in the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations and had no impact on total consolidated net income (loss). Prior period results have been revised to reflect discontinued operations and are reported in Corporate & Other. See “— Other Key Information — Separation of Brighthouse” and Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

102

Table of Contents

Current Period Highlights
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, overall sales increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, reflecting improved sales in our Retirement and Income Solutions (“RIS”) business, as well as our segments abroad, largely offset by declines in our U.S. life and annuity products due to the discontinued marketing of these products in connection with the Separation. Higher taxes negatively impacted our results compared to the prior period. In addition, while positive net flows drove an increase in our investment portfolio, investment yields were down despite improved equity market performance. Results improved due to the impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review. An unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) was primarily the result of losses recognized in connection with the Separation. Losses from discontinued operations were due to the Separation. Net derivative gains (losses) improved primarily as a result of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
The following represents segment level results and percentage contributions to total segment level operating earnings available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
a3q17opearnbysegm.jpg
__________________    
(1)
Excludes Corporate & Other operating loss available to common shareholders of $580 million.
(2)
Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is our GAAP measure of segment performance. See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures.”

103

Table of Contents

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
a3q17opearnbarchaa04.jpg
Consolidated Results - Highlights
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders down $658 million, which includes a $1.1 billion loss from the Separation in the current period:
 
 
Unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $837 million ($544 million, net of income tax)
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, down $517 million
 
 
Operating earnings available to common shareholders down $187 million
 
 
Favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) of $353 million ($229 million, net of income tax)
 
 
(1) See “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results” and “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for reconciliations and definitions of non-GAAP financial measures.
Consolidated Results - Operating Highlights
Operating earnings available to common shareholders down $187 million:
Results of operations impacted by higher taxes and lower investment yields, partially offset by the impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review.

Our results for the three months ended September 30, 2017 included the following:
 
net tax-related charges of $167 million consisting of (i) a $180 million net tax charge related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations, and (ii) a $13 million net tax-related benefit, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits
 
favorable reserve adjustments of $28 million, net of income tax, and $21 million, net of income tax, resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process for our long-term care and life businesses, respectively
 
a $17 million, net of income tax, increase in expenses associated with our previously announced unit cost initiative
For a more in-depth discussion of our consolidated results, see “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results” and “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Operating.”

104

Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
a3q17opearnbarchaa05.jpg
Consolidated Results - Highlights
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders down $1.3 billion, which includes a $1.3 billion loss from the Separation in the current period:
 
 
Unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses) of $2.1 billion ($1.4 billion, net of income tax)
 
 
Unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $1.0 billion ($674 million, net of income tax)
 
 
Favorable change in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, of $390 million
 
 
Operating earnings available to common shareholders up $612 million
 
 
(1) See “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results” and “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for reconciliations and definitions of non-GAAP financial measures.
Consolidated Results - Operating Highlights
Operating earnings available to common shareholders up $612 million:
Results of operations impacted by annuities reinsurance activity with Brighthouse, the impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review and the impact of current and prior period refinements made to deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and certain insurance-related liabilities
Our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 included the following:
 
net tax-related charges of $140 million consisting of (i) a $180 million net tax charge related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations, and (ii) a $40 million net tax-related benefit, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits
 
a $44 million, net of income tax, charge for expenses incurred related to a guaranty fund assessment for Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Company (“Penn Treaty”) and an increase in litigation reserves
 
a $60 million, net of income tax, increase in expenses associated with our previously announced unit cost initiative
 
favorable reserve adjustments of $55 million, net of income tax, and $28 million, net of income tax, resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process for our life and long-term care businesses, respectively
 
a charge of $36 million, net of income tax, for lease impairments
 
a benefit of $12 million, net of income tax, related to a refinement to prior period reinsurance receivables in Australia
Our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included the following:
 
unfavorable reserve adjustments of $30 million, net of income tax, resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process for our universal life business
 
one-time charge of $44 million, net of income tax, related to an adjustment to reinsurance receivables in Australia
 
tax benefit in Japan of $20 million related to a change in corporate tax rate that pertains to periods prior to 2016
 
tax charge in Chile of $10 million as a result of tax reform legislation that pertains to periods prior to 2016
For a more in-depth discussion of our consolidated results, see “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results” and “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Operating.”

105

Table of Contents

Consolidated Company Outlook
As evidenced by the completion of the Separation in the third quarter of 2017, we remain committed to Accelerating Value and our refreshed enterprise strategy, the center of which is One MetLife. Digital and simplified are the key enablers of our strategic initiatives which include (i) optimizing value and risk by prioritizing businesses with high internal rates of return, lower capital intensity, and maximum cash generation, (ii) driving operational excellence, by becoming a high-performance operating company with a competitive cost structure, (iii) transforming our distribution channels to drive efficiency and productivity through digital enablement and improved customer persistency, and (iv) undertaking a targeted approach to find the right solutions for the right customers through the commitment to creating differentiated customer value propositions. This new enterprise strategy will enhance our ability to focus on the right markets, build clear differentiators, and continue to make the right investments to deliver shareholder value.
We expect post-Separation MetLife operating earnings to grow in 2018 driven by both business growth and expense discipline, and to be significantly less sensitive to interest rates. Notably, the Separation has made MetLife a more globally diversified company; we expect MetLife will generate over 40% of its operating earnings from outside the United States in 2018 and that percentage should continue to grow over time.
We expect to have cash commitments of between $1.0 billion and $2.0 billion over the two-year period of 2017 and 2018 relating to liability management transactions, including the repayment of certain debt maturities. In addition, we plan to maintain a liquidity buffer of $3.0 to $4.0 billion of liquid assets at the holding companies.
Assuming interest rates follow the observable forward yield curves as of December 31, 2016, we expect the average ratio of free cash flow to operating earnings over the two-year period of 2017 and 2018, excluding the impact of the Separation, to be 65% to 75%. This expectation reflects our unit cost improvement program and the related initiative to invest $1.0 billion by 2020 to generate $800 million pre-tax run rate annual savings, net of stranded overhead. We believe that free cash flow is a key determinant of dividends and share repurchases.
When making these and other projections, we must rely on the accuracy of our assumptions about future economic and business conditions, which can be affected by known and unknown risks and other uncertainties. Our assumptions have been and will continue to be impacted by (i) regulatory uncertainty regarding capital requirements that would have been applicable to MetLife, Inc. as a result of the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s (“FSOC”) former designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank systemically important financial institution (“non-bank SIFI”), which, among other things, impacted the level of our share repurchases, (ii) lower investment margins (primarily in the United States) as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment, (iii) lower than anticipated merger and acquisition activity, and (iv) the effect on our foreign operations of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. See “— Other Key Information — Separation of Brighthouse ” and “— Other Key Information — Non-Bank SIFI” for information regarding the Separation, and the status of court proceedings relating to MetLife, Inc.’s challenge to the FSOC’s former designation of it as a non-bank SIFI.
Other Key Information
Separation of Brighthouse
On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the separation of Brighthouse. MetLife, Inc. common shareholders received a distribution of one share of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock for every 11 shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock they owned as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the July 19, 2017 record date. Shareholders of MetLife, Inc. who owned less than 11 shares of common stock, or others who would have otherwise received fractional shares, received cash. MetLife, Inc. distributed 96,776,670 of the 119,773,106 shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock outstanding, representing approximately 80.8% of those shares. Certain MetLife affiliates hold MetLife, Inc. common stock and, as a result, participated in the distribution.
The loss recognized in the third quarter of 2017 in connection with the Separation was $1,084 million, net of income tax, which includes: (i) a $1,061 million loss on MetLife's retained investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc., (ii) a $42 million net tax charge and (iii) a $42 million charge, net of income tax, for transaction costs, partially offset by a $61 million gain, net of income tax, for previously deferred intercompany gains realized upon Separation. The $42 million net tax charge is comprised of a $1,093 million tax separation agreement charge offset by $1,051 million of Separation tax benefits. Of the $1,084 million total loss, net of income tax, a $104 million loss, net of income tax, was reported within continuing operations as (i) a $738 million net investment loss, (ii) a $147 million charge within policyholder benefits and claims, (iii) a $107 million charge within other expenses, and (iv) an $888 million income tax benefit. The remaining $980 million loss was reported within discontinued operations, which primarily includes a tax-related charge.

106

Table of Contents

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the loss recognized in connection with the Separation was $1,347 million, net of income tax, which included additional transaction costs. Of the $1,347 million total loss, net of income tax, a $176 million loss, net of income tax, was reported within continuing operations as (i) a $738 million net investment loss, (ii) a $147 million charge within policyholder benefits and claims, (iii) a $218 million charge within other expenses, and (iv) a $927 million income tax benefit. The remaining $1,171 million loss was reported within discontinued operations, which primarily includes a tax-related charge.
MetLife, Inc. retained the remaining ownership interest of 22,996,436 shares, or 19.2%, of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock and recognized its investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock based on the NASDAQ reported market price. The Company elected to record the investment under the fair value option (“FVO”) as an observable measure of estimated fair value that is aligned with the Company’s intent to divest of the retained shares as soon as practicable. Subsequent changes in estimated fair value of the investment are recorded to net investment gains (losses). The estimated fair value of the Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock held by the Company (“FVO Brighthouse Common Stock”) as of September 30, 2017 was $1.4 billion reported within fair value option securities. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $1,016 million mark-to-market loss on its retained investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc. to net investment gains (losses) at Separation and an additional $45 million loss to net investment gains (losses) for the change in Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s common stock share price from the Separation date to September 30, 2017. As of the Separation date, the Company evaluated the assets of Brighthouse for potential impairment, and determined that no impairment charge was required. On November 1, 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that it currently intends to divest its retained Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock through an exchange offer for MetLife, Inc. common stock during 2018, subject to market conditions and regulatory approval.
The Company incurred pre-tax Separation-related transaction costs of $64 million and $470 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, primarily related to fees for the terminations of financing arrangements and professional services. The Company incurred pre-tax Separation-related transaction costs of $51 million and $108 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, primarily related to professional services. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported $39 million and $333 million, respectively, within discontinued operations for fees for the terminations of financing arrangements and costs required to complete the Separation. All other Separation-related transaction costs are recorded in other expenses and reported within continuing operations.
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Separation.
U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture
In July 2016, MetLife, Inc. completed the sale to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) of our U.S. retail advisor force and certain assets associated with the MetLife Premier Client Group, including all of the issued and outstanding shares of MetLife’s affiliated broker-dealer, MetLife Securities, Inc. (“MSI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (the “U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture”) for $291 million. MassMutual assumed all of the liabilities related to such assets that arise or occur at or after the closing of the sale. As part of the transactions, MetLife, Inc. and MassMutual entered into a product development agreement under which the part of MetLife’s former U.S. retail business now in Brighthouse will be the exclusive developer of certain annuity products to be issued by MassMutual. In the MassMutual purchase agreement, MetLife, Inc. agreed to indemnify MassMutual for certain claims, liabilities and breaches of representations and warranties up to limits described in the purchase agreement.
Hurricanes
In the third quarter of 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Harvey made landfall in Florida and Texas, respectively, causing loss of lives and extensive property damage. MetLife’s property & casualty business’ gross losses from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey were approximately $65 million, before income tax. As of September 30, 2017, we recognized total net losses related to these hurricanes of $42 million, net of income tax, which impacted the U.S. segment. Additional storm-related losses may be recorded in future periods as claims are received from insureds.

107

Table of Contents

Non-Bank SIFI
On December 18, 2014, the FSOC designated MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (collectively with the Federal Reserve Board, the “Federal Reserve”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), as well as to enhanced supervision and prudential standards. On March 30, 2016, the D.C. District Court ordered that the designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI by the FSOC be rescinded. On April 8, 2016, the FSOC appealed the D.C. District Court’s order to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (“D.C. Circuit”), and oral argument was heard on October 24, 2016. In a Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of the Treasury dated April 21, 2017, President Trump directed the Secretary of the Treasury to review the FSOC SIFI designation process for transparency, due process and other factors, and, pending the completion of the review and submission of the Secretary’s recommendations, to refrain from voting for any non-emergency designations. The Secretary’s review and report were due by October 18, 2017. As of November 3, 2017, the Secretary’s report has not yet been issued. On August 2, 2017, the D.C. Circuit ordered that the appeal be held in abeyance pending the issuance of that report by the Secretary of the Treasury. The D.C. Circuit also ordered the parties to file additional procedural motions to govern future proceedings by November 17, 2017, or within 30 days of the issuance of the Treasury Secretary’s report, whichever occurs first. If the FSOC prevails on appeal or designates MetLife, Inc. as systemically important as part of its ongoing review of non-bank financial companies, MetLife, Inc. could once again be subject to regulation as a non-bank SIFI. See “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation — Potential Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI” included in the 2016 Annual Report.
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 2016 Annual Report.
We continue to be impacted by the unstable global financial and economic environment that has been affecting the industry.
Financial and Economic Environment
Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally. Stressed conditions, volatility and disruptions in global capital markets, particular markets, or financial asset classes can have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and our insurance liabilities and derivatives are sensitive to changing market factors. See “Risk Factors — Economic Environment and Capital Markets-Related Risks — We Are Exposed to Significant Global 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” in the 2016 Annual Report. The impact on global capital markets, and on the economy generally, of the priorities of the Trump Administration is uncertain. See “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” in the 2016 Annual Report.
We have market presence in numerous countries and increased exposure to risks posed by local and regional economic conditions. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability” in the 2016 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Concerns about the political and/or economic instability in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Puerto Rico and weakness in the energy sector have recently contributed to global market volatility. See “— Investments — Current Environment — Selected Country and Sector Investments.” Events following the U.K.’s referendum on June 23, 2016 and the uncertainties, including foreign currency exchange risks, associated with its pending withdrawal from the European Union (“EU”), have also contributed to market volatility, both in the U.S. and beyond. These factors could contribute to weakening gross domestic product growth, primarily in the U.K. and Europe. The magnitude and longevity of the potential negative economic impacts would depend on the detailed agreements reached by the U.K. and the EU as a result of the exit negotiations and negotiations regarding trade and other arrangements.

108

Table of Contents

Central banks around the world have used monetary policies to combat global market volatility. For example, the European Central Bank continues to institute support measures, including quantitative easing, to lessen the risk of deflation, lower borrowing costs in the Euro zone and encourage corporations to issue more asset-backed securities. These measures, however, could affect the Euro exchange rate and have uncertain impacts on interest rates and risk markets. In Japan, the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan have implemented a coordinated strategy which includes the imposition of a negative rate on commercial bank deposits, continued government bond purchases and tax reform, including the lowering of the Japanese corporate tax rate and the delay until 2019 of an increase in the consumption tax to 10%. 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. For information regarding actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) in the United States, see “— Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment.”
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 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 asset purchases and keeping interest rates low. However, in December 2015, the FOMC increased the federal funds rate for the first time in 10 years and raised it a number of times since then, with the last raise, from 1.00% to 1.25%, occurring in June 2017. Further increases in 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, we cannot predict with certainty the effect of these programs and policies on interest rates or the impact on the pricing levels of risk-bearing investments at this time. See “— Investments — Current Environment.”
During periods of declining interest rates, we may have to invest insurance cash flows and reinvest the cash flows we received as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower yielding instruments. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the fixed income securities, mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates. Therefore, some of our products expose us to the risk that a reduction in interest rates will reduce the difference between the amounts that we are required to credit on contracts in our general account and the rate of return we are able to earn on investments intended to support obligations under these contracts. This difference between interest earned and interest credited, or margin, is a key metric for the management of, and reporting for, many of our businesses.
Our expectations regarding future margins are an important component impacting the amortization of certain intangible assets such as DAC and value of business acquired (“VOBA”). Significantly lower margins may cause us to accelerate the amortization, thereby reducing net income in the affected reporting period. Additionally, lower margins may also impact the recoverability of intangible assets such as goodwill, require the establishment of additional liabilities or trigger loss recognition events on certain policyholder liabilities. We review this long-term margin assumption, along with other assumptions, as part of our annual actuarial assumption review.
Competitive Pressures
The life insurance industry remains highly competitive. The product development and product life cycles have shortened in many product segments, leading to more intense competition with respect to product features. Larger companies have the ability to invest in brand equity, product development, technology and risk management, which are among the fundamentals for sustained profitable growth in the life insurance industry. In addition, several of the industry’s products can be quite homogeneous and subject to intense price competition. Sufficient scale, financial strength and financial flexibility are becoming prerequisites for sustainable growth in the life insurance industry. Larger market participants tend to have the capacity to invest in additional distribution capability and the information technology needed to offer the superior customer service demanded by an increasingly sophisticated industry client base. We believe that the continued volatility of the financial markets, its impact on the capital position of many competitors, and subsequent actions by regulators and rating agencies have altered the competitive environment. In particular, we believe that these factors have highlighted financial strength as the most significant differentiator and, as a result, we believe the Company is well positioned to compete in this environment.

109

Table of Contents

Regulatory Developments
In the United States, 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. 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 (“ERISA”). If MetLife, Inc. were re-designated as a non-bank SIFI, it could also be subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. 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, State Securities and State Insurance Laws and Regulations May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability” included in the 2016 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.”
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) effected the most far-reaching overhaul of financial regulation in the United States in decades. However, President Trump and the majority party have expressed goals to amend Dodd-Frank. On June 8, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017, which proposes to amend or repeal various sections of Dodd-Frank. This proposed legislation is now being considered by the U.S. Senate. On February 3, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order that calls for a comprehensive review of laws, treaties, regulations, policies and guidance regulating the U.S. financial system, and requires the Secretary of the Treasury to consult with the heads of the member agencies of FSOC to identify any laws, regulations or requirements that inhibit federal regulation of the financial system in a manner consistent with the core principles identified in the Executive Order. The Secretary’s report on asset management and insurance was issued on October 26, 2017 and recommended activities-based evaluations of systemic risk in the insurance industry rather than an entity-based approach. The report also supported primary regulation of the U.S. insurance industry by the states rather than the federal government. See “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation” and “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” in the 2016 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of Dodd-Frank and other U.S. regulation.
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. Having been named 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” and “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,” included in the 2016 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.”

110

Table of Contents

U.S. Regulation
Insurance Regulation
Insurance Regulatory Examinations and Other Activities
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (“IAIS”) has encouraged U.S. insurance supervisors, such as the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”), to establish Supervisory Colleges for U.S.-based insurance groups with international operations, including MetLife, to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the insurance groups’ supervisors and to enhance the member regulators’ understanding of an insurance group’s risk profile. In October 2017, a Supervisory College meeting was chaired by the NYDFS and attended by MetLife’s key U.S. and international regulators. We have not received any reports or recommendations from the Supervisory College meeting, and we do not expect any outcome of the meeting to have a material adverse effect on our business.
ERISA Considerations
We provide products and services to certain employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As such, our activities are subject to the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Code, including the requirement under ERISA that fiduciaries must perform their duties solely in the interests of ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries, and that fiduciaries may not cause a covered plan to engage in certain prohibited transactions. The applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code are subject to enforcement by the Department of Labor (“DOL”), the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
The prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Code generally restrict the provision of investment advice to ERISA plans and participants and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) if the investment recommendation results in fees paid to an individual advisor, the firm that employs the advisor or their affiliates that vary according to the investment recommendation chosen.
The DOL issued new regulations on April 6, 2016, which, in accordance with an April 4, 2017 DOL final rule which delayed the original applicable date by 60 days, became for the most part applicable on June 9, 2017. These rules, substantially expand the definition of “investment advice” and require that an impartial or “best interests” standard be met in providing such advice, thereby broadening the circumstances under which MetLife or its representatives, in providing investment advice with respect to ERISA plans, plan participants or IRAs, could be deemed a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code. Pursuant to the final regulations, certain communications with plans, plan participants and IRA holders, including the sales of products, and investment management or advisory services, could be deemed fiduciary investment advice, thus causing increased exposure to fiduciary liability if the distributor does not recommend what is in the client’s best interests. The DOL also issued amendments to certain of its prohibited transaction exemptions, and issued a new exemption, that apply more onerous disclosure and contract requirements to, and increases fiduciary requirements and fiduciary liability exposure in respect of, certain transactions involving ERISA plans, plan participants and IRAs. In general, the changes the rule made to existing prohibited transaction exemptions and contract and disclosure requirements of the new exemption (other than the impartial interest standard) were delayed until January 1, 2018. On July 6, 2017, the DOL published a new Request for Information regarding a possible further delay in the applicability date of January 1, 2018 along with possible additional changes to the rule. Following this, on August 31, 2017, the DOL proposed to delay the applicability date to July 1, 2019. The public comment period for that proposal ended on September 15, 2017. The rule is also being challenged in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (and elsewhere), where a decision is expected by the end of 2017.
On February 3, 2017 President Trump, in a memorandum to the Secretary of Labor, requested that the DOL prepare an updated economic and legal analysis concerning the likely impact of the new rules, and possible revisions to the rules. The applicable date for the new rules could be further extended to provide the DOL with additional time to address the requests in the President’s memorandum.
We anticipate that we will need to undertake certain additional tasks in order to comply with certain of the exemptions provided in the DOL regulations, including additional compliance reviews of material shared with distributors, wholesaler and call center training and product reporting and analysis. The change of administration and DOL officials leaves open the possibility of further modifications. Implementation of the portions of rules that became applicable on June 9, 2017 could create confusion among our distribution partners which could negatively impact product sales. We cannot predict what other proposals may be made, what legislation may be introduced or enacted, or what impact any such legislation may have on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “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” in the 2016 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

