UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
  
FORM 10-Q
 þQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 20172018
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: 033-03094
 
 
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Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 06-0566090
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(980) 365-7100
(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, a 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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  ¨
  
Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer    þ  (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 August 11, 2017,8, 2018, 3,000 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $25,000 par value per share, were outstanding, all of which were owned indirectly owned by Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is, therefore, filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.
 
 

Table of Contents
 Page
 
Item 1.Consolidated Financial Statements (at June 30, 20172018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 20162017 and for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)):
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
   
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 4.
Item 6.
  
  

Part I — Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 20172018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 20162017
(In millions, except share and per share data)
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Assets        
Investments:        
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $57,480 and $57,289, respectively) $61,622
 $59,899
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $247 and $280, respectively) 278
 300
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $44 and $40, respectively; includes $123 and $136, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities) 10,159
 9,290
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $58,523 and $58,599, respectively) $60,753
 $63,333
Equity securities, at estimated fair value (cost: $140 and $142, respectively) 153
 161
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $51 and $46, respectively; includes $96 and $115, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities) 12,237
 10,640
Policy loans 1,091
 1,093
 1,043
 1,106
Real estate and real estate joint ventures 302
 215
Real estate joint ventures 449
 433
Other limited partnership interests 1,620
 1,639
 1,704
 1,667
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value (includes $0 and $344, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) 1,246
 1,272
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value 115
 269
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value 3,045
 5,029
 2,317
 2,519
Total investments 79,363
 78,737
 78,771
 80,128
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $0 and $3,078, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) 2,233
 5,057
Accrued investment income (includes $1 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) 583
 668
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value 1,717
 1,363
Accrued investment income (includes $0 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) 583
 575
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables 13,065
 13,853
 13,024
 12,918
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired 5,734
 6,339
 5,343
 5,623
Current income tax recoverable 1,480
 736
 807
 735
Other assets 553
 689
 533
 547
Separate account assets 107,652
 105,346
 103,801
 110,156
Total assets $210,663
 $211,425
 $204,579
 $212,045
Liabilities and Equity        
Liabilities        
Future policy benefits $33,711
 $32,752
 $35,183
 $35,715
Policyholder account balances 36,553
 36,579
 37,629
 37,069
Other policy-related balances 2,661
 2,712
 2,681
 2,720
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions 7,105
 7,371
 4,255
 4,158
Long-term debt (includes $16 and $23, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities) 53
 1,904
Long-term debt (includes $5 and $11, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities) 40
 46
Deferred income tax liability 2,517
 2,451
 646
 894
Other liabilities (includes $0 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) 4,732
 5,445
Other liabilities 4,589
 4,419
Separate account liabilities 107,652
 105,346
 103,801
 110,156
Total liabilities 194,984
 194,560
 188,824
 195,177
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 11) 
 
 
 
Equity        
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s stockholder’s equity:        
Common stock, par value $25,000 per share; 4,000 shares authorized; 3,000 shares issued and outstanding 75
 75
 75
 75
Additional paid-in capital 17,276
 18,461
 19,073
 19,073
Retained earnings (deficit) (3,548) (2,919) (4,223) (4,132)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 1,861
 1,248
 815
 1,837
Total Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s stockholder’s equity 15,664
 16,865
 15,740
 16,853
Noncontrolling interests 15
 
 15
 15
Total equity 15,679
 16,865
 15,755
 16,868
Total liabilities and equity $210,663
 $211,425
 $204,579
 $212,045
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.


Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
Three Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
Revenues              
Premiums$209
 $268
 $379
 $653
$215
 $209
 $435
 $379
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees784
 762
 1,570
 1,523
797
 784
 1,621
 1,570
Net investment income740
 782
 1,499
 1,507
780
 740
 1,572
 1,499
Other revenues137
 349
 199
 437
70
 137
 149
 199
Net investment gains (losses):       
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities(1) 
 (1) (17)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
 (1) 
 (1)
Other net investment gains (losses)1
 21
 (54) (22)
Total net investment gains (losses)
 20
 (55) (40)
Net investment gains (losses)(74) 
 (78) (55)
Net derivative gains (losses)(89) (2,938) (902) (2,727)(278) (89) (565) (902)
Total revenues1,781
 (757) 2,690
 1,353
1,510
 1,781
 3,134
 2,690
Expenses              
Policyholder benefits and claims812
 1,125
 1,670
 1,829
797
 812
 1,507
 1,670
Interest credited to policyholder account balances275
 282
 542
 564
260
 275
 520
 542
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired689
 (568) 647
 (349)235
 689
 516
 647
Other expenses460
 395
 896
 845
447
 460
 844
 896
Total expenses2,236
 1,234
 3,755
 2,889
1,739
 2,236
 3,387
 3,755
Income (loss) before provision for income tax(455) (1,991) (1,065) (1,536)(229) (455) (253) (1,065)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(191) (730) (436) (608)(65) (191) (87) (436)
Net income (loss)$(264) $(1,261) $(629) $(928)$(164) $(264) $(166) $(629)
Comprehensive income (loss)$200
 $(1,149) $(16) $289
$(284) $200
 $(1,109) $(16)
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings (Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity Noncontrolling Interests 
Total
Equity
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings (Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity Noncontrolling Interests 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2017$75
 $19,073
 $(4,132) $1,837
 $16,853
 $15
 $16,868
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and other, net of income tax (Note 1)
 

 75
 (79) (4) 
 (4)
Balance at January 1, 201875
 19,073
 (4,057) 1,758
 16,849
 15
 16,864
Change in noncontrolling interests  
     
 

 
Net income (loss)    (166)   (166) 
 (166)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax      (943) (943)   (943)
Balance at June 30, 2018$75
 $19,073
 $(4,223) $815
 $15,740
 $15
 $15,755
             
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Retained
Earnings (Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity Noncontrolling Interests 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016$75
 $18,461
 $(2,919) $1,248
 $16,865
 $
 $16,865
$75
 $18,461
 $(2,919) $1,248
 $16,865
 $
 $16,865
Sale of operating joint venture interest to an affiliate  202
     202
   202
Return of capital (Note 3)  (2,737)     (2,737)   (2,737)
Sale of operating joint venture interest to a former affiliate
 202
 

   202
   202
Return of capital  (2,737)     (2,737)   (2,737)
Capital contributions  1,350
     1,350
   1,350
  1,350
     1,350
   1,350
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests  
     
 15
 15
Change in noncontrolling interests        
 15
 15
Net income (loss)    (629)   (629)   (629)    (629)   (629) 

 (629)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax      613
 613
   613
      613
 613
   613
Balance at June 30, 2017$75
 $17,276
 $(3,548) $1,861
 $15,664
 $15
 $15,679
$75
 $17,276
 $(3,548) $1,861
 $15,664
 $15
 $15,679
             
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Retained
Earnings (Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity Noncontrolling Interests 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015$75
 $16,850
 $117
 $1,594
 $18,636
 $
 $18,636
Capital contributions  1,547
     1,547
   1,547
Net income (loss)    (928)   (928)   (928)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax      1,217
 1,217
   1,217
Balance at June 30, 2016$75
 $18,397
 $(811) $2,811
 $20,472
 $
 $20,472
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.


Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
2017 2016Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
   2018 2017
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$1,614
 $2,462
$1,339
 $1,614
Cash flows from investing activities      
Sales, maturities and repayments of:      
Fixed maturity securities6,837
 17,968
7,499
 6,837
Equity securities40
 80
12
 40
Mortgage loans366
 503
297
 366
Real estate and real estate joint ventures12
 154
82
 12
Other limited partnership interests152
 152
75
 152
Purchases of:      
Fixed maturity securities(7,069) (21,144)(7,310) (7,069)
Equity securities(2) (56)(1) (2)
Mortgage loans(1,178) (1,036)(1,916) (1,178)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures(92) (35)(27) (92)
Other limited partnership interests(109) (89)(99) (109)
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives1,763
 401
721
 1,763
Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives(2,720) (625)(1,569) (2,720)
Sale of operating joint venture interest to an affiliate42
 
Receipts on loans to affiliates
 50
Sale of operating joint venture interest to a former affiliate
 42
Net change in policy loans2
 12
63
 2
Net change in short-term investments67
 (790)154
 67
Net change in other invested assets(10) (6)(6) (10)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(1,899) (4,461)(2,025) (1,899)
Cash flows from financing activities      
Policyholder account balances:      
Deposits1,902
 6,354
2,720
 1,902
Withdrawals(1,669) (7,857)(1,519) (1,669)
Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions(192) 3,055
97
 (192)
Long-term debt repaid(7) (13)(6) (7)
Capital contribution
 600
Returns of capital
 (3,425)
Capital contribution associated with the sale of joint venture interest to a former affiliate
 202
Financing element on certain derivative instruments and other derivative related transactions, net50
 (124)(226) 50
Returns of capital (Note 3)(3,425) 
Capital contribution600
 1,540
Capital contribution associated with the sale of joint venture interest to an affiliate202
 
Other, net(26) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(2,539) 2,955
1,040
 (2,539)
Change in cash and cash equivalents(2,824) 956
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period5,057
 1,507
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$2,233
 $2,463
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash354
 (2,824)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period1,363
 5,057
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period$1,717
 $2,233
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information      
Net cash paid (received) for:      
Interest$75
 $66
$5
 $75
Income tax$22
 $191
$2
 $22
Non-cash transactions:      
Transfer of fixed maturity securities from affiliates$
 $3,478
Transfer of mortgage loans from affiliates$
 $395
Transfer of short-term investments from affiliates$
 $94
Transfer of fixed maturity securities to affiliates$293
 $
Transfer of fixed maturity securities to former affiliates$
 $293
Reduction of policyholder account balances in connection with reinsurance transactions$293
 $
$
 $293
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.


5

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
Brighthouse Insurance”BLIC” and the “Company” refer to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware corporation originally incorporated in Connecticut in 1863, and its subsidiaries. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Holdings, LLC, which until July 28, 2017 wasis a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Brighthouse”).
In 2016, MetLife, Inc. (MetLife, Inc., together(together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”). The Company offers a range of individual annuities and individual life insurance products.
On January 12, 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced its plan to pursue the separation of a substantial portion of its former U.S. retail business (the “Separation”). Additionally, on July 21, 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced that the separated business would be rebranded as “Brighthouse Financial.” Effective March 6, 2017, and inIn connection with the Separation, the Company changed its name from MetLife Insurance Company USA to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company.
On October 5, 2016, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Brighthouse”), which until the completion of the Separation on August 4, 2017, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., filed a registration statement on Form 10 (as amended, the “Form 10”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that was declared effective by the SEC on July 6, 2017. The Form 10 disclosed MetLife, Inc.’s plans to undertake several actions, including an internal reorganization involving its U.S. retail business (the “Restructuring”) and include Brighthouse Insurance and certain affiliates in the planned separated business and distribute at least 80.1% of the shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc’s common stock on a pro rata basis to the holders of MetLife, Inc. common stock. In connection with the Restructuring, effective April 2017, following receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, MetLife, Inc. contributed certain affiliated reinsurance companies and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“Brighthouse NY”BHNY”) to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (the “Contribution Transactions”). The affiliated reinsurance companies were then merged into Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware (“BRCD”), a licensed reinsurance subsidiary of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. See Note 3 for further information on this change, which was applied retrospectively. On July 28, 2017, MetLife, Inc. contributed Brighthouse Holdings, LLC to Brighthouse Financial, Inc., resulting in Brighthouse Life Insurance Company becoming an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the Separation through a distribution of 96,776,670 of the 119,773,106 shares of the common stock of Brighthouse Financial Inc., representing 80.8% of MetLife, Inc.’s interest in Brighthouse Financial, Inc., to holders of MetLife, Inc. common stock.stock and MetLife, Inc. retained the remaining 19.2%. On June 14, 2018, MetLife, Inc. divested its remaining shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock (the “MetLife Divestiture”). As a result, MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates are no longer considered related parties subsequent to the MetLife Divestiture.
In anticipationThe Company offers a range of the Separation, in the third quarter of 2016, theindividual annuities and individual life insurance products. The Company reorganized its businesses intoreports results through three segments: Annuities, Life and Run-off. See Note 2 for further information onIn addition, the reorganizationCompany reports certain of the Company’s segmentsits results in the third quarter of 2016, which was applied retrospectively.Corporate & Other.
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 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company 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”investee”) 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. TheWhen the Company uses the cost method of accounting for investments in which it has virtually no influence over the investee’s operations.operations, the investment is carried at fair value.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior year periods’ interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation as discussed throughout the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, effective January 1, 2018 the Company recorded an increase to other liabilities of $46 million, a decrease to deferred tax liabilities of $22 million, a decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of $64 million, and an increase to retained earnings of $40 million, to reflect an adjustment, net of tax, to prior year accretion of certain investments in redeemable preferred stock.
Since the Company is a member of a controlled group of affiliated companies, its results may not be indicative of those of a stand-alone entity.

6

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

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.
Since the Company is a member of a controlled group of affiliated companies, its results may not be indicative of those of a stand-alone entity.
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, 20162017 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 (the “2016“2017 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 20162017 Annual Report.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2017,Changes to GAAP are established by 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 an 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 interestsFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the entity held through related parties thatform of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are under common control with the reporting entity. The adoption of this new guidance did not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidatedfinancial statements. The following table provides a description of new ASUs issued by the FASB and the expected impact of the adoption on the Company’s financial statements.
Other
Effective January 3, 2017, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) amended its rulebook, resultingASUs adopted as of June 30, 2018 are summarized 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 $206 million, gross derivative liabilities by $927 million, accrued investment income by $30 million, collateral receivables recorded within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables of $765 million, and collateral payables recorded within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions of $74 million.table below.
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on purchased callable debt securities (Accounting Standards Update (“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 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.
StandardDescriptionEffective DateImpact on Financial Statements
ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial LiabilitiesThe 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.January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective methodThe Company 1) reclassified net unrealized gains related to equity securities previously classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) from AOCI to retained earnings and 2) increased the carrying value of equity investments previously accounted for under the cost method to estimated fair value. The cumulative effect of the adoption is a net increase to retained earnings of $38 million and a net decrease of $15 million to AOCI, after taxes.
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)For those contracts that are impacted, the guidance will require an entity to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled, in exchange for those goods or services.January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method
The adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements other than expanded disclosures in Note 9.


7

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

In February 2017, the FASBASUs issued new guidance on derecognitionbut not yet adopted as 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 years. Early adoption is 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 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 periodJune 30, 2018 are summarized 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.
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 on 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.

table below.
8

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, 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 population of these investments accounted for under the cost method is not material. The Company is continuing to evaluate the overall impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard (ASU 2014‑09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. 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 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 Financial Services insurance (Topic 944), leases, financial instruments and guarantees. For those contracts that are impacted, the guidance will require an entity to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled, in exchange for those goods or services. 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.
StandardDescriptionEffective DateImpact on Financial Statements
ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging ActivitiesThe amendments to Topic 815 (i) refine and expand the criteria for achieving hedge accounting on certain hedging strategies, (ii) require the earnings effect of the hedging instrument be presented in the same line item in which the earnings effect of the hedged item is reported, and (iii) eliminate the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness.January 1, 2019 using modified retrospective method (with early adoption permitted)The Company does not expect a material impact on its financial statements from adoption of the new guidance.
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial InstrumentsThe amendments to Topic 326 replace the incurred loss impairment methodology for certain financial instruments with one that reflects expected credit losses based on historical loss information, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new guidance also 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.January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method (with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2019)The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its financial statements, with the most significant impact expected to be earlier recognition of credit losses on mortgage loan investments.
2. Segment Information
In anticipation of the planned Separation, in the third quarter of 2016, theThe Company reorganized its businessesis organized into three segments: Annuities; Life; and Run-off. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company moved the universal life policies with secondary guarantees (“ULSG”) business from the Life segment to the Run-off segment. These and certain other presentation changes were applied retrospectively and did not have an impact on total consolidated net income (loss) or operating earnings in the prior periods.
Annuities
The Annuities segment offersconsists of a variety of variable, fixed, index-linked and income annuities designed to address contractholders’contract holders’ needs for protected wealth accumulation on a tax-deferred basis, wealth transfer and income security.
Life
The Life segment offersconsists of insurance products and services, including term, whole, universal and variable life products designed to address policyholders’ needs for financial security and protected wealth transfer, which may be provided on a tax-advantaged basis.
Run-off
The Run-off segment consists of products no longer actively sold and which are separately managed, including structured settlements, pension risk transfer contracts, certain company-owned life insurance policies, bank-owned life insurance policies, funding agreements and ULSG.universal life with secondary guarantees.
Corporate & Other
Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments and 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. Corporate & Other also includes the elimination of intersegment amounts, long-term care and workers compensation business reinsured through 100% quota share reinsurance agreements and term life insurance sold direct to consumers, which is no longer being offered for new sales.

9

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies
OperatingAdjusted earnings is a financial measure used by management to evaluate performance, allocate resources and facilitate comparisons to industry results. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings is also used to measure segment performance. The Company believes the presentation of operatingadjusted 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. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is also the Company’s GAAP measure of segment performance and is reported below. OperatingAdjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss).
Operating
8

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

Adjusted earnings, is a measure thatwhich may be positive or negative, focuses 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 businesses. Non-core businesses include discontinued operations and otheras well as businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by us,the Company, referred to as divested businesses, and certain entities required to be consolidated under GAAP.businesses.
The following are the significant items excluded from total revenues, net of income tax, in calculating operatingadjusted earnings:
Net investment gains (losses);
Net derivative gains (losses) except: (i)except 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 treatmenttreatment; and (ii) earned income on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment;
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”);
Certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and
Revenues from divested businesses..
The following are the significant items excluded from total expenses, net of income tax, in calculating operatingadjusted earnings:
Amounts associated with benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”);
Amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets and market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market Value Adjustments”); and
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costscost (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) related to: (i) net investment gains (losses), (ii) net derivative gains (losses), (iii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (iv) Market Value Adjustments;
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;
Expenses of divested businesses;
Amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP;
Goodwill impairment; and.
Costs related to: (i) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements and (ii) acquisition and integration costs;Adjustments.
The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above are calculated net of the U.SU.S. statutory tax rate, which could differ from the Company’s effective tax rate.
Set forth in the tables below is certain financial information with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and 2016.at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The segment accounting policies are the same as those used to prepare the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, except for operatingthe adjustments to calculate adjusted earnings adjustments as defineddescribed above. In addition, segment accounting policies include the methodmethods of capital allocation described below.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, the Company changed the methodology for how capital is allocated to segments and, in some cases, products (the “Portfolio Realignment”). Segment investment and capitalization targets are now based on statutory oriented risk principles and metrics. Segment invested assets backing liabilities are based on net statutory liabilities plus excess capital. For the variable annuity business, the excess capital held is based on the target statutory total asset requirement consistent with the Company’s variable annuity risk management strategy discussed in the 2017 Annual Report. For insurance businesses other than variable annuities, excess capital held is based on a percentage of required statutory risk-based capital. Assets in excess of those allocated to the segments, if any, are held in Corporate & Other. Segment net investment income reflects the performance of each segment’s respective invested assets.
Previously, invested assets held in the segments were based on net GAAP liabilities. Excess capital was retained in Corporate & Other and allocated to segments based on an internally developed statistics based capital model intended to capture the material risks to which the Company was exposed (referred to as “allocated equity”). Surplus assets in excess of the combined allocations to the segments were held in Corporate & Other with net investment income being credited back to the segments at a predetermined rate. Any excess or shortfall in net investment income from surplus assets was recognized in Corporate & Other.
The Portfolio Realignment had no effect on the Company’s consolidated net income (loss) or adjusted earnings, but it did impact segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2018. It was not practicable to determine the impact of the Portfolio Realignment to adjusted earnings in prior periods; however, the Company estimates that pre-tax adjusted earnings in the Life segment for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased between $40 million and $50 million as a result of the change, with most of the offsetting impact in the Run-off segment. Impacts to the Annuities segment and Corporate & Other would not have been significantly different under the previous allocation method.

9

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

In addition, the total assets recognized in the segments changed as a result of the Portfolio Realignment. Total assets (on a book value basis) in the Annuities and Life segments increased approximately $2 billion and approximately $3 billion, respectively, under the new allocation method. The Run-off segment and Corporate & Other experienced decreases in total assets of approximately $3 billion and approximately $2 billion, respectively, as a result of the Portfolio Realignment.
  Operating Results
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax adjusted earnings $255
 $26
 $(8) $(38) $235
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 43
 6
 (2) (14) 33
Adjusted earnings $212
 $20
 $(6) $(24) 202
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         (74)
Net derivative gains (losses)         (278)
Other adjustments to net income         (112)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         98
Net income (loss)         $(164)
           
Interest revenue $374
 $92
 $314
 $7
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $
 $1
  
  Operating Results
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax adjusted earnings $264
 $84
 $(597) $(12) $(261)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 65
 16
 (196) (7) (122)
Adjusted earnings $199
 $68
 $(401) $(5) (139)
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         
Net derivative gains (losses)         (89)
Other adjustments to net income         (105)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         69
Net income (loss)         $(264)
           
Interest revenue $308
 $74
 $338
 $46
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $4
 $19
  

10

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

  Operating Results
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax adjusted earnings $510
 $90
 $56
 $(55) $601
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 87
 18
 11
 (23) 93
Adjusted earnings $423
 $72
 $45
 $(32) 508
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         (78)
Net derivative gains (losses)         (565)
Other adjustments to net income         (211)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         180
Net income (loss)         $(166)
           
Interest revenue $733
 $180
 $657
 $17
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $
 $2
  
  Operating Results
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax adjusted earnings $529
 $(42) $(484) $15
 $18
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 132
 (16) (171) (3) (58)
Adjusted earnings $397
 $(26) $(313) $18
 76
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         (55)
Net derivative gains (losses)         (902)
Other adjustments to net income         (126)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         378
Net income (loss)         $(629)
           
Interest revenue $632
 $154
 $712
 $102
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $19
 $37
  
The internal capital model is a MetLife developed risk capital model that reflects management’s judgment and view of required capitalfollowing table presents total revenues with respect to represent the measurement of the risk profile of the business, to meet the Company’s long term promises to clients, to service long-term obligations and to support the credit ratings of the Company. It accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in the Company’s business. Management is responsible for the ongoing production and enhancement of the internal capital model and reviews its approach periodically to ensure that it remains consistent with emerging industry practice standards. As such, the internal capital allocation methodology in the future may differ from MetLife’s historical model.segments, as well as Corporate & Other:
The Company allocates equity to the segments based on the internal capital model and aligns with emerging standards and consistent risk principles.
Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact the Company’s consolidated net investment income or net income (loss).
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 time incurred by each segment; and (iii) cost estimates included in the Company’s product pricing.
  Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
  (In millions)
Annuities $985
 $960
 $1,962
 $1,888
Life 278
 265
 578
 486
Run-off 509
 531
 1,058
 1,085
Corporate & Other 31
 73
 67
 155
Adjustments (293) (48) (531) (924)
Total $1,510
 $1,781
 $3,134
 $2,690

11

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

  Operating Results
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax operating earnings $264
 $84
 $(597) $(12) $(261)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 65
 16
 (196) (7) (122)
Operating earnings $199
 $68
 $(401) $(5) (139)
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         
Net derivative gains (losses)         (89)
Other adjustments to net income         (105)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         69
Net income (loss)         $(264)
           
Inter-segment revenues $149
 $(100) $51
 $(52)  
Interest revenue $308
 $74
 $338
 $46
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $4
 $19
  
  Operating Results
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax operating earnings $472
 $20
 $(115) $14
 $391
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 133
 (3) (32) 3
 101
Operating earnings $339
 $23
 $(83) $11
 290
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         20
Net derivative gains (losses)         (2,938)
Other adjustments to net income         536
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         831
Net income (loss)         $(1,261)
           
Inter-segment revenues $379
 $(179) $11
 $(5)  
Interest revenue $364
 $75
 $358
 $48
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $15
 $17
  

12

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

  Operating Results
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax operating earnings $529
 $(42) $(484) $15
 $18
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 132
 (16) (171) (3) (58)
Operating earnings $397
 $(26) $(313) $18
 76
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         (55)
Net derivative gains (losses)         (902)
Other adjustments to net income         (126)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         378
Net income (loss)         $(629)
           
Inter-segment revenues $246
 $(241) $48
 $(63)  
Interest revenue $632
 $154
 $712
 $102
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $19
 $37
  
  Operating Results
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Annuities Life Run-off Corporate & Other Total
  (In millions)
Pre-tax operating earnings $784
 $(14) $37
 $6
 $813
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 211
 (11) 17
 (5) 212
Operating earnings $573
 $(3) $20
 $11
 601
Adjustments for:          
Net investment gains (losses)         (40)
Net derivative gains (losses)         (2,727)
Other adjustments to net income         418
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit         820
Net income (loss)         $(928)
           