111

Table of Contents

Potential Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI
See “— Executive Summary — Other Key Information — Non-Bank SIFI” above for recent developments concerning FSOC’s appeal of the D.C. District Court’s order that the designation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank SIFI by the FSOC be rescinded.
Regulation of Over-the-Counter Derivatives and Qualified Financial Contracts
Federal banking regulators have recently adopted new rules that will apply to certain qualified financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, securities lending agreements and repurchase agreements, with certain banking institutions and certain of their affiliates. These new rules, which will begin to go into effect in 2019, will generally require the banking institutions and their applicable affiliates to include contractual provisions in their qualified financial contracts that limit or delay certain rights of their counterparties including counterparties’ default rights (such as the right to terminate the contracts or foreclose on collateral) and restrictions on assignments and transfers of credit enhancements (such as guarantees) arising in connection with the banking institution or an applicable affiliate becoming subject to a bankruptcy, insolvency, resolution or similar proceeding. To the extent that any of the derivatives, securities lending agreements or repurchase agreements that we enter into are subject to these new rules, it could limit our recovery in the event of a default and increase our counterparty risk.
International Regulation
In Chile, in September 2015, a Presidential Advisory Committee issued several recommendations to reform the pension system and on August 10, 2017, Chilean President Bachelet submitted a pension reform proposal comprised of three legislative components: (i) a 5% additional contribution from employers; (ii) a public independent entity to manage the additional funds; and (iii) legislative text that modifies pension fund administrator regulations. Despite limited time before the November 19, 2017 Chilean Presidential election, the Chilean Congress has initiated discussion on the proposal and a group of members are hopeful to achieve at least the additional 5% contribution proposal. Certain of these proposals, if enacted, may have a significant adverse effect on our business in Chile. In fact, the recent unrest in Chile related to such pension system has already had, and continues to have, an adverse effect on our business in Chile. On July 21, 2016, the Chilean Pension Funds Superintendency instituted a proceeding to consider the validity of the action taken by the Superintendency in 2015 approving the merger of Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones ProVida, S.A. into a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., which was effective on September 1, 2015. On December 13, 2016, the Superintendency upheld the legality of the merger for the third time.
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (“EIOPA”), along with European legislation, requires European regulators, such as the Central Bank of Ireland (“CBI”), to establish Supervisory Colleges for European Economic Area (“EEA”)-based insurance groups with significant European operations, including MetLife, to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the insurance groups’ European supervisors and to enhance the member regulators’ understanding of an insurance group’s risk profile. An October 2016 Supervisory College was chaired by the CBI and was attended by MetLife’s key European regulators. We received feedback from the Supervisory College meeting regarding two areas of focus for the College in 2017, risk management and product governance, and we do not expect the outcome of the meeting to have a material adverse effect on our business. The next European Supervisory College is scheduled to take place in November 2017.
Solvency Regimes
Our insurance business throughout the EEA is subject to Solvency II, which became effective on January 1, 2016, after an extensive preparatory phase. Solvency II codifies and harmonizes the EU insurance regulation. Capital requirements are forward-looking and based on the risk profile of each individual insurance company in order to promote comparability, transparency and competitiveness. In line with the requirements, MetLife entities calculate and report their capital requirement using a standard formula prescribed by the EU Directive and further regulation by the EIOPA. The entities have completed their first annual submissions including the Regular Supervisory Report and the Solvency and Financial Condition Report. As legislated for by the EU, a review of Solvency II is currently being undertaken by EIOPA and the European Commission.
In Chile, the law implementing Solvency II-like regulation continues in the studies stage. However, the Chilean insurance regulator has already issued two resolutions, one for governance, and the other for risk management and control framework requirements. MetLife Chile has already implemented governance changes and risk policies to comply with these resolutions. A fifth impact study was completed and submitted in July 2017. On March 31, 2016, the local regulator issued a final regulation which requires insurance companies to implement a risk appetite framework and produce an Own Risk and Solvency Assessment. The first such report was submitted to the local regulator in September 2017. Even though a formal implementation date has not yet been set, it is estimated that the new solvency and supervisory regime could be in force between 2018 and 2020.

112

Table of Contents

In China, our joint venture (as well as the industry) has been implementing China Risk Oriented Solvency System (“C-ROSS”), a new risk-based solvency regime which became effective on January 1, 2016. Like Solvency II, C-ROSS focuses on risk management and has three pillars (strengthen quantitative capital requirements, enhance qualitative supervision and establish a governance and market discipline process). In September 2017, the regulator announced a three-year plan aimed at improving C-ROSS rules in line with the changing market environment.
Global Systemically Important Insurers
The IAIS, an association of insurance supervisors and regulators and a member of the Financial Stability Board (“FSB”), 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 systemic risk globally. To this end, the IAIS published a methodology to assess the systemic relevance of global insurers and a framework of policy measures to be applied to G-SIIs. The IAIS/FSB process is separate from the U.S. FSOC designation process and MetLife, Inc. remains a G-SII in spite of the rescission of its U.S. non-bank SIFI designation on March 30, 2016.
The global designation process is an annual process and IAIS policy requires that the IAIS evaluate whether updates to its assessment methodology are necessary every three years. Accordingly, the IAIS published an updated assessment methodology on June 16, 2016, which was used as the basis for the 2016 assessment of a pool of approximately 50 insurers, including MetLife, Inc. The new methodology reflects changes in the previous definitions of non-traditional and non-insurance activity, along with certain other changes in both quantitative and qualitative assessments, most notably introducing greater transparency into the process. On November 21, 2016, the FSB issued its 2016 list of G-SIIs, which included MetLife, Inc. With respect to the 2017 G-SII designation process, MetLife, Inc. filed data in response to a request from the FSB. The outcome is as yet uncertain.
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 on 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 DAC and the establishment and amortization of 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 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 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 2016 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.

113

Table of Contents

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. The key inputs, judgments and assumptions necessary in determining estimated fair value of the reporting units include projected operating earnings, current book value, the level of economic capital required to support the mix of business, long-term growth rates, comparative market multiples, the account value of in-force business, projections of new and renewed business, as well as margins on such business, the level of interest rates, credit spreads, equity market levels, and the discount rate that we believe is appropriate for the respective reporting unit.
In the third quarter of 2017, the Company tested the MetLife Holdings life reporting unit for impairment using the actuarial based embedded value fair valuation approach. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately 19% and, therefore, the reporting unit was not impaired. If we had assumed that the discount rate was 100 basis points higher than the discount rate used, the estimated fair value of the MetLife Holdings life reporting unit would have been higher than the carrying value by approximately 1%. The MetLife Holdings life reporting unit consists of operations relating to products and businesses no longer actively marketed by the Company. As of September 30, 2017, the amount of goodwill allocated to the MetLife Holdings life reporting unit was $887 million.
The Company also performed its annual goodwill impairment tests of all other reporting units during the third quarter of 2017 using a qualitative assessment and/or quantitative assessments under the market multiple and discounted cash flow valuation approaches based on best available data as of June 30, 2017 and concluded that the estimated fair values of all such reporting units were in excess of their carrying values and, therefore, goodwill was not impaired.
We apply significant judgment when determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units and when assessing the relationship of market capitalization to the aggregate estimated fair value of our reporting units. The valuation methodologies utilized are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are sensitive to change. Estimates of fair value are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectation regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will, in all likelihood, differ in some respects from actual future results. Declines in the estimated fair value of our reporting units could result in goodwill impairments in future periods which could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial position.
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.
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, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, or operating earnings.
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.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
On October 25, 2017, MetLife Mexico entered into a definitive agreement to sell MetLife Afore, S.A. de C.V., its pension fund management business, to a subsidiary of Principal Financial Group, subject to regulatory approval. The sale is expected to close during the first half of 2018.

114

Table of Contents

On September 15, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Logan Circle Partners, L.P., from Fortress Investment Group LLC, for approximately $250 million in cash. Logan Circle Partners is a fundamental research-based investment manager providing institutional clients actively managed investment solutions across a broad spectrum of fixed income strategies, with more than 100 institutional clients and more than $37 billion in assets under management as of August 31, 2017. 
See also “— Executive Summary — Other Key Information — Separation of Brighthouse” and Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the Separation, as well as “— Executive Summary — Other Key Information — U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture” for information on the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture.

115

Table of Contents

Results of Operations
Consolidated Results
Business Overview. Overall sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased over prior period levels reflecting higher sales from the majority of our segments. The overall increase in sales from our U.S. segment was primarily driven by improved sales in our RIS business, partially offset by lower sales in our Group Benefits business. In our RIS business, higher sales of pension risk transfers and stable value products were partially offset by a decrease in funding agreement issuances. Higher sales of pension and credit life products were partially offset by lower sales of group accident & health products in our Latin America segment. Sales in EMEA also improved as a result of strong sales in the Gulf and Turkey, which more than offset the impact of the closing of the wealth management product to new business in the U.K. and the loss of a credit life contract in Poland. In our Asia segment, higher sales were primarily driven by a successful sales campaign in Korea, as well as agency growth in China, partially offset by sales declines in Japan and Hong Kong. In our MetLife Holdings segment, the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture and the Separation negatively impacted sales.
 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
10,876

 
$
9,839

 
$
29,421

 
$
27,956

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
 
1,428

 
1,341

 
4,152

 
4,127

Net investment income
 
4,295

 
4,609

 
12,909

 
12,527

Other revenues
 
301

 
356

 
935

 
1,309

Net investment gains (losses)
 
(606
)
 
231

 
(439
)
 
598

Net derivative gains (losses)
 
(190
)
 
(543
)
 
(663
)
 
1,438

Total revenues
 
16,104

 
15,833

 
46,315

 
47,955

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
 
10,947

 
9,914

 
29,848

 
28,318

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
 
1,338

 
1,544

 
4,081

 
3,819

Capitalization of DAC
 
(761
)
 
(770
)
 
(2,218
)
 
(2,422
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
626

 
660

 
1,945

 
2,052

Amortization of negative VOBA
 
(32
)
 
(55
)
 
(113
)
 
(221
)
Interest expense on debt
 
284

 
280

 
851

 
875

Other expenses
 
3,201

 
3,101

 
9,439

 
10,012

Total expenses
 
15,603

 
14,674

 
43,833

 
42,433

Income (loss) before provision for income tax
 
501

 
1,159

 
2,482

 
5,522

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
(392
)
 
135

 
(148
)
 
1,253

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
 
893

 
1,024

 
2,630

 
4,269

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 
(968
)
 
(451
)
 
(989
)
 
(1,379
)
Net income (loss)
 
(75
)
 
573

 
1,641

 
2,890

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
6

 
(4
)
 
12

 
2

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.
 
(81
)
 
577

 
1,629

 
2,888

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
6

 
6

 
58

 
58

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
 
$
(87
)
 
$
571

 
$
1,571

 
$
2,830

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, net income (loss) decreased $648 million, net of income tax, from the prior period primarily driven by unfavorable changes in net investment gains (losses), income (loss) from discontinued operations, results from our divested businesses and operating earnings, partially offset by a favorable change in net derivative gains (losses).

116

Table of Contents

Management of Investment Portfolio and Hedging Market Risks with Derivatives. We manage our investment portfolio using disciplined asset/liability management (“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. In addition, our general account investment portfolio includes, within fair value option (“FVO”), 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 also use derivatives as an integral part of our management of the investment portfolio and insurance liabilities to hedge certain risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads and equity market levels. We use freestanding interest rate, equity, credit and currency derivatives to hedge certain invested assets and insurance liabilities. A small portion 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. During the first quarter of 2017, we began restructuring certain derivative hedges to partially stabilize volatility from nonqualified interest rate derivatives and to help meet prospective dividend and free cash flow objectives under varying interest rate scenarios. The restructuring of the hedge program is substantially complete in meeting our initial objectives. As part of this restructuring, we replaced certain nonqualified derivatives with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting treatment. In addition, we also entered into replication transactions using interest rate swaps, which are accounted for at amortized cost under statutory guidelines and are nonqualified derivatives under GAAP. We actively evaluate market risk hedging needs and strategies to ensure our free cash flow and capital objectives are met under a range of market conditions. 
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.

117

Table of Contents

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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Non-VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Interest rate
$
(38
)
 
$
(254
)
Foreign currency exchange rate
(125
)
 
59

Credit
52

 
47

Equity
10

 
2

Non-VA embedded derivatives
(3
)
 
5

Total non-VA program derivatives
(104
)
 
(141
)
VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Market risks in embedded derivatives
360

 
538

Nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives
(52
)
 
(154
)
Other risks in embedded derivatives
(71
)
 
(112
)
Total embedded derivatives
237

 
272

Freestanding derivatives hedging embedded derivatives
(323
)
 
(674
)
Total VA program derivatives
(86
)
 
(402
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
$
(190
)
 
$
(543
)
The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $37 million ($24 million, net of income tax). This was primarily due to long-term interest rates increasing less in the current period than the prior period, favorably impacting receive-fixed interest rate swaps and floors primarily hedging long-duration liability portfolios. This was partially offset by the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar, relative to other key currencies, weakening in the current period versus mostly strengthening in the prior period, unfavorably impacting foreign currency forwards and swaps that primarily hedge foreign currency-denominated bonds. Because certain of these hedging strategies are not designated or do not qualify as accounting hedges, the changes in the estimated fair value of these freestanding derivatives are recognized in net derivative gains (losses) without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.
The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on VA program derivatives was $316 million ($205 million, net of income tax). This was due to a favorable change of $173 million ($112 million, net of income tax) in market risks in embedded derivatives, net of the impact of freestanding derivatives hedging those risks, a favorable change of $102 million ($66 million, net of income tax) related to the change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives and a favorable change in other risks in embedded derivatives of $41 million ($27 million, net of income tax). Other risks relate primarily to the impact of policyholder behavior and other non-market risks that generally cannot be hedged.
The foregoing $173 million ($112 million, net of income tax) favorable change reflects a $351 million ($228 million, net of income tax) favorable change in freestanding derivatives hedging market risks in embedded derivatives, partially offset by a $178 million ($116 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in market risks in embedded derivatives. The primary changes in market factors are summarized as follows:
Long-term interest rates increased less in the current period than in the prior period, contributing to a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives and an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives. For example, the 10-year U.S. swap rate increased 1 basis point in the current period and increased 9 basis points in the prior period.
Key weighted average equity index levels increased less 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.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed to a favorable change in our embedded derivatives, related to the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan, and an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives. For example, the Japanese yen was unchanged against the U.S. dollar in the current period and strengthened by 1% in the prior period.

118

Table of Contents

The aforementioned $102 million ($66 million, net of income tax) favorable change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives resulted from a favorable change of $62 million, before income tax, as a result of model changes and changes in capital market inputs, such as long-term interest rates and key equity index levels, on variable annuity guarantees, in addition to a favorable change of $40 million, before income tax, related to changes in our own credit spread.
The foregoing $41 million ($27 million, net of income tax) favorable change in other risks in embedded derivatives reflects:
Updates to actuarial policyholder behavior assumptions within the valuation model.
An increase in the risk margin adjustment measuring policyholder behavior risks, along with market and interest rate changes, and
A combination of other factors, which include fees being deducted from accounts and changes in the benefit base, premiums, lapses, withdrawals and deaths.
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 unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $837 million ($544 million, net of income tax) primarily reflects a current period loss recognized in connection with the Separation and lower gains on sales of fixed maturity securities. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by higher gains on sales of real estate joint ventures and lower foreign currency transaction losses.
Actuarial Assumption Review. The annual review of actuarial assumptions in the current period included all of our annuity and life businesses, whereas during the prior period, we performed a review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC for our annuity and life businesses, with the exception of our U.S. variable annuity business, which was reviewed in the second quarter of 2016 in connection with the Separation.
Results for the current period include a $72 million ($48 million, net of income tax) gain associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC, of which a $21 million ($14 million, net of income tax) gain was recognized in net derivative gains (losses). Of the $72 million gain, a $131 million ($87 million, net of income tax) gain was associated with DAC, and a loss of $59 million ($39 million, net of income tax) was related to reserves. The $21 million gain recognized in net derivative gains (losses) associated with this annual review of actuarial assumptions was included within the other risks in embedded derivatives caption in the table above.
As a result of our annual review of actuarial assumptions, changes were made to economic, policyholder behavior, biometric and operational assumptions. These are summarized as follows:
Changes in operational assumptions, most notably related to updates to maintenance expense and closed block projections, resulted in a net gain of $149 million ($97 million net of income tax).
Changes in policyholder behavior assumptions resulted in reserve increases, partially offset by favorable DAC, resulting in a net charge of $47 million ($29 million, net of income tax).
Economic assumption updates resulted in reserve increases and DAC releases, resulting in a charge of $19 million ($13 million net of income tax).
Changes to biometric assumptions resulted in an increase in reserves, partially offset by favorable DAC, resulting in a charge of $11 million ($7 million, net of income tax).
The most significant impacts were in the MetLife Holdings Life and Annuity blocks of business.

119

Table of Contents

Results for the prior period include a $116 million ($75 million, net of income tax) loss associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC, of which an $8 million ($5 million, net of income tax) gain was recognized in net derivative gains (losses) and a $103 million ($67 million, net of income tax) loss was recognized in updates to the closed block projection. Of the $116 million loss, a $5 million ($3 million, net of income tax) gain was related to reserves while a $121 million ($79 million, net of income tax) loss was associated with DAC.
Divested Businesses. Income (loss) before provision for income tax related to the divested businesses, excluding net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), decreased $151 million ($177 million, net of income tax) to a loss of $320 million ($290 million, net of income tax) in the current period from a loss of $169 million ($113 million, net of income tax) in the prior period. Included in this decline was an increase in total revenues of $223 million, before income tax, and an increase in total expenses of $374 million, before income tax. Divested businesses include activity primarily related to the Separation.
Discontinued Operations. Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax, increased $517 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 to a loss of $968 million, net of income tax, from a loss of $451 million, net of income tax, for the comparable 2016 period. Income (loss) from discontinued operations reflects the results of our former Brighthouse Financial segment, which includes a loss of $1.1 billion, net of income tax, from the Separation in the current period. For further information, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Taxes. Income tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $392 million, or 78% of income before provision for income tax, compared with income tax expense of $135 million, or 12% of income before provision for income tax, for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Our effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% 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. Our current period results include a tax-related benefit of $554 million related to the Separation and a $13 million net tax-related benefit, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits, partially offset by a net tax charge of $180 million. This charge was the result of the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations. Our prior period results include a tax benefit of $36 million related to tax audit settlements.
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 other financial measures based on operating earnings allow analysis of our performance relative to our business plan and facilitate comparisons to industry results. Operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders should not be viewed as substitutes for net income (loss) and net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders, respectively. Operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased $187 million, net of income tax, to $1.2 billion, net of income tax, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.4 billion, net of income tax, for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

120

Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net income (loss) decreased $1.2 billion from the prior period primarily driven by unfavorable changes in net derivative gains (losses), results from our divested businesses and net investment gains (losses), partially offset by favorable changes in operating earnings and discontinued operations.
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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Non-VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Interest rate
$
(20
)
 
$
1,058

Foreign currency exchange rate
(273
)
 
820

Credit
149

 
58

Equity
2

 
8

Non-VA embedded derivatives
(100
)
 
(139
)
Total non-VA program derivatives
(242
)
 
1,805

VA program derivatives
 
 
 
Market risks in embedded derivatives
947

 
(1,249
)
Nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives
(161
)
 
738

Other risks in embedded derivatives
(265
)
 
(830
)
Total embedded derivatives
521

 
(1,341
)
Freestanding derivatives hedging embedded derivatives
(942
)
 
974

Total VA program derivatives
(421
)
 
(367
)
Net derivative gains (losses)
$
(663
)
 
$
1,438

The unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $2.0 billion ($1.3 billion, net of income tax). This was primarily due to the Japanese yen, relative to other key currencies, strengthening less in the current period versus the prior period, unfavorably impacting foreign currency forwards, futures and options that primarily hedge foreign currency-denominated bonds. In addition, mid- and long-term interest rates decreased less in the current period than in the prior period, unfavorably impacting receive-fixed interest rate swaps, swaptions and 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 $54 million ($35 million, net of income tax). This was due to an unfavorable change of $899 million ($584 million, net of income tax) in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives, partially offset by a favorable change of $565 million ($367 million, net of income tax) in other risks in embedded derivatives and a favorable change of $280 million ($182 million, net of income tax) in market risks in embedded derivatives, net of the impact of freestanding derivatives hedging those risks. Other risks relate primarily to the impact of policyholder behavior and other non-market risks that generally cannot be hedged.
The foregoing $565 million ($367 million, net of income tax) favorable change in other risks in embedded derivatives reflects:
Updates to actuarial policyholder behavior assumptions within the valuation model.
An increase in the risk margin adjustment measuring policyholder behavior risks, along with market and interest rate changes, and
The partially offsetting impact of a combination of other factors, which include fees being deducted from accounts and changes in the benefit base, premiums, lapses, withdrawals and deaths.

121

Table of Contents

The foregoing $280 million ($182 million, net of income tax) favorable change reflects a $2.2 billion ($1.4 billion, net of income tax) favorable change in market risks in embedded derivatives, partially offset by a $1.9 billion ($1.2 billion, net of income tax) unfavorable change in freestanding derivatives hedging market risks in embedded derivatives.
The primary changes in market factors are summarized as follows:
Long-term interest rates decreased less in the current period than in the prior period, contributing to an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives and a favorable change in our embedded derivatives. For example, the 30-year U.S. swap rate decreased 6 basis points in the current period and decreased 84 basis points in the prior period.
Key weighted average equity index levels increased more in the current period than in the prior period, contributing to an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives and a favorable change in our embedded derivatives.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed to an unfavorable change in our freestanding derivatives and a favorable change in our embedded derivatives related to the assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from our former operating joint venture in Japan. For example, the Japanese yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar by 3% in the current period and strengthened by 16% in the prior period.
The aforementioned $899 million ($584 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on embedded derivatives resulted from an unfavorable change of $720 million, before income tax, as a result of model changes and changes in capital market inputs, such as long-term interest rates and key equity index levels, on variable annuity guarantees, in addition to an unfavorable change of $179 million, before income tax, related to changes in our own credit spread.
Net Investment Gains (Losses). The unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $1.0 billion ($674 million, net of income tax) primarily reflects a current period loss recognized in connection with the Separation, lower foreign currency transaction gains and lower gains on sales of fixed maturity securities. In addition, the prior period includes a gain from the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by higher gains on sales of real estate joint ventures and a prior year loan loss and related charge-off on an impaired mortgage loan acquired through an acquisition in 2010.
Actuarial Assumption Review. Results for the current period include a $72 million ($48 million, net of income tax) gain associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC, of which a $21 million ($14 million, net of income tax) gain was recognized in net derivative gains (losses). Of the $72 million gain, a $131 million ($87 million, net of income tax) gain was associated with DAC, and a loss of $59 million ($39 million, net of income tax) was related to reserves. The $21 million gain recognized in net derivative gains (losses) associated with this review of actuarial assumptions was included within the other risks in embedded derivatives caption in the table above.
As a result of our annual review of actuarial assumptions, changes were made to economic, policyholder behavior, biometric and operational assumptions. These are summarized as follows:
Changes in operational assumptions, most notably related to updates to maintenance expense and closed block projections, resulted in a net gain of $149 million ($97 million net of income tax).
Changes in policyholder behavior assumptions resulted in reserve increases, partially offset by favorable DAC, resulting in a net charge of $47 million ($29 million, net of income tax).
Economic assumption updates resulted in reserve increases and DAC releases, resulting in a charge of $19 million ($13 million net of income tax).
Changes to biometric assumptions resulted in an increase in reserves, partially offset by favorable DAC, resulting in a charge of $11 million ($7 million, net of income tax).
The most significant impacts were in the MetLife Holdings Life and Annuity blocks of business.
Results for the prior period include a $648 million ($421 million, net of income tax) loss associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC, of which a $709 million ($461 million, net of income tax) loss was recognized in net derivative gains (losses) and a $103 million ($67 million, net of income tax) loss was recognized in updates to the closed block projection. Of the $648 million loss, a $729 million ($474 million, net of income tax) loss was related to reserves while an $81 million ($53 million, net of income tax) gain was associated with DAC.

122

Table of Contents

Divested Businesses and Lag Elimination. Income (loss) before provision for income tax related to the divested businesses and lag elimination, excluding net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), decreased $658 million ($409 million, net of income tax) to a loss of $814 million ($514 million, net of income tax) in the current period from a loss of $156 million ($105 million, net of income tax) in the prior period. Included in this decline was a decrease in total revenues of $511 million, before income tax, and an increase in total expenses of $147 million, before income tax. Divested businesses include activity primarily related to the Separation. In addition, divested businesses for the prior period also include the financial impact of converting our Japan operations to calendar year-end reporting without retrospective application of this change to prior years.
Discontinued Operations. Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax, decreased $390 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to a loss of $989 million, net of income tax, from a loss of $1.4 billion, net of income tax, for the comparable 2016 period. Income (loss) from discontinued operations reflects the results of our former Brighthouse Financial segment, which includes a loss of $1.3 billion, net of income tax, from the Separation in the current period. For further information, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Taxes. Income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $148 million, or 6% of income before provision for income tax, compared with income tax expense of $1.3 billion, or 23% of income before provision for income tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Our effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% 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. Our current period results include a tax-related benefit of $554 million related to the Separation and a $40 million net tax-related benefit, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits, partially offset by a net tax charge of $180 million. This charge was the result of the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations. Our current period results also include a tax benefit of $9 million related to the settlement of an audit in Argentina. Our prior period results include a tax benefit of $110 million in Japan related to a change in tax rate, a tax charge of $26 million related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan and a tax charge of $19 million in Chile, related to a change in tax rate. In addition, prior period results include a one-time tax benefit of $36 million for tax audit settlements.
Operating Earnings. Operating earnings available to common shareholders increased $612 million, net of income tax, to $3.6 billion, net of income tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $3.0 billion, net of income tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

123

Table of Contents

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating earnings available to common shareholders
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Net income (loss)

$
572

 
$
243

 
$
224

 
$
62

 
$
230

 
$
(1,406
)
 
$
(75
)
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 


 

 

 

 

 
(968
)
 
(968
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

$
572

 
$
243

 
$
224

 
$
62

 
$
230

 
$
(438
)
 
$
893

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
96

 
(37
)
 
20

 
(12
)
 
23

 
(696
)
 
(606
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(14
)
 
(58
)
 
46

 
3

 
(165
)
 
(2
)
 
(190
)
Less: Other adjustments to net income (1)
(43
)
 
(12
)
 
25

 

 
(136
)
 
(328
)
 
(494
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
(13
)
 
36

 
(30
)
 

 
98

 
918

 
1,009

Operating earnings
$
546

 
$
314

 
$
163

 
$
71

 
$
410

 
(330
)
 
1,174

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6

 
6

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(336
)
 
$
1,168

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Net income (loss)

$
520

 
$
361

 
$
148

 
$
115

 
$
(60
)
 
$
(511
)
 
$
573

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


 

 

 

 

 
(451
)
 
(451
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

$
520

 
$
361

 
$
148

 
$
115

 
$
(60
)
 
$
(60
)
 
$
1,024

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
44

 
66

 
12

 
24

 
5

 
80

 
231

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(20
)
 
(68
)
 
(9
)
 
25

 
(469
)
 
(2
)
 
(543
)
Less: Other adjustments to net income (1)
(73
)
 
10

 
17

 
26

 
(36
)
 
(161
)
 
(217
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
17

 
29

 
(5
)
 
(34
)
 
174

 
11

 
192

Operating earnings
$
552

 
$
324

 
$
133

 
$
74

 
$
266

 
12

 
1,361

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6

 
6

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6

 
$
1,355

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

124

Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Net income (loss)

$
1,467

 
$
927

 
$
552

 
$
210

 
$
597

 
$
(2,112
)
 
$
1,641

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


 

 

 

 

 
(989
)
 
(989
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

$
1,467

 
$
927

 
$
552

 
$
210

 
$
597

 
$
(1,123
)
 
$
2,630

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
70

 
61

 
34

 
(8
)
 
30

 
(626
)
 
(439
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(34
)
 
(9
)
 
173

 
21

 
(449
)
 
(365
)
 
(663
)
Less: Other adjustments to net income (1)
(161
)
 
(28
)
 
(65
)
 
(7
)
 
(248
)
 
(817
)
 
(1,326
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
44

 
(16
)
 
(50
)
 
(14
)
 
234

 
1,207

 
1,405

Operating earnings
$
1,548

 
$
919

 
$
460

 
$
218

 
$
1,030

 
(522
)
 
3,653

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58

 
58

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(580
)
 
$
3,595

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Net income (loss)

$
1,615

 
$
1,995

 
$
377

 
$
285

 
$
587

 
$
(1,969
)
 
$
2,890

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


 

 

 

 

 
(1,379
)
 
(1,379
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

$
1,615

 
$
1,995

 
$
377

 
$
285

 
$
587

 
$
(590
)
 
$
4,269

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
13

 
429

 
8

 
48

 
142

 
(42
)
 
598

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
512

 
949

 
47

 
27

 
(32
)
 
(65
)
 
1,438

Less: Other adjustments to net income (1)
(204
)
 
47

 
(88
)
 
92

 
24

 
(241
)
 
(370
)
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
(107
)
 
(318
)
 
(11
)
 
(83
)
 
(47
)
 
128

 
(438
)
Operating earnings
$
1,401

 
$
888

 
$
421

 
$
201

 
$
500

 
(370
)
 
3,041

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58

 
58

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(428
)
 
$
2,983

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

125

Table of Contents

Reconciliation of revenues to operating revenues and expenses to operating expenses
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
9,072

 
$
2,920

 
$
1,331

 
$
819

 
$
2,609

 
$
(647
)
 
$
16,104

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
96

 
(37
)
 
20

 
(12
)
 
23

 
(696
)
 
(606
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(14
)
 
(58
)
 
46

 
3

 
(165
)
 
(2
)
 
(190
)
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

 
3

 

 
1

 

 

 
4

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(43
)
 
85

 
29

 
116

 
(14
)
 
(53
)
 
120

Total operating revenues
$
9,033

 
$
2,927

 
$
1,236

 
$
711

 
$
2,765

 
$
104

 
$
16,776

Total expenses
$
8,207

 
$
2,557

 
$
1,026

 
$
736

 
$
2,278

 
$
799

 
$
15,603

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

 
1

 

 
1

 
(6
)
 
2

 
(2
)
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)

 
99

 
4

 
116

 
128

 
273

 
620

Total operating expenses
$
8,207

 
$
2,457

 
$
1,022

 
$
619

 
$
2,156

 
$
524

 
$
14,985

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
7,914

 
$
3,000

 
$
1,222

 
$
1,192

 
$
2,583

 
$
(78
)
 
$
15,833

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
44

 
66

 
12

 
24

 
5

 
80

 
231

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(20
)
 
(68
)
 
(9
)
 
25

 
(469
)
 
(2
)
 
(543
)
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

 
(4
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(5
)
Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(73
)
 
71

 
17

 
442

 
(45
)
 
(272
)
 
140

Total operating revenues
$
7,963

 
$
2,935

 
$
1,202

 
$
702

 
$
3,092

 
$
116

 
$
16,010

Total expenses
$
7,123

 
$
2,526

 
$
1,016

 
$
1,032

 
$
2,696

 
$
281

 
$
14,674

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

 
(10
)
 

 

 
(71
)
 
(1
)
 
(82
)
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)

 
67

 

 
415

 
62

 
(110
)
 
434

Total operating expenses
$
7,123

 
$
2,469

 
$
1,016

 
$
617

 
$
2,705

 
$
392

 
$
14,322

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

126

Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
24,077

 
$
8,767

 
$
3,939

 
$
2,689

 
$
8,039

 
$
(1,196
)
 
$
46,315

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
70

 
61

 
34

 
(8
)
 
30

 
(626
)
 
(439
)
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
(34
)
 
(9
)
 
173

 
21

 
(449
)
 
(365
)
 
(663
)
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)

 
14

 

 

 

 

 
14

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(160
)
 
214

 
60

 
574

 
(70
)
 
(556
)
 
62

Total operating revenues
$
24,201

 
$
8,487

 
$
3,672

 
$
2,102

 
$
8,528

 
$
351

 
$
47,341

Total expenses
$
21,872

 
$
7,365

 
$
3,214

 
$
2,418

 
$
7,188

 
$
1,776

 
$
43,833

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

 
12

 

 

 
(46
)
 
2

 
(32
)
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
1

 
244

 
125

 
581

 
224

 
259

 
1,434

Total operating expenses
$
21,871

 
$
7,109

 
$
3,089

 
$
1,837

 
$
7,010

 
$
1,515

 
$
42,431

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
U.S.
 
Asia
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
Corporate& Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Total revenues
$
22,407

 
$
10,123

 
$
3,576

 
$
3,024

 
$
9,357

 
$
(532
)
 
$
47,955

Less: Net investment gains (losses)
13

 
429

 
8

 
48

 
142

 
(42
)
 
598

Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
512

 
949

 
47

 
27

 
(32
)
 
(65
)
 
1,438

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

 
28

 

 

 

 

 
28

Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
(192
)
 
394

 
37

 
836

 
(139
)
 
(688
)
 
248

Total operating revenues
$
22,074

 
$
8,323

 
$
3,484

 
$
2,113

 
$
9,386

 
$
263

 
$
45,643

Total expenses
$
19,965

 
$
7,433

 
$
3,047

 
$
2,624

 
$
8,520

 
$
844

 
$
42,433

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

 
42

 

 
1

 
(257
)
 
(1
)
 
(215
)
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
12

 
333

 
125

 
743

 
94

 
(446
)
 
861

Total operating expenses
$
19,953

 
$
7,058

 
$
2,922

 
$
1,880

 
$
8,683

 
$
1,291

 
$
41,787

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

127

Table of Contents

Consolidated Results — Operating
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Overview. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating earnings were higher taxes and lower investment yields, partially offset by the impact of our annual actuarial assumption review.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a $7 million negative impact on operating earnings for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the prior period. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. We benefited from positive net flows from many of our businesses, which increased our invested asset base. Growth in the investment portfolios of our Asia, U.S. and Latin America segments resulted in higher net investment income. However, this was offset by a corresponding increase in interest credited expense on certain insurance-related liabilities. In our U.S. segment, an increase in average premium per policy in our auto and homeowners business, partially offset by a decrease in exposures, improved operating earnings. Negative net flows in our MetLife Holdings segment contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances, which resulted in lower asset based-fee income. The items discussed above resulted in a $40 million decrease in operating earnings.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns, and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on reported net investment income in our non-U.S. segments and changes in inflation rates on our inflation-indexed investments, investment yields decreased. Investment yields decreased primarily due to lower returns on real estate joint ventures, FVO securities, fixed maturity securities, and alternative investments, as well as a decline in prepayment fees and lower derivatives income. These reductions in yields were partially offset by increased yields on mortgage loans and higher returns on private equities, driven by improvements in equity market performance. In our MetLife Holdings segment, favorable equity market performance in the current period drove an increase in average separate account balances, resulting in higher asset-based fees. This increase was partially offset by higher interest credited expenses, primarily driven by our U.S. segment as a result of a higher average interest credited rate. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $108 million decrease in operating earnings.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable underwriting resulted in a $32 million increase in operating earnings primarily as a result of favorable mortality in our U.S. and MetLife Holdings segments, partially offset by unfavorable morbidity and an increase in catastrophe losses primarily due to hurricanes Harvey and Irma in the current period. Unfavorable morbidity in our MetLife Holdings and EMEA segments was partially offset by favorable morbidity in our U.S. segment. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a $165 million increase in operating earnings, primarily due to favorable DAC unlockings in the current period compared with unfavorable DAC unlockings in the prior period in our MetLife Holdings segment. The annual assumption review in the current period included all of our annuity and life businesses, whereas the annual review in the prior period included our annuity and life businesses with the exception of our U.S. variable annuity business, which was reviewed in the second quarter of 2016. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities, which were recorded in both periods across the majority of our segments, resulted in a $64 million increase in operating earnings. This includes the favorable impact of current period reserve refinements totaling $49 million, resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process for our long-term care and life businesses in our MetLife Holdings segment.
Expenses and Taxes. A $69 million increase in expenses included increases in employee-related and Separation-related costs. Our effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for investments in low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate. Lower utilization of tax preferenced items and foreign rate differential decreased current period operating earnings by $42 million from the prior period. Our current period results include a net tax charge of $180 million related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations and a net tax-related benefit of $13 million, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits. Our prior period results include a tax benefit of $36 million related to the settlement of an audit.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Overview. The primary drivers of the increase in operating earnings were annuities reinsurance activity with Brighthouse, the impact of our annual actuarial assumption review, and the impact of current and prior period refinements made to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities.

128

Table of Contents

Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a $28 million negative impact on operating earnings for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the prior period. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. An increase of $14 million in operating earnings was attributable to business growth. We benefited from positive net flows from many of our businesses. As a result, growth in the investment portfolios of our Asia, U.S. and Latin America segments generated higher net investment income. However, this was partially offset by a corresponding increase in interest credited expense on certain insurance-related liabilities. In our U.S. segment, an increase in average premium per policy in our auto and homeowners business, partially offset by a decrease in exposures, improved operating earnings. Growth in our segments abroad also contributed to the increase in operating earnings. In addition, in our MetLife Holdings segment, negative net flows contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances, and consequently, asset-based fee income. Improved results from our start-up operations also increased operating earnings.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns, and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on reported net investment income in our non-U.S. segments and changes in inflation rates on our inflation-indexed investments, investment yields decreased. Investment yields were negatively affected by lower prepayment fees, lower returns on real estate joint ventures and lower income on derivatives. In addition, earnings on our securities lending program decreased, which primarily resulted from lower margins due to a flatter yield curve. These decreases in net investment income were partially offset by higher returns on private equities, driven by improvements in equity market performance, and higher returns on real estate. In our MetLife Holdings segment, favorable equity market performance in the current period drove an increase in average separate account balances, resulting in higher asset-based fees. This increase was partially offset by higher interest credited expenses, primarily driven by our U.S. segment as a result of a higher average interest credited rate. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $32 million decrease in operating earnings.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable underwriting resulted in a $26 million increase in operating earnings primarily as a result of favorable mortality and morbidity, partially offset by unfavorable claims experience and higher catastrophe losses. Favorable mortality in our MetLife Holdings and U.S. segments was partially offset by unfavorable mortality in our Latin America segment. Favorable morbidity in our U.S. segment was partially offset by unfavorable morbidity in our MetLife Holdings and EMEA segments. Higher lapses and claims in Japan, as well as a change in product mix in Hong Kong, partially offset by favorable claims experience in other countries, drove unfavorable claims experience in our Asia segment. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a $189 million increase in operating earnings, primarily due to favorable DAC unlockings in the current period compared to unfavorable DAC unlockings in the prior period in our MetLife Holdings segment. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities, which were recorded in both periods across the majority of our segments, resulted in a $202 million increase in operating earnings. This includes favorable current period refinements of (i) a $36 million DAC adjustment related to certain participating whole life business assumed from Brighthouse; and (ii) reserve adjustments resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process of $55 million and $28 million, in our life and long-term care businesses, respectively. This also includes an unfavorable prior period refinement of $30 million resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process in our universal life business.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses of $17 million included an increase in expenses incurred related to the guaranty fund assessment for Penn Treaty, an increase in litigation reserves, higher costs associated with corporate initiatives and projects, including leasehold impairments, Separation-related costs and costs related to our unit cost initiative, partially offset by lower costs as a result of the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture. Our effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits for investments in low income housing, and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate. Higher utilization of tax preferenced items and foreign rate differential improved current period operating earnings by $82 million over the prior period. Our current period results include a net tax-related benefit of $40 million, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits, as well as a net tax charge of $180 million related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations. Our current period results also include a tax benefit of $9 million related to the settlement of an audit in Argentina. Our prior period results include a tax benefit of $20 million in Japan and a tax charge of $10 million in Chile, both related to changes in tax rates that pertain to periods prior to 2016, as well as a tax charge of $26 million related to the repatriation of earnings from Japan. In addition, prior period results include a one-time tax benefit of $36 million for tax audit settlements.

129

Table of Contents

Other. In connection with the Separation, annuities reinsurance activity with Brighthouse increased operating earnings by $254 million. This favorable impact was primarily due to the recapture in 2016 of certain single-premium deferred annuity reinsurance agreements, and the elimination of interest credited payments on the related reinsurance payable, as well as lower DAC amortization. This increase was partially offset by the net unfavorable impact in the current period from the recapture and novation of, as well as refinements to, assumed and ceded agreements covering certain variable annuity business.

130

Table of Contents

Segment Results and Corporate & Other
U.S.
Business Overview. Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased over the prior period, primarily driven by our RIS business, with higher sales of pension risk transfers and stable value products, partially offset by a decrease in funding agreement issuances. Changes in premiums for the RIS business were almost entirely offset by the related changes in policyholder benefits and claims. Sales declined in the Group Benefits business compared to the prior period, mainly due to timing of the 2017 sales; however, sales on a year-to-date basis increased by 22% compared to the prior period. The resulting increase in premiums, fees and other revenues was partially offset by the loss of a large dental contract in the second quarter of 2017. In our Property & Casualty business, sales increased slightly over the prior period. The number of exposures decreased from the prior period, reflecting management actions to improve the quality of the business.
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
6,987

 
$
5,936

 
$
18,049

 
$
16,127

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
247

 
245

 
763

 
743

Net investment income
1,602

 
1,590

 
4,789

 
4,615

Other revenues
197

 
192

 
600

 
589

Total operating revenues
9,033

 
7,963

 
24,201

 
22,074

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
6,904

 
5,894

 
18,017

 
16,210

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
376

 
322

 
1,086

 
967

Capitalization of DAC
(126
)
 
(124
)
 
(342
)
 
(356
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
118

 
117

 
346

 
353

Interest expense on debt
2

 
2

 
8

 
7

Other operating expenses
933

 
912

 
2,756

 
2,772

Total operating expenses
8,207

 
7,123

 
21,871

 
19,953

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
280

 
288

 
782

 
720

Operating earnings
$
546

 
$
552

 
$
1,548

 
$
1,401

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. The impact of deposits, funding agreement issuances and increased premiums resulted in higher average invested assets, improving net investment income. However, consistent with the growth in average invested assets from increased premiums, interest credited on long-duration contracts increased. An increase in average premium per policy in both our auto and homeowners businesses, partially offset by the decrease in exposures, improved operating earnings. The remaining increase in premiums, fees and other revenues, coupled with a reduction in direct and allocated expenses, was partially offset by higher volume-related expenses. The current period abatement of the annual health insurer fee under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) was offset by a corresponding decrease in premiums, fees and other revenues. The combined impact of the items discussed above increased operating earnings by $18 million.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns, and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment yields decreased primarily due to lower returns on fixed maturity securities, real estate and real estate joint ventures, as well as lower derivative income. In addition, lower investment earnings on our securities lending program resulted primarily from lower margins, due to a flatter yield curve. These reductions were partially offset by higher returns on private equities, driven by improvements in equity market performance. Certain of our funding agreements and guaranteed interest contract liabilities have interest credited rates that are contractually tied to current market rates, specifically the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and, as a result, a higher average interest credited rate drove an increase in interest credited expense. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $39 million decrease in operating earnings.