Inter-segment revenues $505
 $(338) $21
 $23
  
Interest revenue $702
 $146
 $703
 $85
  
Interest expense $
 $
 $30
 $34
  


13

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)

The following table presents total revenues with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other:
  Three Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  (In millions)
Annuities $960
 $1,320
 $1,888
 $2,415
Life 265
 233
 486
 458
Run-off 531
 517
 1,085
 1,053
Corporate & Other 73
 83
 155
 181
Adjustments (48) (2,910) (924) (2,754)
Total $1,781
 $(757) $2,690
 $1,353
The following table presents total assets with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other, at:

June 30, 2017
December 31, 2016June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017

(In millions)(In millions)
Annuities$146,084
 $146,224
$146,905
 $149,920
Life11,072
 12,296
14,192
 13,044
Run-off41,286
 40,575
32,458
 36,719
Corporate & Other12,221
 12,330
11,024
 12,362
Total$210,663

$211,425
$204,579

$212,045
3. Contribution Transactions
In April 2017, in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. contributed MetLife Reinsurance Company of Delaware, MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”), MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont II, all affiliated reinsurance companies, and Brighthouse NY to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. The affiliated reinsurance companies were then merged into BRCD, and certain reserve financing arrangements were restructured, resulting in a net return of capital to MetLife of $2.7 billion. The return of capital included $3.4 billion in cash, offset by a non-cash capital contribution of $703 million primarily comprised of the $643 million tax impact of a basis adjustment for BRCD in connection with the Contribution Transactions. The affiliated reinsurance companies reinsured risks, including level premium term life and ULSG assumed from the Company and other entities and operations of Brighthouse.
Simultaneously with the Contribution Transactions, the following additional transactions occurred:
The existing reserve financing arrangements of the affiliated reinsurance companies with unaffiliated financial institutions were terminated and replaced with a single financing arrangement supported by a pool of highly rated third-party reinsurers. See Note 8.
Invested assets held in trust totaling $3.4 billion were liquidated, of which $2.7 billion provided funding for MetLife, Inc.’s repayment of the associated collateral financing arrangement, and the remainder was remitted to MetLife, Inc. See Notes 5 and 9.
Loans outstanding to MetLife, Inc. totaling $1.1 billion were repaid in an exchange transaction that resulted in the satisfaction of $1.1 billion of surplus notes due to MetLife. See Notes 5 and 8.
The Contribution Transactions were between entities under common control and has been accounted for in a manner similar to the pooling-of-interests method, which requires that the acquired entities be combined at their historical cost. The Company’s consolidated financial statements and related footnotes are presented as if the transaction occurred at the beginning of the earliest date presented and the prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted.
The effect of the Contribution Transactions on net income (loss) was an increase of $296 million and $468 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

14

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)

The effect of the Contribution Transactions on other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) was an increase of $314 million and $631 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 respectively.
4. Insurance
Guarantees
As discussed inNotes 1and 54 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 20162017 Annual Report, the Company issues variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMABs”), the non-life contingent portion of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWBs”) and the portion of certain GMIBs that do not require annuitization are accounted for as embedded derivatives in policyholder account balances and are further discussed in Note 6.5.
The Company also issues universal and variable life contracts where the Company contractually guarantees to the contractholdercontract holder a secondary guarantee.
Information regarding the Company’s guarantee exposure was as follows at:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
In the
Event of Death
 
At
Annuitization
 
(Dollars in millions) (Dollars in millions) 
Annuity Contracts (1), (2)                
Variable Annuity Guarantees                
Total account value (3)$109,788
 $62,665
 $106,590
 $61,340
 $104,974
 $60,458
 $105,061
 $59,691
 
Separate account value$104,985
 $61,425
 $101,991
 $60,016
 $100,115
 $59,330
 $100,043
 $58,511
 
Net amount at risk$5,802
(4)$2,733
(5)$6,763
(4)$3,116
(5)$6,473
(4)$2,468
(5)$5,200
(4)$2,330
(5)
Average attained age of contractholders68 years
 68 years
 67 years
 67 years
 
Average attained age of contract holders68 years
 68 years
 68 years
 68 years
 
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Secondary GuaranteesSecondary Guarantees
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)
Universal and Variable Life Contracts   
Universal Life Contracts   
Total account value (3)$7,197
 $7,176
$6,154
 $6,244
Net amount at risk (6)$90,524
 $90,973
$74,152
 $75,304
Average attained age of policyholders60 years
 60 years
65 years
 64 years
   
Variable Life Contracts   
Total account value (3)$1,037
 $1,021
Net amount at risk (6)$13,384
 $13,848
Average attained age of policyholders44 years
 44 years
__________________
(1)The Company’s annuity contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract. Therefore, the amounts listed above may not be mutually exclusive.

12

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)

(2)
Includes direct business, but excludes offsets from hedging or reinsurance, if any. Therefore, the net amount at risk presented reflects the economic exposures of living and death benefit guarantees associated with variable annuities, but not necessarily their impact on the Company. SeeNote 7 6of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 20162017 Annual Report for a discussion of certain living and death benefit guaranteesguaranteed minimum benefits which have been reinsured.
(3)Includes the contractholder’scontract holder’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.

15

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
4. Insurance (continued)

(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 contractholderscontract holders 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 contractholderscontract holders have achieved.
(6)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.
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:
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2017 2016
 (In millions)
Balance at December 31 of prior period$1,970
 $1,693
Less: Reinsurance recoverables1,811
 1,545
Net balance at December 31 of prior period159
 148
Cumulative adjustment (1)
 68
Net balance, beginning of period159
 216
Incurred related to:   
Current period341
 458
Prior periods (2)(13) (30)
Total incurred328
 428
Paid related to:   
Current period(263) (290)
Prior periods(45) (106)
Total paid(308) (396)
Net balance, end of period179
 248
Add: Reinsurance recoverables1,820
 1,632
Balance, end of period$1,999
 $1,880
______________
(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 the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the claims and claim adjustment expenses associated with prior years changed due to differences between the actual benefits paid and the expected benefits owed during those periods.

16

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)

5.4. Investments
Fixed MaturitySee Note 6 for information about the fair value hierarchy for investments and Equity Securities Available-for-Salethe related valuation methodologies.
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-SaleAFS
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS 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”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) (collectively, “Structured Securities”).sector at:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Estimated
Fair
Value
 Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Estimated
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Estimated
Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Estimated
Fair
Value
Gains Temporary
Losses
 OTTI
Losses (1)
 Gains Temporary
Losses
 OTTI
Losses (1)
 Gains Temporary
Losses
 OTTI
Losses (1)
 Gains Temporary
Losses
 OTTI
Losses (1)
 
(In millions)(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities:(2)                                      
U.S. corporate$20,250
 $1,659
 $122
 $
 $21,787
 $20,663
 $1,287
 $285
 $
 $21,665
$22,439
 $963
 $439
 $
 $22,963
 $20,647
 $1,822
 $89
 $
 $22,380
U.S. government and agency13,385
 1,655
 121
 
 14,919
 11,872
 1,281
 237
 
 12,916
10,871
 1,397
 190
 
 12,078
 14,185
 1,844
 116
 
 15,913
RMBS7,875
 261
 72
 (5) 8,069
 7,876
 203
 139
 
 7,940
7,615
 249
 173
 (4) 7,695
 7,588
 283
 57
 (3) 7,817
Foreign corporate6,130
 321
 95
 
 6,356
 6,071
 220
 168
 
 6,123
6,751
 171
 176
 
 6,746
 6,457
 376
 62
 
 6,771
State and political subdivision3,502

464

13



3,953

3,520

376

38



3,858
3,583

435

25

(2)
3,995

3,573

532

6

1

4,098
CMBS3,136
 61
 15
 (1) 3,183
 3,687
 40
 32
 (1) 3,696
3,967
 10
 87
 (1) 3,891
 3,259
 48
 17
 (1) 3,291
ABS2,176
 19
 4
 
 2,191
 2,600
 11
 13
 
 2,598
2,041
 14
 5
 
 2,050
 1,779
 19
 2
 
 1,796
Foreign government1,026
 141
 3
 
 1,164
 1,000
 114
 11
 
 1,103
1,256
 104
 25
 
 1,335
 1,111
 159
 3
 
 1,267
Total fixed maturity securities$57,480

$4,581

$445

$(6)
$61,622

$57,289

$3,532

$923

$(1)
$59,899
$58,523

$3,343

$1,120

$(7)
$60,753

$58,599

$5,083

$352

$(3)
$63,333
Equity securities:                   
Non-redeemable preferred stock$147
 $11
 $2
 $
 $156
 $180
 $6
 $9
 $
 $177
Common stock100
 22
 
 
 122
 100
 23
 
 
 123
Total equity securities$247

$33

$2

$

$278

$280

$29

$9

$

$300
__________________
(1)Noncredit OTTI losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”)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).”
(2)Redeemable preferred stock is reported within U.S. corporate and foreign corporate fixed maturity securities. Included within fixed maturity securities are structured securities including residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) (collectively, “Structured Securities”).
The Company held non-income producing fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of less than $1$6 million and $5$3 million with unrealized gains (losses) of less than ($1)$2 million and less than $1($2) million at June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.

13

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)

Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity date, were as follows at June 30, 2017:2018:
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
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)(In millions)
Amortized cost$1,733
 $10,923
 $9,323
 $22,314
 $13,187
 $57,480
$1,730
 $8,028
 $11,339
 $23,803
 $13,623
 $58,523
Estimated fair value$1,743
 $11,331
 $9,610
 $25,495
 $13,443
 $61,622
$1,736
 $8,111
 $11,234
 $26,036
 $13,636
 $60,753
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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
5. Investments (continued)

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:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Less than 12 Months 
Equal to or Greater
than 12 Months
 Less than 12 Months 
Equal to or Greater
than 12 Months
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
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)(Dollars in millions)
Fixed maturity securities:                              
U.S. corporate$2,807
 $81
 $505
 $41
 $4,632
 $187
 $699
 $98
$9,566
 $321
 $1,229
 $118
 $1,762
 $21
 $1,413
 $68
U.S. government and agency5,374
 121
 
 
 4,396
 237
 
 
2,587
 61
 1,318
 129
 4,764
 36
 1,573
 80
RMBS2,814
 51
 522
 16
 3,457
 107
 818
 32
3,209
 95
 1,103
 74
 2,308
 13
 1,292
 41
Foreign corporate639
 21
 567
 74
 1,443
 64
 573
 104
2,924
 105
 433
 71
 636
 8
 559
 54
State and political subdivision403
 11
 29
 2
 887
 35
 29
 3
577
 15
 102
 8
 171
 3
 106
 4
CMBS616
 12
 102
 2
 1,553
 26
 171
 5
2,897
 66
 344
 20
 603
 6
 335
 10
ABS227
 1
 195
 3
 450
 5
 461
 8
735
 4
 33
 1
 165
 
 75
 2
Foreign government160
 3
 3
 
 242
 10
 6
 1
500
 21
 68
 4
 152
 2
 50
 1
Total fixed maturity securities$13,040

$301

$1,923

$138

$17,060

$671

$2,757

$251
$22,995

$688

$4,630

$425

$10,561

$89

$5,403

$260
Equity securities:               
Non-redeemable preferred stock$7
 $
 $22
 $2
 $57
 $2
 $40
 $7
Total equity securities$7

$

$22

$2

$57

$2

$40

$7
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position1,148
   355
   1,711
   475
  2,770
   574
   903
   619
  

14

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)

Evaluation of AFS Securities for OTTI and Evaluating Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities
As described more fullyEvaluation and Measurement Methodologies
Management considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer and uses its best judgment in Notes 1 and 8evaluating the cause of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements includeddecline in the 2016 Annual Report,estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Considerations used in the impairment evaluation process include, but are not limited to: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been below amortized cost; (ii) the potential for impairments when the issuer is experiencing significant financial difficulties; (iii) the potential for impairments in an entire industry sector or sub-sector; (iv) the potential for impairments in certain economically depressed geographic locations; (v) the potential for impairments where the issuer, series of issuers or industry has suffered a catastrophic loss or has exhausted natural resources; (vi) whether the Company performshas the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a regular evaluationparticular security before the decline in estimated fair value below amortized cost recovers; (vii) with respect to Structured Securities, changes in forecasted cash flows after considering the quality of all investment classesunderlying collateral, expected prepayment speeds, current and forecasted loss severity, consideration of the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security, and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security; (viii) the potential for impairment, includingimpairments due to weakening of foreign currencies on non-functional currency denominated fixed maturity securities equity securitiesthat are near maturity; and perpetual hybrid securities, in accordance with its impairment policy, in order to evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.(ix) other subjective factors, including concentrations and information obtained from regulators and rating agencies.
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 June 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.2018.
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities decreased $483increased $764 million during the six months ended June 30, 20172018 to $439 million.1.1 billion. The decreaseincrease in gross unrealized losses for the six months ended June 30, 20172018 was primarily attributable to narrowing credit spreads and decreasingincreasing longer-term interest rates.rates and widening credit spreads.
At June 30, 2017, $42018, $2 million of the total $439 million$1.1 billion of gross unrealized losses were from nineseven fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss position of 20% or more of amortized cost for six months or greater.
The change in gross unrealized losses on equity securities was not significant during the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 (Dollars in millions)
Mortgage loans:       
Commercial$8,058
 65.8 % $7,233
 67.9 %
Agricultural2,557
 20.9
 2,200
 20.7
Residential1,577
 12.9
 1,138
 10.7
Subtotal (1)12,192
 99.6
 10,571
 99.3
Valuation allowances (2)(51) (0.4) (46) (0.4)
Subtotal mortgage loans, net12,141
 99.2
 10,525
 98.9
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs  FVO
96
 0.8
 115
 1.1
Total mortgage loans, net$12,237
 100.0 % $10,640
 100.0 %
__________________

1815

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities
Of the $4 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, $3 million, or 75%, were related to gross unrealized losses on three 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 $4 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, $1 million, or 25%, were related to gross unrealized losses on six 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 securities) and are the result of significantly wider credit spreads resulting from higher risk premiums since purchase, largely due to economic and market uncertainties including concerns over 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:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 (Dollars in millions)
Mortgage loans:       
Commercial$6,931
 68.2 % $6,497
 69.9 %
Agricultural2,040
 20.1
 1,830
 19.7
Residential1,109
 10.9
 867
 9.3
Subtotal (1)10,080
 99.2
 9,194
 98.9
Valuation allowances(44) (0.4) (40) (0.4)
Subtotal mortgage loans, net10,036
 98.8
 9,154
 98.5
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs - FVO123
 1.2
 136
 1.5
Total mortgage loans, net$10,159
 100.0 % $9,290
 100.0 %
__________________
(1)Purchases of mortgage loans from third parties were $518 million and $604 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $147 million and $307 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and were primarily comprised of residential mortgage loans. Purchases of mortgage loans were $192 million and $231 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, and
(2)The valuation allowances were primarily comprised of residential mortgage loans.from collective evaluation (non-specific loan related).    
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”).
Information on commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans is presented in the tables below. Information on commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs - FVO is presented in Note 7.6. The Company elects the FVO for certain commercial mortgage loans and related long-term debt that are managed on a total return basis.

19

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Mortgage Loans, Valuation Allowance and Impaired Loans by Portfolio SegmentMethodology
Mortgage loans byare considered to be impaired when it is probable that, based upon current information and events, the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the loan agreement. Specific valuation allowances are established using the same methodology for all three portfolio segments as the excess carrying value of a loan over either (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, (ii) the estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent, or (iii) the loan’s observable market price. A common evaluation framework is used for establishing non-specific valuation allowances for all loan portfolio segments; however, a separate non-specific valuation allowance is calculated and maintained for each loan portfolio segment by method of evaluation of credit loss, impaired mortgage loans including those modified in a troubled debt restructuring, and the relatedthat is based on inputs unique to each loan portfolio segment. Non-specific valuation allowances wereare established for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics where a property-specific or market-specific risk has not been identified, but for which the Company expects to incur a credit loss. These evaluations are based upon several loan portfolio segment-specific factors, including the Company’s experience for loan losses, defaults and loss severity, and loss expectations for loans with similar risk characteristics. These evaluations are revised 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)
June 30, 2017               
Commercial$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $6,931
 $34
 $
Agricultural4
 3
 
 
 
 2,037
 6
 3
Residential
 
 
 3
 3
 1,106
 4
 3
Total$4

$3

$

$3

$3

$10,074

$44

$6
December 31, 2016               
Commercial$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $6,497
 $32
 $
Agricultural4
 3
 
 
 
 1,827
 5
 3
Residential
 
 
 1
 1
 866
 3
 1
Total$4

$3

$

$1

$1

$9,190

$40

$4
The average recorded investment for impaired commercial, agriculturalconditions change and residential mortgage loans was $0, $3 million and $2 million, respectively, for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017 . The average recorded investment for impaired commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans was $0, $3 million and $0, respectively, for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016.new information becomes available.
Valuation Allowance Rollforward by Portfolio Segment
The changes in the valuation allowance, by portfolio segment, were as follows:

Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,

2017
2016

Commercial
Agricultural Residential
Total
Commercial
Agricultural Residential Total

(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$32

$5
 $3

$40

$28

$5
 $3
 $36
Provision (release)2

1
 1

4

4


 1
 5
Balance, end of period$34

$6

$4

$44

$32

$5

$4

$41

20

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Credit Quality of Commercial Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of commercial mortgage loans was as follows at:
 Recorded Investment    
 Debt Service Coverage Ratios   
% of
Total
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 > 1.20x 1.00x - 1.20x < 1.00x Total 
 (Dollars in millions)
June 30, 2017             
Loan-to-value ratios:             
Less than 65%$6,008
 $329
 $
 $6,337
 91.4% $6,517
 91.7%
65% to 75%476
 34
 18
 528
 7.6
 528
 7.4
76% to 80%
 33
 9
 42
 0.6
 42
 0.6
Greater than 80%
 
 24
 24
 0.4
 23
 0.3
Total$6,484

$396

$51

$6,931
 100.0% $7,110
 100.0%
              
December 31, 2016             
Loan-to-value ratios:             
Less than 65%$5,718
 $230
 $167
 $6,115
 94.1% $6,197
 94.3%
65% to 75%291
 
 19
 310
 4.8
 303
 4.6
76% to 80%34
 
 
 34
 0.5
 33
 0.5
Greater than 80%24
 14
 
 38
 0.6
 37
 0.6
Total$6,067

$244

$186

$6,497
 100.0% $6,570
 100.0%
Credit Quality of Agricultural Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of agricultural mortgage loans was as follows at: 
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Recorded
Investment 
 
% of
Total
 (Dollars in millions)
Loan-to-value ratios:       
Less than 65%$1,926
 94.4% $1,789
 97.8%
65% to 75%114
 5.6
 41
 2.2
Total$2,040
 100.0% $1,830
 100.0%
The estimated fair value of agricultural mortgage loans was $2.1 billion and $1.9 billion at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
 Recorded Investment    
 Debt Service Coverage Ratios   
% of
Total
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
 > 1.20x 1.00x - 1.20x < 1.00x Total 
 (Dollars in millions)
June 30, 2018             
Loan-to-value ratios:             
Less than 65%$7,059
 $115
 $33
 $7,207
 89.5% $7,244
 89.5%
65% to 75%612
 107
 81
 800
 9.9
 797
 9.9
76% to 80%42
 
 9
 51
 0.6
 49
 0.6
Total$7,713

$222

$123

$8,058
 100.0% $8,090
 100.0%
              
December 31, 2017             
Loan-to-value ratios:             
Less than 65%$6,167
 $293
 $33
 $6,493
 89.7% $6,654
 90.0%
65% to 75%642
 
 14
 656
 9.1
 658
 8.9
76% to 80%42
 
 9
 51
 0.7
 50
 0.7
Greater than 80%
 9
 24
 33
 0.5
 30
 0.4
Total$6,851

$302

$80

$7,233
 100.0% $7,392
 100.0%

2116

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

Credit Quality of Agricultural Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of agricultural mortgage loans was as follows at: 
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 
Recorded
Investment
 
% of
Total
 
Recorded
Investment 
 
% of
Total
 (Dollars in millions)
Loan-to-value ratios:       
Less than 65%$2,330
 91.1% $2,039
 92.7%
65% to 75%227
 8.9
 161
 7.3
Total$2,557
 100.0% $2,200
 100.0%
The estimated fair value of agricultural mortgage loans was $2.5 billion and $2.2 billion at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Credit Quality of Residential Mortgage Loans
The credit quality of residential mortgage loans was as follows at:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Recorded Investment 
% of
Total
 Recorded Investment 
% of
Total
Recorded Investment 
% of
Total
 Recorded Investment 
% of
Total
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)
Performance indicators:              
Performing$1,092
 98.5% $856
 98.7%$1,548
 98.2% $1,106
 97.2%
Nonperforming17
 1.5
 11
 1.3
29
 1.8
 32
 2.8
Total$1,109
 100.0% $867
 100.0%$1,577
 100.0% $1,138
 100.0%
The estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans was $1.11.6 billion and $867 million 1.2 billionatJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.
Past Due, Nonaccrual and NonaccrualModified Mortgage Loans
The Company has a high quality, well performing mortgage loan portfolio, with over 99% of all mortgage loans classified as performing at both June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. 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 Company had no commercial or agricultural mortgage loans past due and nonaccrualno commercial or agricultural mortgage loans in nonaccrual status at either June 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. The recorded investment prior to valuation allowances, by portfolio segment, were as follows at:
 Past Due Nonaccrual Status
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (Dollars in millions)
Agricultural$1
 $
 $
 $
Residential17
 11
 17
 11
Total$18
 $11
 $17
 $11
Mortgage Loans Modifiedof residential mortgage loans past due and in a Troubled Debt Restructuring
nonaccrual status was $29 million and $32 million at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have a significant amount of mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. There were no mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016.
Cash Equivalents
The carrying value of cash equivalents, which includes securities and other investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, was $1.6$1.1 billion and $4.7$1.0 billion at June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, 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”) and future policy benefits, that would result from the realization of the unrealized gains (losses), are included in net unrealized investment gains (losses) in (loss) AOCI.

2217

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in AOCI, were as follows:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities$4,126
 $2,600
$2,214
 $4,722
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses included in AOCI6
 1
6
 2
Total fixed maturity securities4,132
 2,601
2,220
 4,724
Equity securities58
 32

 39
Derivatives334
 397
247
 231
Short-term investments
 (42)
Other(9) 59
(9) (8)
Subtotal4,515
 3,047
2,458
 4,986
Amounts allocated from:      
Future policy benefits(1,309) (922)(1,239) (2,370)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI(2) (2)(5) (2)
DAC, VOBA and DSI(291) (193)(159) (260)
Subtotal(1,602) (1,117)(1,403) (2,632)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI(2) 
2
 1
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(1,019) (653)(224) (495)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)$1,892
 $1,277
$833
 $1,860
The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:
Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2017
Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2018
(In millions)(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$1,277
Balance, December 31, 2017$1,860
Unrealized investment gains (losses) change due to cumulative effect, net of income tax (1)(79)
Balance, January 1, 20181,781
Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized4
4
Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period1,464
(2,453)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:  
Future policy benefits(387)1,131
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI(3)
DAC, VOBA and DSI(98)101
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI(2)1
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(366)271
Balance, end of period$1,892
Balance, June 30, 2018$833
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)$615
$(948)
__________________
(1)
See Note 1 for more information related to the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and other.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
There were no investments in any counterparty that were greater than 10% of the Company’s equity, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, at both June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

2318

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

Securities Lending
Elements of the securities lending program are presented below at:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Securities on loan: (1)      
Amortized cost$5,694
 $5,895
$3,304
 $3,085
Estimated fair value$6,595
 $6,555
$3,798
 $3,748
Cash collateral received from counterparties (2)$6,750
 $6,642
$3,834
 $3,791
Security collateral received from counterparties (3)$24
 $27
$56
 $29
Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value$6,788
 $6,571
$3,843
 $3,823
__________________
(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 were as follows at:
 June 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$2,188
 $2,813
 $1,492
 $6,493
 $2,129
 $1,906
 $1,743
 $5,778
U.S. corporate
 
 
 
 
 480
 
 480
Agency RMBS
 257
 
 257
 
 
 274
 274
Foreign corporate
 
 
 
 
 58
 
 58
Foreign government
 
 
 
 
 52
 
 52
Total$2,188

$3,070

$1,492

$6,750
 $2,129

$2,496

$2,017

$6,642
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 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)
U.S. government and agency$1,345
 $1,596
 $893
 $3,834
 $1,626
 $964
 $1,201
 $3,791
__________________
(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 June 30, 20172018 was $2.1$1.3 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.
The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including agency RMBS, ABS, U.S. government and agency securities, non-agency RMBS andABS, U.S. and foreign corporate securities)securities, and non-agency RMBS) with 64% invested in agency RMBS, cash equivalents, short-term investments, U.S. government and agency securities, short-term investments, cash equivalents or held in cash at June 30, 2017.2018. 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.