131

Table of Contents

Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable current period utilization, as well as favorable prior period development and the impact of pricing actions in our dental business, coupled with favorable claims experience in our accident & health businesses, resulted in a $26 million increase in operating earnings. Favorable mortality in the current period, mainly due to decreases in both incidence and severity, as well as favorable prior period development in our term life business, resulted in a $49 million increase in operating earnings. Less favorable mortality in both our income annuities and specialized life insurance businesses decreased operating earnings by $13 million. In our Property & Casualty business, catastrophe-related losses increased $32 million in the current period, primarily related to hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Non-catastrophe claim costs decreased $5 million, as a result of lower frequencies in both our auto and homeowners businesses. Non-catastrophe favorable development of prior year losses increased operating earnings by $3 million. Refinements to certain insurance and other liabilities, which were recorded in both periods, resulted in a $20 million decrease in operating earnings.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. The impact of deposits, funding agreement issuances and increased premiums resulted in higher average invested assets, improving net investment income. However, consistent with the growth in average invested assets from increased premiums, interest credited on long-duration contracts increased. An increase in average premium per policy in our auto business, partially offset by the decrease in exposures, improved operating earnings. The remaining increase in premiums, fees and other revenues, coupled with a decline in direct and allocated expenses, was partially offset by higher volume-related expenses. The current period abatement of the annual health insurer fee under PPACA was offset by a corresponding decrease in premiums, fees and other revenues. The combined impact of the items discussed above increased operating earnings by $135 million.
Market Factors. Market factors, including the interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment yields increased, primarily due to higher returns on other limited partnership interests, primarily in private equities, driven by improvements in equity market performance. This increase in investment yields was largely offset by lower prepayment fees, lower returns on real estate and real estate joint ventures, and lower derivative income. In addition, lower investment earnings on our securities lending program resulted primarily from lower margins, due to a flatter yield curve. Higher average interest credited rates drove an increase in interest credited expenses; however, this was partially offset by an increase in operating earnings due to a decrease in the crediting rate on certain long-duration insurance contracts. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $28 million decrease in operating earnings.
Underwriting and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable prior period development, current period utilization and the impact of pricing actions in our dental business, as well as favorable claims experience in our group disability and accident & health businesses was partially offset by unfavorable claims experience in our individual disability business, which resulted in an $85 million increase in operating earnings. Favorable mortality in the current period, mainly due to favorable prior period development in our term life business, was partially offset by less favorable mortality in both our accidental death and dismemberment and universal life businesses, which resulted in a $14 million increase in operating earnings. Favorable mortality from our pension risk transfer business was offset by less favorable mortality in our specialized life insurance and income annuities businesses. In our Property & Casualty business, catastrophe-related losses increased $25 million in the current period, primarily due to severe storm activity, including hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Non-catastrophe claim costs increased by $10 million as a result of higher auto and home-related severities, as well as higher homeowner-related frequencies, partially offset by lower auto-related frequencies. Favorable development of prior year non-catastrophe losses of $5 million increased operating earnings. Refinements to certain insurance and other liabilities, which were recorded in both periods, resulted in a $22 million decrease in operating earnings.

132

Table of Contents

Asia
Business Overview. Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased compared to the prior period, primarily driven by a successful sales campaign in Korea, as well as a larger agency force and the continued success of our whole life critical illness product in China. These increases were partially offset by lower yen-denominated life product sales in Japan and the continued impact from regulatory changes in Hong Kong.
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017

2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
1,696

 
$
1,822

 
$
5,063

 
$
5,161

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
458

 
394

 
1,199

 
1,114

Net investment income
762

 
707

 
2,193

 
2,003

Other revenues
11

 
12

 
32

 
45

Total operating revenues
2,927

 
2,935

 
8,487

 
8,323

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
1,223

 
1,363

 
3,785

 
3,923

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
349

 
331

 
1,003

 
974

Capitalization of DAC
(420
)
 
(440
)
 
(1,268
)
 
(1,251
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
424

 
331

 
1,005

 
921

Amortization of negative VOBA
(24
)
 
(46
)
 
(91
)
 
(167
)
Other operating expenses
905

 
930

 
2,675

 
2,658

Total operating expenses
2,457

 
2,469

 
7,109

 
7,058

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
156

 
142

 
459

 
377

Operating earnings
$
314

 
$
324

 
$
919

 
$
888

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased operating earnings by $10 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the prior period, primarily due to the weakening of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Asia’s premiums, fees and other revenues remained constant compared to the prior period as growth in our foreign currency-denominated life and accident & health businesses was offset by the decline in yen-denominated life business in Japan. Changes in premiums for these businesses were partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. Lower variable costs for Korea also increased operating earnings. Positive net flows in Japan and Korea resulted in higher average invested assets, which improved net investment income. The combined impact of the items discussed above improved operating earnings by $32 million.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels and variability in equity market returns continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment results were unfavorably impacted by lower returns on equity securities. This decrease was partially offset by improved returns from higher valuations on other limited partnership interests, and higher income on real estate investments. In addition, the favorable impact of higher interest rates on fixed maturity securities in Australia also increased operating earnings. The combined impact of the items discussed above resulted in a slight decrease in operating earnings.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. The current period includes higher lapses from Japan offset by favorable claims experience in Australia. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a slight increase in operating earnings. Refinements to certain insurance and other liabilities, which were recorded in both periods, resulted in a $6 million increase in operating earnings.

133

Table of Contents

Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily driven by project costs and an increase in corporate overhead costs, reduced operating earnings by $16 million. Our current period results include a charge of $15 million related to a U.S. tax on dividends from our Japan operations. Our prior period results included a $7 million tax benefit due to a lower tax rate in Japan.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased operating earnings by $7 million for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the prior period, primarily due to the weakening of the Japanese yen, partially offset by the strengthening of the Korean won, against the U.S. dollar. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Asia’s premiums, fees and other revenues increased over the prior period mainly driven by growth in our foreign currency-denominated life and accident & health businesses in Japan, as well as our group insurance business in Australia. Changes in premiums for these businesses were partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. Positive net flows in Japan and Korea resulted in higher average invested assets, which improved net investment income. The combined impact of the items discussed above improved operating earnings by $74 million.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels and variability in equity market returns continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment results were favorably impacted by higher returns on other limited partnership interests, driven by improvements in equity market performance and a real estate lease termination fee. These increases were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of lower interest rates on fixed maturity securities in Japan. The decrease in returns from lower interest rates in Japan was partially offset by the favorable impact of increased sales of foreign currency-denominated fixed annuities in Japan, primarily in its Australian currency-denominated portfolio, which drove an increase in higher yielding foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity securities. The combined impact of the items discussed above increased operating earnings by $9 million.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Higher lapses and claims in Japan, as well as a change in product mix in Hong Kong, partially offset by favorable claims experience in other countries, decreased operating earnings by $26 million. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a slight increase in operating earnings. Refinements to certain insurance and other liabilities, which were recorded in both periods, resulted in a $47 million increase in operating earnings, which includes a $12 million favorable refinement in the current period to a $44 million charge in the prior period related to reinsurance receivables in Australia.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily driven by project costs and an increase in corporate overhead costs, reduced operating earnings by $14 million. Current and prior period results include charges of $51 million and $26 million, respectively, related to a U.S. tax on dividends from our Japan operations. Prior period results also include a tax benefit of $20 million related to a change in the corporate tax rate in Japan that pertains to periods prior to 2016.

134

Table of Contents

Latin America
Business Overview. Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased compared to the prior period, driven by higher pension sales in Mexico, Chile and Brazil and higher sales of credit life products in Mexico, partially offset by lower group accident & health sales primarily in Mexico.
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
701

 
$
653

 
$
1,993

 
$
1,885

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
229

 
227

 
764

 
764

Net investment income
299

 
311

 
891

 
809

Other revenues
7

 
11

 
24

 
26

Total operating revenues
1,236

 
1,202

 
3,672

 
3,484

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
640

 
681

 
1,869

 
1,814

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
99

 
85

 
275

 
249

Capitalization of DAC
(94
)
 
(83
)
 
(264
)
 
(236
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA

 
(2
)
 
146

 
127

Amortization of negative VOBA
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Interest expense on debt
1

 
1

 
4

 
1

Other operating expenses
377

 
335

 
1,060

 
968

Total operating expenses
1,022

 
1,016

 
3,089

 
2,922

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
51

 
53

 
123

 
141

Operating earnings
$
163

 
$
133

 
$
460

 
$
421

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased operating earnings by $5 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the prior period mainly due to the strengthening of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Latin America experienced growth across several lines of business within Mexico and Chile. This growth resulted in increased premiums, which were partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. Positive net flows, primarily from Chile and Mexico, resulted in an increase in average invested assets and generated higher net investment income. This was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expense on certain insurance liabilities. Business growth also drove increases in operating expenses and commissions, which were partially offset by higher DAC capitalization. The items discussed above resulted in a $20 million increase in operating earnings.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels and variability in equity market returns continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Changes in market factors resulted in a $10 million decrease in operating earnings as lower investment yields were partially offset by lower interest credited expenses. The decrease in investment yields was primarily driven by lower returns from FVO and fixed maturity securities in Chile, partially offset by higher derivative income in Mexico.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable underwriting resulted in a $4 million increase in operating earnings driven by lower claims experience in Mexico. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a slight decrease to operating earnings. In addition, refinements to certain insurance liabilities and other adjustments in both periods resulted in a $13 million increase in operating earnings.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily driven by employee-related and marketing costs, decreased operating earnings by $16 million as compared to the prior period. Operating earnings increased by $11 million as a result of a prior period tax charge related to the 2015 filing of local tax returns in Mexico and Chile.

135

Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased operating earnings by $6 million for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the prior period mainly due to the weakening of the Mexican and Argentinean pesos against the U.S. dollar. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Latin America experienced growth across several lines of business within Mexico and Chile. This growth resulted in increased premiums and policy fee income which was partially offset by related changes in policyholder benefits. Positive net flows, primarily from Mexico and Chile, resulted in an increase in average invested assets and generated higher net investment income. This was partially offset by an increase in interest credited expense on certain insurance liabilities. Business growth also drove an increase in operating expenses and commissions, which were largely offset by higher DAC capitalization. The items discussed above resulted in a $70 million increase in operating earnings.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels and variability in equity market returns continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Changes in market factors resulted in a slight increase in operating earnings primarily due to higher investment yields. The increase in investment yields was primarily driven by higher returns from FVO and fixed income securities in Chile and higher mortgage loan income in Mexico. These increases were largely offset by higher interest credited expenses and lower yields on fixed income securities in Argentina.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Unfavorable underwriting resulted in a $26 million decrease to operating earnings driven by higher claims experience in Mexico. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a slight decrease in operating earnings. In addition, refinements to certain insurance liabilities, primarily in the ProVida pension business, and other adjustments in both periods resulted in a $4 million increase to operating earnings.
Expenses and Taxes. Higher expenses, primarily driven by employee-related and marketing costs, decreased operating earnings by $37 million as compared to the prior period. Our results for the current period include a $9 million tax benefit related to the settlement of a tax audit in Argentina. This was partially offset by a $7 million tax charge for changes in the valuation of the peso in Argentina in both periods. In the prior period, our Chilean business incurred a tax charge of $10 million as a result of tax reform legislation in Chile that pertains to periods prior to 2016. Also, our results for the prior period included a tax charge of $11 million related to the 2015 filing of local tax returns in Mexico and Chile. Other tax-related items in both periods resulted in a $6 million increase in operating earnings.

136

Table of Contents

EMEA
Business Overview. Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased from the prior period due to strong growth in the Gulf and Turkey, partially offset by a decrease in sales due to the closing of the wealth management product to new business in the U.K. and the loss of a credit life contract in Poland.
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
527

 
$
500

 
$
1,534

 
$
1,519

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
109

 
104

 
296

 
294

Net investment income
77

 
81

 
229

 
244

Other revenues
(2
)
 
17

 
43

 
56

Total operating revenues
711

 
702

 
2,102

 
2,113

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
282

 
257

 
821

 
801

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
26

 
28

 
75

 
87

Capitalization of DAC
(109
)
 
(103
)
 
(301
)
 
(310
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
78

 
106

 
260

 
311

Amortization of negative VOBA
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(13
)
 
(10
)
Other operating expenses
347

 
332

 
995

 
1,001

Total operating expenses
619

 
617

 
1,837

 
1,880

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
21

 
11

 
47

 
32

Operating earnings
$
71

 
$
74

 
$
218

 
$
201

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had no significant net impact to operating earnings for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the prior period. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Growth from our accident & health businesses in Turkey and Spain, our credit life business in Turkey and our individual protection and employee benefits businesses in the U.K. was partially offset by lower premium persistency in our employee benefits business in the Gulf and increased operating earnings by $7 million.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Unfavorable underwriting, primarily in our employee benefits business in the U.K., decreased operating earnings by $8 million. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a net operating earnings increase of $8 million. Refinements to certain insurance liabilities and other adjustments in both periods resulted in a $6 million decrease to operating earnings.
Expenses. Operating expenses decreased by $3 million due to expense discipline across the region, as well as enterprise-wide initiatives, notably the closing of the wealth management product to new business in the U.K. In addition, the aggregate impact of several small expense reductions in the prior period resulted in an operating earnings decline of $5 million.
Taxes. A current period incremental tax expense in Russia decreased operating earnings by $2 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.

137

Table of Contents

Foreign Currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced operating earnings by $15 million for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the prior period, primarily driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Egyptian pound and Turkish lira. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency fluctuations can result in significant variances in the financial statement line items.
Business Growth. Growth across several European markets and in our accident & health and credit life businesses in Turkey, partially offset by lower premium persistency in our employee benefits business in the Gulf, increased operating earnings by $17 million.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Unfavorable underwriting, primarily in our employee benefits business in the U.K., partially offset by favorable underwriting in our accident & health, credit and employee benefits businesses in the Middle East, decreased operating earnings by $3 million. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a net operating earnings increase of $8 million. Refinements to certain insurance liabilities and other adjustments in both periods resulted in a $6 million decrease to operating earnings.
Expenses. Operating expenses decreased by $14 million due to timing and expense discipline across the region, as well as enterprise-wide initiatives, notably the closing of the wealth management product to new business in the U.K.
Taxes and Other. A current period incremental tax expense in Russia of $2 million and a prior period benefit of $3 million following the cancellation of a distribution agreement with one of our bancassurance partners decreased operating earnings by $5 million. This was largely offset by lower effective tax rates, which resulted in a $4 million increase to operating earnings.

138

Table of Contents

MetLife Holdings
Business Overview. In connection with the Separation and the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture, we have discontinued the marketing of life and annuity products in this segment, which has led to lower sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior period. This will result in a declining DAC asset over time and we anticipate an average decline in premiums, fees and other revenues of approximately 5% per year from expected business run-off. The impact of recapturing certain agreements in both periods in connection with the Separation had a material impact on our results. A significant portion of our operating earnings is driven by separate account balances, which determine asset-based fee income but 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 increased due to equity market performance, partially offset by the impact of negative net flows, as benefits, surrenders and withdrawals exceeded sales. 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, and we expect the related reserves to grow as this block matures.
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
989

 
$
1,093

 
$
3,070

 
$
3,312

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
349

 
357

 
1,056

 
1,073

Net investment income
1,390

 
1,537

 
4,232

 
4,489

Other revenues
37

 
105

 
170

 
512

Total operating revenues
2,765

 
3,092

 
8,528

 
9,386

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
1,661

 
1,853

 
5,117

 
5,603

Interest credited to policyholder account balances
255

 
261

 
767

 
780

Capitalization of DAC
(14
)
 
(44
)
 
(71
)
 
(240
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
(70
)
 
219

 
143

 
636

Interest expense on debt
2

 
15

 
22

 
43

Other operating expenses
322

 
401

 
1,032

 
1,861

Total operating expenses
2,156

 
2,705

 
7,010

 
8,683

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
199

 
121

 
488

 
203

Operating earnings
$
410

 
$
266

 
$
1,030

 
$
500

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. Lower net investment income, resulting from a reduced invested asset base, decreased operating earnings. The reduced asset base is primarily the result of the 2016 recapture of certain assumed single-premium deferred annuity reinsurance agreements with Brighthouse. This decline was partially offset by net asset growth in our long-term care and life businesses. Consistent with this asset growth, interest credited on insurance liabilities increased. In our deferred annuities business, negative net flows contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances, and consequently, asset based-fee income. The combined impact of the items discussed above resulted in a $121 million decrease in operating earnings.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns, and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment yields decreased primarily due to declines in derivative income and prepayment fees, as well as higher prior period returns on real estate joint ventures and private equities. In our deferred annuity business, higher current period equity returns drove an increase in average separate account balances which resulted in higher asset-based fee income. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $15 million decrease in operating earnings.

139

Table of Contents

Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable mortality in our life business, partially offset by unfavorable claims experience in our long-term care business, resulted in a $7 million increase in operating earnings. The impact in both periods of our actuarial assumption review resulted in an increase of $155 million in operating earnings and was primarily related to favorable DAC unlockings in the current period compared to unfavorable DAC unlockings in the prior period, primarily in our life business. The annual review in the current period included all of our annuity and life businesses, whereas the annual review in the prior period included our annuity and life businesses with the exception of our U.S. variable annuity business. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities that were recorded in both periods resulted in a $70 million increase in operating earnings. This includes favorable current period reserve refinements of $28 million and $21 million, resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process for our long-term care and life businesses, respectively.
Expenses. Operating earnings increased by $35 million as a result of lower expenses, primarily due to lower employee-related costs, partially offset by Separation-related expenses.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Business Growth. Lower net investment income, resulting from a reduced invested asset base, decreased operating earnings. The reduced asset base is primarily the result of the 2016 recapture of certain assumed single-premium deferred annuity reinsurance agreements with Brighthouse. This decline was partially offset by net asset growth in our long-term care and life businesses. Consistent with this asset growth, interest credited on insurance liabilities increased. In our deferred annuities business, negative net flows contributed to a decrease in average separate account balances, and consequently, asset-based fee income. The discontinuance of a distribution agreement, resulting from the Separation, also contributed to the decline in variable annuity fee income. In our life business, a decrease in universal life sales resulted in lower fee income, decreasing operating earnings. The combined impact of the items discussed above resulted in a $269 million decrease in operating earnings.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns, and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment yields decreased primarily due to declines in derivative income and prepayment fees, as well as lower returns on real estate joint ventures. These reductions in yields were partially offset by higher returns on other limited partnership interests, driven by improvements in equity market performance. In our deferred annuity business, higher equity returns drove an increase in average separate account balances which resulted in higher asset-based fee income. Operating earnings increased due to declines in DAC amortization. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a slight increase in operating earnings.
Underwriting, Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. Favorable mortality in our life business, partially offset by unfavorable claims experience in our long-term care business, resulted in a $27 million increase in operating earnings. The impact in both periods of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in an increase of $179 million in operating earnings and was primarily related to favorable DAC unlockings in the current period compared to unfavorable DAC unlockings in the prior period, primarily in our life business. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities that were recorded in both periods resulted in a $178 million increase in operating earnings. This includes favorable current period refinements of (i) a $36 million DAC adjustment related to certain participating whole life business assumed from Brighthouse; and (ii) reserve adjustments resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process of $55 million and $28 million, in our life and long-term care businesses, respectively. This also includes a current period net unfavorable impact from a life reinsurance recapture and an unfavorable prior period adjustment of $30 million resulting from modeling improvements in the reserving process in our universal life business.
Expenses. Operating earnings increased by $138 million as a result of lower expenses, primarily due to lower costs as a result of the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture, partially offset by Separation-related expenses.
Other. In connection with the Separation, annuities reinsurance activity with Brighthouse increased operating earnings by $254 million. This favorable impact was primarily due to the recapture in 2016 of certain single-premium deferred annuity reinsurance agreements, and the elimination of interest credited payments on the related reinsurance payable, as well as lower DAC amortization. This increase was partially offset by the net unfavorable impact in the current period from the recapture and novation of, as well as refinements to, assumed and ceded agreements covering certain variable annuity business. Favorable results from our reinsurance agreement with our former operating joint venture in Japan due to higher fund returns resulted in a $17 million increase in operating earnings.

140

Table of Contents

Corporate & Other
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
13

 
$
41

 
$
59

 
$
50

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

 

 

 
2

Net investment income
26

 
53

 
107

 
141

Other revenues
65

 
22

 
185

 
70

Total operating revenues
104

 
116

 
351

 
263

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
7

 
31

 
33

 
23

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

 
(1
)
 
1

 
5

Capitalization of DAC
(2
)
 
1

 
(6
)
 
(7
)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
3

 
1

 
5

 
7

Interest expense on debt
279

 
275

 
833

 
862

Other operating expenses
237

 
85

 
649

 
401

Total operating expenses
524

 
392

 
1,515

 
1,291

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
(90
)
 
(288
)
 
(642
)
 
(658
)
Operating earnings
(330
)
 
12

 
(522
)
 
(370
)
Less: Preferred stock dividends
6

 
6

 
58

 
58

Operating earnings available to common shareholders
$
(336
)
 
$
6

 
$
(580
)
 
$
(428
)
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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Other business activities
$
3

 
$
6

 
$
12

 
$
(6
)
Other net investment income
32

 
66

 
126

 
172

Interest expense on debt
(195
)
 
(197
)
 
(586
)
 
(617
)
Preferred stock dividends
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
(58
)
 
(58
)
Corporate initiatives and projects
(29
)
 
(23
)
 
(128
)
 
(83
)
Incremental tax benefit (expense)
(58
)
 
190

 
235

 
297

Other
(83
)
 
(30
)
 
(181
)
 
(133
)
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
$
(336
)
 
$
6

 
$
(580
)
 
$
(428
)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Other Net Investment Income. Other net investment income decreased by $34 million primarily driven by lower returns on real estate joint ventures, alternative investments, cash, shorter-term investments and fixed maturity securities. These decreases were partially offset by higher income on mortgage loans and a decrease in the amount credited to the segments due to both a reduction in the crediting rate and the amount of economic capital managed by Corporate & Other on their behalf.
Corporate Initiatives and Projects. Expenses associated with corporate initiatives and projects increased by $6 million, primarily due to higher costs associated with enterprise-wide initiatives, primarily related to its unit cost initiative.

141

Table of Contents

Incremental Tax Benefit. Corporate & Other benefits from the impact of certain permanent tax preferenced items, 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%. In the current period, we had a $180 million net tax charge related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations and a $13 million net tax-related benefit, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits. Results for the prior period include a $36 million tax benefit related to tax audit settlements. In addition, decreased utilization of tax preferenced items decreased operating earnings by $36 million from the prior period.
Other. An increase in employee-related expenses resulted in a $50 million decrease in operating earnings. This was partially offset by an $11 million increase in operating earnings resulting from net adjustments to certain reinsurance assets and liabilities in both periods.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Other Business Activities. Operating earnings from other business activities increased $17 million. This was primarily related to improved results from our start-up operations.
Other Net Investment Income. Other net investment income decreased by $46 million primarily driven by a lower invested asset base, as well as lower returns on real estate joint ventures and alternative investments. These decreases were partially offset by higher income on mortgage loans and a decrease in the amount credited to the segments due to both a reduction in the crediting rate and the amount of economic capital managed by Corporate & Other on their behalf.
Interest Expense on Debt. Interest expense on debt decreased by $31 million, mainly due to the maturity of $1.25 billion of our senior notes in June 2016.
Corporate Initiatives and Projects. Expenses associated with corporate initiatives and projects increased by $45 million, primarily due to higher costs associated with enterprise-wide initiatives, primarily related to lease impairments and costs related to its unit cost initiative.
Incremental Tax Benefit. Corporate & Other benefits from the impact of certain permanent tax preferenced items, 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%. In the current period, we had a $180 million net tax charge related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of cash following the post-Separation review of our capital needs, partially offset by a tax benefit associated with dividends from our non-U.S. operations and a $40 million net tax-related benefit, including interest, from the finalization of certain tax audits. Results for the prior period include a $36 million tax benefit related to tax audit settlements. In addition, higher utilization of tax preferenced items increased operating earnings by $127 million over the prior period.
Other. The current period includes $44 million of expenses incurred related to the guaranty fund assessment for Penn Treaty and an increase in litigation reserves, as well as a $48 million increase in employee-related expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $14 million decrease in certain corporate expenses and $26 million of favorable net adjustments to certain reinsurance assets and liabilities in both periods.

142

Table of Contents

Investments
Investment Risks
Our primary investment objective is to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted net 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 the 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 and equity market levels. 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 borrowers and their tenants and joint venture partners, capital markets volatility and inherent interest rate movements.
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, to avoid concentrations in any single issuer and to limit overall aggregate credit and equity risk 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 reflects 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 market valuation risk.
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 our 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.

143

Table of Contents

We 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 determines 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, political and/or economic instability in the U.K., Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Puerto Rico have contributed to global market volatility. Events following the U.K.’s referendum on June 23, 2016 and the uncertainties, including foreign currency exchange risks, associated with its pending withdrawal from the EU have also contributed to market volatility, both in the U.S. and beyond. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment.”
As a global insurance company, we are affected by the monetary policy of central banks around the world. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment” for further information on such measures, as well as for information regarding actions taken by Japan’s central government and the Bank of Japan to boost inflation expectations and achieve sustainable economic growth in Japan. See also “— Industry Trends — Impact of a Sustained Low Interest Rate Environment” for information regarding the June 2017 action taken by the FOMC to raise the federal funds rate. 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 Investments
We maintain general account investments in Europe to support our insurance operations and related policyholder liabilities in these countries and certain of our non-European operations invest in Europe for diversification. In Europe, 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, including the U.K., 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. Our European 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, 2017, our exposure to such securities in Europe totaled $37.9 billion, at estimated fair value, of which $8.6 billion was in sovereign fixed maturity securities. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment — European Investments” included in the 2016 Annual Report for further information.
Selected Country and Sector Investments
Recent elevated levels of market volatility have affected the performance of various asset classes. Contributing factors include concerns about global economic conditions and capital markets; lower energy and oil prices impacting the energy sector and recent country specific volatility due to local economic and/or political concerns has affected the performance of certain of our investments. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment.”
We have exposure to such volatility, as we maintain general account investments in the U.K., Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Puerto Rico to support our insurance operations and related policyholder liabilities in these countries; and we also have exposure through our global portfolio diversification. Our exposure to sovereign fixed maturity securities and total fixed maturity securities of the U.K., Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Puerto Rico totaled $4.5 billion and $20.1 billion, at estimated fair value, respectively, at September 30, 2017. Our exposure to Puerto Rico political subdivision fixed maturities is in the form of revenue bonds and we have no general obligation bonds. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Current Environment — Selected Country Investments” included in the 2016 Annual Report for further information by country.
There has been an increased focus on energy sector investments as a result of lower energy and oil prices. Our net exposure to energy sector fixed maturity securities was $8.3 billion (comprised of fixed maturity securities of $8.3 billion at estimated fair value and related net written credit default swaps of $65 million at notional value), of which 84% were investment grade, with unrealized gains of $572 million at September 30, 2017.

144

Table of Contents

We manage direct and indirect investment exposure in the selected countries and the energy sector through fundamental credit analysis and we continually monitor and adjust our level of investment exposure. We do not expect that our general account investments in these countries and the energy sector will 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), 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,” and “Risk Factors — Economic Environment and Capital Markets-Related Risks — We Are Exposed to Significant Global 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 2016 Annual Report.
Investment Portfolio Results
The following yield table presents the yield and net investment income, as reported on an operating basis, for our investment portfolio for the periods indicated. We calculate yields using net investment income, as reported on an operating basis. Net investment income, as reported on an operating basis, includes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. 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.
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Yield % (1)
 
Amount
 
Yield % (1)
 
Amount
 
Yield % (1)
 
Amount
 
Yield % (1)
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in millions)
Fixed maturity securities (2), (3)
4.25

%
$
2,843

 
4.38

%
$
2,907

 
4.29

%
$
8,488

 
4.39

%
$
8,810

Mortgage loans (3)
4.78

%
809

 
4.59

%
709

 
4.59

%
2,303

 
4.70

%
2,164

Real estate and real estate joint ventures
2.80

%
66

 
5.42

%
120

 
3.14

%
218

 
3.83

%
245

Policy loans
5.40

%
130

 
5.36

%
129

 
5.37

%
386

 
5.30

%
385

Equity securities
4.92

%
31

 
4.73

%
29

 
4.80

%
93

 
4.76

%
90

Other limited partnership interests
15.94

%
214

 
14.12

%
184

 
16.46

%
648

 
7.95

%
309

Cash and short-term investments
1.13

%
25

 
1.16

%
28

 
1.39

%
92

 
1.15

%
82

Other invested assets


 
173

 


 
246

 
 
 
557

 


 
629

Investment income
4.54

%
4,291

 
4.72

%
4,352

 
4.58

%
12,785

 
4.58

%
12,714

Investment fees and expenses
(0.14
)
%
(133
)
 
(0.13
)
%
(122
)
 
(0.14
)
%
(390
)
 
(0.14
)
%
(387
)
Net investment income including divested businesses and lag elimination (4)
4.40

%
4,158

 
4.59

%
4,230

 
4.44

%
12,395

 
4.44

%
12,327

Less: net investment income from divested businesses and lag elimination (4)
 
 
2

 
 
 
(49
)
 
 
 
(46
)
 
 
 
26

Net investment income, as reported on an operating basis (4)
 
 
$
4,156

 
 
 
$
4,279

 
 
 
$
12,441

 
 
 
$
12,301

__________________
(1)
Yields are calculated as investment income as a percent of average quarterly asset carrying values. Investment income excludes recognized gains and losses. Asset carrying values exclude unrealized gains (losses), collateral received in connection with our securities lending program, annuities funding structured settlement claims, 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, contractholder-directed unit-linked investments and FVO Brighthouse Common Stock. 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 from fixed maturity securities includes amounts from FVO securities of $16 million and $61 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $25 million and $41 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
(3)
Investment income from fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans includes prepayment fees.

145

Table of Contents

(4)
See Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information, as well as for a reconciliation of net investment income, as reported on an operating basis, to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for discussion of divested businesses and lag elimination.
See “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016” and “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016” for an analysis of the period over period changes in net investment income, as reported on an operating basis.
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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Publicly-traded
$
263,083

 
85.2
%
$
247,229

 
85.4
%
  Privately-placed
45,811

 
14.8
 
42,334

 
14.6
 
    Total fixed maturity securities
$
308,894

 
100.0
%
$
289,563

 
100.0
%
    Percentage of cash and invested assets
67.3
%
 
 
 
66.8
%
 
 
 
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Publicly-traded
$
1,768

 
63.7
%
$
1,854

 
64.1
%
  Privately-held
1,008

 
36.3
 
1,040

 
35.9
 
    Total equity securities
$
2,776

 
100.0
%
$
2,894

 
100.0
%
    Percentage of cash and invested assets
0.6
%
 
 
 
0.7
%
 
 
 
Perpetual securities included within fixed maturity and equity securities AFS
$
468

 
 
 
$
527

 
 
 
Redeemable preferred stock with a stated maturity included within fixed maturity securities AFS
$
556

 
 
 
$
758

 
 
 
Perpetual securities are included within fixed maturity and equity 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”).
Redeemable preferred stock with a stated maturity is included within fixed maturity securities. 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 a broad array of securities, limited partnership interests and liquid investments on behalf of institutional clients, which are unaffiliated investors. Assets under management, by sector, as of September 30, 2017, at estimated fair value, were as follows: investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, including privately-placed, infrastructure and state and political subdivision, $63.7 billion; structured finance fixed maturity securities, including residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) (collectively, “Structured Securities”), $16.6 billion; U.S. government and agency fixed maturity securities, $22.1 billion; foreign government fixed maturity securities, $2.0 billion; below investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, including emerging market and high yield, $7.2 billion; equity securities, $10.4 billion; other limited partnership interests, $1.7 billion; and cash equivalents and short-term investments, $3.7 billion. Assets under management, by sector, as of December 31, 2016, at estimated fair value, were as follows: investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, including privately-placed and infrastructure, $8.0 billion; and below investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, including high yield, $0.3 billion. As these assets are managed on behalf of, and owned by, our institutional clients, they are not included in our consolidated financial statements.

146

Table of Contents

Also in connection with our investment management business, we manage index investment portfolios that track the return of industry fixed income and equity market indices such as the Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500® Index. These assets had an estimated fair value of $15.0 billion and $14.9 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and are included within separate account assets in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Also, $12.3 billion of these assets, at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2016 are included within assets of disposed subsidiary 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 2016 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, 2017
 
Fixed Maturity
Securities
 
 
Equity
Securities
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Level 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
$
26,788

 
8.7
%
 
$
1,332

 
48.0
%
Level 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent pricing sources
262,327

 
84.9
 
 
923

 
33.2
 
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
2,869

 
0.9
 
 
97

 
3.5
 
Significant other observable inputs
265,196

 
85.8
 
 
1,020

 
36.7
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent pricing sources
12,564

 
4.1
 
 
302

 
10.9
 
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
3,964

 
1.3
 
 
120

 
4.3
 
Independent broker quotations
382

 
0.1
 
 
2

 
0.1
 
Significant unobservable inputs
16,910

 
5.5
 
 
424

 
15.3
 
Total estimated fair value
$
308,894

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,776

 
100.0
%
See Note 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the fixed maturity securities and equity securities AFS fair value hierarchy.
The composition of fair value pricing sources for and significant changes in Level 3 securities at September 30, 2017 are as follows:
The majority of the Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities AFS were concentrated in three sectors: foreign and United States corporate securities and RMBS.
Level 3 fixed maturity securities are priced principally through market standard valuation methodologies, independent pricing services and, to a much lesser extent, independent non-binding broker quotations using inputs that are not market observable or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 fixed maturity securities consist of less liquid securities with very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation methodologies. Level 3 fixed maturity securities include: sub-prime RMBS; certain below investment grade private securities and less liquid investment grade corporate securities (included in United States and foreign corporate securities) and less liquid ABS; and foreign government securities.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, Level 3 fixed maturity securities increased by $131 million, or 1%. The increase was driven by purchases in excess of sales and an increase in estimated fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”), partially offset by transfers out of Level 3 in excess of transfers into Level 3.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Level 3 fixed maturity securities decreased by $141 million, or 1%. The decrease was driven by transfers out of Level 3 in excess of transfers into Level 3, partially offset by purchases in excess of sales and an increase in estimated fair value recognized in OCI.

147

Table of Contents

See Note 8 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; transfers into and/or out of Level 3; and further information about the valuation approaches 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 2016 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
See Note 6 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. Included within fixed maturity securities are Structured Securities.
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 2016 Annual Report for a discussion of the credit quality ratings assigned by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”), credit quality designations assigned by and methodologies used by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) for fixed maturity securities and the revised methodologies adopted by the NAIC for certain Structured Securities.
The following table presents total fixed maturity securities by NRSRO rating and the applicable NAIC designation from the NAIC published comparison of NRSRO ratings to NAIC designations, except for certain Structured Securities, which are presented using the revised NAIC methodologies, as well as the percentage, based on estimated fair value that each NAIC designation is comprised of at:
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
NAIC
Designation
 
NRSRO Rating
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
1
 
Aaa/Aa/A
 
$
202,744

 
$
16,414

 
$
219,158

 
70.9
%
 
$
191,867

 
$
14,078

 
$
205,945

 
71.1
%
2
 
Baa
 
67,286

 
5,007

 
72,293

 
23.4
 
 
62,551

 
3,269

 
65,820

 
22.7
 
 
 
Subtotal investment grade
 
270,030


21,421


291,451

 
94.3
 
 
254,418

 
17,347

 
271,765

 
93.8
 
3
 
Ba
 
10,946

 
616

 
11,562

 
3.7
 
 
11,729

 
427

 
12,156

 
4.2
 
4
 
B
 
4,805

 
155

 
4,960

 
1.7
 
 
4,710

 
78

 
4,788

 
1.7
 
5
 
Caa and lower
 
896

 
21

 
917

 
0.3
 
 
840

 
13

 
853

 
0.3
 
6
 
In or near default
 
7

 
(3
)
 
4

 
 
 
4

 
(3
)
 
1

 
 
 
 
Subtotal below investment  grade
 
16,654


789


17,443

 
5.7
 
 
17,283

 
515

 
17,798

 
6.2
 
 
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
286,684


$
22,210


$
308,894

 
100.0
%
 
$
271,701

 
$
17,862

 
$
289,563

 
100.0
%

148

Table of Contents

The following tables present total fixed maturity securities, based on estimated fair value, by sector classification and by NRSRO rating and the applicable NAIC designations from the NAIC published comparison of NRSRO ratings to NAIC designations, except for certain Structured Securities, which are presented using the NAIC methodologies at:
 
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
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$
36,240

 
$
35,257

 
$
6,149

 
$
3,248

 
$
761

 
$

 
$
81,655

Foreign government
52,203

 
5,204

 
2,405

 
928

 
49

 

 
60,789

Foreign corporate
21,924

 
29,905

 
2,526

 
724

 
61

 

 
55,140

U.S. government and agency
47,352

 
312

 

 

 

 

 
47,664

RMBS
30,797

 
285

 
214

 
59

 
43

 

 
31,398

State and political subdivision
11,789

 
488

 
65

 

 

 
3

 
12,345

ABS
10,889

 
720

 
157

 
1

 
3

 
1

 
11,771

CMBS
7,964

 
122

 
46

 

 

 

 
8,132

Total fixed maturity securities
$
219,158


$
72,293


$
11,562


$
4,960


$
917


$
4


$
308,894

Percentage of total
70.9
%
 
23.4
%
 
3.7
%
 
1.7
%
 
0.3
%
 
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. corporate
$
34,753

 
$
32,823

 
$
6,949

 
$
3,289

 
$
729

 
$

 
$
78,543

Foreign government
48,371

 
4,578

 
2,144

 
830

 
53

 

 
55,976

Foreign corporate
21,033

 
26,292

 
2,638

 
638

 
62

 

 
50,663

U.S. government and agency
44,118

 
315

 

 

 

 

 
44,433

RMBS
28,252

 
504

 
244

 
30

 
2

 

 
29,032

State and political subdivision
11,670

 
470

 
87

 

 
4

 

 
12,231

ABS
10,433

 
693

 
94

 
1

 
3

 
1

 
11,225

CMBS
7,315

 
145

 

 

 

 

 
7,460

Total fixed maturity securities
$
205,945


$
65,820


$
12,156


$
4,788


$
853


$
1


$
289,563

Percentage of total
71.1
%
 
22.7
%
 
4.2
%
 
1.7
%
 
0.3
%
 
%
 
100.0
%
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 comprised 2% of total investments at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The tables below present our U.S. and foreign corporate securities holdings by industry at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Industrial
$
41,598

 
30.4
%
 
$
39,320

 
30.4
%
Consumer
31,200

 
22.8

 
29,783

 
23.1

Finance
29,699

 
21.7

 
27,787

 
21.5

Utility
21,444

 
15.7

 
19,931

 
15.4

Communications
11,026

 
8.1

 
10,635

 
8.2

Other
1,828

 
1.3

 
1,750

 
1.4

Total
$
136,795

 
100.0
%
 
$
129,206

 
100.0
%

149

Table of Contents

Structured Securities 
We held $51.3 billion and $47.7 billion of Structured Securities, at estimated fair value, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, as presented in the RMBS, ABS and CMBS sections below.
RMBS
The table below presents our RMBS holdings at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(Dollars in millions)
By security type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
$
16,289

 
51.9
%
 
$
906

 
$
16,842

 
58.0
%
 
$
575

Pass-through securities
15,109

 
48.1

 
124

 
12,190

 
42.0

 
64

Total RMBS
$
31,398

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,030

 
$
29,032

 
100.0
%
 
$
639

By risk profile:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
$
22,177

 
70.6
%
 
$
371

 
$
18,808

 
64.8
%
 
$
268

Prime
1,316

 
4.2

 
80

 
1,398

 
4.8

 
65

Alt-A
4,339

 
13.8

 
350

 
4,964

 
17.1

 
160

Sub-prime
3,566

 
11.4

 
229

 
3,862

 
13.3

 
146

Total RMBS
$
31,398

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,030

 
$
29,032

 
100.0
%
 
$
639

Ratings profile:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rated Aaa/AAA
$
22,614

 
72.0
%
 
 
 
$
19,207

 
66.2
%
 
 
Designated NAIC 1
$
30,797

 
98.1
%
 
 
 
$
28,252

 
97.3
%
 
 
See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS — Structured Securities — RMBS” included in the 2016 Annual Report for further information about collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through mortgage-backed securities, as well as agency, prime, alternative residential mortgage loan and sub-prime RMBS.
Historically, we have managed our exposure to sub-prime RMBS holdings by focusing primarily on senior tranche securities, stress testing the portfolio with severe loss assumptions and closely monitoring the performance of the portfolio. Our sub-prime RMBS portfolio consists predominantly of securities that were purchased after 2012 at significant discounts to par value and discounts to the expected principal recovery value of these securities. The vast majority of these securities are investment grade under the NAIC designations (e.g., NAIC 1 and NAIC 2). The estimated fair value of our sub-prime RMBS holdings purchased since 2012 was $3.2 billion and $3.5 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, with unrealized gains (losses) of $189 million and $123 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

150

Table of Contents

ABS
Our ABS holdings are diversified both by collateral type and by issuer. The following table presents our ABS holdings at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(Dollars in millions)
By collateral type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized obligations
$
5,381

 
45.7
%
 
$
29

 
$
5,711

 
50.9
%
 
$
(42
)
Automobile loans
1,157

 
9.8

 
1

 
1,121

 
10.0

 
1

Foreign residential loans
1,027

 
8.7

 
19

 
1,171

 
10.4

 
8

Student loans
1,309

 
11.1

 
(1
)
 
984

 
8.8

 
(25
)
Credit card loans
1,442

 
12.3

 
3

 
871

 
7.8

 
10

Consumer Loans
614

 
5.2

 
11

 
509

 
4.5

 

Other loans
841

 
7.2

 
7

 
858

 
7.6

 
7

Total
$
11,771

 
100.0
%
 
$
69

 
$
11,225

 
100.0
%
 
$
(41
)
Ratings profile:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rated Aaa/AAA
$
6,564

 
55.8
%
 
 
 
$
5,704

 
50.8
%
 
 
Designated NAIC 1
$
10,889

 
92.5
%
 
 
 
$
10,433

 
92.9
%
 
 

151

Table of Contents

CMBS
Our CMBS holdings are diversified by vintage year. The following tables present our CMBS holdings by NRSRO rating and by vintage year at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
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
 
(Dollars in millions)
2003 - 2010
$
114

 
$
124

 
$
8

 
$
9

 
$
34

 
$
34

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
157

 
$
168

2011
175

 
191

 
34

 
36

 

 


 

 

 

 

 
209

 
227

2012
301

 
316

 
277

 
286

 
230

 
238

 
6

 
7

 

 

 
814

 
847

2013
807

 
860

 
718

 
754

 
285

 
295

 
61

 
45

 

 

 
1,871

 
1,954

2014
589

 
605

 
540

 
553

 
141

 
144

 

 