2419

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral
Invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral are presented below at estimated fair value for all asset classes at:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits)(1)$8,015
 $7,644
$8,041
 $8,259
Invested assets held in trust (reinsurance agreements)(2)4,237
 9,054
2,985
 2,634
Invested assets pledged as collateral(3)3,754
 3,548
3,823
 3,199
Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral$16,006

$20,246
$14,849

$14,092
__________________
The Company has pledged invested assets in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding agreements (see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report) and derivative transactions (see Note 6). The Company has held in trust certain investments, in connection with certain reinsurance transactions. In April 2017, certain assets held in trust were liquidated in connection with the Contribution Transactions discussed in Note 3. Amounts in the table above include invested assets and cash and cash equivalents.
(1)The Company has assets, primarily fixed maturity securities, on deposit with governmental authorities relating to certain policyholder liabilities, of which $70 million and $34 million of the assets on deposit balance represents restricted cash at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(2)The Company has assets, primarily fixed maturity securities, held in trust relating to certain reinsurance transactions. $27 million and $42 million of the assets held in trust balance represents restricted cash at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(3)
The Company has pledged invested assets in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding agreements (seeNote 4of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2017 Annual Report) and derivative transactions (seeNote 5).
See “— Securities Lending” for information regarding securities on loan.
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.

20

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)

The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated at:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Total
Assets
 
Total
Liabilities
 
Total
Assets
 
Total
Liabilities
 (In millions)
MRSC (collateral financing arrangement (primarily securities)) (1)$
 $
 $3,422
 $
CSEs (assets (primarily loans) and liabilities (primarily debt)) (2)124
 16
 137
 24
        Total$124
 $16
 $3,559
 $24
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 (In millions)
CSEs: (1)   
Assets   
Mortgage loans (commercial mortgage loans)$96
 $115
Accrued investment income
 1
Total assets$96

$116
Liabilities   
Long-term debt$5
 $11
Total liabilities$5

$11
__________________
(1)
In April 2017, these assets were liquidated in connection with the Contribution Transactions discussed in Note 3.
(2)The Company consolidates entities that are structured as CMBS. The assets of these entities can only be used to settle their respective liabilities, and under no circumstances is the Company liable for any principal or interest shortfalls should any arise. The Company’s exposure was limited to that of its remaining investment in these entities of $89$73 million and $95$86 million at estimated fair value at June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.

25

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Unconsolidated VIEs
The carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs in which the Company holds a significant variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary and which have not been consolidated were as follows at:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss (1)
(In millions)(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS:              
Structured Securities (2)$11,912
 $11,912
 $12,809
 $12,809
$11,084
 $11,084
 $11,136
 $11,136
U.S. and foreign corporate499
 499
 536
 536
437
 437
 501
 501
Other limited partnership interests1,468
 2,326
 1,491
 2,287
1,549
 2,772
 1,509
 2,460
Other investments (3)67
 77
 77
 88
78
 81
 71
 79
Total$13,946

$14,814

$14,913

$15,720
$13,148

$14,374

$13,217

$14,176
__________________
(1)The maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity 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. There were no income tax credits at both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 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 investments is comprised of real estate joint ventures and other invested assets and non-redeemable preferred stock.assets.
As described in Note 1110, 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 three months and six months ended June 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income were as follows:

Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,

2017 2016 2017
20162018 2017 2018
2017

(In millions)(In millions)
Investment income:    


    


Fixed maturity securities$582
 $661
 $1,174
 $1,275
$621
 $582
 $1,233
 $1,174
Equity securities4
 5
 7
 10
2
 3
 4
 5
Mortgage loans110
 108
 218
 198
127
 110
 244
 218
Policy loans11
 14
 23
 29
28
 11
 38
 23
Real estate and real estate joint ventures14
 2
 26
 15
Real estate joint ventures10
 14
 24
 26
Other limited partnership interests48
 20
 105
 41
24
 48
 89
 105
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments9
 6
 17
 9
5
 9
 10
 17
Other5
 6
 12
 9
9
 6
 16
 14
Subtotal783
 822
 1,582

1,586
826
 783
 1,658

1,582
Less: Investment expenses45
 43
 87
 84
48
 45
 90
 87
Subtotal, net738
 779
 1,495

1,502
778
 738
 1,568

1,495
FVO CSEs — interest income — commercial mortgage loans2
 3
 4
 5
2
 2
 4
 4
Net investment income$740
 $782
 $1,499

$1,507
$780
 $740
 $1,572

$1,499

See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs.
See “— Related Party Investment Transactions” for discussion of affiliatedrelated party investment expenses.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. 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   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017

(In millions)(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:       
Industrial$
 $(1) $
 $(16)
Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities
 (1) 

(16)
RMBS
 
 
 (2)
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector:       
State and political subdivision(1) 
 (1) 
$
 $(1) $
 $(1)
OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings(1) (1) (1)
(18)
 (1) 

(1)
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals1
 27
 (36) (17)(65) 1
 (103) (36)
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
 26
 (37)
(35)(65) 
 (103)
(37)
Total gains (losses) on equity securities:              
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector:       
Common stock
 
 
 (1)
OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings
 
 
 (1)
Equity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals2
 
 1
 4
Equity securities — Mark to market and net gains (losses) on sales and disposals(2) 2
 (3) 1
Total gains (losses) on equity securities2
 
 1

3
(2) 2
 (3)
1
Mortgage loans(2) (4) (5) (6)(3) (2) (7) (5)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures1
 (1) 3
 (1)
Real estate joint ventures
 1
 42
 3
Other limited partnership interests
 (2) (10) (6)
 
 
 (10)
Other
 4
 (5) 6
1
 
 1
 (5)
Subtotal1
 23
 (53) (39)(69) 1
 (70) (53)
FVO CSEs:    
 
    
 
Commercial mortgage loans(1) (2) (1) 
(5) (1) (8) (1)
Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans
 
 
 

 
 
 
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses)
 (1) (1) (1)
 
 
 (1)
Subtotal(1) (3) (2)
(1)(5) (1) (8)
(2)
Total net investment gains (losses)$
 $20
 $(55)
$(40)$(74) $
 $(78)
$(55)
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs.
See “— Related Party Investment Transactions” for discussion of affiliatedrelated party net investment gains (losses) related to transfers of invested assets to affiliates.
Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions included within net investment gains (losses) were $1 million and ($5) million for the three months ended and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and $3 million and $5 million for the three monthsand six months endedJune 30, 2016, respectively.assets.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5.4. Investments (continued)

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   
June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Fixed Maturity Securities Equity Securities
 (In millions)
Proceeds$2,403
 $5,523
 $12
 $3
Gross investment gains$11
 $49
 $2
 $
Gross investment losses(10) (22) 
 
OTTI losses(1) (1) 
 
Net investment gains (losses)$
 $26
 $2
 $
Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
Fixed Maturity Securities Equity Securities2018 2017 2018 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Proceeds$4,363
 $14,779
 $13
 $6
$2,450
 $2,403
 $5,288
 $4,363
Gross investment gains$20
 $87
 $2
 $4
$9
 $11
 $12
 $20
Gross investment losses(56) (104) (1) 
(74) (10) (115) (56)
OTTI losses(1) (18) 
 (1)
 (1) 
 (1)
Net investment gains (losses)$(37) $(35) $1
 $3
$(65) $
 $(103) $(37)
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 OCI:other comprehensive income (“OCI”):
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$10
 $64
 $28
 $66
$
 $10
 $
 $28
Additions:       
Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI on securities previously impaired
 1
 
 2
Reductions:              
Sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) of securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI(1) (5) (19) (8)
 (1) 
 (19)
Balance, end of period$9
 $60
 $9

$60
$
 $9
 $

$9

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
5. Investments (continued)

Related Party Investment Transactions
The Company transferspreviously transferred invested assets primarily consisting of fixed maturity securities to and from affiliates. Invested assets transferred to and fromformer affiliates, which were as follows:
 Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 (In millions)
Estimated fair value of invested assets transferred to affiliates$
 $158
 $292
 $158
Amortized cost of invested assets transferred to affiliates$
 $118
 $294
 $118
Net investment gains (losses) recognized on transfers$
 $
 $(2) $
Change in additional paid-in-capital recognized on transfers$
 $40
 $

$40
Estimated fair value of invested assets transferred from affiliates$
 $4,042
 $
 $4,279
 Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Estimated fair value of invested assets transferred to former affiliates$
 $
 $
 $292
Amortized cost of invested assets transferred to former affiliates$
 $
 $
 $294
Net investment gains (losses) recognized on transfers$
 $
 $
 $(2)
In April 2016,At March 31, 2017, the Company received a transferhad $1.1 billion of investments and cash and cash equivalents of $4.3 billion for the recapture of risks related to certain single premium deferred annuity contracts previously reinsured to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), an affiliate, which are included in the table above. See Note 7of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report for additional information related to the transfer.
The Company had loans outstanding todue from MetLife, Inc., which were included in other invested assets, totaling $1.1 billion at December 31, 2016.assets. These loans bear interestwere carried at fixed interest rates of 4.21% and 5.10%, payable semiannually, and were due on September 30, 2032 and December 31, 2033, respectively. In April 2017, the twothese loans were repaid.satisfied in a non-cash exchange for $1.1 billion of notes due to MetLife, Inc. SeeNotes 3 and 810. In March 2016, loans outstandingof the Notes to an investment subsidiarythe Consolidated Financial Statements included in the2017 Annual Report.

24

Table of MLIC were repaid in cash priorContents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to maturity.the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)

The Company receives investment administrative services from an affiliate. The related investment administrative service charges were $23 million and $48 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and $24 million and $47 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
In January 2017, MLICMetropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), a former affiliate, recaptured risks related to guaranteed minimum benefit guarantees on certain variable annuities being reinsured by the Company.The Company transferred investmentsinvested assets and cash and cash equivalents which are included in the table above. above.See Note 1211 for additional information related to the transfer.these transfers.
In March 2017, the Company sold an operating joint venture with a book value of $89 million to MLIC for $286 million. The operating joint venture was accounted for under the equity method and included in other invested assets. This sale resulted in an increase in additional paid-in capital of $202 million in the first quarter of 2017.
The Company receives investment administrative services from MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC (“MLIA”), which was considered a related party investment manager until the completion of the MetLife Divestiture. The related investment administrative service charges were $26 million and $49 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $23 million and $48 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. See Note 1 regarding the MetLife Divestiture.
6.5. 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

If a derivative is not designated as an accounting hedge or its use in managing risk does not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses) except as follows:
Statement of Operations Presentation:Derivative:
Policyholder benefits and claimsEconomic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits
Net investment incomeEconomic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures
for economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees which are presented in future policy benefits and claims.
Hedge Accounting
The Company primarily designates derivatives as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or a variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). When a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and is determined to be highly effective, changes in fair value are recorded in OCI and subsequently reclassified into the statement of operations when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item. The Company also designates derivatives as a hedge of the estimated fair value of a recognized asset or liabilities (fair value hedge). When a derivative is designated as fair value hedge and is determined to be highly effective, changes in fair value are recorded in net derivative gains (losses), consistent with the change in estimated fair value of the hedged item attributable to the designated risk being hedged.
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).
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. 
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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. 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).

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

Embedded Derivatives
The Company sells variable annuities and issues certain insurance products and investment contracts and is a party to certain reinsurance agreements that have embedded derivatives. The Company assesses each identified embedded derivative to determine whether it is required to be bifurcated. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for as a freestanding derivative if:
the combined instrument is not accounted for in its entirety at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value recorded in earnings;
the terms of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; and
a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would qualify as a derivative instrument.
Such embedded derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value with the host contract and changes in their estimated fair value are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses), except for those in policyholder benefits and claims related to ceded reinsurance of GMIB. If
See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees” inNote 1of the Company is unableNotes to properly identify and measure an embedded derivativethe Consolidated Financial Statements included in the2017 Annual Report for separation from its host contract, the entire contract is carriedadditional information 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 anaccounting policy for embedded derivative that requires bifurcation.
See Note 7 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.derivatives bifurcated from variable annuity host contracts.
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 to synthetically replicate investment risks and returns which are not readily available in the cash markets.
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 futures.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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)

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 LondonLIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”)Rate), 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

The Company purchases interest rate caps and floors primarily to protect its floating rate liabilities against rises in interest rates above a specified level, and against interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities, as well as to protect its minimum rate guarantee liabilities against declines in interest rates below a specified level, respectively. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased caps and floors by entering into offsetting written caps and floors. The Company utilizes interest rate caps and floors in 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.securities. 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.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Derivatives
The Company uses foreign currency swaps to reduce the risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. 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 cash flow and nonqualifying hedging relationships.
To a lesser extent, the Company uses foreign currency forwards 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 synthetic 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)

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.

33

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

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.
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.contracts and to pledge initial margin based on futures exchange requirements. 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, 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 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 synthetic investments. The Company utilizes equity total return swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6.5. 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:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Primary Underlying Risk Exposure 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 Estimated Fair Value 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 Estimated Fair ValuePrimary Underlying Risk Exposure 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 Estimated Fair Value 
Gross
Notional
Amount
 Estimated Fair Value
Assets Liabilities Assets LiabilitiesAssets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
 (In millions) (In millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:            Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:            
Fair value hedges:                        
Interest rate swapsInterest rate $225
 $43
 $
 $310
 $41
 $
Interest rate $145
 $35
 $
 $175
 $44
 $
Cash flow hedges:                        
Interest rate swapsInterest rate 45
 8
 
 45
 7
 
Interest rate 27
 3
 
 27
 5
 
Foreign currency swapsForeign currency exchange rate 1,471
 137
 24
 1,420
 186
 10
Foreign currency exchange rate 2,105
 108
 62
 1,762
 86
 75
Subtotal 1,516
 145
 24
 1,465
 193
 10
 2,132
 111
 62
 1,789
 91
 75
Total qualifying hedges 1,741
 188
 24
 1,775
 234
 10
 2,277
 146
 62
 1,964
 135
 75
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:            Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:            
Interest rate swapsInterest rate 20,238
 1,012
 815
 28,175
 1,928
 1,688
Interest rate 15,879
 576
 888
 20,213
 922
 774
Interest rate floorsInterest rate 
 
 
 2,100
 5
 2
Interest rate capsInterest rate 8,542
 9
 
 12,042
 25
 
Interest rate 3,428
 29
 
 2,671
 7
 
Interest rate futuresInterest rate 282
 
 1
 1,288
 9
 
Interest rate 282
 
 
 282
 1
 
Interest rate optionsInterest rate 20,800
 133
 
 15,520
 136
 
Interest rate 14,500
 119
 97
 24,600
 133
 63
Interest rate total return swapsInterest rate 3,150
 
 380
 3,876
 
 611
Foreign currency swapsForeign currency exchange rate 908
 91
 10
 1,250
 153
 4
Foreign currency exchange rate 1,130
 69
 30
 1,103
 69
 41
Foreign currency forwardsForeign currency exchange rate 144
 
 3
 158
 9
 
Foreign currency exchange rate 128
 1
 1
 130
 
 2
Credit default swaps — purchasedCredit 34
 
 
 34
 
 
Credit 80
 2
 1
 65
 
 1
Credit default swaps — writtenCredit 1,879
 33
 1
 1,891
 28
 
Credit 1,927
 26
 1
 1,878
 40
 
Equity futuresEquity market 3,336
 2
 1
 8,037
 38
 
Equity market 1,619
 
 1
 2,713
 15
 
Equity index optionsEquity market 62,026
 1,195
 1,420
 37,501
 897
 934
Equity market 46,292
 905
 1,680
 47,066
 794
 1,664
Equity variance swapsEquity market 14,894
 167
 590
 14,894
 140
 517
Equity market 9,713
 127
 429
 8,998
 128
 430
Equity total return swapsEquity market 1,617
 3
 48
 2,855
 1
 117
Equity market 2,433
 45
 33
 1,767
 
 79
Total non-designated or nonqualifying derivativesTotal non-designated or nonqualifying derivatives 137,850
 2,645
 3,269
 129,621
 3,369
 3,873
Total non-designated or nonqualifying derivatives 97,411
 1,899
 3,161
 111,486
 2,109
 3,054
Total $139,591
 $2,833
 $3,293
 $131,396
 $3,603
 $3,883
 $99,688
 $2,045
 $3,223
 $113,450
 $2,244
 $3,129
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 June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. The Company’s use of derivatives includes (i) derivatives that serve as macro hedges of the Company’s exposure to various risks and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting due to the criteria required under the portfolio hedging rules; (ii) derivatives that economically hedge insurance liabilities that contain mortality or morbidity risk and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting because the lack of these risks in the derivatives cannot support an expectation of a highly effective hedging relationship; (iii) derivatives that economically hedge embedded derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting because the changes in estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives are already recorded in net income; and (iv) written credit default swaps that are used to synthetically create synthetic credit 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6.5. Derivatives (continued)

Net Derivative Gains (Losses)
The components of net derivative gains (losses) were as follows:
  Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  (In millions)
Freestanding derivatives and hedging gains (losses) (1) $(217) $514
 $(1,353) $1,290
Embedded derivatives gains (losses) 128
 (3,452) 451
 (4,017)
Total net derivative gains (losses) $(89) $(2,938) $(902) $(2,727)
__________________
(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:
derivatives:
 Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (In millions) (In millions)
Qualifying hedges:                
Net investment income $5
 $5
 $11
 $8
 $7
 $5
 $12
 $11
Nonqualifying hedges:                
Net derivative gains (losses) 67
 99
 186
 196
 37
 67
 90
 186
Policyholder benefits and claims 3
 3
 7
 7
 
 3
 
 7
Total $75
 $107
 $204
 $211
 $44
 $75
 $102
 $204

3630

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6.5. Derivatives (continued)

Nonqualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging
The following table presentstables present the amount and location of gains (losses) recognized in income for derivatives that were not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments:and gains (losses) pertaining to hedged items presented in net derivative gains (losses):
 Net
Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 Net
Investment
Income (1)
 Policyholder
Benefits and
Claims (2) 
 (In millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017     
Interest rate derivatives$205
 $
 $3
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives(22) 
 
Credit derivatives — written5
 
 
Equity derivatives(474) (1) (93)
Total$(286) $(1) $(90)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016     
Interest rate derivatives$598
 $
 $10
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives31
 
 
Credit derivatives — written(1) 
 
Equity derivatives(214) (1) (47)
Total$414
 $(1) $(37)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017     
Interest rate derivatives(64) 
 2
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives(42) 
 
Credit derivatives — written11
 
 
Equity derivatives(1,412) (1) (277)
Total$(1,507) $(1) $(275)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016     
Interest rate derivatives$1,416
 $
 $29
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives32
 
 
Credit derivatives — written(1) 
 
Equity derivatives(351) (4) (17)
Total$1,096
 $(4) $12
__________________
(1)Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures.
(2)Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits.
Fair Value Hedges
The Company designates and accounts for interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate assets and liabilities to floating rate assets and liabilities as fair value hedges when they have met the requirements of fair value hedging.
 Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives (1) Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items (2) Net Investment Income (3) Policyholder Benefits and Claims (4) Amount of Gains (Losses) deferred in AOCI
 (In millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018         
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:         
Fair value hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives$(2) $3
 $
 $
 $
Total fair value hedges(2) 3
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives10
 
 2
 
 
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives(1) 
 
 
 108
Total cash flow hedges9
 
 2
 
 108
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:         
Interest rate derivatives(165) 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives56
 (5) 
 
 
Credit derivatives(3) 
 
 
 
Equity derivatives(440) 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives232
 
 
 (1) 
Total non-qualifying hedges(320) (5) 
 (1) 
Total$(313) $(2) $2
 $(1) $108
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017         
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:         
Fair value hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives$3
 $(3) $
 $
 $
Total fair value hedges3
 (3) 
 
 
Cash flow hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives
 
 1
 
 1
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives1
 (1) 
 
 (33)
Total cash flow hedges1
 (1) 1
 
 (32)
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:         
Interest rate derivatives205
 
 
 3
 
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives(22) 2
 
 
 
Credit derivatives5
 
 
 
 
Equity derivatives(474) 
 (1) (93) 
Embedded derivatives128
 
 
 14
 
Total non-qualifying hedges(158) 2
 (1) (76) 
Total$(154) $(2) $
 $(76) $(32)

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6.5. Derivatives (continued)

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


Derivatives in Fair Value
Hedging Relationships
 

Hedged Items in Fair Value
Hedging Relationships
 Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
Recognized
for Derivatives
 Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
Recognized for
Hedged Items
 Ineffectiveness
Recognized in
Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
    (In millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017      
Interest rate swaps: Fixed maturity securities $
 $
 $
  Policyholder liabilities (1) 3
 (3) 
Total $3
 $(3) $
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016      
Interest rate swaps: Fixed maturity securities $(1) $
 $(1)
  Policyholder liabilities (1) 10
 (10) 
Total $9
 $(10) $(1)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017        
Interest rate swaps: Fixed maturity securities $
 $
 $

 Policyholder liabilities (1) 1
 (1) 
Total $1
 $(1) $
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016   

 

 

Interest rate swaps: Fixed maturity securities $(3) $2
 $(1)

 Policyholder liabilities (1) 24
 (24) 
Total $21
 $(22) $(1)
 Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives (1) Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items (2) Net Investment Income (3) Policyholder Benefits and Claims (4) Amount of Gains (Losses) deferred in AOCI
 (In millions)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018         
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:         
Fair value hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives$(10) $10
 $
 $
 $
Total fair value hedges(10) 10
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives17
 
 3
 
 (2)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives(1) 
 
 
 37
Total cash flow hedges16
 
 3
 
 35
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:         
Interest rate derivatives(974) 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives15
 (2) 
 
 
Credit derivatives(10) 
 
 
 
Equity derivatives(484) 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives784
 
 
 (2) 
Total non-qualifying hedges(669) (2) 
 (2) 
Total$(663) $8
 $3
 $(2) $35
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017         
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:         
Fair value hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives$1
 $(1) $
 $
 $
Total fair value hedges1
 (1) 
 
 
Cash flow hedges (5):         
Interest rate derivatives
 
 3
 
 1
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives9
 (9) 
 
 (52)
Total cash flow hedges9
 (9) 3
 
 (51)
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:         
Interest rate derivatives(64) 
 
 2
 
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives(42) (32) 
 
 
Credit derivatives11
 
 
 
 
Equity derivatives(1,412) 
 (1) (277) 
Embedded derivatives451
 
 
 (1) 
Total non-qualifying hedges(1,056) (32) (1) (276) 
Total$(1,046) $(42) $2
 $(276) $(51)
________________________________
(1)FixedIncludes gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI for cash flow hedges.
(2)Includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items in cash flow and nonqualifying hedging relationships. Hedged items in fair value hedging relationship includes fixed rate liabilities reported in policyholder account balances or future policy benefits and fixed maturity securities. Ineffective portion of the gains (losses) recognized in income is not significant.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)

(3)Includes changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures and gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI for cash flow hedges.
(4)Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits.
(5)All components of each derivative's gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company designates and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges when they have met the requirements of cash flow hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate 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; and (iv) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge the forecasted purchases of fixed-rate investments.
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). ForThese amounts were $0 for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, and $0 and $9 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, these amounts were $0 and $9 million,respectively. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, there were no amounts reclassified into net derivative gains (losses) related to such discontinued cash flow hedges.
At June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, 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 two yearsone year and threetwo years, respectively.
At June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the balance in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges was $334$247 million and $397$231 million, respectively.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

The following table presents the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and the consolidated statements of equity:
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of Gains
(Losses) Deferred in
AOCI on Derivatives
 
Amount and Location
of Gains (Losses)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income (Loss)
 
Amount and Location
of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Income
(Loss) on Derivatives
  (Effective Portion) (Effective Portion) (Ineffective Portion)
    
Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
 
Net Investment
Income
 
Net Derivative
Gains (Losses)
    (In millions)  
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017        
Interest rate swaps $1
 $
 $1
 $
Interest rate forwards 
 
 
 
Foreign currency swaps (33) 1
 
 
Credit forwards 
 
 
 
Total $(32) $1
 $1
 $
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016        
Interest rate swaps $10
 $12
 $
 $
Interest rate forwards 3
 (1) 1
 
Foreign currency swaps 59
 (1) 
 
Credit forwards 
 
 
 
Total $72
 $10
 $1
 $
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017        
Interest rate swaps $1
 $
 $2
 $
Interest rate forwards 
 
 1
 
Foreign currency swaps (52) 9
 
 
Credit forwards 
 
 
 
Total $(51) $9
 $3
 $
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016        
Interest rate swaps $36
 $12
 $1
 $
Interest rate forwards 7
 1
 2
 
Foreign currency swaps 46
 1
 
 
Credit forwards 
 
 
 
Total $89
 $14
 $3
 $
All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
At June 30, 2017,the Company expects to reclassify $25 millionof deferred net gains (losses) on derivatives in AOCI to earnings within the next 12 months.
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 $1.9 billion at both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company would have received $32 million and $28 million, respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.