 

 

 
1,270

 
1,302

2015
1,271

 
1,289

 
225

 
228

 
143

 
145

 
9

 
9

 

 

 
1,648

 
1,671

2016
468

 
471

 
69

 
68

 
34

 
34

 
70

 
71

 

 

 
641

 
644

2017
619

 
618

 
468

 
471

 
187

 
188

 
41

 
42

 

 

 
1,315

 
1,319

Total
$
4,344


$
4,474


$
2,339


$
2,405


$
1,054


$
1,078


$
187


$
174


$
1


$
1


$
7,925


$
8,132

Ratings Distribution
 
 
55.0
%
 
 
 
29.6
%
 
 
 
13.3
%
 
 
 
2.1
%
 
 
 
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
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
 
(Dollars in millions)
2003 - 2010
$
246

 
$
258

 
$
46

 
$
46

 
$
102

 
$
104

 
$
24

 
$
24

 
$
26

 
$
28

 
$
444

 
$
460

2011
185

 
207

 
41

 
43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
226

 
250

2012
292

 
308

 
262

 
271

 
228

 
236

 
6

 
6

 

 

 
788

 
821

2013
844

 
899

 
699

 
743

 
339

 
327

 

 

 

 

 
1,882

 
1,969

2014
655

 
667

 
617

 
626

 
212

 
204

 

 

 

 

 
1,484

 
1,497

2015
1,322

 
1,326

 
222

 
214

 
165

 
164

 
8

 
9

 

 

 
1,717

 
1,713

2016
516

 
514

 
77

 
75

 
30

 
31

 
130

 
130

 

 

 
753

 
750

Total
$
4,060


$
4,179


$
1,964


$
2,018


$
1,076


$
1,066


$
168


$
169


$
26


$
28


$
7,294


$
7,460

Ratings Distribution
 
 
56.0
%
 
 
 
27.1
%
 
 
 
14.3
%
 
 
 
2.2
%
 
 
 
0.4
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
The tables above reflect NRSRO ratings including Moody’s Investors Service, S&P, Fitch Ratings and Morningstar, Inc. CMBS designated NAIC 1 were 97.9% and 98.1% of total CMBS at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Evaluation of AFS Securities for OTTI and Evaluating Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities
See Note 6 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 6 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 $9 million and $24 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $14 million and $154 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Impairments of fixed maturity securities were $5 million and $7 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $9 million and $83 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Impairments of equity securities were $4 million and $17 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $5 million and $71 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

152

Table of Contents

Credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities were $5 million and $7 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $9 million and $73 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
Explanations of changes in fixed maturity and equity securities impairments are as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $14 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The most significant decrease in OTTI losses were in RMBS, which comprised $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. A decrease of $8 million in OTTI losses on RMBS reflected improving economic fundamentals.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to $154 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The most significant decrease in OTTI losses were in U.S. and foreign corporate securities and common stock, which comprised $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $137 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. A decrease of $62 million in OTTI losses on U.S. and foreign corporate securities was concentrated in the industrial sector and reflected the impact of lower oil prices on the energy sector in the prior year and weakening foreign currencies on non-functional currency denominated securities in the prior year. The decrease in OTTI losses on common stock was $55 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and was also concentrated in industrial securities and reflected the impact of lower oil prices on the energy sector in the prior year.
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, as well as a change in our intention to hold or sell a security that is in an unrealized loss position. If economic fundamentals deteriorate or if there are adverse changes in the above factors, OTTI may be incurred in upcoming periods.
FVO Securities
FVO securities are primarily comprised of securities for which the FVO has been elected. FVO securities were $16.6 billion and $13.9 billion at estimated fair value, or 3.6% and 3.2% of cash and invested assets, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. See Notes 6 and 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our FVO securities portfolio, the FVO securities fair value hierarchy and a rollforward of the fair value measurements for FVO 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, which is obtained at the inception of a loan and maintained at a level greater than or equal to 100% for the duration 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 received from counterparties may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected on 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 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our securities lending program.

153

Table of Contents

Repurchase Agreements
The Company participates in short-term repurchase agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions. Under these agreements, the Company lends fixed maturity securities and receives cash as collateral in an amount generally equal to 98% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned at the inception of the transaction. The associated liability is recorded at the amount of cash received. The Company monitors the estimated fair value of the collateral and the securities loaned throughout the duration of the transaction and additional collateral is obtained as necessary. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee.
See Note 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our repurchase agreements.
Mortgage Loans
Our mortgage loans are principally collateralized by commercial, agricultural and residential properties. Mortgage loans and the related valuation allowances are summarized as follows at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Valuation
Allowance
 
% of
Recorded Investment
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Valuation
Allowance
 
% of
Recorded Investment
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Commercial
 
$
43,243

 
63.8
%
 
$
213

 
0.5
%
 
$
41,512

 
64.0
%
 
$
202

 
0.5
%
Agricultural
 
12,967

 
19.1

 
41

 
0.3
%
 
12,564

 
19.4

 
39

 
0.3
%
Residential
 
11,599

 
17.1

 
62

 
0.5
%
 
10,829

 
16.6

 
63

 
0.6
%
Total
 
$
67,809

 
100.0
%
 
$
316

 
0.5
%
 
$
64,905

 
100.0
%
 
$
304

 
0.5
%
The information presented in the tables herein exclude mortgage loans where we elected the FVO. Such amounts are presented in Note 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The carrying value of all mortgage loans, net was 14.8% and 15.0% of cash and invested assets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
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, 83% are collateralized by properties located in the United States, with the remaining 17% collateralized by properties located outside the United States, which includes 6% of properties located in the U.K., at September 30, 2017. The carrying values of our commercial and agricultural mortgage loans located in California, New York and Texas were 19%, 11% and 8%, respectively, of total commercial and agricultural mortgage loans at September 30, 2017. 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.
We manage our residential mortgage loan portfolio in a similar manner to reduce risk of concentration, with 91% collateralized by properties located in the United States and the remaining 9% collateralized by properties located outside the United States at September 30, 2017. The carrying values of our residential mortgage loans located in California, Florida, and New York were 31%, 9%, and 6%, respectively, of total residential mortgage loans at September 30, 2017.
In connection with our investment management business, we manage commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans on behalf of institutional clients, which are unaffiliated investors. These commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans had an estimated fair value of $14.2 billion at September 30, 2017 and these commercial mortgage loans had an estimated fair value of $3.0 billion at December 31, 2016. As these assets are managed on behalf of, and owned by, our institutional clients, they are not included in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

154

Table of Contents

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 at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Amount
 
% of
Total
 
Amount
 
% of
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific
$
9,935
 
 
23.0
%

$
9,506
 
 
22.9
%
International
8,361
 
 
19.3

 
7,772
 
 
18.7

Middle Atlantic
7,616
 
 
17.6

 
7,263
 
 
17.5

South Atlantic
4,624
 
 
10.7

 
5,192
 
 
12.5

West South Central
3,679
 
 
8.5

 
3,585
 
 
8.6

East North Central
2,413
 
 
5.6

 
2,037
 
 
4.9

Mountain
1,200
 
 
2.8

 
1,202
 
 
2.9

New England
1,162
 
 
2.7

 
1,199
 
 
2.9

West North Central
478
 
 
1.1

 
497
 
 
1.2

East South Central
835
 
 
1.9

 
410
 
 
1.0

Multi-Region and Other
2,940
 
 
6.8

 
2,849
 
 
6.9

Total recorded investment
43,243
 
 
100.0
%
 
41,512
 
 
100.0
%
  Less: valuation allowances
213
 
 
 
 
202
 
 
 
  Carrying value, net of valuation allowances
$
43,030
 
 
 
 
$
41,310
 
 
 
Property Type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
$
22,339
 
 
51.7
%
 
$
20,868
 
 
50.3
%
Retail
8,694
 
 
20.1

 
8,708
 
 
21.0

Apartment
5,730
 
 
13.2

 
5,240
 
 
12.6

Hotel
3,493
 
 
8.1

 
3,747
 
 
9.0

Industrial
2,744
 
 
6.3

 
2,659
 
 
6.4

Other
243
 
 
0.6

 
290
 
 
0.7

Total recorded investment
43,243
 
 
100.0
%
 
41,512
 
 
100.0
%
  Less: valuation allowances
213
 
 
 
 
202
 
 
 
  Carrying value, net of valuation allowances
$
43,030
 
 
 
 
$
41,310
 
 
 
Mortgage Loan Credit Quality - Monitoring Process. We monitor our mortgage loan investments on an ongoing basis, including a review of loans that are current, past due, restructured and under foreclosure. See Note 6 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.
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. We review our residential mortgage loans on an ongoing basis. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report for information on our evaluation of residential mortgage loans and related valuation allowance methodology.

155

Table of Contents

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 53% at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and our average debt service coverage ratio was 2.8x and 2.7x at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Our debt service coverage ratio and the values utilized in calculating the ratio are updated annually, on a rolling basis, with a portion of the portfolio updated each quarter. In addition, the loan-to-value ratio is routinely updated for all but the lowest risk loans as part of our ongoing review of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio. For our agricultural mortgage loans, our average loan-to-value ratio was 43% at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 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. Our valuation allowances are established both on a loan specific basis for those loans considered impaired where a property specific or market specific risk has been identified that could likely result in a future loss, as well as for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics where a property specific or market specific risk has not been identified, but for which we expect to incur a loss. Accordingly, a valuation allowance is provided to absorb these estimated probable credit losses.
The determination of the amount of valuation allowances is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with our loan portfolios. Such evaluations and assessments are based upon several factors, including our experience for loan losses, defaults and loss severity, and loss expectations for loans with similar risk characteristics. These evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available, which can cause the valuation allowances to increase or decrease over time as such evaluations are revised. Negative credit migration, including an actual or expected increase in the level of problem loans, will result in an increase in the valuation allowance. Positive credit migration, including an actual or expected decrease in the level of problem loans, will result in a decrease in the valuation allowance.
See Notes 6 and 8 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.
Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures
Real estate and real estate joint ventures is comprised of wholly-owned real estate and joint ventures with interests in single property income-producing real estate, and to a lesser extent joint ventures with interests in multi-property projects with varying strategies ranging from the development of properties to the operation of income-producing properties, as well as a runoff portfolio of real estate private equity funds. The carrying values of real estate and real estate joint ventures was $9.5 billion and $8.9 billion, or 2.1% and 2.1% of cash and invested assets, including properties acquired through foreclosure of $48 million and $59 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The estimated fair value of our real estate investments was $14.5 billion and $14.0 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The total gross market value of such real estate investments was $18.7 billion and $18.5 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Gross market value is the total fair value of these investments regardless of encumbering debt.
We diversify our real estate investments by both geographic region and property type to reduce risk of concentration. Of our real estate investments, excluding funds, 71% were located in the United States, with the remaining 29% located outside the United States, at September 30, 2017. The carrying value of our real estate investments, excluding funds, located in Japan, California and the District of Columbia were 26%, 16% and 10%, respectively, of total real estate investments, excluding funds, at September 30, 2017. Real estate funds were 13% of our real estate investments at September 30, 2017. The majority of these funds hold underlying real estate investments that are well diversified across the United States.

156

Table of Contents

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 $5.0 billion and $4.3 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The total gross market value of commercial real estate investments under management for unaffiliated investors was $6.6 billion and $6.4 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Gross market value is the total fair value of these investments regardless of encumbering debt. As these assets are managed on behalf of, and owned by, our institutional clients, they are not included in our consolidated financial statements.
Other Limited Partnership Interests
Other limited partnership interests are comprised of private equity funds and hedge funds. The carrying value of other limited partnership interests was $5.5 billion, or 1.2% of cash and invested assets, and $5.1 billion, or 1.2% of cash and invested assets, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, which included $686 million and $834 million of hedge funds, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Cash distributions on these investments are generated from investment gains, operating income from the underlying investments of the funds and liquidation of the underlying investments of the funds. We estimate that the underlying investments of the funds will be liquidated over the next two to 10 years.
Other Invested Assets
The following table presents the carrying value of our other invested assets by type at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values
$
8,792


49.8
%

$
12,139


62.8
%
Tax credit and renewable energy partnerships
3,217


18.2


3,118


16.1

Leveraged leases, net of non-recourse debt
1,320


7.5


1,521


7.9

Direct financing leases
1,228


7.0


1,115


5.8

Operating joint ventures
601


3.4


576


3.0

Funds withheld
382


2.2


110


0.6

Annuities funding structured settlement claims (1)
1,286


7.3





Other
826


4.6


724


3.8

Total
$
17,652


100.0
%

$
19,303


100.0
%
Percentage of cash and invested assets
3.8
%



4.5
%


__________________
(1)
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
As a structured settlements assignment company, the Company purchases annuities from Brighthouse to fund the periodic structured settlement claim payment obligations it assumes.

157

Table of Contents

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 7 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
The statement of operations effects of derivatives in net investments in foreign operations, cash flow, fair value, or nonqualifying hedge relationships for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.
See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Management of Market Risk Exposures — Hedging Activities” included in the 2016 Annual Report for more information about our use of derivatives by major hedge program.
Fair Value Hierarchy
See Note 8 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.
Derivatives categorized as Level 3 at September 30, 2017 include: interest rate forwards with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the yield curve; interest rate total return swaps with unobservable repurchase rates; 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, 2017, less than 1% of the estimated fair value of our derivatives was priced through independent broker quotations.
See Note 8 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 interest rate total return swaps with unobservable repurchase rates, 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 curves. Other significant inputs, which are observable, include equity index levels, equity volatility and the swap yield curves. We validate the reasonableness of these inputs by valuing the positions using internal models and comparing the results to broker quotations.

158

Table of Contents

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, 2017
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
Gain (loss) recognized in net income (loss)
 
$33
$47
Percentage of gain (loss) attributable to observable inputs
 
91%
92%
Primary drivers of observable gain (loss)
 
Weakening of the US dollar versus foreign currencies on receive inflation-linked foreign currency derivatives; partially offset by decreases in certain equity volatility levels and increases in certain equity index levels on equity derivatives.
Decreases in interest rates on interest rate derivatives; weakening of the US dollar and Euro versus foreign currencies on receive inflation-linked foreign currency derivatives; partially offset by decreases in certain equity volatility levels and increases in certain equity index levels on equity derivatives.
Percentage of gain (loss) attributable to unobservable inputs
 
9%
8%
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivatives” included in the 2016 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect derivatives.
Credit Risk
See Note 7 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 on the consolidated balance sheets, and does not affect our legal right of offset.
Credit Derivatives
The following table presents the gross notional amount and estimated fair value of credit default swaps at:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Credit Default Swaps
 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased
 
$
2,329

 
$
(35
)
 
$
2,001

 
$
(26
)
Written
 
11,946

 
255

 
10,732

 
152

Total
 
$
14,275

 
$
220

 
$
12,733

 
$
126


159

Table of Contents

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,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Credit Default Swaps
 
Gross
Gains 

 
Gross
Losses 

 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
Gross
Gains 
(1)
 
Gross
Losses 
(1)
 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
Gross
Gains 

 
Gross
Losses 

 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
Gross
Gains 
(1)
 
Gross
Losses 
(1)
 
Net
Gains
(Losses)
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased (2), (4)
 
$
2

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(21
)
 
$
(21
)
 
$
5

 
$
(22
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
6

 
$
(54
)
 
$
(48
)
Written (3), (4)
 
39

 
(4
)
 
35

 
51

 

 
51

 
118

 
(7
)
 
111

 
70

 
(21
)
 
49

Total
 
$
41

 
$
(8
)
 
$
33

 
$
51

 
$
(21
)
 
$
30

 
$
123

 
$
(29
)
 
$
94

 
$
76

 
$
(75
)
 
$
1

__________________
(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)
At September 30, 2017, the Company no longer maintained a trading portfolio for derivatives. The gross gains and gross (losses) for purchased credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $0 and $0, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, and $4 million and ($4) million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
(3)
At September 30, 2017, the Company no longer maintained a trading portfolio for derivatives. The gross gains and gross (losses) for written credit default swaps in the trading portfolio were $0 and $0, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $3 million and ($3) million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
(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 $31 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was due to widening in the current period as compared to the prior period of certain credit spreads on credit default swaps hedging certain bonds. The favorable change in net gains (losses) on written credit default swaps of $62 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was due to narrowing in the current period, compared to the prior period, of credit spreads on certain credit default swaps used as replications.
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 state insurance regulators and the NAIC 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 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 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 8 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 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a rollforward of the fair value measurements for embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.
See Note 7 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 2016 Annual Report for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect embedded derivatives.

160

Table of Contents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Credit and Committed Facilities
We maintain an unsecured revolving credit facility and 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. For the classification of expenses on such revolving credit and committed facilities and the nature of the associated liability for letters of credit issued and drawdowns on these facilities, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
Collateral for Securities Lending, Third-Party Custodian Administered Repurchase Programs 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 less than $1 million and $20 million at estimated fair value at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. See Note 6 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 2016 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 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 $406 million and $382 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Non-cash collateral on deposit with third-party custodians on our behalf was $431 million and $401 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, which cannot be sold or re-pledged, and which has not been recorded on our consolidated balance sheets.
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 $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Pledged Collateral” and Note 7 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the earned income on and the gross notional amount, estimated fair value of assets and liabilities and primary underlying risk exposure of our derivatives.
Lease Commitments
As lessee, we have entered into various lease and sublease agreements for office space, information technology and other equipment. Our commitments under such lease agreements are included within the contractual obligations table. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Contractual Obligations” and Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
Guarantees
See “Guarantees” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 15 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 — Contractual Obligations.” See “Net Investment Income” and “Net Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 6 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.

161

Table of Contents

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 on 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 2016 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. We also use hedging, reinsurance and other risk management activities to mitigate financial market volatility.
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 — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation — Policy and Contract Reserve Adequacy Analysis” and “Business — Regulation — International Regulation” included in the 2016 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.”
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 2016 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 — Low Interest Rate Scenario” included in the 2016 Annual Report and “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.” A discussion of future policy benefits by segment (as well as Corporate & Other) follows.
U.S.
Amounts payable under insurance policies for this segment are comprised of group insurance and annuities, as well as property & casualty policies. For group insurance, future policyholder benefits are comprised mainly of liabilities for disabled lives under disability waiver of premium policy provisions, liabilities for survivor income benefit insurance, active life policies and premium stabilization and other contingency liabilities held under life insurance contracts. For group annuity contracts, future policyholder benefits are primarily related to payout annuities, including pension risk transfers, structured settlement annuities and institutional income 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 interest rate derivative positions. The components of future policy benefits related to our property & casualty policies are liabilities for unpaid claims, 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 analysis of historical development patterns of the relationship of loss adjustment expenses to losses for each line of business, and we consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs, reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation.

162

Table of Contents

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.
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 Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. 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.
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.
MetLife Holdings
Future policy benefits for the life business are comprised mainly of liabilities for traditional 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 interest rate derivative positions 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 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 which are accounted for as insurance. Other future policyholder benefits are comprised mainly of liabilities for disabled lives under disability waiver of premium policy provisions, and active life policies. In addition, for our other products, future policyholder benefits related to the reinsurance of our former Japan joint venture are comprised of liabilities for the variable annuity guaranteed minimum benefits which are accounted for as insurance.
Corporate & Other
Future policy benefits primarily include liabilities for the global employee benefits and other reinsurance business. Additionally, future policy benefits include liabilities for the U.S direct business sold directly to consumers.
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 — Low Interest Rate Scenario” included in the 2016 Annual Report and “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.” See also Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report for additional information. A discussion of policyholder account balances by segment follows.
U.S.
Policyholder account balances in this segment are comprised of funding agreements, retained asset accounts, universal life policies, the fixed account of variable life insurance policies and specialized life insurance products for benefit programs.

163

Table of Contents

Group Benefits
Policyholder account balances in this business 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 is 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 interest rate derivative positions to partially mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario.
The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed crediting rates for Group Benefits:
 
September 30, 2017
Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate
Account
Value (1)
 
Account
Value at
Guarantee (1)
 
(In millions)
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
4,861

 
$
4,742

Equal to or greater than 2% but less than 4%
$
1,843

 
$
1,843

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
736

 
$
709

__________________
(1)These amounts are not adjusted for policy loans.
Retirement and Income Solutions
Policyholder account balances in this business 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) 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 interest rate 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.
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.

164

Table of Contents

The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed crediting rates for Asia:
 
September 30, 2017
Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate
Account
Value (1)
 
Account
Value at
Guarantee (1)
 
(In millions)
Annuities
 
 
 
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
21,965

 
$
2,899

Equal to or greater than 2% but less than 4%
$
1,168

 
$
409

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
1

 
$
1

Life & Other
 
 
 
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
8,740

 
$
8,440

Equal to or greater than 2% but less than 4%
$
21,521

 
$
8,906

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
275

 
$
275

__________________
(1)
These amounts are not adjusted for policy loans.
Latin America
Policyholder account balances in this segment are held largely for investment-type products and universal life products in Mexico and Chile, 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.
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.
MetLife Holdings
Life policyholder account balances are held for retained asset accounts, universal life policies, the fixed account of variable life insurance policies, embedded derivatives related to the reinsurance of our former Japan joint venture, and funding agreements. 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 interest rate derivative positions to partially mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario. Additionally, for our other products, policyholder account balances are held for variable annuity guaranteed minimum living benefits that are accounted for as embedded derivatives.