39

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at: 
  June 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) $1
 $25
 3.1
 $1
 $45
 2.2
Credit default swaps referencing indices 10
 533
 3.3
 8
 433
 3.7
Subtotal 11
 558
 3.3
 9
 478
 3.6
Baa            
Single name credit default swaps (3) 1
 110
 1.5
 1
 180
 1.6
Credit default swaps referencing indices 21
 1,166
 5.1
 18
 1,213
 4.8
Subtotal 22
 1,276
 4.8
 19
 1,393
 4.4
Ba            
Single name credit default swaps (3) (1) 45
 3.8
 
 20
 2.7
Credit default swaps referencing indices 
 
 
 
 
 
Subtotal (1) 45
 3.8
 
 20
 2.7
Total $32
 $1,879
 4.3
 $28
 $1,891
 4.2
  June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
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 $9
 $677
 2.7
 $12
 $558
 2.8
Baa 16
 1,250
 5.0
 28
 1,295
 4.7
Ba 
 
 
 
 25
 4.5
Total $25
 $1,927
 4.2
 $40
 $1,878
 4.1
__________________
(1)
Includes both single name credit default swaps that may be referenced to the credit of corporations, foreign governments, or state and political subdivisions and credit default swaps referencing indices. 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)

Counterparty 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

See Note 76 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: 
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Derivatives Subject to a Master Netting Arrangement or a Similar Arrangement Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
 (In millions) (In millions)
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives:                
OTC-bilateral (1) $2,857
 $3,215
 $3,394
 $2,929
 $2,072
 $3,211
 $2,222
 $3,080
OTC-cleared (1), (6) 23
 58
 267
 905
Exchange-traded 2
 2
 46
 
OTC-cleared and Exchange-traded (1), (6) 17
 6
 69
 40
Total gross estimated fair value of derivatives (1) 2,882
 3,275
 3,707
 3,834
 2,089
 3,217
 2,291
 3,120
Amounts offset on the consolidated balance sheets 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated fair value of derivatives presented on the consolidated balance sheets (1), (6) 2,882
 3,275
 3,707
 3,834
 2,089
 3,217
 2,291
 3,120
Gross amounts not offset on the consolidated balance sheets:                
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives: (2)                
OTC-bilateral (2,376) (2,376) (2,231) (2,231) (1,834) (1,834) (1,942) (1,942)
OTC-cleared (2) (2) (165) (165)
Exchange-traded (1) (1) 
 
OTC-cleared and Exchange-traded (1) (1) (1) (1)
Cash collateral: (3), (4)                
OTC-bilateral (195) 
 (634) 
 (215) 
 (247) 
OTC-cleared (20) (22) (91) (740)
Exchange-traded 
 
 
 
OTC-cleared and Exchange-traded (16) 
 (27) (39)
Securities collateral: (5)                
OTC-bilateral (282) (807) (429) (698) (22) (1,375) (31) (1,138)
OTC-cleared 
 (34) 
 
Exchange-traded 
 (1) 
 
OTC-cleared and Exchange-traded 
 (4) 
 
Net amount after application of master netting agreements and collateral $6
 $32
 $157
 $
 $1
 $3
 $43
 $
__________________
(1)At June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, derivative assets included income or expense(expense) accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of $49$44 million and $104$47 million, respectively, and derivative liabilities included (income) or expense accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of ($18)6) million and ($49)9) million, respectively.

34

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)

(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 June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company received excess cash collateral of $139$191 million and $4$93 million, respectively, and provided excess cash collateral of $0 and $25$5 million, respectively, which is not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
6. Derivatives (continued)

(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 June 30, 20172018, 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 June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company received excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $157$170 million and $135$337 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation. At June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company provided excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $161$328 million and $108$471 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, and $277$148 million and $630$426 million, respectively, for its OTC-cleared derivatives, and $124$83 million and $453$118 million, respectively, for its exchange-traded derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.
(6)Effective January 3, 2017,16, 2018, the CMELondon Clearing House (“LCH”) amended its rulebook, resulting in the characterization of variation margin transfers as settlement payments, as opposed to adjustments to collateral. See Note 1These amendments impacted the accounting treatment of the Company’s centrally cleared derivatives, for further information onwhich the CME amendments.LCH serves as the central clearing party.
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 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 Brighthouse Life Insurancethe Company 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 financial strength or credit ratings were to fall below that specific investment grade credit rating, that party would be in violation of these provisions, and the other party to the derivatives could terminate the transactions and demand immediate settlement and payment based on such party’s reasonable valuation of the derivatives.
The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC-bilateral derivatives that are in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements, together with the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the collateral pledged. The Company’s collateral agreements require both parties to be fully collateralized, as such, Brighthouse Life Insurancethe Company would not be required to post additional collateral as a result of a downgrade in its financial strength rating. OTC-bilateral derivatives that are not subject to collateral agreements are excluded from this table.  
  June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
  (In millions)
Estimated fair value of derivatives in a net liability position (1) $839
 $698
Estimated Fair Value of Collateral Provided:    
Fixed maturity securities $956
 $777
Cash $
 $
Fair Value of Incremental Collateral Provided Upon:    
One-notch downgrade in financial strength rating $
 $
Downgrade in financial strength rating to a level that triggers full overnight collateralization or termination of the derivative position $
 $
  June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
  (In millions)
Estimated fair value of derivatives in a net liability position (1) $1,377
 $1,138
Estimated Fair Value of Collateral Provided:    
Fixed maturity securities $1,690
 $1,414
__________________
(1)After taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.


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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6.5. Derivatives (continued)

(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; affiliatedrelated party ceded reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs; affiliatedrelated party assumed reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMWBs and certain GMIBs; funds withheld on assumed and ceded reinsurance; assumed reinsurance on fixed deferred annuities; 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 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016Balance Sheet Location June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 (In millions) (In millions)
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts:        
Ceded guaranteed minimum benefitsPremiums, reinsurance and other receivables $241
 $409
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables $184
 $227
Options embedded in debt or equity securities(1)Investments (60) (49)Investments 
 (52)
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts $181
 $360
 $184
 $175
        
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:

        
Direct guaranteed minimum benefitsPolicyholder account balances $1,874
 $2,237
Policyholder account balances $619
 $1,122
Assumed reinsurance on fixed deferred annuitiesPolicyholder account balances 
 1
Assumed guaranteed minimum benefitsPolicyholder account balances 474
 741
Policyholder account balances 321
 437
Fixed annuities with equity indexed returnsPolicyholder account balances 370

192
Policyholder account balances 742

674
Embedded derivatives within liability host contractsEmbedded derivatives within liability host contracts $2,718
 $3,170
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts $1,682
 $2,234
__________________
(1)
In connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial instruments (see Note 1), effective January 1, 2018, the Company is no longer required to bifurcate and account separately for derivatives embedded in equity securities. Beginning January 1, 2018, the entire change in the estimated fair value of equity securities is recognized as a component of net investment gains and losses.
The following table presents changes in estimated fair value related to embedded derivatives:
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Net derivative gains (losses) (1), (2)$128
 $(3,452) $451
 $(4,017)$232
 $128
 $784
 $451
Policyholder benefits and claims$14
 $60
 $(1) $105
$(1) $14
 $(2) $(1)
__________________
(1)
The valuation of direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits includes a nonperformance risk adjustment. The amounts included in net derivative gains (losses) in connection with this adjustment were ($36)$58 million and ($80)$43 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively and$500 millionand $642 millionfor the three monthsandsix months ended June 30, 2016,2018, respectively, and ($36) million and ($80) million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.
(2)
See Note 1211 for discussion of affiliatedrelated party net derivative gains (losses).

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

7.6. 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:
June 30, 2017June 30, 2018
Fair Value Hierarchy Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Fair Value Hierarchy  
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Estimated
Fair Value
(In millions)(In millions)
Assets              
Fixed maturity securities:              
U.S. corporate$
 $20,403
 $1,384
 $21,787
$
 $22,144
 $819
 $22,963
U.S. government and agency7,561
 7,358
 
 14,919
4,634
 7,444
 
 12,078
RMBS
 6,904
 1,165
 8,069

 6,766
 929
 7,695
Foreign corporate
 5,445
 911
 6,356

 5,750
 996
 6,746
State and political subdivision
 3,953
 
 3,953

 3,987
 8
 3,995
CMBS
 3,030
 153
 3,183

 3,713
 178
 3,891
ABS
 2,028
 163
 2,191

 1,896
 154
 2,050
Foreign government
 1,164
 
 1,164

 1,335
 
 1,335
Total fixed maturity securities7,561
 50,285
 3,776
 61,622
4,634
 53,035
 3,084
 60,753
Equity securities41
 103
 134
 278
15
 18
 120
 153
Short-term investments234
 921
 91
 1,246
53
 62
 
 115
Real estate joint ventures (1)
 
 17
 17
Other limited partnership interests (1)
 
 24
 24
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO
 123
 
 123

 96
 
 96
Derivative assets: (1)       
Derivative assets: (2)       
Interest rate
 1,205
 
 1,205

 762
 
 762
Foreign currency exchange rate
 228
 
 228

 178
 
 178
Credit
 23
 10
 33

 20
 8
 28
Equity market2
 1,178
 187
 1,367

 934
 143
 1,077
Total derivative assets2
 2,634
 197
 2,833

 1,894
 151
 2,045
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2)
 
 241
 241
Separate account assets (3)457
 107,189
 6
 107,652
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (3)
 
 184
 184
Separate account assets182
 103,615
 4
 103,801
Total assets$8,295
 $161,255
 $4,445
 $173,995
$4,884
 $158,720
 $3,584
 $167,188
Liabilities              
Derivative liabilities: (1)       
Derivative liabilities: (2)       
Interest rate$1
 $815
 $380
 $1,196
$
 $985
 $
 $985
Foreign currency exchange rate
 37
 
 37

 92
 1
 93
Credit
 1
 
 1

 2
 
 2
Equity market1
 1,461
 597
 2,059
1
 1,708
 434
 2,143
Total derivative liabilities2
 2,314
 977
 3,293
1
 2,787
 435
 3,223
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2)
 
 2,718
 2,718
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (3)
 
 1,682
 1,682
Long-term debt of CSEs — FVO
 16
 
 16

 5
 
 5
Total liabilities$2
 $2,330
 $3,695
 $6,027
$1
 $2,792
 $2,117
 $4,910

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. Fair Value (continued)

December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
Fair Value Hierarchy 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Fair Value Hierarchy  
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Estimated
Fair Value
(In millions)(In millions)
Assets              
Fixed maturity securities:              
U.S. corporate$
 $20,221
 $1,444
 $21,665
$
 $21,491
 $889
 $22,380
U.S. government and agency6,110
 6,806
 
 12,916
8,002
 7,911
 
 15,913
RMBS
 6,627
 1,313
 7,940

 6,836
 981
 7,817
Foreign corporate
 5,257
 866
 6,123

 5,723
 1,048
 6,771
State and political subdivision
 3,841
 17
 3,858

 4,098
 
 4,098
CMBS
 3,529
 167
 3,696

 3,155
 136
 3,291
ABS
 2,383
 215
 2,598

 1,691
 105
 1,796
Foreign government
 1,103
 
 1,103

 1,262
 5
 1,267
Total fixed maturity securities6,110
 49,767
 4,022
 59,899
8,002
 52,167
 3,164
 63,333
Equity securities(4)39
 124
 137
 300
18
 19
 124
 161
Short-term investments702
 568
 2
 1,272
135
 120
 14
 269
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO
 136
 
 136

 115
 
 115
Derivative assets: (1)(2)              
Interest rate9
 2,142
 
 2,151
1
 1,111
 
 1,112
Foreign currency exchange rate
 348
 
 348

 155
 
 155
Credit
 20
 8
 28

 30
 10
 40
Equity market37
 860
 179
 1,076
15
 773
 149
 937
Total derivative assets46
 3,370
 187
 3,603
16
 2,069
 159
 2,244
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2)(3)
 
 409
 409

 
 227
 227
Separate account assets (3)720
 104,616
 10
 105,346
410
 109,741
 5
 110,156
Total assets$7,617
 $158,581
 $4,767
 $170,965
$8,581
 $164,231
 $3,693
 $176,505
Liabilities              
Derivative liabilities: (1)(2)              
Interest rate$
 $1,690
 $611
 $2,301
$
 $837
 $
 $837
Foreign currency exchange rate
 14
 
 14

 117
 1
 118
Credit
 1
 
 1
Equity market
 1,038
 530
 1,568

 1,736
 437
 2,173
Total derivative liabilities
 2,742
 1,141
 3,883

 2,691
 438
 3,129
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2)
 
 3,170
 3,170
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (3)
 
 2,234
 2,234
Long-term debt of CSEs — FVO
 23
 
 23

 11
 
 11
Total liabilities$
 $2,765
 $4,311
 $7,076
$
 $2,702
 $2,672
 $5,374
__________________
(1)
In connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial instruments (see Note 1), effective January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis, the Company carries real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests previously accounted under the cost method of accounting at estimated fair value.
(2)Derivative assets are presented within other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheets and derivative liabilities are presented within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation on the consolidated balance sheets, but are presented net for purposes of the rollforward in the Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) tables.

38

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)

(2)(3)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 on the consolidated balance sheets. At June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, debt and equity securities also included embedded derivatives of ($60) million$0 and ($49)52) million, respectively.
(3)(4)Investment performance relatedThe Company reclassified Federal Home Loan Bank stock in the prior period from equity securities 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 accountother invested assets.

45

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

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 theThe Company monitors and MetLife, Inc.’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 systemsvaluation controls and valuation policies for securities, mortgage loans and derivatives. On a quarterly basis, this committee reviews and approves new transaction types and markets, ensures thatderivatives, which are primarily executed by MLIA. The valuation methodologies used to determine fair values prioritize the use of 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 providersThe valuation methodologies for securities, mortgage loans and the controlsderivatives are reviewed on an ongoing basis and procedures to evaluate third party pricing. Periodically,revised when necessary, based on changing market conditions. In addition, the Chief Accounting Officer periodically reports to the Audit Committee of MetLife, Inc.’sBrighthouse’s Board of Directors regarding compliance with fair value accounting standards.
The Company reviews its valuation methodologies on an ongoing basisfair value of financial assets and revises those methodologies when necessaryfinancial liabilities is based on changingquoted market conditions. Assurance is gained on the overall reasonableness and consistent applicationprices, where available. The Company assesses whether prices received represent a reasonable estimate of input assumptions, valuation methodologies and compliance with fair value accounting standards through controls designed to ensure valuations represent an exit price. SeveralMLIA performs 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,Independent non-binding broker quotes, also referred to herein as “consensus pricing,” are used for non-significant portion of the portfolio. Prices received from independent brokers are assessed to determine if they 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, fixedFixed maturity securities priced using independent non-binding broker quotations represent less than 1% of the total estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities and 6%4% of the total estimated fair value of Level 3 fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2017.2018.
The CompanyMLIA 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,obtained. If obtaining an independent non-binding broker quotation is unsuccessful, MLIA will use the last available price.
The Company reviews outputs of MLIA’s controls and performs additional controls, including certain monthly controls, which include but are not limited to, performing balance sheet analytics to assess reasonableness of period to period pricing changes, including any price adjustments. Price adjustments are applied if prices 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 pricingquotes received from the independent pricing services or brokers are not considered reflective of market activity or representative of estimated fair value. The Company did not produce material differences inhave significant price adjustments during the estimatedsix months ended June 30, 2018.
Determination of Fair Value
Fixed maturity securities
The fair values for actively traded marketable bonds, primarily U.S. government and agency securities, are determined using the majorityquoted market prices and are classified as Level 1 assets. For fixed maturity securities classified as Level 2 assets, fair values are determined using either a market or income approach and are valued based on a variety of observable inputs as described below.
U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities:Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being quoted prices in markets that are not active, benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, new issuances, issuer rating, trades of identical or comparable securities, or duration. Privately-placed securities are valued using the additional key inputs: 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 portfolio; accordingly, overrides were not material. This is, in part, because internal estimates of liquidityissuer, 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.delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues.

4639

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. Fair Value (continued)

Securities, Short-term InvestmentsU.S. government and Long-term Debtagency, state and political subdivision and foreign government securities: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being quoted prices in markets that are not active, benchmark U.S. Treasury yield or other yields, spread off the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the identical security, issuer ratings and issuer spreads, broker dealer quotes, and comparable securities that are actively traded.
Structured securities: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being quoted prices in markets that are not active, spreads for actively traded securities, spreads off benchmark yields, expected prepayment speeds and volumes, current and forecasted loss severity, ratings, geographic region, weighted average coupon and weighted average maturity, average delinquency rates and debt-service coverage ratios. Other issuance-specific information is also used, including, but not limited to; collateral type, structure of the security, vintage of the loans, payment terms of the underlying asset, payment priority within tranche, and deal performance.
Equity securities, short-term investments, real estate joint ventures, other limited partnership interests, commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO
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 long-term debt of CSEs — FVO is
The fair value for actively traded equity securities and short-term investments are determined using quoted market prices and are classified as Level 1 assets. For financial instruments classified as Level 2 assets or liabilities, fair values are determined using a market approach and are valued based on a basis consistent with the methodologiesvariety of observable inputs as described herein for securities.below.
The valuation of most instruments listed belowEquity securities and short-term investments: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary input being quoted prices in markets that are not active.
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnership Interests: Fair values is generally based on the Company’s share of the net asset value (“NAV”) as provided on the financial statements of the investees.
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO and long-term debt of CSEs — FVO: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary input being quoted securitization market price determined principally by independent pricing sources, matrix pricing, discounted cash flow methodologies or other similar techniques that use eitherservices using observable market inputs or unobservable inputs.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes toquoted prices or reported NAV provided by the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)fund managers.
7. 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 activeilliquidity premium
benchmark yields; spreads off benchmark yields; new issuances; issuer ratingdelta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
trades of identical or comparable securities; durationcredit 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 issuerindependent non-binding broker quotations
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
U.S. government and agency, State and political subdivision and Foreign government securities
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
Key Inputs:Key Inputs:
quoted prices in markets that are not activeindependent non-binding broker quotations
benchmark U.S. Treasury yield or other yieldsquoted 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 quotescredit 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 activecredit spreads
spreads for actively traded securities; spreads off benchmark yieldsquoted 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 regionindependent 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

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Instrument
Level 2
Observable Inputs
Level 3
Unobservable Inputs
Equity Securities
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 activecredit 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
Short-term investments
Short-term 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.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.
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.N/A
Key Input:
quoted securitization market price of the obligations of the CSEs determined principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs
Separate Account Assets (1)
Mutual funds without readily determinable fair values as prices are not published publicly
Key Input:N/A
quoted prices or reported net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the fund managers
Other limited partnership interests
N/AValued 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, 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 Long-term Debt of CSEs — FVO” and “— Derivatives — Freestanding Derivatives.”
Derivatives
The estimated fair value ofvalues for exchange-traded derivatives isare determined throughusing the use of quoted market prices for exchange-tradedand are classified as Level 1 assets. For OTC-bilateral derivatives and OTC-cleared derivatives classified as Level 2 assets or throughliabilities, fair values are determined using the useincome approach. Valuations of non-option-based derivatives utilize present value techniques, whereas valuations of option-based derivatives utilize option pricing models for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value, when quoted market valueswhich 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 — Valuation Controls and Procedures.”a variety of observable inputs.
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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

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.

40

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)

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.
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:
InstrumentInterest Rate
Foreign Currency
Exchange Rate
CreditEquity Market
Inputs common to Level 2 and Level 3 by instrument typeswap yield curvesswap yield curvesswap yield curvesswap yield curves
basis curvesbasis curvescredit curvesspot equity index levels
interest rate volatility (1)currency spot ratesrecovery ratesdividend yield curves

cross currency basis curves

equity volatility (1)
Level 3swap yield curves (2)

N/Aswap yield curves (2)dividend yield curves (2)
basis curves (2)

credit curves (2)

equity volatility (1), (2)

repurchase rates

credit spreadscorrelation between model inputs (1)

repurchase rates
independent non-binding broker quotations
______________
(1)Option-based only.
(2)Extrapolation beyond the observable limits of the curve(s).

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Embedded Derivatives
Embedded derivatives principally include certain direct, assumed and ceded variable annuity guarantees, equity or bond indexed crediting rates within certain 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,Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s debt, including related credit default swaps.debt. 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,Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s overall financial strength.
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 assumedrecaptured from an affiliated insurance companya former affiliate the risk associated with certain GMIBs. These embedded derivatives are included in policyholder account balances on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). The value of the embedded derivatives on these assumedrecaptured risks is determined using a methodology consistent with that described previously for the guarantees directly written by the Company.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)

The Company ceded to ana former affiliate the risk associated with certain of the GMIBs, GMABs and GMWBs described above that are also accounted for as embedded derivatives. In addition to ceding risks associated with guarantees that are accounted for as embedded derivatives, the Company also cedes,ceded, to an affiliated company,a former affiliate, certain directly written GMIBs that are accounted for as insurance (i.e., not as embedded derivatives), but where the reinsurance agreement contains an embedded derivative. These embedded derivatives 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). 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

The estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain ceded reinsurance is determined based on the change in estimated fair value of the underlying assets held by the Company in a reference portfolio backing the funds withheld liability. The estimated fair value of the underlying assets is determined as previously described in “— InvestmentsEquity securities, short-term investments, real estate joint ventures, other limited partnership interests, commercial mortgage loans held by CSEsSecurities, Short-term InvestmentsFVO and Long-term Debtlong-term debt of CSEs — FVO.” 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 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.
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:
For assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at June 30, 2017, there were no transfers between Levels 12018 and 2. For assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value and still held at December 31, 2016,2017, transfers between Levels 1 and 2 were not significant.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. 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:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Impact of
Increase in Input
on Estimated
Fair Value (2)
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 
Impact of
Increase in Input
on Estimated
Fair Value (2)
Valuation
Techniques
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 Weighted
Average  (1)
 Range Weighted
Average (1)
Valuation
Techniques
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 Weighted
Average  (1)
 Range Weighted
Average (1)
 
Fixed maturity securities (3)Fixed maturity securities (3) Fixed maturity securities (3) 
U.S. corporate and foreign corporateMatrix pricing Offered quotes (4) 22-142 107 18-138 104IncreaseMatrix pricing Offered quotes (4) 87-137 106 93-142 110 Increase
Market pricing Quoted prices (4) 13-559 104 13-700 99IncreaseMarket pricing Quoted prices (4) 53-353 105 -443 76 Increase
Consensus pricing Offered quotes (4) 89-89 89 37-109 85Increase
RMBSMarket pricing Quoted prices (4) 49-113 93 38-111 91Increase (5)Market pricing Quoted prices (4) 56-107 95 3-107 94 Increase (5)
ABSMarket pricing Quoted prices (4) 97-104 101 94-106 100Increase (5)Market pricing Quoted prices (4) 100-102 100 100-104 101 Increase (5)
Consensus pricing Offered quotes (4) 99-101 99 98-100 99Increase (5)Consensus pricing Offered quotes (4) 
 
 100-100 100 Increase (5)
DerivativesDerivatives Derivatives 
Interest ratePresent value techniques Repurchase rates (7) -13 (44)-18 Decrease (6)
CreditPresent value techniques Credit spreads (8) 96-98 97-98 Decrease (8)Present value techniques Credit spreads (7) 97-99 - Decrease (6)
Consensus pricing Offered quotes (9)     Consensus pricing Offered quotes (8)       
Equity marketPresent value techniques or option pricing models Volatility (10) 10%-34% 14%-32% Increase (6)Present value techniques or option pricing models Volatility (9) 17%-30% 11%-31%  Increase (6)
 Correlation (11) 70%-70% 40%-40%  Correlation (10) 10%-30% 10%-30% 
Embedded derivativesEmbedded derivatives Embedded derivatives 
Direct, assumed and ceded guaranteed minimum benefitsOption pricing techniques Mortality rates: Option pricing techniques Mortality rates: 
 Ages 0 - 40 0%-0.09% 0%-0.21% Decrease (12) Ages 0 - 40 0%-0.09% 0%-0.09% Decrease (11)
 Ages 41 - 60 0.04%-0.65% 0.01%-0.78% Decrease (12) Ages 41 - 60 0.04%-0.65% 0.04%-0.65% Decrease (11)
 Ages 61 - 115 0.26%-100% 0.04%-100% Decrease (12) Ages 61 - 115 0.26%-100% 0.26%-100% Decrease (11)
 Lapse rates:  Lapse rates: 
 Durations 1 - 10 0.25%-100% 0.25%-100% Decrease (13) Durations 1 - 10 0.25%-100% 0.25%-100% Decrease (12)
 Durations 11 - 20 2%-100% 2%-100% Decrease (13) Durations 11 - 20 2%-100% 2%-100% Decrease (12)
 Durations 21 - 116 2%-100% 1.25%-100% Decrease (13) Durations 21 - 116 2%-100% 2%-100% Decrease (12)
 Utilization rates 0%-25% 0%-25% Increase (14) Utilization rates 0%-25% 0%-25% Increase (13)
 Withdrawal rates 0.25%-10% 0%-20% (15) Withdrawal rates 0.25%-10% 0.25%-10% (14)
 Long-term equity volatilities 17.40%-25% 9.95%-33% Increase (16) Long-term equity volatilities 17.40%-25% 17.40%-25% Increase (15)
 Nonperformance risk spread 0.03%-0.47% 0.04%-1.70% Decrease (17) Nonperformance risk spread 1.12%-2.06% 0.64%-1.43% Decrease (16)
___________________
(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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

(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 is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumptions used for prepayment rates.
(6)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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)

(7)Ranges represent different repurchase rates utilized as components within the valuation methodology and are presented in basis points.
(8)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.
(9)(8)At June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, independent non-binding broker quotations were used in the determination of 2%less than 1% and 3%, respectively,1% of the total net derivative estimated fair value.value, respectively.
(10)(9)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.
(11)(10)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.
(12)(11)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.
(13)(12)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.
(14)(13)The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contractholderscontract holders with a GMIB or lifetime withdrawal benefit who will elect to utilize the benefit upon becoming eligible. The rates may vary by the type of guarantee, the amount by which the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value, the contract’s withdrawal history and by the age of the policyholder. For any given contract, utilization rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(15)(14)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.
(16)(15)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.
(17)(16)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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

The following is a summary of the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities classified within Level 3 that are not included in the preceding table. Generally, all other classes of securities classified within Level 3, including those within separate account assets and embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain assumed 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 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.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. Fair Value (continued)

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) Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 Fixed Maturity Securities Fixed Maturity Securities  
 Corporate (1) U.S. Government and Agency Structured Securities State and
Political
Subdivision
 Foreign
Government
 Corporate (1) Structured Securities State and
Political
Subdivision
 Foreign
Government
 Equity
Securities
 (In millions) (In millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017          
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018          
Balance, beginning of period $2,344
 $
 $1,626
 $7
 $
 $1,845
 $1,195
 $
 $
 $123
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 1
 
 6
 
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 6
 5
 
 
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 21
 
 22
 
 
 (70) 
 2
 
 
Purchases (7)(8) 171
 
 24
 
 
 81
 202
 2
 
 
Sales (7)(8) (247) 
 (138) 
 
 (24) (54) 
 
 (3)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 29
 
 
 
 
 3
 
 4
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) (24) 
 (59) (7) 
 (26) (87) 
 
 
Balance, end of period $2,295
 $
 $1,481
 $
 $
 $1,815
 $1,261
 $8
 $
 $120
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016          
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017          
Balance, beginning of period $2,390
 $21
 $1,732
 $8
 $
 $2,344
 $1,626
 $7
 $
 $142
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 (1) 
 8
 
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 1
 6
 
 
 1
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 75
 1
 (5) 
 
 21
 22
 
 
 1
Purchases (7)(8) 230
 3
 383
 
 9
 171
 24
 
 
 
Sales (7)(8) (60) 
 (142) 
 
 (247) (138) 
 
 (10)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 101
 
 12
 
 
 29
 
 
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) (41) 
 (129) 
 
 (24) (59) (7) 
 
Balance, end of period $2,694
 $25
 $1,859
 $8
 $9
 $2,295
 $1,481
 $
 $
 $134
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (9)
 $
 $
 $6
 $
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2016 (9)
 $
 $
 $8
 $
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2018 (10)
 $6
 $5
 $
 $
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (10)
 $
 $6
 $
 $
 $

5645

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. Fair Value (continued)

 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 Equity
Securities
 Short-term
Investments
 Net
Derivatives (2)
 Net Embedded
Derivatives (3)
 Separate
Account Assets (4)
 Real Estate Joint Ventures (2) Other Limited Partnership Interests (2) Short-term
Investments
 Net
Derivatives (3)
 Net Embedded
Derivatives (4)
 Separate
Account Assets (5)
 (In millions) (In millions)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017          
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018            
Balance, beginning of period $142
 $1
 $(890) $(2,377) $15
 $22
 $26
 $
 $(273) $(1,587) $7
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 1
 
 106
 151
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 (2) 
 
 (13) 231
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases (7)(8) 
 91
 4
 
 7
 
 
 
 2
 
 
Sales (7)(8) (10) 
 
 
 (8) (3) (2) 
 
 
 (3)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 
 (251) (1) 
 
 
 
 (142) (1)
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) 
 (1) 
 
 (7) 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, end of period $134
 $91
 $(780) $(2,477) $6
 $17
 $24
 $
 $(284) $(1,498) $4
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016          
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017            
Balance, beginning of period $171
 $50
 $(243) $(884) $143
 $
 $
 $1
 $(890) $(2,377) $15
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 
 
 54
 (3,373) 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 
 
 
 106
 151
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 3
 
 4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases (7)(8) 
 111
 4
 
 
 
 
 91
 4
 
 7
Sales (7)(8) (1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (8)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 (1) (345) 
 
 
 
 
 (251) (1)
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) 
 (50) 
 
 (1) 
 
 (1) 
 
 (7)
Balance, end of period $173
 $111
 $(182) $(4,602) $142
 $
 $
 $91
 $(780) $(2,477) $6
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (9)
 $
 $
 $106
 $235
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2016 (9)
 $
 $
 $57
 $(3,375) $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2018 (10)
 $(2) $
 $
 $(13) $183
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (10)
 $
 $
 $
 $106
 $235
 $

5746

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. Fair Value (continued)

 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 Fixed Maturity Securities Fixed Maturity Securities  
 Corporate (1) U.S. Government and Agency Structured Securities State and
Political
Subdivision
 Foreign
Government
 Corporate (1) Structured Securities State and
Political
Subdivision
 Foreign
Government
 Equity
Securities
 (In millions) (In millions)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017          
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018          
Balance, beginning of period $2,310
 $
 $1,695
 $17
 $
 $1,937
 $1,222
 $
 $5
 $124
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 (2) 
 9
 
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 9
 11
 
 
 (1)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 127
 
 37
 
 
 (77) (9) 3
 
 
Purchases (7)(8) 291
 
 68
 
 
 136
 213
 2
 
 
Sales (7)(8) (298) 
 (224) 
 
 (164) (119) 
 (2) (3)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 3
 
 
 
 
 33
 
 3
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) (136) 
 (104) (17) 
 (59) (57) 
 (3) 
Balance, end of period $2,295
 $
 $1,481
 $
 $
 $1,815
 $1,261
 $8
 $
 $120
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016          
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017          
Balance, beginning of period $2,410
 $
 $1,996
 $13
 $27
 $2,310
 $1,695
 $17
 $
 $137
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 (13) 
 13
 
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 (2) 9
 
 
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 174
 2
 (18) 
 
 127
 37
 
 
 3
Purchases (7)(8) 276
 4
 453
 
 9
 291
 68
 
 
 4
Sales (7)(8) (140) 
 (234) 
 
 (298) (224) 
 
 (10)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 165
 19
 24
 
 
 3
 
 
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) (178) 
 (375) (5) (27) (136) (104) (17) 
 
Balance, end of period $2,694
 $25
 $1,859
 $8
 $9
 $2,295
 $1,481
 $
 $
 $134
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (9)
 $
 $
 $10
 $
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2016 (9)
 $(12) $
 $13
 $
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2018 (10)
 $7
 $11
 $
 $
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (10)
 $
 $10
 $
 $
 $


5847

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. Fair Value (continued)

 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 Equity
Securities
 Short-term
Investments
 Net
Derivatives (2)
 Net Embedded
Derivatives (3)
 Separate
Account Assets (4)
 Real Estate Joint Ventures (2) Other Limited Partnership Interests (2) Short-term
Investments
 Net
Derivatives (3)
 Net Embedded
Derivatives (4)
 Separate
Account Assets (5)
 (In millions) (In millions)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017          
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018            
Balance, beginning of period $137
 $2
 $(954) $(2,761) $10
 $22
 $28
 $14
 $(279) $(2,007) $5
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 
 
 96
 468
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 (1) (1) 
 (8) 782
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases (7)(8) 4
 91
 4
 
 1
 
 
 
 3
 
 1
Sales (7)(8) (10) (1) 
 
 (2) (4) (3) (14) 
 
 (1)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 74
 (184) 
 
 
 
 
 (273) (1)
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 
 
 
 
 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) 
 (1) 
 
 (5) 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, end of period $134
 $91
 $(780) $(2,477) $6
 $17
 $24
 $
 $(284) $(1,498) $4
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016          
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017            
Balance, beginning of period $97
 $47
 $(232) $(442) $146
 $
 $
 $2
 $(954) $(2,761) $10
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (5) (6)
 
 
 37
 (3,894) 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in net income (loss) (6) (7)
 
 
 
 96
 468
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
included in AOCI
 
 
 8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases (7)(8) 
 111
 7
 
 1
 
 
 91
 4
 
 1
Sales (7)(8) (13) (47) 
 
 (4) 
 
 (1) 
 
 (2)
Issuances (7)(8) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements (7)(8) 
 
 (2) (266) 
 
 
 
 74
 (184) 
Transfers into Level 3 (8)(9) 129
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2
Transfers out of Level 3 (8)(9) (40) 
 
 
 (1) 
 
 (1) 
 
 (5)
Balance, end of period $173
 $111
 $(182) $(4,602) $142
 $
 $
 $91
 $(780) $(2,477) $6
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (9)
 $
 $
 $93
 $521
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2016 (9)
 $
 $
 $43
 $(3,895) $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2018 (10)
 $(1) $(1) $
 $(8) $752
 $
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included
in net income (loss) for the instruments still
held at June 30, 2017 (10)
 $
 $
 $
 $93
 $521
 $
________________

(1)Comprised of U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
(2)
In connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial instruments (see Note 1), effective January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis, the Company carries real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests previously accounted under the cost method of accounting at estimated fair value.
(3)Freestanding derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(3)(4)Embedded derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(4)(5)Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholderscontract holders 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).

48

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)

(5)(6)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). 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 derivativesderivative gains (losses).
(6)(7)Interest and dividend accruals, as well as cash interest coupons and dividends received, are excluded from the rollforward.

59

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

(7)(8)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.
(8)(9)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.
(9)(10)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).
Fair Value Option
The following table presents information for certain assets and liabilities of CSEs, which are accounted for under the FVO. These assets and liabilities were initially measured at fair value.
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Assets (1)      
Unpaid principal balance$76
 $88
$59
 $70
Difference between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance47
 48
37
 45
Carrying value at estimated fair value$123
 $136
$96
 $115
Liabilities (1)      
Contractual principal balance$15
 $22
$5
 $10
Difference between estimated fair value and contractual principal balance1
 1

 1
Carrying value at estimated fair value$16
 $23
$5
 $11
__________________
(1)These assets and liabilities are comprised of commercial mortgage loans and long-term debt. Changes in estimated fair value on these assets and liabilities and gains or losses on sales of these assets are recognized in net investment gains (losses). Interest income on commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs — FVO is recognized in net investment income. Interest expense from long-term debt of CSEs — FVO is recognized in other expenses.
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 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.

6049

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7.6. 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:
June 30, 2017June 30, 2018
  Fair Value Hierarchy    Fair Value Hierarchy  
Carrying
Value
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Carrying
Value
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
(In millions)(In millions)
Assets                  
Mortgage loans$10,036
 $
 $
 $10,299
 $10,299
$12,141
 $
 $
 $12,225
 $12,225
Policy loans$1,091
 $
 $744
 $439
 $1,183
$1,043
 $
 $683
 $423
 $1,106
Real estate joint ventures$6
 $
 $
 $27
 $27
Other limited partnership interests$42
 $
 $
 $41
 $41
Loans to affiliates$
 $
 $
 $
 $
Other invested assets$85
 $
 $72
 $13
 $85
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables$1,647
 $
 $170
 $2,000
 $2,170
$1,475
 $
 $88
 $1,586
 $1,674
Liabilities                  
Policyholder account balances$15,734
 $
 $
 $17,120
 $17,120
$15,724
 $
 $
 $14,687
 $14,687
Long-term debt$37
 $
 $44
 $
 $44
$35
 $
 $40
 $
 $40
Other liabilities$728
 $
 $358
 $390
 $748
$475
 $
 $125
 $344
 $469
Separate account liabilities$1,163
 $
 $1,163
 $
 $1,163
$1,188
 $
 $1,188
 $
 $1,188
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
  Fair Value Hierarchy    Fair Value Hierarchy  
Carrying
Value
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Carrying
Value
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
(In millions)(In millions)
Assets                  
Mortgage loans$9,154
 $
 $
 $9,298
 $9,298
$10,525
 $
 $
 $10,768
 $10,768
Policy loans$1,093
 $
 $746
 $431
 $1,177
$1,106
 $
 $746
 $439
 $1,185
Real estate joint ventures(1)$12
 $
 $
 $44
 $44
$5
 $
 $
 $22
 $22
Other limited partnership interests(1)$44
 $
 $
 $42
 $42
$36
 $
 $
 $28
 $28
Loans to affiliates$1,100
 $
 $1,090
 $
 $1,090
Other invested assets (2)$71
 $
 $71
 $
 $71
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables$2,363
 $
 $834
 $1,981
 $2,815
$1,556
 $
 $126
 $1,783
 $1,909
Liabilities                  
Policyholder account balances$16,043
 $
 $
 $17,259
 $17,259
$15,626
 $
 $
 $15,760
 $15,760
Long-term debt$1,881
 $
 $2,117
 $
 $2,117
$35
 $
 $42
 $
 $42
Other liabilities$256
 $
 $90
 $166
 $256
$459
 $
 $93
 $368
 $461
Separate account liabilities$1,110
 $
 $1,110
 $
 $1,110
$1,206
 $
 $1,206
 $
 $1,206
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.
(1)
In connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial instruments (see Note 1), effective January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis, the Company carries real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests previously accounted under the cost method of accounting at estimated fair value.
(2)The Company reclassified Federal Home Loan Bank stock in the prior period from equity securities to other invested assets.

61

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Policy Loans
Policy loans with fixed interest rates are classified within Level 3. The estimated fair values for these loans are determined using a 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. 
Loans to Affiliates
The estimated fair value of loans to affiliates is principally determined using market standard valuation methodologies. Valuations of instruments are based primarily on discounted cash flow methodologies that use standard market observable inputs including market yield curve, duration, observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues.
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.
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. 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
The estimated fair value of long-term debt is principally determined using market standard valuation methodologies. Valuations of instruments 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, observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues.

62

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
7. Fair Value (continued)

Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consist primarily of interest payable, amounts due for securities purchased but not yet settled, funds withheld amounts payable, which are contractually withheld by the Company in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements, deposits payable and derivative payables. 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. 
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 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.
8. Debt
On June 16, 2017, MetLife, Inc. forgave the Company’s obligation to pay the principal amount of $750 million affiliated surplus notes held by MetLife, Inc. The forgiveness of the surplus notes was treated as a capital transaction and recorded as an increase to additional paid-in-capital. See Note 9.
On April 28, 2017, two surplus note obligations with MetLife, Inc. totaling $1.1 billion, which were due on September 30, 2032 and December 31, 2033 and carried interest at 5.13% and 6.00%, respectively, were satisfied in a noncash exchange for $1.1 billion of loans outstanding from MetLife. See Notes 3 and 5.
On April 28, 2017, BRCD entered into a new financing arrangement with a pool of highly rated third party reinsurers and a total capacity of $10.0 billion. This financing arrangement consists of credit-linked notes that each have a term of 20 years. As of June 30, 2017, there were no drawdowns on such notes and there was $8.1 billion of funding available under this arrangement. See Note 3.
9. Equity
Capital Transactions
In June 2017, the Company received a capital contribution of $600 million in cash from Brighthouse Holdings, LLC.
In June 2017, MetLife, Inc. made a non-cash capital contribution of $750 million in the form of forgiveness of debt to the Company. See Note 8.
In April 2017, the Contribution Transactions discussed in Note 3 included a net cash return of capital of $2.7 billion.

6350

Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
9. Equity (continued)

7. Long-term Debt
Repurchase Facility
In April 2018, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company entered into a committed repurchase facility (the “Repurchase Facility”) with a financial institution, pursuant to which Brighthouse Life Insurance Company may enter into repurchase transactions in an aggregate amount up to $2.0 billion in respect of certain eligible securities. The Repurchase Facility has a term of three years, beginning on July 31, 2018 and ending on July 31, 2021.
8. Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Information regarding changes in the balances of each component of AOCI was as follows:
Three Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2017
Three Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2018
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 TotalUnrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 Total
(In millions)(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$1,190
 $239
 $(33) $1,396
Balance, March 31, 2018$870
 $86
 $(21) $935
OCI before reclassifications749
 (32) 2
 719
(311) 108
 4
 (199)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(267) 11
 
 (256)82
 (23) (1) 58
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax1,672
 218
 (31) 1,859
641
 171
 (18) 794
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(2) (2) 
 (4)41
 (11) 
 30
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)5
 1
 
 6
(11) 2
 
 (9)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax3
 (1) 
 2
30
 (9) 
 21
Balance, end of period$1,675
 $217
 $(31) $1,861
Balance, June 30, 2018$671
 $162
 $(18) $815
Three Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2016
Three Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2017
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 TotalUnrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 Total
(In millions)(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$2,479
 $248
 $(28) $2,699
Balance, March 31, 2017$1,190
 $239
 $(33) $1,396
OCI before reclassifications142
 72
 13
 227
749
 (32) 2
 719
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(63) (25) (2) (90)(267) 11
 
 (256)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax2,558
 295
 (17) 2,836
1,672
 218
 (31) 1,859
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(27) (11) 
 (38)(2) (2) 
 (4)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)9
 4
 
 13
5
 1
 
 6
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax(18) (7) 
 (25)3
 (1) 
 2
Balance, end of period$2,540
 $288
 $(17) $2,811
Balance, June 30, 2017$1,675
 $217
 $(31) $1,861

 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 Total
 (In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$1,019
 $258
 $(29) $1,248
OCI before reclassifications958
 (51) (5) 902
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(357) 18
 3
 (336)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax1,620
 225
 (31) 1,814
Amounts reclassified from AOCI88
 (12) 
 76
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(33) 4
 
 (29)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax55
 (8) 
 47
Balance, end of period$1,675
 $217
 $(31) $1,861

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
9.8. Equity (continued)

Six Months Ended 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2016
Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2018
Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 TotalUnrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 Total
(In millions)(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period$1,379
 $241
 $(26) $1,594
Balance, December 31, 2017$1,709
 $151
 $(23) $1,837
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and other, net of income tax (see Note 1)(79) 
 
 (79)
Balance, January 1, 20181,630
 151
 (23) 1,758
OCI before reclassifications1,763
 89
 10
 1,862
(1,335) 35
 6
 (1,294)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(624) (31) (1) (656)300
 (8) (1) 291
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax2,518
 299
 (17) 2,800
595
 178
 (18) 755
Amounts reclassified from AOCI34
 (17) 
 17
99
 (19) 
 80
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(12) 6
 
 (6)(23) 3
 
 (20)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax22
 (11) 
 11
76
 (16) 
 60
Balance, end of period$2,540
 $288
 $(17) $2,811
Balance, June 30, 2018$671
 $162
 $(18) $815
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses), Net of
Related Offsets (1)
 Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 Total
 (In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2016$1,019
 $258
 $(29) $1,248
OCI before reclassifications958
 (51) (5) 902
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(357) 18
 3
 (336)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax1,620
 225
 (31) 1,814
Amounts reclassified from AOCI88
 (12) 
 76
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)(33) 4
 
 (29)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax55
 (8) 
 47
Balance, June 30, 2017$1,675
 $217
 $(31) $1,861
__________________
(1)
See Note 54 for information on offsets to investments related to future policy benefits, DAC, VOBA and DSI.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
8. 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 Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Locations
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
  Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 
 2017 2016 2017 2016  2018 2017 2018 2017 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):                  
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) $2
 $25
 $(46) $(34) Net investment gains (losses) $(42) $2
 $(100) $(46) Net investment gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) 1
 2
 2
 
 Net investment income 1
 1
 1
 2
 Net investment income
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) (1) 
 (44) 
 Net derivative gains (losses) 
 (1) 
 (44) Net derivative gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), before income tax 2
 27
 (88) (34)  (41) 2
 (99) (88) 
Income tax (expense) benefit (5) (9) 33
 12
  11
 (5) 23
 33
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax (3) 18
 (55) (22)  (30) (3) (76) (55) 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives - cash flow hedges:                  
Interest rate swaps 
 12
 
 12
 Net derivative gains (losses) 10
 
 16
 
 Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate swaps 1
 
 2
 1
 Net investment income 2
 1
 2
 2
 Net investment income
Interest rate forwards 
 (1) 
 1
 Net derivative gains (losses) 
 
 1
 
 Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate forwards 
 1
 1
 2
 Net investment income 
 
 1
 1
 Net investment income
Foreign currency swaps 1
 (1) 9
 1
 Net derivative gains (losses) (1) 1
 (1) 9
 Net derivative gains (losses)
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, before income tax 2
 11
 12
 17
  11
 2
 19
 12
 
Income tax (expense) benefit (1) (4) (4) (6)  (2) (1) (3) (4) 
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of income tax 1
 7
 8
 11
  9
 1
 16
 8
 
Total reclassifications, net of income tax $(2) $25
 $(47) $(11)  $(21) $(2) $(60) $(47) 
9. Other Revenues and Other Expenses
Other Revenues
The Company has entered into contracts with mutual funds, fund managers, and their affiliates (collectively, the “Funds”) whereby the Company is paid monthly or quarterly fees (“12b-1 fees”) for providing certain services to customers and distributors of the Funds. The 12b-1 fees are generally equal to a fixed percentage of the average daily balance of the customer’s investment in a fund are based on a specified in the contract between the Company and the Funds. Payments are generally collected when due and are neither refundable nor able to offset future fees.
To earn these fees, the Company performs services such as responding to phone inquiries, maintaining records, providing information to distributors and shareholders about fund performance and providing training to account managers and sales agents. The passage of time reflects the satisfaction of the Company’s performance obligations to the Funds, and is used to recognize revenue associated with 12b-1 fees.
Other revenues consisted primarily of 12b-1 fees of $64 million and $130 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $69 million and $131 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, of which substantially all were reported in the Annuities segment.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
9. Other Revenues and Other Expenses (continued)

10. Other Expenses
Information on other expenses was as follows:
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Compensation$63
 $106
 $118
 $225
$78
 $63
 $150
 $118
Commissions174
 132
 368
 317
191
 174
 383
 368
Volume-related costs59
 57
 115
 113
26
 59
 56
 115
Affiliated expenses on ceded and assumed reinsurance(4) (2) 4
 1
Related party expenses on ceded and assumed reinsurance(3) (4) (8) 4
Capitalization of DAC(61) (80) (128) (183)(76) (61) (151) (128)
Interest expense on debt25
 35
 57
 66
(3) 25
 (2) 57
Premium taxes, licenses and fees17
 13
 30
 31
24
 17
 40
 30
Professional services46
 15
 81
 26
60
 46
 93
 81
Rent and related expenses4
 15
 7
 29
3
 4
 6
 7
Other137
 104
 244
 220
147
 137
 277
 244
Total other expenses$460
 $395
 $896
 $845
$447
 $460
 $844
 $896
AffiliatedRelated Party Expenses
Commissions and capitalization of DAC include the impact of affiliatedrelated party reinsurance transactions. See Note 1211 for a discussion of affiliatedrelated party expenses included in the table above.
11.10. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is a defendant in a number of litigation matters. In some of the matters, large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Modern pleading practice in the U.S. permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief. Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the trial court. In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters. This variability in pleadings, together with the actual experience of the Company in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value.
Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may normally be difficult to ascertain. Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.
The Company establishes liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. It is possible that some matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be reasonably estimated at June 30, 2017.2018.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
10. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Matters as to Which an Estimate Can Be Made
For some loss contingency matters, the Company is able to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. For such matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual has been made. As of June 30, 2017,2018, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for these matters was not material for the Company.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
11. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

material.
Matters as to Which an Estimate Cannot Be Made
For other matters, 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.
Sales Practices Claims
Over the past several years, the Company has faced claims and regulatory inquiries and investigations, alleging improper marketing or sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities, mutual funds or other products. 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.
Unclaimed Property Litigation
Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC on its own behalf and on behalf of the State of New York v. Brighthouse Financial, Inc., et al.(Supreme Court, New York County, NY, second amended complaint filed November 17, 2017). Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC (the “Relator”) has brought a qui tam action against Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates under the New York False Claims Act seeking to recover damages on behalf of the State of New York. The action originally was filed under seal on or about December 3, 2010. The State of New York declined to intervene in the action, and the Relator is now prosecuting the action. The Relator alleges that from on or about April 1, 1986 and continuing annually through on or about September 10, 2017, the defendants violated New York State Finance Law Section 189 (1) (g) by failing to timely report and deliver unclaimed insurance property to the State of New York. The Relator is seeking, among other things, treble damages, penalties, expenses and attorneys’ fees and prejudgment interest. No specific dollar amount of damages is specified by the Relator who also is suing numerous insurance companies and John Doe defendants. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. filed a motion to dismiss. The Court has entered an order of voluntary discontinuance without prejudice pursuant to which the Relator dismissed Brighthouse Financial, Inc. without prejudice but reserved its right to file a motion to amend to name other Brighthouse entities as defendants. If other Brighthouse entities are named, the Brighthouse defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.
Group Annuity Class Action
Edward Roycroft v. Brighthouse Financial, Inc., et al. (U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, filed June 18, 2018). Edward Roycroft filed a purported class action against Brighthouse Financial, Inc., MetLife, Inc., and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The complaint alleges plaintiff is a beneficiary of a Martindale-Hubbell group annuity contract and did not receive payments plaintiff claims he was entitled to upon his retirement in 1999. Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of all beneficiaries who were due annuity benefits pursuant to group annuity contracts and whose annuity benefits were released from reserves. Plaintiff’s causes of action are for conversion, unjust enrichment, an accounting and for a constructive trust. Plaintiff seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, declaratory and injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. intends to defend this action vigorously.
Summary
Various litigation, 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, investor 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.