165

Table of Contents

The table below presents the breakdown of account value subject to minimum guaranteed crediting rates for the MetLife Holdings segment:
 
September 30, 2017
Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate
Account
Value (1)
 
Account
Value at
Guarantee (1)
 
(In millions)
Greater than 0% but less than 2%
$
1,793

 
$
1,705

Equal to or greater than 2% but less than 4%
$
19,936

 
$
17,200

Equal to or greater than 4%
$
9,204

 
$
6,184

__________________
(1)
These amounts are not adjusted for policy loans.
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 2016 Annual Report, as well as Note 4 of the Notes to 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 guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDBs”), the life-contingent portion of certain guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWBs”), and the non-life contingent portions of both GMWBs and guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIBs”) 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 those previously projected or when current estimates of future assessments exceed those previously projected. At the end of 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.
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 non-life contingent portions of both 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 8 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

166

Table of Contents

The table below presents the carrying value for guarantees at: 
 
Future Policy
Benefits
 
Policyholder
Account Balances
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(In millions)
Asia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
$
36

 
$
29

 
$

 
$

GMAB

 

 
22

 
36

GMWB
85

 
98

 
184

 
189

EMEA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB

 
1

 

 

GMAB

 

 
14

 
17

GMWB
36

 
30

 
(91
)
 
(50
)
MetLife Holdings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
302

 
257

 

 

GMIB
574

 
471

 
(75
)
 
454

GMAB

 

 
2

 
15

GMWB
182

 
161

 
1,283

 
1,296

Total
$
1,215

 
$
1,047

 
$
1,339

 
$
1,957

The carrying amounts for guarantees included in policyholder account balances above include nonperformance risk adjustments of $490 million and $655 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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, hedging strategies, reinsurance, 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. Recently, we have been diversifying the concentration of income benefits in the portfolio of the Company’s annuities business by focusing on withdrawal benefits, variable annuities without living benefits and index-linked annuities. To this end, the GMIBs were no longer available for new purchases after February 19, 2016.
The sections below provide further detail by total account value for certain of our most popular guarantees. Total account values include amounts not reported on 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 account values and the net amounts at risk include direct and assumed business, but exclude offsets from hedging or ceded reinsurance, if any.

167

Table of Contents

GMDBs
We offer a range of GMDBs to our contractholders. The table below presents GMDBs, by benefit type, at September 30, 2017:
 
Total Account Value (1)
 
Asia & EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
(In millions)
Return of premium or five to seven year step-up
$
8,114

 
$
54,813

Annual step-up

 
3,726

Roll-up and step-up combination

 
6,575

Total
$
8,114

 
$
65,114

__________________
(1)
Total account value excludes $345 million 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 account value, less than 19% 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.
Living Benefit Guarantees
The table below presents our living benefit guarantees based on total account values at September 30, 2017:
 
Total Account Value (1)
 
Asia & EMEA
 
MetLife Holdings
 
(In millions)
GMIB
$

 
$
25,123

GMWB - non-life contingent (2)
2,396

 
3,438

GMWB - life-contingent
3,859

 
11,229

GMAB
1,247

 
625

 
$
7,502

 
$
40,415

__________________
(1)
Total account value excludes $25.0 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 account value of $975 million with a guarantee at annuitization.
In terms of total 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.

168

Table of Contents

The table below presents our GMIB associated total account values, by their guaranteed payout basis, at September 30, 2017:
 
Total Account Value
 
(In millions)
7-year setback, 2.5% interest rate
$
6,517

7-year setback, 1.5% interest rate
1,063

10-year setback, 1.5% interest rate
5,668

10-year mortality projection, 10-year setback, 1.0% interest rate
10,097

10-year mortality projection, 10-year setback, 0.5% interest rate
1,778

 
$
25,123

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 introduction of a 10-year mortality projection.
Additionally, 40% of the $25.1 billion of GMIB total account value has been invested in managed volatility funds as of September 30, 2017. 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 reduce or eliminate the need for us to manage the funds’ volatility through hedging or reinsurance.
Our GMIB products typically have a waiting period of 10 years to be eligible for annuitization. As of September 30, 2017, only 14% of our contracts with GMIBs were eligible for annuitization. The remaining contracts are not eligible for annuitization for an average of five years.
Once eligible for annuitization, contractholders would be expected to annuitize only 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 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, by comparing the contractholders’ income benefits based on total account values and current annuity rates versus the guaranteed income benefits. The net amount at risk was $568 million at September 30, 2017, of which $383 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, 2017:
 
In-the-
Moneyness
 
Total
Account Value
 
% of Total

 
(Dollars in millions)
In-the-money
30% +
 
$
346

 
1
%
 
20% to 30%
 
313

 
1
%
 
10% to 20%
 
603

 
2
%
 
0% to 10%
 
1,160

 
5
%
 
 
 
2,422

 
 
Out-of-the-money
-10% to 0%
 
2,851

 
11
%
 
-20% to -10%
 
2,859

 
11
%
 
-20% +
 
16,991

 
68
%
 
 
 
22,701

 
 
Total GMIBs
 
 
$
25,123

 
 

169

Table of Contents

Derivatives Hedging Variable Annuity Guarantees
Our risk mitigating hedging strategy uses various over-the-counter and exchange 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
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
 
$
16,532

 
$
428

 
$
30

 
$
19,715

 
$
1,590

 
$
924

 
 
Interest rate futures
 
2,810

 
13

 

 
2,671

 
2

 
11

 
 
Interest rate options
 
10,173

 
492

 
35

 
3,423

 
449

 
1

Foreign currency exchange rate
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
2,726

 
6

 
138

 
3,086

 
10

 
222

 
 
Currency futures
 

 

 

 
85

 

 

Equity market
 
Equity futures
 
4,129

 
2

 
29

 
4,283

 
29

 
3

 
 
Equity index options
 
9,945

 
339

 
679

 
13,975

 
403

 
524

 
 
Equity variance swaps
 
8,337

 
103

 
285

 
8,263

 
83

 
239

 
 
Equity total return swaps
 
1,103

 

 
35

 
1,046

 
1

 
43

 
 
Total
 
$
55,755

 
$
1,383

 
$
1,231

 
$
56,547

 
$
2,567

 
$
1,967

The change in estimated fair values of our derivatives is recorded in policyholder benefits and claims if such derivatives are hedging guarantees included in future policy benefits, and in net derivative gains (losses) if such derivatives 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.
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 and derivatives 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.

170

Table of Contents

Short-term Liquidity
We maintain a substantial short-term liquidity position, which was $10.8 billion and $9.1 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Short-term liquidity includes cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed, including amounts received in connection with securities lending, repurchase agreements, derivatives, and secured borrowings, as well as amounts held in the closed block.
Liquid Assets
An integral part of our liquidity management includes managing our level of liquid assets, which was $210.3 billion and $199.1 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 amounts received in connection with securities lending, repurchase agreements, derivatives, regulatory deposits, a collateral financing arrangement, funding agreements and secured borrowings, as well as amounts held in the closed block.
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 (“CFO”), Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”). The ERC is also comprised of members of senior management, including MetLife, Inc.’s CFO, CRO and Chief Investment Officer.
Our Board of Directors (“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.
See “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — Legal and 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 2016 Annual Report and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report, as updated in “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks” herein, for information regarding restrictions on payment of dividends and stock repurchases. See also “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Common Stock Repurchases” for information regarding MetLife, Inc.’s common stock repurchase authorization.
The Company
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet our 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 including commercial paper and various credit and committed 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.

171

Table of Contents

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,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Sources:
 
 
 
Operating activities, net
$
10,233

 
$
9,131

Changes in policyholder account balances, net
5,332

 
4,080

Changes in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions, net
2,316

 
7,227

Long-term debt issued
3,657

 

Other, net

 
60

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
382

 
306

Total sources
21,920

 
20,804

Uses:
 
 
 
Investing activities, net
17,158

 
14,586

Long-term debt repaid
60

 
1,273

Collateral financing arrangement repaid
2,852

 
55

Distribution of Brighthouse
2,793

 

Financing element on certain derivative instruments and other derivative related transactions, net
109

 
336

Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases
2,305

 
70

Dividends on preferred stock
58

 
58

Dividends on common stock
1,295

 
1,295

Other, net
144

 

Total uses
26,774

 
17,673

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(4,854
)
 
$
3,131

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 are the result of 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.
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.

172

Table of Contents

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. See also Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for financing transactions in connection with the Separation.
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, a collateral financing arrangement, 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:
Common Stock
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, MetLife, Inc. issued 3,505,240 and 2,403,270 new shares of its common stock for $124 million and $94 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 that is supported by our general corporate credit facility (see “— Credit and Committed Facilities”). MetLife Funding raises cash from its commercial paper program and uses the proceeds to extend loans through MetLife Credit Corp., a subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), to affiliates in order to enhance the financial flexibility and liquidity of these companies.
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, 2017 and 2016, we issued $16.1 billion and $10.0 billion, respectively, and repaid $16.1 billion and $8.4 billion, respectively, under funding agreements with certain regional FHLBs. At both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $15.3 billion. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 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, 2017 and 2016, we issued $32.8 billion and $29.4 billion, respectively, and repaid $31.3 billion and $30.1 billion, respectively, under such funding agreements. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $34.2 billion and $30.8 billion, respectively. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
We have issued funding agreements to a subsidiary of 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 mortgage loans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we issued $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, and repaid $1.0 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, under such funding agreements. At both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $2.6 billion. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
Affiliated Preferred Units Issuances
In June 2017, Brighthouse Holdings, LLC issued 50,000 units of 6.50% fixed rate cumulative preferred units to MetLife, Inc. and in turn MetLife, Inc. sold the preferred units to third-party investors, for net proceeds of $49 million. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

173

Table of Contents

Credit and Committed Facilities
At September 30, 2017, we maintained a $3.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility and certain committed facilities aggregating $3.7 billion. When drawn upon, these facilities bear interest at varying rates in accordance with the respective agreements.
The committed facilities are used for collateral for certain of our affiliated reinsurance liabilities. At September 30, 2017, we had outstanding $3.1 billion in letters of credit and no drawdowns against these facilities. Remaining availability was $595 million at September 30, 2017. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of reductions in our committed facilities totaling $7.8 billion in April 2017, in connection with the Separation. At September 30, 2017, Brighthouse Insurance is a beneficiary of $2.3 billion of letters of credit issued under the MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont and MetLife, Inc.’s $2.9 billion committed facility. In connection with the Separation and the related transition services agreement, Brighthouse Insurance agreed to reimburse MetLife, Inc. a portion of the periodic letter of credit fees and/or the early termination fees paid for this committed facility.
The unsecured revolving 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, 2017, we had outstanding $410 million in letters of credit and no drawdowns against this facility. Remaining availability was $2.6 billion at September 30, 2017.
In December 2016, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding entered into an agreement to amend their $4.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility, pursuant to which, among other things, the parties amended and restated the facility upon completion of the Separation and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. As amended and restated, the unsecured revolving credit facility provides for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $3.0 billion. All borrowings under this amended revolving credit facility must be repaid by December 20, 2021, except that letters of credit outstanding upon termination may remain outstanding until December 20, 2022.
See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 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 a financing arrangement 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 excluding long-term debt related to VIEs at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(In millions)
Short-term debt
$
214

 
$
242

Long-term debt (1)
$
16,682

 
$
16,429

Collateral financing arrangement
$
1,220

 
$
1,274

Junior subordinated debt securities
$
3,144

 
$
3,169

__________________
(1)
Includes $535 million and $366 million of non-recourse debt at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, for which creditors have no access, subject to customary exceptions, to the general assets of the Company other than recourse to certain investment subsidiaries.
Debt and Facility Covenants
Certain of our debt instruments and committed facilities, as well as our unsecured revolving credit facility, contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. We believe we were in compliance with all applicable covenants at September 30, 2017.
Dispositions
Cash proceeds from dispositions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $0 and $291 million, respectively. See Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for dividends from Brighthouse Financial, Inc. in connection with the Separation.

174

Table of Contents

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. See Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for financing transactions in connection with the Separation.
Common Stock Repurchases
Utilizing an authorization from the MetLife, Inc. Board, 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, 2017 and 2016, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 44,737,625 shares and 1,445,864 shares, respectively, of common stock in open market purchases for $2.3 billion and $70 million, respectively.
At September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc. had $383 million remaining under the common stock repurchase authorization. On November 1, 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board approved an additional $2.0 billion authorization for MetLife, Inc. to repurchase its common stock. Also on November 1, 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that it currently intends to divest its retained Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock through an exchange offer for MetLife, Inc. common stock during 2018, subject to market conditions and regulatory approval. Any shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock that MetLife, Inc. receives in the exchange offer would be in addition to other share repurchase authorizations. 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 “Business — Regulation — International Regulation — Global Systemically Important Insurers” in the 2016 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.” See also “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation — Potential Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI” and “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — Legal and 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 2016 Annual Report, as updated in “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks” herein, and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
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, 2017 and 2016:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Preferred Stock Dividend
Series A
Per 
Share
 
Series A
Aggregate
 
Series C
Per
Share
 
Series C
Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
August 15, 2017
 
August 31, 2017
 
September 15, 2017
 
$
0.256

 
$
6

 
$

 
$

May 15, 2017
 
May 31, 2017
 
June 15, 2017
 
$
0.256

 
$
7

 
$
26.250

 
$
39

March 6, 2017
 
February 28, 2017
 
March 15, 2017
 
$
0.250

 
6

 
$

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19

 
 
 
$
39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 15, 2016
 
August 31, 2016
 
September 15, 2016
 
$
0.256

 
$
6

 
$

 
$

May 16, 2016
 
May 31, 2016
 
June 15, 2016
 
$
0.256

 
$
7

 
$
26.250

 
$
39

March 7, 2016
 
February 29, 2016
 
March 15, 2016
 
$
0.253

 
6

 
$

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19

 
 
 
$
39

Dividends are paid quarterly on MetLife, Inc.’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A. Dividends are paid semi-annually on MetLife, Inc.’s 5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C, commencing December 15, 2015 and ending June 15, 2020 and, thereafter, will be paid quarterly.

175

Table of Contents

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, 2017 and 2016:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Common Stock Dividend
Per Share
 
Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
July 7, 2017
 
August 7, 2017
 
September 13, 2017
 
$
0.400

 
$
427

April 25, 2017
 
May 8, 2017
 
June 13, 2017
 
$
0.400

 
$
431

January 6, 2017
 
February 6, 2017
 
March 13, 2017
 
$
0.400

 
437

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,295

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 7, 2016
 
August 8, 2016
 
September 13, 2016
 
$
0.400

 
$
441

April 26, 2016
 
May 9, 2016
 
June 13, 2016
 
$
0.400

 
$
441

January 6, 2016
 
February 5, 2016
 
March 14, 2016
 
$
0.375

 
413

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,295

The declaration and payment of common stock dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board, 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. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding a common stock dividend declared subsequent to September 30, 2017.
Dividend Restrictions
If MetLife, Inc. were re-designated as a non-bank SIFI, the payment of dividends and other distributions by MetLife, Inc. to its security holders may be subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve. See “Business — Regulation — U.S. Regulation — Potential Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI” included in the 2016 Annual Report. 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 “Business — Regulation — International Regulation — Global Systemically Important Insurers” in the 2016 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” 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 — Legal and 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 2016 Annual Report, as updated in “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks” herein, and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
Certain terms of MetLife, Inc.’s preferred stock and junior subordinated debentures (sometimes referred to as “dividend stoppers”) may restrict it from repurchasing its common or preferred stock or paying dividends on its common or preferred stock and interest on its junior subordinated debentures in certain circumstances. In connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. amended the dividend stoppers in its preferred stock in October 2017, and in its junior subordinated debentures in August 2017, to avoid such potential restrictions solely as a result of the spin-off of Brighthouse by MetLife. In connection with the amendments to the junior subordinated debentures, MetLife, Inc. incurred $26 million of related costs which have been capitalized and are being amortized over the terms of the junior subordinated debentures. See also Note 10 to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Debt and Collateral Financing Arrangement Repayments
During both the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, following regulatory approval, MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., repurchased and canceled $55 million in aggregate principal amount of its surplus notes, which were reported in a collateral financing arrangement on the consolidated balance sheets.

176

Table of Contents

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 has agreed to cause the applicable entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels or has guaranteed certain contractual obligations. We anticipate that in the event these arrangements place demands upon us, there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable us to meet such 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 2016 Annual Report.
In April 2017, in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. terminated various support agreements with the captive reinsurance companies included in the separated businesses. Upon Separation, MetLife, Inc. terminated a net worth maintenance agreement with Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“BLIC NY”) (formerly, First MetLife Investors Insurance Company), in accordance with its terms. See Schedule II included in the 2016 Annual Report for information on these agreements. See also Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In connection with the issuance of $3.0 billion of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. senior notes, MetLife, Inc. had initially guaranteed the senior notes on a senior unsecured basis. The guarantee was released, in accordance with its terms, in connection with consummation of the Separation. See Note 3 to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 MetLife Holdings segment, which includes individual annuities, lapses and surrenders tend to occur in the normal course of business. During both the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, general account surrenders and withdrawals from annuity products were $1.1 billion. In the Retirement and Income Solutions business within the U.S. segment, which includes pension risk transfers, 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 Retirement and Income Solutions business products that provide customers with limited rights to accelerate payments, at September 30, 2017 there were funding agreements totaling $94 million that could be put back to the Company.
Pledged Collateral
We pledge collateral to, and have collateral pledged to us by, counterparties in connection with our derivatives. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had received pledged cash collateral from counterparties of $5.2 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had pledged cash collateral to counterparties of $477 million and $788 million, respectively. With respect to bilateral contracts between two counterparties derivatives in a net liability position that have credit contingent provisions, a one-notch downgrade in the Company’s credit or financial strength rating, as applicable, would have required $7 million of additional collateral be provided to our counterparties as of September 30, 2017. See Note 7 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 pledge 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 a collateral financing arrangement related to the reinsurance of closed block and universal life secondary guarantee liabilities.
We pledge collateral from time to time in connection with funding agreements. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

177

Table of Contents

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 $20.0 billion and $20.1 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Of these amounts, $4.4 billion and $4.5 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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, 2017 was $4.3 billion, all of which were U.S. government 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 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Repurchase Agreements
We participate in short-term repurchase agreements whereby securities are loaned to unaffiliated financial institutions. We obtain collateral, usually cash, from the borrower, which must be returned to the borrower when the loaned securities are returned to us. Under these repurchase agreements, we were liable for cash collateral under our control of $2.1 billion and $102 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The estimated fair value of the securities on loan at September 30, 2017 was $2.1 billion which were primarily U.S. government 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 6 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 15 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
Cash outflows for acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $211 million. There were no acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
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 2016 Annual Report for additional information regarding the Company’s contractual obligations.

178

Table of Contents

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.
See “— Executive Summary — Consolidated Company Outlook” for a discussion of post-Separation cash commitments.
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 — Potential Regulation as a Non-Bank SIFI” and “Business — Regulation — International Regulation — Global Systemically Important Insurers” included in the 2016 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.” See also “ — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Common Stock Repurchases” for information regarding MetLife, Inc.’s common stock repurchases.
Liquid Assets
At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, MetLife, Inc. and other MetLife holding companies had $6.5 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, in liquid assets. Of these amounts, $3.9 billion and $3.7 billion were held by MetLife, Inc. and $2.6 billion and $2.1 billion were held by other MetLife holding companies, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 amounts received in connection with derivatives and a collateral financing arrangement.
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 historically 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 2016 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. Following a post-Separation review of our capital needs as described in Note 13 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a $444 million tax charge related to the future repatriation of approximately $3.0 billion of pre-2017 earnings. We will continue to assert that earnings of these non-U.S. operations will be indefinitely reinvested for amounts earned in 2017 and subsequent years, as we expect to continue to invest in such operations.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — MetLife, Inc. — Liquid Assets” included in the 2016 Annual Report for additional information on the sources and uses of liquid assets for MetLife, Inc. and other MetLife holding companies. See also “— Executive Summary — Consolidated Company Outlook” for the targeted level of liquid assets at the holding companies.

179

Table of Contents

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 2017 by MetLife, Inc.’s primary insurance subsidiaries (prior to the Separation) without insurance regulatory approval and the respective dividends paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
Company
 
Paid
 
Permitted w/o
Approval (1)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
 
$
2,000

 
$
2,723

 
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (2)
 
$

 
$
473

 
New England Life Insurance Company (2)
 
$

 
$
106

 
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company
 
$

 
$
98

 
General American Life Insurance Company
 
$

 
$
91

 
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
 
$

 
$
66

 
American Life Insurance Company
 
$

 
$

 
__________________
(1)
Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid during 2017 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 2017, some or all of such dividends may require regulatory approval.
(2)
Effective April 28, 2017 in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. contributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of each of Brighthouse Insurance and New England Life Insurance Company (“NELICO”) to Brighthouse Holdings, LLC. As a result of the Separation, Brighthouse Insurance and NELICO ceased to be subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. Accordingly, any dividends paid by Brighthouse Insurance and NELICO following the Separation will be paid to Brighthouse Financial, Inc. or its subsidiaries. MetLife will not receive the proceeds of any such dividends after the Separation. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
On August 3, 2017, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. paid a cash dividend to MetLife, Inc. of $1.8 billion in connection with the Separation. MetLife, Inc. also received cash of $20 million, representing a dividend from a non-Brighthouse subsidiary. Additionally, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc. received cash returns of capital of $610 million from certain subsidiaries, including $590 million from MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) in connection with the Separation. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc., in connection with the Separation, also recorded net non-cash returns of capital of $10.2 billion from various Brighthouse entities. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

180

Table of Contents

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 dividend payments to the parent company to a portion of the subsidiary’s prior year 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 our 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 our first tier subsidiaries may also impact the dividend flow into MetLife, Inc.
We proactively manage target and excess capital levels and dividend flows 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. See “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — As a Holding Company, MetLife, Inc. Depends on the Ability of Its Subsidiaries to Pay Dividends, a Major Component of Holding Company Free Cash Flow” included in the 2016 Annual Report and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
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 either September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016.
Credit and Committed Facilities
The committed facilities are used as collateral for certain of the Company’s affiliated reinsurance liabilities. MetLife, Inc. maintains a committed facility with a capacity of $395 million at September 30, 2017. At September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc. had outstanding $395 million in letters of credit, no drawdowns outstanding and no remaining availability. In addition, MetLife, Inc. is a party and/or guarantor to committed facilities of certain of its subsidiaries, which aggregated $3.3 billion at September 30, 2017. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of reductions in the committed facilities totaling $7.8 billion in April 2017 in connection with the Separation.
See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” for further information regarding the unsecured credit facility and these committed facilities.
Long-term Debt Outstanding
The following table summarizes the outstanding long-term debt of MetLife, Inc. at:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(In millions)
Long-term debt — unaffiliated
$
15,589

 
$
15,505

Long-term debt — affiliated (1)
$
2,000

 
$
3,100

Collateral financing arrangement (2)
$

 
$
2,797

Junior subordinated debt securities (3)
$
2,453

 
$
1,734

__________________
(1)
On April 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. repaid $750 million and $350 million of senior notes to MetLife Reinsurance Company of Delaware (“MRD”) due September 2032 and December 2033, respectively. The $750 million senior note bore interest at a fixed rate of 4.21% and the $350 million senior note bore interest at a fixed rate of 5.10%. Simultaneously, MRD repaid $750 million and $350 million of surplus notes to MetLife, Inc. See “— Liquidity and Capital Uses — Affiliated Capital and Debt Transactions.”
(2)
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of a $2.8 billion repayment on the MRSC collateral financing agreement liability in April 2017 in connection with the Separation, utilizing assets held in trust, which had been repositioned into short-term investments and cash equivalents.
(3)
See “— Liquidity and Capital Uses — Affiliated Capital and Debt Transactions” for discussion of a $750 million junior subordinated debt securities exchange.