55

Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
10. 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, 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’sCompany���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 $168$371 million and $335$388 million at June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.
Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments and Private Corporate Bond Investments
The Company commits to fund partnership investments and to lend funds under private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $1.3$1.5 billion and $1.4 billion at both June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.
Other Commitments
The Company has entered into collateral arrangements with affiliates which require the transfer of collateral in connection with secured demand notes. As of June 30, 2017, these arrangements had expired and the Company is no longer transferring collateral to custody accounts. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had agreed to fund up to $20 million of cash upon the request by these affiliates and had transferred collateral consisting of various securities with a fair market value of $25 million, to custody accounts to secure the demand notes. Each of these affiliates was permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral.respectively.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
11. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

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 $6 million to $218$169 million, with a cumulative maximum of $223$175 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’s recorded liabilities were $2 million at both June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017 for indemnities, guarantees and commitments.
12. Related Party Transactions
The Company has various existing relationships with MetLife for services necessary to conduct its activities.
Non-Broker-Dealer Transactions
The following table summarizes income and expense from transactions with MetLife (excluding broker-dealer transactions) for the periods indicated:
 Three Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Income Expense
 (In millions)
MetLife$96
 $63
 $209
 $23
 Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Income Expense
 (In millions)
MetLife$(110) $(46) $409
 $218
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities from transactions with MetLife (excluding broker-dealer transactions) at:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
 (In millions)
MetLife$2,950
 $2,649
 $4,288
 $5,125
The material arrangements between the Company and MetLife are as follows:

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
12.
11. Related Party Transactions (continued)
The Company has various existing arrangements with its Brighthouse affiliates and MetLife for services necessary to conduct its activities. Subsequent to the Separation, certain of the MetLife services continued, as provided for under a master service agreement and various transition services agreements entered into in connection with the Separation. MetLife was no longer considered a related party upon the completion of the MetLife Divestiture on June 14, 2018. See Note 1 for information regarding the MetLife Divestiture.
Non-Broker-Dealer Transactions
The following table summarizes income and expense from transactions with related parties (excluding broker-dealer transactions) for the periods indicated:

 Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Income$11
 $96
 $60
 $(110)
Expense$168
 $209
 $349
 $409
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities from transactions with related parties (excluding broker-dealer transactions) at:
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 (In millions)
Assets$5
 $2,839
Liabilities$383
 $2,675
The material arrangements between the Company and its related parties are as follows:
Reinsurance Agreements
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements primarily as a purchaser of reinsurance for its various insurance products and also as a provider of reinsurance for some insurance products issued by certain affiliates companies.related parties. The Company participates in reinsurance activities in order to limit losses, minimize exposure to significant risks and provide additional capacity for future growth.
The Company has reinsurance agreements with its affiliate NELICONew England Life Insurance Company (“NELICO”) and certain MetLife, Inc. subsidiaries, including MLIC, General AmericanMetropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company MetLife Europe d.a.c.,and MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont, Delaware American Life Insurance Company and American Life Insurance Company, all of which were related parties asuntil the completion of June 30, 2017.


the MetLife Divestiture.

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Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
12.11. Related Party Transactions (continued)

Information regarding the significant effects of affiliated reinsurance with NELICO and former MetLife affiliates included on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
(In millions)(In millions)
Premiums              
Reinsurance assumed$4
 $8
 $9
 $54
$3
 $4
 $7
 $9
Reinsurance ceded(140) (197) (317) (373)(105) (140) (201) (317)
Net premiums$(136) $(189) $(308) $(319)$(102) $(136) $(194) $(308)
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees              
Reinsurance assumed$24
 $29
 $50
 $57
$21
 $24
 $47
 $50
Reinsurance ceded(5) (15) (18) (31)2
 (5) 1
 (18)
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees$19
 $14
 $32
 $26
$23
 $19
 $48
 $32
Other revenues              
Reinsurance assumed$28
 $
 $28
 $1
$
 $28
 $1
 $28
Reinsurance ceded39
 288
 39
 316
6
 39
 18
 39
Net other revenues$67
 $288
 $67
 $317
$6
 $67
 $19
 $67
Policyholder benefits and claims              
Reinsurance assumed$17
 $13
 $35
 $58
$10
 $17
 $30
 $35
Reinsurance ceded(94) (194) (228) (337)(93) (94) (177) (228)
Net policyholder benefits and claims$(77) $(181) $(193) $(279)$(83) $(77) $(147) $(193)
Interest credited to policyholder account balances       
Reinsurance assumed$18
 $19
 $36
 $38
Reinsurance ceded(3) (3) (6) (5)
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances$15
 $16
 $30
 $33
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired       
Reinsurance assumed$21
 $2
 $22
 $5
Reinsurance ceded(17) (91) 14
 (120)
Net amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of
business acquired
$4
 $(89) $36
 $(115)
Other expenses       
Reinsurance assumed$(3) $(11) $11
 $16
Reinsurance ceded(2) (13) 7
 (23)
Net other expenses$(5) $(24) $18
 $(7)

Information regarding the significant effects of reinsurance with NELICO and former MetLife affiliates included on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows at:
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded
 (In millions)
Assets       
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables$19
 $
 $34
 $3,254
Liabilities       
Policyholder account balances$321
 $
 $436
 $
Other policy-related balances$14
 $
 $1,683
 $
Other liabilities$(45) $
 $(8) $401
The Company assumes risks from NELICO related to guaranteed minimum benefits written directly by the cedent. The assumed reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives and changes in the estimated fair value are also included within net derivative gains (losses). The embedded derivatives associated with these agreements are included within policyholder account balances and were $321 million and $436 million at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with the embedded derivatives were $50 million and $117 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and ($7) million and $28 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. In January 2017, the Company executed a novation and assignment agreement whereby it replaced MLIC as the reinsurer of certain variable annuities, including guaranteed minimum benefits, issued by NELICO. At the time of thenovation and assignment, the transaction resulted in an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $184 million, an increase in future policy benefits of $34 million, an increase in policyholder account balances of $219 million and a decrease in other liabilities of $68 million. The Company recognizednogain or loss as a result of this transaction.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
12.11. Related Party Transactions (continued)

Information regarding the significant effects of affiliated reinsurance included on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows at:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded
 (In millions)
Assets       
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables$172
 $3,141
 $23
 $3,382
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired9
 (386) 71
 (356)
Total assets$181
 $2,755
 $94
 $3,026
Liabilities       
Future policy benefits$143
 $
 $211
 $
Policyholder account balances474
 
 741
 
Other policy-related balances1,686
 
 1,677
 
Other liabilities(38) 384
 11
 578
Total liabilities$2,265
 $384
 $2,640
 $578
The Company assumescedes risks from affiliatesto MLIC related to guaranteed minimum benefit guarantees written directly by the affiliates. These assumed reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives and changes in their estimated fair value are also included within net derivative gains (losses). The embedded derivatives associated with these agreements are included within policyholder account balances and were $474 million and $741 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with the embedded derivatives were $105 million and $138 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and($193) million and ($308) million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
The Company ceded risks to an affiliate related to guaranteed minimum benefit guaranteesbenefits written directly by the Company. ThisThe ceded reinsurance agreement containsagreements contain embedded derivatives and changes in the estimated fair value are also included within net derivative gains (losses). The embedded derivativederivatives associated with this cession isthe cessions are included within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and were $3 million$0 and $171$2 million at June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with the embedded derivativederivatives were less than ($1) million for both three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, and $0 and ($125) million for the three months and six months endedJune 30, 2017, respectively, and $94 million and $142 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
In May 2017, the Company and Brighthouse NYBHNY recaptured from MLIC risks related to multiple life products ceded under yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements. This recapture resulted in an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $214 million and a decrease in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables of $189 million. The Company recognized a gain of $17 million, net of income tax, as a result of this reinsurance termination.
In January 2017, the Company executed a novation and assignment agreement whereby it replaced MLIC as the reinsurer of certain variable annuities, including guaranteed minimum benefits, issued by NELICO. This novation and assignment resulted in an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $184 million, an increase in future policy benefits of $34 million, an increase in policyholder account balances of $219 million and a decrease in other liabilities of $68 million. The Company recognized no gain or loss as a result of this transaction.
In January 2017, MLIC recaptured risks related to certain variable annuities, including guaranteed minimum benefits, issued by Brighthouse NY. This recapture resulted in a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $150 million, an increase in future policy benefits of $45 million, an increase in policyholder account balances of $168 million and a decrease in other liabilities of $359 million. The Company recognized no gain or loss as a result of this transaction.
In January 2017, MLIC recaptured risks related to guaranteed minimum benefit guarantees on certain variable annuities being reinsured by the Company. This recapture resulted in a decrease in investments and cash and cash equivalents of $568 million, a decrease in future policy benefits of $106 million, and a decrease in policyholder account balances of $460 million. In June 2017, there was an adjustment to the recapture amounts of this transaction, which resulted in an increase in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables of $140 million at June 30, 2017. The Company recognized a gain of $91$91 million and $89 million, net of income tax, for the three months and six months ended, as a result of this transaction.

In January 2017, the Company recaptured risks related to certain variable annuities, including guaranteed minimum benefits, issued by BHNY ceded to MLIC. This recapture resulted in a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $150 million, an increase in future policy benefits of $45 million, an increase in policyholder account balances of $168 million and a decrease in other liabilities of $359 million. The Company recognized no gain or loss as a result of this transaction.
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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
12. Related Party Transactions (continued)

Financing Arrangements
ThePrior to the Separation, the Company had collateral financing arrangements with MetLife that arewere used to support reinsurance obligations arising under previously affiliated reinsurance agreements. The Company recognized interest expense for affiliated debtsuch arrangements of $24 million and $55 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and $31 million and $62 million for the three months six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. See Note 3 for more information regarding the termination of these arrangements.These arrangements were terminated in April 2017.
Investment Transactions
The Company has extended loans to certain subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. Additionally, inIn the ordinary course of business, the Company transfershad previously transferred invested assets, primarily consisting of fixed maturity securities, to and from MetLife, Inc.former affiliates. See Note 54 for further discussion of the related party investment transactions.
Shared Services and Overhead Allocations
Brighthouse affiliates and MetLife Inc. providesprovide the Company certain services, which include, but are not limited to, executive oversight, treasury, finance,financial planning and analysis, legal, human resources, tax planning, internal audit, financial reporting and information technology, distribution services and investor relations.technology. The Company is charged for thesethe MetLife services based on directthrough a transition services agreement and indirect costs.allocated to the legal entities and products within the Company. When specific identification to a particular legal entity and/or product is not practicable, an allocation methodology is used, primarily based on sales, in-force liabilities, or headcount. For certain agreements, charges are based on various performance measures or activity-based costing, such as sales, new policies/contracts issued, reserves, and in-force policy counts.counts is used. The bases for such charges are modified and adjusted by management when necessary or appropriate to reflect fairly and equitably the actual incidence of cost incurred by the Company and/or affiliate. Management believes that the methods used to allocate expenses under these arrangements are reasonable. Expenses incurred with the Brighthouse affiliates and MetLife Inc. related to these arrangements, recorded in other operating expenses, were $254 million and $501 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $240 million and $432 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively,respectively.
Brighthouse affiliates incur costs related to the establishment of services and $245infrastructure to replace those previously provided by MetLife. The Company is charged a fee to reflect the value of the available infrastructure and services provided by these costs. While management believes that the method used to allocate expenses under this arrangement is reasonable, the allocated expenses may not be indicative of those of a stand-alone entity.  If expenses were allocated to the Company under this arrangement as incurred by Brighthouse affiliates, the Company would have incurred additional expenses under this arrangement of $53 million and $484$98 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016,2018, respectively. The Company would have incurred no additional expenses under this arrangement in 2017.

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
11. Related Party Transactions (continued)

Broker-Dealer Transactions
The Company accrues related party revenues and expenses arising from transactions with affiliated broker-dealers whereby such affiliated broker-dealers sell the Company’s variable annuity and life products. The affiliated expense for the Company is commissions collected on the sale of variable products by the Company and passed through to the broker-dealer. The affiliated revenue for the Company is fee income from trusts and mutual funds whose shares serve as investment options of policyholders of the Company. Beginning in March 2017, Brighthouse Securities, LLC, a registered broker-dealer affiliate, began distributing certain of the Company’s existing and future variable insurance products, and the MetLife broker-dealers discontinued such distributions. Prior to March 2017, the Company recognized related party revenues and expenses arising from transactions with MetLife broker-dealers that previously sold the Company’s variable annuity and life products. The related party expense for the Company was commissions collected on the sale of variable products by the Company and passed through to the broker-dealer. The related party revenue for the Company was fee income from trusts and mutual funds whose shares serve as investment options of policyholders of the Company.
The following table summarizes income and expense from transactions with related party broker-dealers for the periods indicated:
 Three Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Fee Income Commission Expense
 (In millions)
Affiliated broker-dealers$56
 $48
 $194
 $153
 Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Fee Income Commission Expense
 (In millions)
Affiliated broker-dealers$110
 $99
 $320
 $314

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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)
12. Related Party Transactions (continued)

 Three Months
Ended   
June 30,
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Fee income$55
 $56
 $111
 $110
Commission expense$162
 $194
 $326
 $320
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities from transactions with affiliatedrelated party broker-dealers as follows:at:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Fee Income Receivables Secured Demand Notes Fee Income Receivables Secured Demand Notes
 (In millions)
Affiliated broker-dealers$(1) $
 $19
 $20
13. Subsequent Events
Capital Transactions
On August 10, 2017, the Company received a capital contribution of $400 million in cash from Brighthouse Holdings, LLC.


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Table of Contents
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) — (continued)


 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 (In millions)
Fee income receivables$18
 $19

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

Introduction
For purposes of this discussion, “Brighthouse Insurance,“BLIC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (formerly, MetLife Insurance Company USA), a Delaware corporation originally incorporated in Connecticut in 1863, and its subsidiaries. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Holdings, LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (Brighthouse Financial, Inc., together(together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Brighthouse”). Management’s narrative analysis of the results of operations is presented pursuant to General Instruction H(2)(a) of Form 10-Q. This narrative analysis should be read in conjunction with (i) the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q;elsewhere herein; (ii) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 22, 2018 (the “2016“2017 Annual Report”); (iii) our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 20172018 (the “First Quarter 2017 Quarterly Report”Form 10-Q”); filed with the SEC on May 10, 2018; and (iv) our current reports on Form 8-K filed in 2017. The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “— Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in the 2016 Annual Report and the First Quarter 2017 Quarterly Report, as well as the Risk Factors set forth in Part II, Item IA of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.2018.
The term “Separation” refers to the separation of MetLife, Inc.’s (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”) former Brighthouse Financial segment from MetLife’s other businesses and the creation of a separate, publicly traded company, Brighthouse Financial, Inc., to hold the assets (including the equity interests of certain MetLife, Inc. subsidiaries, including the Company) and liabilities associated with MetLife, Inc.’s former Brighthouse Financial segment from and after the Distribution; the term “Distribution” refers to the distribution on August 4, 2017 of 96,776,670, or 80.8%, of the 119,773,106 shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Distribution date by MetLife, Inc. to shareholders of MetLife, Inc. as of the record date for the Distribution.
Business The term “MetLife Divestiture” refers to the disposition by MetLife, Inc. on June 14, 2018 of all its remaining shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock. Effective with the MetLife Divestiture, MetLife and its subsidiaries and affiliates are no longer considered related parties to Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Overview
The Company offersWe offer a range of individual annuities and individual life insurance products. TheWe are licensed and regulated in each U.S. jurisdiction where we conduct insurance business. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company is organized intolicensed to issue insurance products in all U.S. states (except New York), the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Guam, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our insurance subsidiary, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“BHNY”), is only licensed to issue insurance products in New York.
For operating purposes, we have established three segments: (i) Annuities, (ii) Life and Run-off.(iii) Run-off, which consists of operations relating to products we are not actively selling and which are separately managed. In addition, the Company reportswe report certain of itsour results of operations not included in the segments in Corporate & Other. See “Business — Segments and Corporate & Other” included in the 20162017 Annual Report and Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company’sour segments and Corporate & Other. See also “— Other Key Information — The Separation” for information on the Separation. 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.
Other Key Information
Segment Information
As previously announced, in the third quarter of 2016, the Company reorganized its businesses in anticipation of the planned Separation. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company moved the universal life policies with secondary guarantees (“ULSG”) business from the Life segment to the Run-off segment (“ULSG Re-segmentation”). These changes were applied retrospectively and did not have an impact on total consolidated net income (loss) or operating earnings in the prior periods. See Note 21 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information onregarding the Company’s segments.adoption of new accounting pronouncements in 2018.
Changes in Accounting Standards
Our financial statements are subject to the application of GAAP, which is periodically revised by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
The Separation
OnFASB exposed several proposed amendments to the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts in 2016, and on June 6, 2018 voted to issue a final accounting standards update (“ASU”) effective January 12, 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced its plan1, 2021. The proposed ASU would require all guarantees associated with our variable annuity business to pursuebe accounted for at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income (excluding the separation of a substantial portion of its former U.S. retail business. Additionally, on July 21, 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced that the separated businesschange in fair value attributable to nonperformance risk, which would be rebrandedreported in other comprehensive income). The proposed ASU would also require more frequent updating of assumptions for other long-duration insurance contract liabilities and changes to the amortization of deferred acquisition costs. It is not possible at this time to predict the impact to our financial statements from the proposed ASU as “Brighthouse Financial.” Effective March 6, 2017,the final guidance has not been issued and in connection with the Separation, the Company changed its name from MetLife Insurance Company USAimplementation will likely take several years to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company.complete. Any required adoption of changes to long-duration insurance contracts could have a material adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and results of operations, including our net income.

On October 5, 2016, Brighthouse Financial, Inc., which until the completion of the Separation on August 4, 2017 was a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., filed a registration statement on Form 10 (as amended, the “Form 10”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that was declared effective by the SEC on July 6, 2017. The Form 10 disclosed MetLife, Inc.’s plans to undertake several actions, including an internal reorganization involving its U.S. retail business (the “Restructuring”) and include, among others, Brighthouse Insurance, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“Brighthouse NY”), New England Life Insurance Company, Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly known as MetLife Advisers, LLC) and certain affiliated reinsurance companies in the planned separated business, and distribute at least 80.1% of the shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s common stock on a pro rata basis to the holders of MetLife, Inc. common stock. In connection with the Restructuring, effective April 2017 following receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, MetLife, Inc. contributed certain affiliated reinsurance companies and Brighthouse NY to Brighthouse Insurance (the “Contribution Transactions”). The affiliated reinsurance companies were then merged into Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware, a licensed reinsurance subsidiary of Brighthouse Insurance. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Additionally, in June 2017 in connection with the Separation: (i) MetLife, Inc. forgave the $750 million principal amount of 8.595% surplus notes; and (ii) Brighthouse Holdings, LLC (“Brighthouse Holdings”) contributed $600 million in cash to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. On July 28, 2017, MetLife, Inc. contributed Brighthouse Holdings to Brighthouse Financial, Inc., resulting in Brighthouse Life Insurance Company becoming an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the Separation through a distribution of 96,776,670 of the 119,773,106 shares of the common stock of Brighthouse, representing 80.8% of MetLife Inc.’s interest in Brighthouse, to holders of MetLife, Inc. common stock.
On August 10, 2017, the Company received a capital contribution of $400 million in cash from Brighthouse Holdings.
In July 2016, MetLife, Inc. completed the sale to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) of MetLife’s 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., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (the “U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture”). 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 MetLife’s U.S. retail business 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.
Regulatory Developments
We are domiciled inand our life insurance subsidiaries, Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware and BHNY, are regulated by the Delaware Department of Insurance. We are primarily regulated at the state level, with some products and services also subject to federal regulation. In addition, we are subject to regulation under the insurance holding company laws of Delaware. Furthermore, some of our operations, products and services are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), consumer protection laws, securities, broker-dealer and investment advisor regulations, and environmental and unclaimed property laws and regulations.
NAIC
In 2015, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC”) commissioned an initiative to identify changes to the statutory framework for variable annuities that can remove or mitigate the motivation for insurers to engage in captive reinsurance transactions. In September 2015, a third-party consultant engaged by the NAIC provided the NAIC with a preliminary report identifying motivations for using variable annuity captives. In August 2016, the third-party consultant released several sets of recommendations regarding Actuarial Guideline 43 (“AG 43”) and Life Risk-Based Capital Phase II Instructions (“RBC C3 Phase II”) reserve requirements. These recommendations generally focus on (i) mitigating the asset-liability accounting mismatch between hedge instruments and statutory instruments and statutory liabilities, (ii) removing the non-economic volatility in statutory capital charges and the resulting solvency ratios, and (iii) facilitating greater harmonization across insurers and their products for greater comparability. After considering recommendations from the third-party consultant and industry, the NAIC requested the third-party consultant to undertake a study to evaluate and parameterize the recommended structural revisions further. That work occurred between February and October 2017, and in December 2017, the third-party consultant issued a report containing 28 recommended revisions to AG 43 and RBC C3 Phase II reserve requirements. Over the next few months, the NAIC held multiple public conference calls to allow state insurance regulators, industry representatives, actuaries and the third-party consultant to discuss and refine the proposed recommendations. In July 2018, the regulators on the NAIC working group and committee overseeing the revised framework proposal reached consensus on the proposed recommendations and presented such revisions for adoption by the NAIC Executive and Plenary (the “Plenary”), a body comprised of all U.S. state insurance commissioners and the NAIC Executive Committee. On August 7, 2018 the Plenary formally approved the revised framework proposal as amended by the regulators during their discussion. After adoption by the Plenary, other NAIC working groups and task forces will consider specific revisions to AG 43 and RBC C3 Phase II reserve requirements in order to implement the agreed-upon recommendations. The adopted framework will apply to all of our existing variable annuity business and may materially change the sensitivity of reserve and capital requirements to capital markets including interest rate, equity markets and volatility, our estimates of which historically did not reflect the impact of variable annuity capital reform or changes in tax rates, as well as prescribed assumptions for policyholder behavior. Since the implementation details are very early in their development, it is not possible to predict what impacts this reform will have on current risk mitigation and hedging programs. See “Business — Regulation” and “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — Our business is highly regulated, and changes in regulation and in supervisory and enforcement policies may materially impact our capitalization or cash flows, reduce our profitability and limit our growth” included in the 20162017 Annual Report, as amendedReport.
In addition, following the reduction in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under this “Regulatory Developments” captionthe federal corporate income tax rate pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the NAIC reviewed the methodology by which taxes are incorporated into the risk-based capital (“RBC”) calculation. On August 7, 2018 the NAIC Plenary adopted changes to the RBC calculation effective December 31, 2018 to reflect lower corporate income tax rates, which will result in a reduction to our insurance subsidiaries’ RBC ratios. If such revisions to the NAIC’s RBC calculation would result in a reduction in the RBC ratio for one or more of our insurance subsidiaries below certain prescribed levels, we may be required to hold additional capital in such subsidiary or subsidiaries. “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks.”Risks — A decrease in our RBC ratio (as a result of a reduction in statutory surplus and/or increase in RBC requirements) of our insurance subsidiaries could result in increased scrutiny by insurance regulators and rating agencies and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition” included in the 2017 Annual Report.
The NAIC has adopted a new approach for the calculation of life insurance reserves, known as principle-based reserving (“PBR”). PBR became operative on January 1, 2017 in those states where it has been adopted, to be followed by a three-year phase-in period for business issued on or after this date. With respect to the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, the Delaware Department of Insurance implemented PBR on January 1, 2017, and the New York Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) has publicly stated its intention to implement this approach, subject to a working group of the NYDFS establishing the necessary reserves safeguards and the adopting of enabling legislation by the New York legislature. The New York legislature enacted legislation adopting PBR in June 2018, but the legislation has not yet been delivered to the Governor for approval or veto. See “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — Our business is highly regulated, and changes in regulation and in supervisory and enforcement policies may materially impact our capitalization or cash flows, reduce our profitability and limit our growth” included in the 2017 Annual Report.

The NAIC is considering revisions to RBC factors for bonds and real estate, as well as developing RBC charges for longevity risk. We cannot predict the impact of any potential proposals that may result from these studies.
We can give no assurances that any of our expectations will be met regarding the capital and reserve impacts or compliance costs, if any, that may result from the above initiatives.
New York Regulation 187
The NAIC, as well as certain state regulators, are currently considering implementing regulations that would apply an impartial conduct standard to recommendations made in connection with certain annuities and, in the case of New York, life insurance policies. In particular, on July 18, 2018, the NYDFS issued a final version of Regulation 187, which adopts a “best interest” standard for the sale of life insurance and annuity products in New York. The regulation requires a consumer’s best interest, and not the financial interests of a producer or insurer, to influence a producer’s recommendation as to which life insurance or annuity product a consumer should purchase. Regulation 187 will become effective for annuity products on August 1, 2019 and for life insurance products on February 1, 2020. We are continuing to assess the impact of the regulation on our business. The regulation, when implemented, may have adverse effects on our business and consolidated results of operations.
Department of Labor and ERISA Considerations
We manufacture life insurance productsannuities for third parties to sell to tax-qualified pension andplans, retirement plans and Individual Retirement Accountsindividual retirement accounts and annuities (“IRAs”), as well as individual retirement annuities sold to individuals that are subject to ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Also, a portion of our in-force life insurance products are held by tax-qualified pension and retirement plans. While we currently believe manufacturers do not have as much exposure to ERISA and the Code as distributors, certain activities are subject to the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Code, including the requirement under ERISA that fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA (an “ERISA Plan”) must perform their duties solely in the interests of the ERISA planPlan participants and beneficiaries, and those 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 (“IRS”) and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”).Corporation.
TheIn addition, the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Code generally restrict the provision of investment advice to ERISA qualified plans, andplan participants and 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.

Similarly, without an exemption, fiduciary advisors are prohibited from receiving compensation from third parties in connection with their advice. ERISA also affects certain of our in-force insurance policies and annuity contracts, as well as insurance policies and annuity contracts we may sell in the future.
The DOL issued new regulations on April 6, 2016 with an original(the “Fiduciary Rule”) that became applicable date for most provisions of April 10, 2017, although on April 4, 2017, the DOL released its final rule delaying the original applicable date for 60 days from April 10, 2017 until June 9, 2017. Further, on2017 but were subsequently vacated by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals effective June 29, 2017,21, 2018. While the DOL issued a request for information regarding its final rule defining who is a “fiduciary” for purposes of ERISA and the Code, and also the DOL’s new and amended exemptions (as described further below) that were published in conjunction with the final rule. These rulesFiduciary Rule was effective, it substantially expandexpanded the definition of “investment advice” andadvice,” thereby broadenbroadening the circumstances under which distributors and even manufacturer canmanufacturers could be considered fiduciaries under ERISA or the Code. PursuantCode, and subject to an impartial or “best interests” standard in providing such advice. Under the final rule, certain communications with plans, plan participants and IRA holders, including the marketing of products, and marketing of investment management or advisory services, could bewere deemed fiduciary investment advice, thus, causing increased exposure to fiduciary liability if the distributor doesdid not recommend what iswas in the client’s best interests.
As noted above,It is uncertain whether the DOL also issued amendmentswill propose new investment advice fiduciary regulations to certain of its prohibited transaction exemptions, and issued a new exemption, that apply more onerous disclosure and contract requirements to, and increase fiduciary requirements and fiduciary liability exposure in respect of, transactions involving ERISA plans, plan participants and IRAs. In general,replace 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. Contracts entered into prior to the applicability date of the new regulations are generally “grandfathered” and, as such, are not subject to the requirements of the rule and related exemptions. To retain “grandfathered” status, no investment recommendationsnullified Fiduciary Rule. We cannot predict what other proposals may be made, after the applicability datewhat legislation or regulations may be introduced or enacted, or what impact any such legislation or regulations may have on our business, results of the new regulations with respect to such annuity products that were sold to ERISA plans or IRAs.
We will not be engaging in direct distribution of retail products, including IRA productsoperations and retail annuities sold into ERISA plansfinancial condition. See “— NAIC” above and IRAs, and therefore we anticipate that we will have limited exposure to the new DOL regulations, as the application of the vast majority of the provisions of the new DOL regulations targeted at such retail products will be reduced. Specifically, the most onerous of the requirements under the DOL fiduciary rule relate to the Best Interest Contract Exemption (“BIC”). The DOL guidance makes clear that distributors, not manufacturers, are primarily responsible for BIC compliance. However, we will be asked by our distributors, to assist them with preparing the voluminous disclosures required under BIC. Furthermore, if we want to retain the “grandfathered” status described above of current contracts, we will be limited in the interactions we can have directly with customers and the information that can be provided. We also 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. See “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — Our business is highly regulated,NAIC - Existing and changesproposed insurance regulation” in regulation and in supervisory and enforcement policies may materially impact our capitalization or cash flows, reduce our profitability and limit our growth” included in the 20162017 Annual Report.
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. In response to President Trump’s request, and as noted above, on June 29, 2017, the DOL issued a request for information related to the fiduciary rule and providingReport for a 30-day comment period on all issues raised by its request for information (excepting the 15-day comment period on delaying the January 1, 2018 applicability date discussed above). On August 9, 2017, the DOL filed a public notice in the casediscussion of Thrivent Financial v. the DOL alerting the court that the DOL has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget proposed amendments to several prohibited transaction exemptions (including BIC and 84-24) further delaying application of these exemptions as re-writtenefforts by the DOL, from January 1, 2018NAIC and state regulators to July 1, 2019. While we continue to analyze the impactinclude a “best interest” standard as part of the final regulations on our business, 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 the DOL’s June 29, 2017 request for information related to the fiduciary rule and related exemptions leavestheir suitability requirements. This uncertainty over whether the regulations will be substantially modified or repealed. Application of the rules on June 9, 2017, in light of the DOL’s request for information and the overall reconsideration of the rules requested by President Trump, 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.
On July 11, 2016, the DOL, the IRS and the PBGC proposed revisions to the Form 5500, the form used for ERISA annual reporting. The revisions affect employee pension and welfare benefit plans, including our ERISA plans and require audits of information, self-directed brokerage account disclosure requirements and additional extensive disclosure. We cannot predict the effect these proposals, if enacted, will have on our business, or what other proposals may be made, what legislation may be introduced or enacted or the impact of any such legislation on our results of operations and financial condition.

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
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.
The most critical estimates include those used in determining:
(i)liabilities for future policy benefits;
(ii)accounting for reinsurance;
(iii)capitalization and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and the establishment and amortization of value of business acquired (“VOBA”);
(iv)estimated fair values of investments in the absence of quoted market values;
(v)investment impairments;
(vi)estimated fair values of freestanding derivatives and the recognition and estimated fair value of embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation;
(vii)measurement of goodwill and related impairment;
(viii)measurement of income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets; and
(ix)(viii)liabilities for litigation and regulatory matters.
In applying our accounting policies, and estimates, management makeswe make subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptionsestimates 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 20162017 Annual Report.
We accelerated
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures
Our definitions of the annual reviewnon-GAAP and other financial measures may differ from those used by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures
Adjusted Earnings
In this report, we present adjusted earnings as a measure of our actuarial assumptions forperformance that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure highlights our variable annuitiesresults of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business, from the third quarter to the second quarter of 2016 in connection with the proposed Separation. As a result of this review, we made changes to policyholder behavior and long-term economic assumptions, as well as risk margins. With respectenhances the understanding of our performance by the investor community. However, adjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See “— Results of Operations” for a reconciliation of adjusted earnings to policyholder behavior,net income (loss).
Adjusted earnings, which wasmay be positive or negative, is used by management to evaluate performance, allocate resources and facilitate comparisons to industry results. This financial measure focuses on our primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends, as well as businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by us, referred to as divested businesses.

The following are the significant updateitems excluded from total revenues, net of income tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
Net investment gains (losses);
Net derivative gains (losses) except 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 (“Investment Hedge Adjustments”); and
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”).
The following are the secondsignificant items excluded from total expenses, net of income tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
Amounts associated with benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”);
Amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets and market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market Value Adjustments”); and
Amortization of DAC and VOBA related to (i) net investment gains (losses), (ii) net derivative gains (losses), (iii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (iv) Market Value Adjustments.
The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned are calculated net of the U.S. statutory tax rate, which could differ from our effective tax rate.
We present adjusted earnings in a manner consistent with management’s view of the primary business activities that drive the profitability of our core businesses. The following table illustrates how each component of adjusted earnings is calculated from the GAAP statement of operations line items:
Component of Adjusted EarningsHow Derived from GAAP (1)
(i)Fee income(i)
Universal life and investment-type policy fees (excluding (a) unearned revenue adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and (b) GMIB Fees) plus Other revenues (excluding other revenues associated with related party reinsurance) and amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance.
(ii)Net investment spread(ii)
Net investment income (excluding securitization entities income) plus Investment Hedge Adjustments and interest received on ceded fixed annuity reinsurance deposit funds reduced by Interest credited to policyholder account balances and interest on future policy benefits.
(iii)Insurance-related activities(iii)
Premiums less Policyholder benefits and claims (excluding (a) GMIB Costs, (b) Market Value Adjustments, (c) interest on future policy benefits and (d) amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance) plus the pass through of performance of ceded separate account assets.
(iv)Amortization of DAC and VOBA(iv)Amortization of DAC and VOBA (excluding amounts related to (a) net investment gains (losses), (b) net derivative gains (losses), (c) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (d) Market Value Adjustments).
(v)Other expenses, net of DAC capitalization(v)
Other expenses reduced by capitalization of DAC and securitization entities expense.
(vi)Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(vi)Tax impact of the above items.
______________
(1) Italicized items indicate GAAP statement of operations line items.
Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings is also our GAAP measure of segment performance. Accordingly, we report adjusted earnings by segment in Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other Financial Disclosures
The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of our performance results:

We sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. Statistical sales information for life sales are calculated using the LIMRA (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association) definition of sales for core direct sales, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges, corporate-owned life insurance, bank-owned life insurance, and private placement variable universal life insurance. Annuity sales consist of 10% of direct statutory premiums, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.
Allocated equity is the portion of common stockholder’s equity that management allocated to each of its segments prior to 2018. See “— Segment Capital” and Note 2of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Segment Capital
Beginning in the first quarter of 2016,2018, we have recorded charges,changed the methodology for how capital is allocated to segments and, in some cases, benefits,products. Segment investment and capitalization targets are now based on statutory oriented risk principles and metrics. Segment invested assets backing liabilities are based on net statutory liabilities plus excess capital. For our variable annuity business, the excess capital held is based on the target statutory total asset requirement consistent with our variable annuity risk management strategy discussed in the 2017 Annual Report. For insurance businesses other than variable annuities, excess capital held is based on a percentage of required statutory RBC. Assets in excess of those allocated to the segments, if any, are held in Corporate & Other. Segment net investment income reflects the performance of each segment’s respective invested assets.
We refer to this change in methodology as the “Portfolio Realignment.” While this change had no effect on our consolidated net income (loss) or adjusted earnings, it did, and we expect will continue to, impact segment results. Prior period segment results were not recast for this change in methodology as the inventory of assets has changed over time. Therefore, it is not reasonably possible to replicate the asset transfers as of prior yearsperiods and estimating such would not provide a meaningful comparison. In the future, management will evaluate, on a periodic basis, the excess capital held by each segment and may rebalance or move capital between segments based on market changes or changes in our statutory metrics.
Previously, invested assets held in the segments were based on net GAAP liabilities. Excess capital was retained in Corporate & Other and allocated to segments based on an internally developed statistics based capital model intended to capture the material risks to which we were exposed (referred to as a result“allocated equity”). Surplus assets in excess of the availability of sufficientcombined allocations to the segments were held in Corporate & Other with net investment income being credited back to the segments at a predetermined rate. Any excess or shortfall in net investment income from surplus assets was recognized in Corporate & Other.
Management is responsible for the periodic review and credible data at the conclusion of each review. As an example, in 2012, we recorded a charge to reflect better than expected persistency; and in 2014, we recorded a charge as we began to reflect lower utilizationenhancement of the elective annuitization option in early generations of our guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIBs”). In addition, in the third quarter of 2016, we performed the annual review of our actuarial assumptions for our remaining annuity and life businesses. In 2017, we will perform the annual review of our actuarial assumptions for all of our businesses in the third quarter. See “— Results of Operations — GMLB Riders — Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Comparedcapital allocation model to ensure it remains consistent with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 — GMLB Riders Actuarial Assumption Review” for further information.Company’s overall objectives and emerging industry practices.

ResultsNon-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures
Our definitions of Operationsthe non-GAAP and other financial measures may differ from those used by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures
Adjusted Earnings
In this report, we present operatingadjusted earnings as a financial measure of our performance that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, along with other financial disclosures that we believe are relevant to understanding our results. See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for more detailed definitions of these measures.

Consolidated Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016
Business Overview.While sales of our index-linked annuities increased, overall annuity and life sales decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The declines in both businesses were driven, in part, by the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture. The 22% decrease in annuity sales was also driven by the suspension of sales by a major distributor and discontinuance of sales of GMIB riders on our variable annuity products, both of which occurred in 2016. Life sales, which declined 59%, were also impacted by our discontinuance of new sales of whole life and certain term life products in the current period. Additionally, we ceased sales of all remaining ULSG products in the current period.
A significant portion of our net income is driven by separate account balances, particularly in our variable annuity business. Most directly, these balances 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. Average separate account balances increased in the current period, compared to the prior period, due to favorable equity market performance which more than offset the impact of continued negative net flows. We have experienced positive net flows in the general account in both periods.
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 2017 2016
 (In millions)
Revenues   
Premiums$379
 $653
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees1,570
 1,523
Net investment income1,499
 1,507
Other revenues199
 437
Net investment gains (losses)(55) (40)
Net derivative gains (losses)(902) (2,727)
Total revenues2,690
 1,353
Expenses   
Policyholder benefits and claims1,670
 1,829
Interest credited to policyholder account balances542
 564
Capitalization of DAC(128) (183)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA647
 (349)
Interest expense on debt57
 66
Other expenses967
 962
Total expenses3,755
 2,889
Income (loss) before provision for income tax(1,065) (1,536)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(436) (608)
   Net income (loss)$(629) $(928)

The table below shows the components of net income (loss), in addition to operating earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 2017 2016
 (In millions)
GMLB Riders$(889) $(2,328)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA(13) (30)
Other derivative instruments(109) 117
Net investment gains (losses)(55) (40)
Other adjustments(17) (68)
Operating earnings before provision for income tax18
 813
Income (loss) before provision for income tax(1,065) (1,536)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(436) (608)
Net income (loss)$(629) $(928)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
Overview. Income (loss) before provision for income tax increased $471 million ($299 million, net of income tax) compared to the prior period. This increase was primarily due to a favorable change in GMLB Riders, partially offset by lower operating earnings and an unfavorable change in other derivative instruments. Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review in the prior period, income (loss) before provision for income tax decreased $2.1 billion ($1.3 billion, net of income tax).
GMLB Riders. Results from GMLB Riders reflect (i) changes in the carrying value of guaranteed minimum living benefits (“GMLB”) liabilities, including GMIBs, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits; (ii) changes in the fair value of the hedges and reinsurance of the GMLB liabilities; (iii) the fees earned from the GMLB liabilities; and (iv) the related DAC offsets to each of the preceding components (collectively, the “GMLB Riders”).
GMLB Riders increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $1.4 billion ($935 million, net of income tax), as our annual actuarial assumption review in the prior period resulted in changes to assumptions regarding policyholder behavior which significantly increased the carrying value of the liabilities. This current period favorable impact on the liabilities was partially offset by unfavorable impacts on hedges and reinsurance. See “— GMLB Riders for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.”
Amortization of DAC and VOBA. Lower DAC and VOBA amortization, excluding the amounts in GMLB Riders and operating earnings, increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $17 million ($11 million, net of income tax), primarily due to lower profits resulting from net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) related to life and annuity products.
Other Derivative Instruments. We have other derivative instruments, in addition to the hedges and embedded derivatives included in GMLB Riders, for which changes in fair value are recognized in net derivative gains (losses). The change in fair value of other derivative instruments decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $226 million ($147 million, net of income tax).
Freestanding Derivatives. We have freestanding derivatives that economically hedge certain invested assets and insurance liabilities. The majority of this hedging activity is focused in the following areas:
use of interest rate swaps (i) when we have duration mismatches where suitable assets with maturities similar to those of our long-dated liabilities are not readily available in the market and (ii) to protect statutory capital during periods of declining or sustained low interest rates; and
use of foreign currency swaps when we hold fixed maturity securities denominated in foreign currencies that are matching insurance liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars.
The market impacts on the hedges are accounted for in net income (loss) while the offsetting economic impact on the items they are hedging are either not recognized or recognized through other comprehensive income in equity.

Changes in the fair value of freestanding derivatives decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $23 million ($15 million, net of income tax), primarily due to unfavorable changes in our foreign currency swaps resulting from the U.S. dollar weakening against key foreign currencies more in the current period than in the prior period. This decrease was partially offset by favorable changes mostly from the impact of the current period decline in interest rates on the fair value of interest rate swaps that are hedging our ULSG liabilities, which were not in place in the prior period, and, to a lesser extent, favorable impacts on credit derivatives from a tightening in credit spreads.
Embedded Derivatives.Ceded reinsurance agreements covering certain life products are written on a coinsurance with funds withheld basis. The funds withheld component is accounted for as an embedded derivative, reflecting the change in fair value of the underlying asset portfolio, with these changes in fair value recognized in net income (loss) in the period in which they occur. In addition, the changes in liability values of our index-linked annuity contracts that result from changes in the underlying equity indices are accounted for as embedded derivatives. Unfavorable changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $203 million ($132 million, net of income tax), primarily due to the unfavorable change in the fair value of our equity index-linked embedded derivative liabilities resulting from an increase in the underlying equity index levels.
Net Investment Gains (Losses). Net investment gains (losses) decreased net income (loss) before provision for income tax by $15 million ($10 million, net of income tax), primarily due to higher net losses on sales of fixed maturity securities and current period losses, compared to gains in the prior period, on foreign currency transactions, partially offset by lower net losses on impairments of fixed maturity securities.
Other Adjustments. Other adjustments to determine operating earnings increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $51 million ($33 million, net of income tax), primarily due to the pass-through adjustment related to participating general account products in our run-off business as well as direct expenses incurred in the prior period in connection with the U.S Retail Advisor Force Divestiture. The pass-through adjustment resulted from a decrease in the underlying general account asset values due to interest rates decreasing less in the current period than in the prior period.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $436 million, or 41% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, compared to $608 million, or 40% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Our effective tax rates in both periods differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to dividend received deductions and utilization of tax credits.
Operating Earnings. As more fully described in “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures,” we use operating earnings, which does not equate to net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP, to analyze our performance, evaluate segment performance, and allocate resources.GAAP. We believe that the presentation of operating earnings, as wethis non-GAAP financial measure it for management purposes, enhances the understanding ofhighlights our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business, as well as enhances the business. Operating earnings allows analysisunderstanding of our performance and facilitates comparisons to industry results. Operatingby the investor community. However, adjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss). Operating, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See “— Results of Operations” for a reconciliation of adjusted earnings before provision forto net income tax decreased $795 million ($525 million,(loss).
Adjusted earnings, which may be positive or negative, is used by management to evaluate performance, allocate resources and facilitate comparisons to industry results. This financial measure focuses on our primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends, as well as businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by us, referred to as divested businesses.

The following are the significant items excluded from total revenues, net of income tax) comparedtax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
Net investment gains (losses);
Net derivative gains (losses) except 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 (“Investment Hedge Adjustments”); and
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”).
The following are the prior period. Operating earnings is discussed in greater detail below.

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating earnings
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 2017 2016
 (In millions)
Net income (loss)$(629) $(928)
Add: Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(436) (608)
Net income (loss) before provision for income tax(1,065) (1,536)
Less: GMLB Riders(889) (2,328)
Less: Amortization of DAC and VOBA(13) (30)
Less: Other derivative instruments(109) 117
Less: Net investment gains (losses)(55) (40)
Less: Other adjustments (1)(17) (68)
Operating earnings before provision for income tax18
 813
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit(58) 212
Operating earnings$76
 $601
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(1)See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for a listing of other adjustments to net income (loss).

Consolidated Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 — Operating
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 2017 2016
 (In millions)
Fee income$1,631
 $1,822
Net investment spread663
 716
Insurance-related activities(488) (641)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA(894) (267)
Other expenses, net of DAC capitalization(894) (817)
Operating earnings before provision for income tax18
 813
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(58) 212
Operating earnings$76
 $601
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below aresignificant items excluded from total expenses, net of income tax.tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
Overview. Operating earnings decreased $525 million compared to the prior period. This decrease was driven by higher DAC amortization, lower fee income, unfavorable underwriting experienceAmounts associated with benefits and higher expenses, partially offset by lower GMDB costs. Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review in the prior period, operating earnings decreased $655 million.
There were significant impacts to our results of operations due to charges recognized in 2016hedging costs related to refinements to our actuarial model that calculates reserves for our ULSG productsGMIBs (“ULSG Model Change”GMIB Costs”) and;
Amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the ULSG Re-segmentation. For a detailed description of events that occurred in 2016 related to our ULSG business, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Operating — Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2015” included in our 2016 Annual Report. In the current period, the Contribution Transactions resulted in additional charges related to our ULSG business.
Fee Income. Lower fee income decreased operating earnings by $124 million, primarily due to:
a decrease of $190 million from a benefit recorded in the prior period in connection with the recapture from an affiliatetotal return of a reinsurance agreement for certain single premium deferred annuitycontractually referenced pool of assets and market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“SPDA Recapture”Market Value Adjustments”); partially offset by
an increase of $17 million from the recapture from an affiliate of a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement for certain life contracts (“YRT Recapture”) in the current period; and
an increase of $17 million from the final settlement related to the recapture of an assumed reinsurance agreement for certain variable annuity contracts in the current period.
Net Investment Spread.Lower net investment spread decreased operating earnings by $34 million, primarily due to lower net investment income and lower interest credited payments received on the reinsurance deposit fund in connection with the SPDA Recapture, partially offset by lower interest credited to policyholders. Net investment income decreased primarily due to the impacts from capital management actions taken in preparation for the Separation combined with lower bond and mortgage prepayment fees. Capital management actions included a reduction in size of our securities lending program and termination of interest rate swaps which resulted in lower derivative income. These decreases were partially offset by higher returns on other limited partnership interests, driven by favorable equity market performance in the current period. Lower interest credited to policyholders resulted primarily from a lower liability base in our funding agreement business, which is in run-off, and lower insurance-related liabilities in our life business resulting from several reinsurance recaptures that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Insurance-Related Activities. Insurance-related activities increased operating earnings by $99 million, primarily due to:
a $103 million increase from lower GMDB costs, primarily from the charge recognized in the prior period related to the annual actuarial assumption review ;
a $42 million increase from the net of (i) a favorable impact of $151 million from the charge recognized in the prior period resulting from the ULSG Model Change less (ii) an unfavorable impact of $109 million from a charge recognized in the current period due to additional loss recognition triggered by the Contribution Transactions; and
a $29 million increase, recognized in other revenue, from a favorable change in the fair value of the underlying ceded separate account assets related to an affiliated reinsurance agreement for certain variable annuity contracts; partially offset by
an $66 million decrease, recognized in policyholder benefits and claims, driven by a decline in ceded claims in our life products due to a higher volume of low severity claims below our reinsurance retention limits, which more than offset the impact of lower direct claims, as well as the incremental increase in secondary guarantee liabilities since the implementation of the refinement to the actuarial valuation model in the second quarter of 2016.
Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, insurance-related activities increased operating earnings by $11 million.
Amortization of DAC and VOBA. Higher DAC and VOBA amortization decreased operating earnings by $408 million, primarily due to:
an increase in amortization of $361 million from the write down of the remaining ULSG-related DAC as a result of additional loss recognition in the current period triggered by the Contribution Transactions, net of the impact from charges in the prior period due to the ULSG Model Change; and
an increase in amortization of $36 million from a ceded DAC adjustment related to participating whole life business reinsured to an affiliate of MetLife.
Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, DAC and VOBA amortization decreased operating earnings by $444 million.
Other Expenses, Net of DAC Capitalization. Higher expenses decreased operating earnings by $50 million, primarily due to system implementation and branding costs in preparation for the Separation, which were partially offset by lower(i) net operational expenses as a result of the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture.
Actuarial Assumption Review. The unfavorable adjustment recognized in the prior period as a result of the annual actuarial assumption review, which is included in the amounts discussed above, increased operating earnings by $130 million, primarily due to:
an increase in policyholder benefits and claims of $88 million from changes in policyholder behavior assumptions in the prior period, and
an increase in DAC amortization of $42 million.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $58 million, or 322% of operating earnings before provision for income tax, compared to income tax expense of $212 million, or 26% of operating earnings before provision for income tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Our effective tax rates in both periods differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to dividend received deductions and utilization of tax credits. The effect of our tax differences on our actual tax provision was relatively unchanged but the effective tax rate varies significantly, when expressed as a percentage, primarily due to the significant decrease in operating earnings before provision for income tax in the current period when compared to the prior period.