181

Table of Contents

Debt and Facility Covenants
Certain of MetLife, Inc.’s debt instruments and committed facilities, as well as its revolving credit facility, contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. MetLife, Inc. believes it was in compliance with all applicable covenants at September 30, 2017.
Dispositions
Cash proceeds from dispositions during either of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $0 and $291 million, respectively.
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:
Affiliated Capital and Debt Transactions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc. invested a net amount of $735 million in various non-Brighthouse subsidiaries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, MetLife, Inc. invested a net amount of $1.3 billion in various subsidiaries, which included a cash capital contribution of $1.5 billion to Brighthouse Insurance in connection with the Separation.
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 $100 million and $1.2 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
On April 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, MRD repaid $750 million and $350 million of surplus notes to MetLife, Inc. due September 2032 and December 2033, respectively. The $750 million surplus note bore interest at a fixed rate of 5.13% and the $350 million surplus note bore interest at a fixed rate of 6.00%, both payable semi-annually. Simultaneously, MetLife, Inc. repaid $750 million and $350 million of senior notes to MRD.
On February 10, 2017, MetLife, Inc. exchanged $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 9.250% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2068 for $750 million aggregate liquidation preference of the 9.250% Fixed-to- Floating Rate Exchangeable Surplus Trust Securities of MetLife Capital Trust X (the “Trust”). As a result of the exchange, MetLife, Inc. became the sole beneficial owner of the Trust, a special purpose entity which issued the exchangeable surplus trust securities to third-party investors. On March 23, 2017, MetLife, Inc. dissolved the Trust and became the direct holder of $750 million 8.595% surplus notes previously held by the Trust that were issued by Brighthouse Insurance. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. On June 16, 2017, MetLife, Inc. forgave Brighthouse Insurance’s obligation to pay the principal amount of such surplus notes. This transaction, which was a non-cash capital contribution to Brighthouse Holdings, LLC, and a corresponding non-cash capital contribution to Brighthouse Insurance, had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of MetLife, Inc. as of the date of the transaction.
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. In connection with the Separation, the April 2017 contribution of entities, mergers and termination of certain financing arrangements, MetLife, Inc. terminated various support agreements with the captive reinsurance companies merged into Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware. Upon Separation, MetLife, Inc. terminated a net worth maintenance agreement with BLIC NY in accordance with its terms. See Schedule II included in the 2016 Annual Report for information on these agreements. See also Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

182

Table of Contents

In connection with the issuance of $3.0 billion of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. senior notes, MetLife, Inc. had initially guaranteed the senior notes on a senior unsecured basis. The guarantee was released, in accordance with its terms, in connection with consummation of the Separation. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Acquisitions
Cash outflows for acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $211 million. There were no acquisitions by MetLife, Inc. during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
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
In this report, the Company presents certain measures of its performance that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business.
The following non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP:
Non-GAAP financial measures:
Comparable GAAP financial measures:
(i)
operating revenues
(i)
revenues
(ii)
operating expenses
(ii)
expenses
(iii)
operating earnings
(iii)
income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
(iv)
operating earnings available to common
shareholders
(iv)
net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable historical GAAP measures are included in the results of operations, see “— Results of Operations.” Reconciliations 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 without unreasonable efforts 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 material impact on net income.
Our definitions of the various non-GAAP and other financial measures discussed in this report may differ from those used by other companies:
Operating earnings and related measures:
operating earnings; and
operating earnings available to common shareholders.
These measures are used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is also our GAAP measure of segment performance. Operating earnings and other financial measures based on operating earnings are also the measures by which senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans. Operating earnings and other financial measures based on operating earnings allow analysis of our performance relative to our business plan and facilitate comparisons to industry results.
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.

183

Table of Contents

Operating revenues and operating expenses
These financial measures focus on our primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends, and revenues and costs related to non-core products and certain entities required to be consolidated under GAAP. Also, these measures exclude results of discontinued operations under GAAP and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife but do not meet the discontinued operations criteria under GAAP and are referred to as divested businesses. Divested businesses also includes the net impact of transactions with exited businesses that have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP and costs relating to businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife that do not meet the criteria to be included in results of discontinued operations under GAAP. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, operating revenues and operating expenses exclude the financial impact of converting the Company’s Japan operations to calendar year-end reporting without retrospective application of this change to prior periods, and is referred to as lag elimination. 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 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 earned income on derivatives 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) excludes post-tax operating earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iii) excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments and (iv) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and
Other revenues are adjusted for settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges.
The following additional adjustments are made to 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 earned income on derivatives 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, integration and other 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.
The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above are calculated net of the U.S. or foreign statutory tax rate, which could differ from the Company’s effective tax rate. Additionally, the provision for income tax (expense) benefit also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.

184

Table of Contents

Return on equity, allocated equity and related measures:
MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) other than foreign currency translation adjustments (“FCTA”), is defined as MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding the net unrealized investment gains (losses) and defined benefit plans adjustment components of AOCI, net of income tax.
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 the portion of MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity that management allocates to each of its segments and sub-segments based on local capital requirements and economic capital. See “— Economic Capital.” Allocated equity excludes the impact of AOCI other than FCTA.
The above measures represent a level of equity consistent with the view that, in the ordinary course of business, we do not plan to sell most investments for the sole purpose of realizing gains or losses. Also refer to the utilization of operating earnings and other financial measures based on operating earnings mentioned above.
The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of our performance results:
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 (“Constant Currency Basis”).
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. Further, sales statistics for our Latin America, Asia and EMEA segments are on a Constant Currency Basis.
Asymmetrical and non-economic accounting refers to: (i) the portion of net derivative gains (losses) on embedded derivatives attributable to the inclusion of our credit spreads in the liability valuations, (ii) hedging activity that generates net derivative gains (losses) and creates fluctuations in net income because hedge accounting cannot be achieved and the item being hedged does not a have an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings, (iii) 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, and (iv) impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the re-measurement of foreign denominated unhedged funding agreements and financing transactions to the U.S. dollar and the re-measurement of certain liabilities from non-functional currencies to functional currencies. We believe that excluding the impact of asymmetrical and non-economic accounting from total GAAP results enhances investor understanding of our performance by disclosing how these accounting practices affect reported GAAP results.
The Company uses a measure of free cash flow to facilitate an understanding of its ability to generate cash for reinvestment into its businesses or use in non-mandatory capital actions. The Company defines free cash flow as the sum of cash available at MetLife’s holding companies from dividends from operating subsidiaries, expenses and other net flows of the holding companies (including capital contributions to subsidiaries), and net contributions from debt to be at or below target leverage ratios. This measure of free cash flow is prior to capital actions, such as common stock dividends and repurchases, debt reduction and mergers and acquisitions. Free cash flow should not be viewed as a substitute for net cash provided by (used in) operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP. The free cash flow ratio is typically expressed as a percentage of annual operating earnings available to common shareholders.
Subsequent Events
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

185

Table of Contents

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 2016 Annual Report. Further see “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Summary — Other Key Information — Separation of Brighthouse” for relevant information about the Separation and its results that may have a material effect on our market risk exposures from the market risk exposures previously disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report.

186

Table of Contents

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, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

187

Table of Contents

Part II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The following should be read in conjunction with (i) Part I, Item 3, of the 2016 Annual Report; (ii) Part II, Item 1, of MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (the “First Quarter 2017 Report”) and MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (the “Second Quarter 2017 Report”); and (iii) Note 15 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 2016 Annual Report, MLIC received approximately 4,146 asbestos-related claims in 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, MLIC received approximately 2,742 and 3,267 new asbestos-related claims, respectively. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 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 regular reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through September 30, 2017.
Regulatory Matters
In the Matter of Chemform, Inc. Site, Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida
In July 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) advised MLIC that it believed payments were due under two settlement agreements, known as “Administrative Orders on Consent,” that New England Mutual Life Insurance Company (“New England Mutual”) signed in 1989 and 1992 with respect to the cleanup of a Superfund site in 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. In September 2012, the EPA, MLIC and the third party executed an Administrative Order on Consent under which MLIC and the third party agreed to be responsible for certain environmental testing at the Chemform Site. The EPA may seek additional costs if the environmental testing identifies issues. The EPA and MLIC have reached a settlement in principal on the EPA’s claim for past costs. The Company estimates that the aggregate cost to resolve this matter, including the settlement for claims of past costs and the costs of environmental testing, will not exceed $300 thousand.
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 alleges that MetLife, Inc. and several current and former directors and executive officers of MetLife, Inc. violated the Securities Act of 1933, 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 22, 2017, the Court granted plaintiff’s motion to certify their proposed class of persons who purchased or acquired MetLife common stock in the Company’s August 3, 2010 Offering or the Company’s March 4, 2011 Offering. The defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.

188

Table of Contents

Total Control Accounts Litigation
MLIC is a defendant in a lawsuit related to its use of retained asset accounts, known as total control accounts (“TCA”), as a settlement option for death benefits.
Owens v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (N.D. Ga., filed April 17, 2014)
Plaintiff filed this class action lawsuit on behalf of all persons for whom MLIC established a retained asset account, known as a TCA, to pay death benefits under an ERISA plan. The action 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 ERISA. As damages, plaintiff seeks disgorgement of profits that MLIC realized on accounts owned by members of the class. In addition, plaintiff, on behalf of a subgroup of the class, seeks interest under Georgia’s delayed settlement interest statute, alleging that the use of the TCA as the settlement option did not constitute payment. On September 27, 2016, the court denied MLIC’s summary judgment motion in full and granted plaintiff’s partial summary judgment motion. On September 29, 2017, the court certified a nationwide class. The court also certified a Georgia subclass. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Diversified Lending Group Litigations
Hartshorne v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (Los Angeles County Superior Court, filed March 25, 2015)
Plaintiffs named MetLife, Inc., MetLife Securities, Inc. (“MSI”), and NELICO in 12 related lawsuits in California state court alleging various causes of action including multiple negligence and statutory claims relating to a Ponzi scheme involving the Diversified Lending Group. In August 2016, a trial of claims by one of the 98 plaintiffs, Christine Ramirez, resulted in a verdict against MetLife, Inc., MSI, and NELICO for approximately $200 thousand in compensatory damages and $15 million in punitive damages. On November 30, 2016, Ramirez consented to the court’s reduction of punitive damages to approximately $7 million. These companies have filed a notice appealing this judgment to the Second Appellate District of the State of California. On May 2, 2017, the court awarded the plaintiff approximately $6.5 million in attorneys’ fees and costs; the Company has appealed this decision. The Company has reached a settlement in principle with 97 of the plaintiffs, including Ramirez.
Other Litigation
Miller, et al. v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (C.D. Cal., filed April 7, 2017)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action against MetLife, Inc. and MLIC in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, purporting to assert claims on behalf of all persons who replaced their MetLife Optional Term Life or Group Universal Life policy for a Group Variable Universal Life policy wherein MetLife allegedly charged smoker rates for certain non-smokers. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as other relief. On September 25, 2017, Plaintiffs dismissed the action and refiled the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Julian & McKinney v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (S.D.N.Y., filed February 9, 2017)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class and collective action on behalf of themselves and all current and former long-term disability (“LTD”) claims specialists between February 2011 and the present for alleged wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the New York Labor Law, and the Connecticut Minimum Wage Act. The suit alleges that MetLife improperly reclassified the plaintiffs and similarly situated LTD claims specialists from non-exempt to exempt from overtime pay in November 2013. As a result, they and members of the putative class were no longer eligible for overtime pay even though they allege they continued to work more than 40 hours per week. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
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.

189

Table of Contents

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following should be read in conjunction with, and supplements and amends, the factors that may affect the Company’s business or operations described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of the 2016 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, 2017 (the “First Quarter 2017 Report”) and MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (the “Second Quarter 2017 Report”). Other than as described in this Item 1A, there have been no other material changes to our risk factors from the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report as amended or supplemented by such information in the First Quarter 2017 Report and the Second Quarter 2017 Report.
Risks Related to Our Business
The following updates and replaces the similar paragraphs of the risk factors entitled “An Inability to Access Our Credit Facility Could Result in a Reduction in Our Liquidity and Lead to Downgrades in Our Credit and Financial Strength Ratings” and “Differences Between Actual Claims Experience and Underwriting and Reserving Assumptions May Adversely Affect Our Financial Results” included in the 2016 Annual Report.
An Inability to Access Our Credit Facility Could Result in a Reduction in Our Liquidity and Lead to Downgrades in Our Credit and Financial Strength Ratings
We rely on our unsecured credit facility maintained by MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (the “Credit Facility”), as a potential source of liquidity. The availability of this Credit Facility, which was $4.0 billion at June 30, 2017 but which decreased to $3.0 billion upon the completion of the Separation, could be critical to our credit and financial strength ratings and our ability to meet our obligations as they come due in a market when alternative sources of credit are tight. The Credit Facility contains certain administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants, including a requirement to maintain a specified minimum consolidated net worth. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company Liquidity and Capital Sources Global Funding Sources Credit and Committed Facilities” and Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.
***

190

Table of Contents

Differences Between Actual Claims Experience and Underwriting and Reserving Assumptions May Adversely Affect Our Financial Results
***
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the uncertainty associated with the determination of liabilities for future policy benefits and claims, we cannot determine precisely the amounts which we will ultimately pay to settle our liabilities. Such amounts may vary from the estimated amounts, particularly when those payments may not occur until well into the future. We evaluate our liabilities periodically based on accounting requirements, which change from time to time, the assumptions used to establish the liabilities, as well as our actual experience. Reserve estimates in some instances are affected by our operating practices and procedures that are used, among other things, to support our assumptions with respect to the Company’s obligations to its policyholders and contractholders. To the extent that these practices and procedures do not accurately produce the data to support our assumptions our reserves may require adjustment. If the liabilities originally established for future benefit payments prove inadequate, we must increase them and/or reduce associated DAC and/or VOBA. Such adjustments could affect earnings negatively and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Policyholder Liabilities,” as well as “Business Policyholder Liabilities” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Policyholder Liabilities” included in the 2016 Annual Report. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Results of Operations Consolidated Results Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Actuarial Assumption Review,” as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates Derivatives” included in the 2016 Annual Report for further information regarding the manner in which policyholder behavior and other events may differ from our assumptions and, thereby affect our financial results.
Capital-Related Risks
The following updates and replaces the similar paragraphs of the risk factor entitled “Legal and 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 2016 Annual Report.
Legal and 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
***
Trigger Events for the Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends on Our Preferred Stock and Restrictions on the Payment of Interest on Our Junior Subordinated Debentures
In addition, the preferred stock and the junior subordinated debentures contain provisions that would automatically suspend the payment of preferred stock dividends and interest on junior subordinated debentures if MetLife, Inc. fails to meet certain tests (“Trigger Events”). In such cases, and subject to the terms of the instruments, MetLife, Inc. could make payments up to the amount of net proceeds from sales of (i) common stock during the 90 days preceding the dividend declaration date or (ii) common stock or certain kinds of warrants to purchase common stock generally during the 180 days prior to the interest payment date (the “New Equity Proceeds”). If the New Equity Proceeds were insufficient to make such payments, the “dividend stopper” provisions would come into effect and we would be unable to repurchase or pay dividends on our common stock.
A “Trigger Event” would occur if:
the risk-based capital ratio of MetLife’s largest U.S. insurance subsidiaries in the aggregate (as defined in the applicable instrument) were to be less than 175% of the company action level based on the subsidiaries’ prior year annual financial statements filed (generally around March 1) with state insurance commissioners; or
at the end of a quarter (“Final Quarter End Test Date”), consolidated GAAP net income for the four-quarter period ending two quarters before such quarter-end (the “Preliminary Quarter End Test Date”) is zero or a negative amount and the consolidated GAAP stockholders’ equity, minus AOCI (the “adjusted stockholders’ equity amount”), as of the Final Quarter End Test Date and the Preliminary Quarter End Test Date, declined by 10% or more from (A) its level 10 quarters before the Final Quarter End Test Date (the “Benchmark Quarter End Test Date”), for Benchmark Quarter End Test Dates after August 4, 2017 (the date of the Separation), or (B) $49,282,000,000, the consolidated GAAP stockholders’ equity, minus AOCI as of June 30, 2017 as reported on a pro forma basis reflecting the Separation in MetLife’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2017, for Benchmark Quarter End Test Dates prior to August 4, 2017.

191

Table of Contents

The Trigger Event would continue until there is no longer a Trigger Event at the specified time, and the adjusted stockholders’ equity amount is no longer 10% or more below its level at each Benchmark Quarter End Test Date that is associated with a “Trigger Event.”
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Purchases of MetLife, Inc. common stock made by or on behalf of MetLife, Inc. or its affiliates during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 are set forth below:
Period
 
Total Number
of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (2)
 
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (3)
July 1 — July 31, 2017
 
892,524

 
$
55.24

 
892,524

 
$
838,739,268

August 1 — August 31, 2017
 
2,850,391

 
$
47.22

 
2,850,391

 
$
704,141,933

September 1 — September 30, 2017
 
6,642,509

 
$
48.34

 
6,639,743

 
$
383,192,714

__________________
(1)
Except for the foregoing, there were no shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock repurchased by MetLife, Inc. During the periods July 1 through July 31, 2017, August 1 through August 31, 2017 and September 1 through September 30, 2017, separate account index funds purchased 0 shares, 0 shares and 2,766 shares, respectively, of MetLife, Inc. common stock on the open market in nondiscretionary transactions.
(2)
MetLife, Inc. repurchased 10,382,658 shares of common stock for $505 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017. Also during the three months ended September 30, 2017, there was a $10 million reduction in treasury stock as a result of the Separation. These transactions are reflected on the Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the Separation.
(3)
At September 30, 2017, MetLife, Inc. had $383 million of common stock repurchases remaining under the authorization approved by its Board. On November 1, 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board approved an additional $2.0 billion authorization for MetLife, Inc. to repurchase its common stock. For more information on common stock repurchases, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Common Stock Repurchases,” “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks — Legal and 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 2016 Annual Report, as updated in “Risk Factors — Capital-Related Risks” herein and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

192

Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits
(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and MetLife, Inc.’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.)

 


Incorporated by Reference


Exhibit No.

Description

Form

File Number

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed or Furnished Herewith













3.1
 
 
10-K
 
001-15787
 
3.1
 
March 1, 2017
 
 
3.2
 
 
10-K
 
001-15787
 
3.2
 
March 1, 2017
 
 
3.3
 
 
10-K
 
001-15787
 
3.3
 
March 1, 2017
 
 
3.4
 
 
10-K
 
001-15787
 
3.4
 
March 1, 2017
 
 
3.5
 
 
10-K
 
001-15787
 
3.6
 
March 1, 2017
 
 
3.6
 
 
8-K
 
001-15787
 
3.1
 
April 30, 2015
 
 
3.7
 
 
8-K
 
001-15787
 
3.1
 
May 28, 2015
 
 
3.8
 
 
10-Q
 
001-15787
 
3.7
 
November 5, 2015
 
 
3.9
 
 
8-K
 
001-15787
 
3.1
 
October 24, 2017
 
 
4.1
 
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife, Inc., dated October 23, 2017 (See Exhibit 3.9 above).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of MetLife, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. MetLife, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, copies of such instruments.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X


193

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
Form
 
File Number
 
Exhibit
 
Filing Date
 
Filed or Furnished Herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
10.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
10.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
10.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
10.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
10.7
 
 
10-Q
 
001-15787
 
10.1
 
August 5, 2016
 
 
10.8
 
 
10-K
 
001-15787
 
10.15
 
February 25, 2016
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
31.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
32.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
32.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
______________

*Indicates management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.


194

Table of Contents

Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
METLIFE, INC.
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ William O’Donnell
 
 
Name:  William O’Donnell
Title:    Executive Vice President
             and Chief Accounting Officer
             (Authorized Signatory and Principal
              Accounting Officer)
Date: November 6, 2017

195