GMLB Riders for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016
The following table presents the overall impact to income (loss) before provision for income tax from the performance of GMLB Riders for (i) changes in carrying value of the GAAP liabilities, (ii) the mark-to-market of hedges and reinsurance, (iii) fees, and (iv) associated DAC offsets for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 Six Months
Ended   
 June 30,
 2017 2016
 (In millions)
Directly Written Liabilities$243
 $(4,405)
Assumed Reinsurance Liabilities266
 (315)
Total Liabilities509
 (4,720)
Core Hedges(1,433) 722
Macro Overlay Hedges(376) 361
Ceded Reinsurance(226) 254
Total Hedges and Reinsurance(2,035) 1,337
Directly Written Fees403
 399
Assumed Reinsurance Fees(26) 10
Total Fees (1)377
 409
GMLB Riders before DAC Offsets(1,149) (2,974)
DAC Offsets260
 646
Total GMLB Riders$(889) $(2,328)
______________
(1) Excludes living benefit fees of $35 million and $38 million, included as a component of operating earnings, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
GMLB Riders increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $1.4 billion ($935 million, net of income tax). Of this amount, a favorable change of $3.4 billion ($2.2 billion, net of income tax) was recorded in net derivativeinvestment gains (losses). Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review in the prior period, GMLB Riders decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $890 million ($578 million, net of income tax).
GMLB Riders Liabilities
GMLB Riders liabilities represent our obligation to protect policyholders against the possibility that a downturn in the markets will reduce the specified benefits that can be claimed under the base annuity contract. Any periods of significant and/or sustained downturns in equity markets, increased equity volatility, or reduced interest rates could result in an increase in the valuation of our GMLB Riders liabilities. An increase in these liabilities would result in a decrease to our net income, which could be significant.
The change in the carrying value of GMLB Riders liabilities increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $5.2 billion ($3.4 billion, net of income tax), primarily due to the charge recognized in the prior period due to changes in actuarial assumptions related to rider utilization combined with favorable impacts from market factors in the current period. The favorable market factor impacts resulted from higher equity market performance in the current period and interest rates decreasing less in the current period than in the prior period.
Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, GMLB Riders liabilities increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $2.2 billion ($1.4 billion, net of income tax).
GMLB Riders Hedges and Reinsurance
We enter into freestanding derivatives, and to a lesser extent reinsurance, to hedge the market risks inherent in GMLB Riders liabilities. However, certain of the risks inherent in GMLB Riders liabilities are unhedged, including the adjustment for non-performance risk. Generally, the same market factors that impact the fair value of GMLB Riders liabilities impact the value of the hedges, though in the opposite direction. However, due to the complex nature of the business and any unhedged risks, the changes in fair value of GMLB Riders liabilities and GMLB Riders hedges and reinsurance are not always in an equal amount.

The same market factors that resulted in a favorable impact to the GMLB Riders liabilities had an inverse unfavorable effect on the hedges and reinsurance, decreasing income (loss) before provision for income tax by $3.4 billion ($2.2 billion, net of income tax). Included in this change is a net charge of $155 million ($101 million, net of income tax) related to the recapture and novation, in the current period, of several ceded and assumed reinsurance agreements for certain variable annuity business.    
GMLB Riders Fees
We earn fees on our GMLB Riders liabilities, which are calculated based on the notional amount used to calculate the owner’s guaranteed benefits (“Benefit base”). In market downturns, fees calculated based on the Benefit base are more stable, as compared to fees based on the account value, because the Benefit base excludes the impact of a decline in the market value of the policyholder’s account value. We use the fees directly earned from GMLB Riders to fund the reserves, future claims and costs associated with the hedges of market risks inherent in GMLB Riders liabilities. For GMLB Riders liabilities accounted for as embedded derivatives, the future fees are included in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities, with changes recorded in net derivative gains (losses). For GMLB Riders liabilities accounted for as insurance, while the related fees do affect the valuations of these liabilities, they are not included in the resulting liability values, but are recorded separately in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
Lower GMLB Riders fees decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $32 million ($21 million, net of income tax), primarily due to the impact from the recapture and novation, in the current period, of assumed and ceded agreements covering certain of our variable annuity business.
DAC Offsets
DAC offsets related to the impact of changes in each of the individual components of the GMLB Riders discussed above decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $386 million ($251 million, net of income tax). The DAC offset related to each component of the directly written GMLB Riders is determined by the same factors that impact the respective component, but generally in the opposite direction. There is no DAC related to assumed reinsurance and, accordingly, no DAC offset.
Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, DAC offsets increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $310 million ($202 million, net of income tax).
GMLB Riders Actuarial Assumption Review
The impact from the charge related to the annual actuarial assumption review recognized in the prior period, which is included in the amounts discussed above, resulted in an increase in income (loss) before provision for income tax of $2.3 billion ($1.5 billion, net of income tax) in the current period when compared to the prior period, primarily due to:
an increase of $3.0 billion ($1.9 billion, net of income tax), recognized in(ii) net derivative gains (losses), mainly related to changes in rider utilization assumptions in(iii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (iv) Market Value Adjustments.
The tax impact of the prior period; partially offset by
a decrease of $696 million ($452 million,adjustments mentioned are calculated net of income tax)the U.S. statutory tax rate, which could differ from our effective tax rate.
We present adjusted earnings in a manner consistent with management’s view of the primary business activities that drive the profitability of our core businesses. The following table illustrates how each component of adjusted earnings is calculated from the favorable impact to DACGAAP statement of operations line items:
Component of Adjusted EarningsHow Derived from GAAP (1)
(i)Fee income(i)
Universal life and investment-type policy fees (excluding (a) unearned revenue adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and (b) GMIB Fees) plus Other revenues (excluding other revenues associated with related party reinsurance) and amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance.
(ii)Net investment spread(ii)
Net investment income (excluding securitization entities income) plus Investment Hedge Adjustments and interest received on ceded fixed annuity reinsurance deposit funds reduced by Interest credited to policyholder account balances and interest on future policy benefits.
(iii)Insurance-related activities(iii)
Premiums less Policyholder benefits and claims (excluding (a) GMIB Costs, (b) Market Value Adjustments, (c) interest on future policy benefits and (d) amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance) plus the pass through of performance of ceded separate account assets.
(iv)Amortization of DAC and VOBA(iv)Amortization of DAC and VOBA (excluding amounts related to (a) net investment gains (losses), (b) net derivative gains (losses), (c) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (d) Market Value Adjustments).
(v)Other expenses, net of DAC capitalization(v)
Other expenses reduced by capitalization of DAC and securitization entities expense.
(vi)Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(vi)Tax impact of the above items.
______________
(1) Italicized items indicate GAAP statement of operations line items.
Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings is also our GAAP measure of segment performance. Accordingly, we report adjusted earnings by segment in the prior period, which is inversely related to the assumption changes above.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 12 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other Financial Disclosures
Future AdoptionThe following additional information is relevant to an understanding of New Accounting Pronouncementsour performance results:

We sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. Statistical sales information for life sales are calculated using the LIMRA (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association) definition of sales for core direct sales, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges, corporate-owned life insurance, bank-owned life insurance, and private placement variable universal life insurance. Annuity sales consist of 10% of direct statutory premiums, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.
Allocated equity is the portion of common stockholder’s equity that management allocated to each of its segments prior to 2018. See “— Segment Capital” and Note 1 2of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements for further information.
Segment Capital
Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, we changed the methodology for how capital is allocated to segments and, in some cases, products. Segment investment and capitalization targets are now based on statutory oriented risk principles and metrics. Segment invested assets backing liabilities are based on net statutory liabilities plus excess capital. For our variable annuity business, the excess capital held is based on the target statutory total asset requirement consistent with our variable annuity risk management strategy discussed in the 2017 Annual Report. For insurance businesses other than variable annuities, excess capital held is based on a percentage of required statutory RBC. Assets in excess of those allocated to the segments, if any, are held in Corporate & Other. Segment net investment income reflects the performance of each segment’s respective invested assets.
We refer to this change in methodology as the “Portfolio Realignment.” While this change had no effect on our consolidated net income (loss) or adjusted earnings, it did, and we expect will continue to, impact segment results. Prior period segment results were not recast for this change in methodology as the inventory of assets has changed over time. Therefore, it is not reasonably possible to replicate the asset transfers as of prior periods and estimating such would not provide a meaningful comparison. In the future, management will evaluate, on a periodic basis, the excess capital held by each segment and may rebalance or move capital between segments based on market changes or changes in our statutory metrics.
Previously, invested assets held in the segments were based on net GAAP liabilities. Excess capital was retained in Corporate & Other and allocated to segments based on an internally developed statistics based capital model intended to capture the material risks to which we were exposed (referred to as “allocated equity”). Surplus assets in excess of the combined allocations to the segments were held in Corporate & Other with net investment income being credited back to the segments at a predetermined rate. Any excess or shortfall in net investment income from surplus assets was recognized in Corporate & Other.
Management is responsible for the periodic review and enhancement of the capital allocation model to ensure it remains consistent with the Company’s overall objectives and emerging industry practices.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures
Our definitions of the non-GAAP and other financial measures may differ from those used by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures
Adjusted Earnings
In this report, we present adjusted earnings as a measure of our performance that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure enhances the understanding ofhighlights our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business.
The following non-GAAP financial measurebusiness, as well as enhances the understanding of our performance by the investor community. However, adjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP:
Non-GAAP financial measure:Comparable GAAP financial measure:
operating earningsnet income (loss)

GAAP. See “— Results of Operations” for a reconciliation of this measureadjusted earnings to the most directly comparable historical GAAP measure. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure 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 (loss).
Our definitions of the non-GAAP and other financial measures discussed in this reportAdjusted earnings, which may differ from those used by other companies. For example, as indicated below, we exclude GMIB revenues and related embedded derivatives gains (losses) as well as GMIB benefits and associated DAC and VOBA offsets from operating earnings, thereby excluding substantially all GMLB activity from operating earnings.
Operating Earnings
Operating earningsbe positive or negative, is used by management to evaluate performance, allocate resources and facilitate comparisons to industry results. This financial measure focuses 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 businesses. Non-core businesses include discontinued operations and otheras well as businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by us, referred to as divested businesses, and certain entities required to be consolidated under GAAP.businesses.

The following are the significant items excluded from total revenues, net of income tax, in calculating operatingadjusted earnings:
Net investment gains (losses);
Net derivative gains (losses) except: (i)except 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 (“Investment Hedge Adjustments”); and (ii) earned income on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment (“PAB Adjustments”);
Amortization of unearned revenue related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and certain variable annuity GMIBguaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIBs”) fees (“GMIB Fees”);
Certain amounts related to securitization entities that are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) consolidated under GAAP; and
Revenues from divested businesses..
The following are the significant items excluded from total expenses, net of income tax, in calculating operatingadjusted earnings:
Amounts associated with benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”);
Amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets and market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market Value Adjustments”); and
Amortization of DAC and VOBA related to (i) net investment gains (losses), (ii) net derivative gains (losses), (iii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (iv) Market Value Adjustments;
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;
Expenses of divested businesses;
Amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP;
Goodwill impairment; and
Costs related to: (i) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements and (ii) acquisition and integration costs.Adjustments.
The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned are calculated net of the U.S. statutory tax rate, which could differ from our effective tax rate.

We present operatingadjusted earnings in a manner consistent with management’s view of the primary business activities that drive the profitability of our core businesses. The following table below illustrates how each component of operatingadjusted earnings is calculated from the GAAP statement of operations line items:
Component of OperatingAdjusted EarningsHow Derived from GAAP (1)(2)
(i)Fee income(i)
Universal life and investment-type policy fees (excluding (a) unearned revenue adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and (b) GMIB Fees) plusOther revenues(excluding (excluding other revenues associated with related to affiliatedparty reinsurance) and amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance.
(ii)Net investment spread(ii)
Net investment income (excluding VIEsecuritization entities income) plus Investment Hedge Adjustments, PAB Adjustments and interest received on ceded fixed annuity reinsurance deposit funds reduced by Interest credited to policyholder account balances and interest on future policy benefits.
(iii)Insurance-related activities(iii)
Premiums less Policyholder benefits and claims (excluding (a) GMIB Costs, (b) Market Value Adjustments, (c) interest on future policy benefits and (d) amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance) plus the pass through of performance of ceded separate account assets.
(iv)Amortization of DAC and VOBA(iv)Amortization of DAC and VOBA (excluding amounts related to (a) net investment gains (losses), (b) net derivative gains (losses), (c) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (d) Market Value Adjustments).
(v)Other expenses, net of DAC capitalization(v)
Other expensesreduced by capitalization of DAC and VIEsecuritization entities expense.
(vi)Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(vi)Tax impact of the above items.
____________________________
(1) Amounts related to divested businesses are excluded from all components of operating earnings.
(2) Italicized items indicate GAAP statement of operations line items.
Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operatingadjusted earnings is also our GAAP measure of segment performance. Accordingly, we report adjusted earnings by segment in Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other Financial Disclosures
The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of our performance results:

We sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. Statistical sales information for life sales are calculated using the LIMRA (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association) definition of sales for core direct sales, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges, corporate-owned life insurance, bank-owned life insurance, and private placement variable universal life insurance. Annuity sales consist of 10% of direct statutory premiums, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.
Allocated equity is the portion of common stockholder’s equity that management allocatesallocated to each of its segments and sub-segments.prior to 2018. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Forward Looking Statements and Other Financial Information — Operating Earnings” included in the 2016 Annual Report“— Segment Capital” and Note 2of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regardinginformation.
Segment Capital
Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, we changed the methodology for how capital is allocated to segments and, in some cases, products. Segment investment and capitalization targets are now based on statutory oriented risk principles and metrics. Segment invested assets backing liabilities are based on net statutory liabilities plus excess capital. For our variable annuity business, the excess capital held is based on the target statutory total asset requirement consistent with our variable annuity risk management strategy discussed in the 2017 Annual Report. For insurance businesses other than variable annuities, excess capital held is based on a percentage of required statutory RBC. Assets in excess of those allocated to the segments, if any, are held in Corporate & Other. Segment net investment income reflects the performance of each segment’s respective invested assets.
We refer to this change in methodology as the “Portfolio Realignment.” While this change had no effect on our consolidated net income (loss) or adjusted earnings, it did, and we expect will continue to, impact segment results. Prior period segment results were not recast for this change in methodology as the inventory of assets has changed over time. Therefore, it is not reasonably possible to replicate the asset transfers as of prior periods and estimating such would not provide a meaningful comparison. In the future, management will evaluate, on a periodic basis, the excess capital held by each segment and may rebalance or move capital between segments based on market changes or changes in our statutory metrics.
Previously, invested assets held in the segments were based on net GAAP liabilities. Excess capital was retained in Corporate & Other and allocated to segments based on an internally developed statistics based capital model intended to capture the material risks to which we were exposed (referred to as “allocated equity”). Surplus assets in excess of the combined allocations to the segments were held in Corporate & Other with net investment income being credited back to the segments at a predetermined rate. Any excess or shortfall in net investment income from surplus assets was recognized in Corporate & Other.
Management is responsible for the periodic review and enhancement of the capital allocation model to ensure it remains consistent with the Company’s overall objectives and emerging industry practices.

Results of Operations
Consolidated Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
Business Overview.We continue to evaluate our product offerings with the goal to provide new products that are simpler, more transparent and provide value to our advisors, clients and shareholders. New business efforts in both 2017 and 2018 centered on the sale of our suite of structured annuities consisting of products marketed under various names (collectively, “Shield Annuities”), which increased 41% compared to the first half of 2017. In addition, as part of our distribution agreement with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, we launched a new fixed index annuity product in the second half of 2017.
Unless otherwise noted, all amounts in the following discussions of our results of operations are stated before income tax except for adjusted earnings, which are presented net of income tax.
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Revenues   
Premiums$435
 $379
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees1,621
 1,570
Net investment income1,572
 1,499
Other revenues149
 199
Net investment gains (losses)(78) (55)
Net derivative gains (losses)(565) (902)
Total revenues3,134
 2,690
Expenses   
Policyholder benefits and claims1,507
 1,670
Interest credited to policyholder account balances520
 542
Capitalization of DAC(151) (128)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA516
 647
Interest expense on debt(2) 57
Other expenses997
 967
Total expenses3,387
 3,755
Income (loss) before provision for income tax(253) (1,065)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(87) (436)
   Net income (loss)$(166) $(629)
The table below shows the components of net income (loss), in addition to adjusted earnings.
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017
 (In millions)
GMLB Riders$(336) $(889)
Other derivative instruments(480) (109)
Net investment gains (losses)(78) (55)
Other adjustments40
 (30)
Adjusted earnings before provision for income tax601
 18
Income (loss) before provision for income tax(253) (1,065)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(87) (436)
Net income (loss)$(166) $(629)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Overview.The loss before provision for income tax in the current period decreased $812 million ($463 million, net of income tax) when compared to the loss in the prior period. The lower net loss was driven primarily by higher adjusted earnings as well as favorable changes in GMLB Riders and other adjustments (described below), partially offset by unfavorable changes in other derivative instruments.
GMLB Riders.Results from GMLB Riders reflect (i) changes in the carrying value of guaranteed minimum living benefits (“GMLBs”) liabilities, including GMIBs, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits; (ii) changes in the fair value of the hedges and reinsurance of GMLB liabilities; (iii) the fees earned from GMLB liabilities; and (iv) the related DAC and VOBA amortization offsets to each of the preceding components (collectively, “GMLB Riders”).
GMLB Riders had a favorable impact on comparative results of $553 million as favorable results from the related hedges were partially offset by decreases from DAC offsets. For a detailed discussion of GMLB Riders, see “— GMLB Riders for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.”
Other Derivative Instruments. We have other derivative instruments, in addition to the hedges and embedded derivatives included in GMLB Riders, for which changes in fair value are recognized in net derivative gains (losses). Changes in the fair value of other derivative instruments had an unfavorable impact on comparative results of $371 million.
Freestanding Derivatives. Changes in the fair value of freestanding derivatives had an unfavorable impact on comparative results of $566 million, primarily due to the impact of changes in interest rates on the fair value of our interest rate swaps.
Embedded Derivatives. Changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives had a favorable impact on comparative results of $195 million, primarily due to an unfavorable impact in the prior period on our Shield Annuities liabilities from an increase in underlying equity index levels. In connection with the transition to our new variable annuity hedging program, changes in the fair value of the Shield Annuities liabilities are included in the hedging program component of GMLB Riders beginning in the third quarter of 2017 on a prospective basis.
Net Investment Gains (Losses).Net investment gains (losses) had an unfavorable impact on comparative results of$23 million, primarily due to higher current period net losses on sales of U.S. Treasuries due to portfolio repositioning actions and higher current period net losses on commercial mortgage loans. These losses were partially offset by higher current period net gains on real estate joint ventures and prior period net losses on disposals of other limited partnership interests.
Other Adjustments.Other adjustments to determine adjusted earnings had a favorable impact on comparative results of $70 million, primarily due to lower policyholder benefits and claims resulting from the adjustment for market performance related to participating products in our run-off business.
Adjusted Earnings. Adjusted earnings before provision for income tax increased $583 million ($432 million, net of income tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to the prior period. Adjusted earnings are discussed in greater detail below.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $87 million, or 34% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, compared to an income tax benefit of $436 million, or 41% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Our effective tax rates typically differ from the U.S. statutory rates primarily due to the impacts of the dividend received deductions and utilization of tax credits.

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted earnings
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Net income (loss)$(166) $(629)
Add: Provision for income tax expense (benefit)(87) (436)
Income (loss) before provision for income tax(253) (1,065)
Less: GMLB Riders(336) (889)
Less: Other derivative instruments(480) (109)
Less: Net investment gains (losses)(78) (55)
Less: Other adjustments40
 (30)
Adjusted earnings before provision for income tax601
 18
Less: Provision for income tax expense (benefit)93
 (58)
Adjusted earnings$508
 $76
Consolidated Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 — Adjusted Earnings
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Fee income$1,634
 $1,631
Net investment spread650
 663
Insurance-related activities(534) (488)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA(301) (894)
Other expenses, net of DAC capitalization(848) (894)
Adjusted earnings before provision for income tax601
 18
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)93
 (58)
Adjusted earnings$508
 $76
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Overview. Adjusted earnings increased $432 million, primarily driven by lower amortization of DAC and lower expenses, partially offset by higher costs of insurance related activities.
Fee Income. Fee income was largely unchanged when compared to the prior period. Higher fees from previously recaptured universal life business were mostly offset by a decrease in other revenues due to previously recaptured variable annuity business.
Net Investment Spread. Net investment spread decreased $13 million, primarily due to (i) lower income on derivatives due to the termination of interest rate swaps, (ii) lower returns on other limited partnerships and (iii) lower income from our securities lending program as a result of a reduction in the program size and lower margins due to the impact of a flatter yield curve. This decrease was partially offset by higher income due to the lengthening of the overall portfolio duration and positive net flows.

Insurance-Related Activities.Net costs from insurance-related activities increased $46 million primarily due to unfavorable mortality experience in our run-off business and higher guaranteed minimum death benefit costs in our annuities business, driven by an increase in liability balances resulting from growth in the in-force and higher claims. These increases were partially offset by the charge in the prior period from additional ULSG loss recognition triggered by the Contribution Transaction and the favorable ongoing impacts from the second quarter 2017 recapture from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), a former affiliate, of a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement for certain policies (“YRT Recapture”) in our life business. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding Contribution Transaction.
Amortization of DAC and VOBA.Lower DAC and VOBA amortization had a favorable impact on comparative results of $593 million, primarily due to:
$588 million lower amortization in our ULSG business, from the write-down in the prior period of the remaining ULSG-related DAC as a result of additional loss recognition triggered by the Contribution Transaction;
$56 million lower amortization due to a favorable ceded DAC adjustment in the prior year related to participating whole life business reinsured to MLIC; partially offset by
$52 million higher amortization in our annuities business due to lower profits resulting from lower than expected separate account returns in the current period as well as changes in in-force and actuarial model refinements.
Other Expenses, Net of DAC Capitalization. Expenses decreased $46 million, primarily due to the allocation of establishment costs which began in the first quarter of 2018 and lower costs related to reinsurance financing arrangements which were terminated in the second quarter of 2017. These decreases were partially offset by higher operating costs as a result of being a stand-alone company.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit).Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $93 million, or 15% of pre-tax adjusted earnings, compared to a benefit $58 million, or 322% of pre-tax adjusted earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Our effective tax rates typically differ from the U.S. statutory rates primarily due to the dividend received deductions and the utilization of tax credits. Generally, the effect of our tax differences on our actual tax provision are relatively unchanged but the effective tax rate can vary significantly, when expressed as a percentage, due to significant changes in   pre-tax income (loss). In 2018, our effective tax rate reflects the impact of tax reform, which lowered the U.S. statutory rate but also reduced the tax benefit for the dividend received deductions.

GMLB Riders for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
The following table presents the overall impact to income (loss) before provision for income tax from the performance of GMLB Riders, which includes (i) changes in carrying value of the GAAP liabilities, (ii) the mark-to-market of hedges and reinsurance, (iii) fees, and (iv) associated DAC offsets:
 Six Months 
 Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017
 (In millions)
Directly Written Liabilities (1)$287
 $243
Assumed Reinsurance Liabilities113
 266
Total Liabilities400
 509
Hedging Program(877) (1,809)
Ceded Reinsurance(45) (226)
Total Hedging Program and Reinsurance(922) (2,035)
Directly Written Fees402
 403
Assumed Reinsurance Fees4
 (26)
Total Fees (2)406
 377
GMLB Riders before DAC Offsets(116) (1,149)
DAC Offsets(220) 260
Total GMLB Riders$(336) $(889)
______________
(1) Includes changes in fair value of the Shield Annuities embedded derivatives of $(69) million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Changes in the fair value of the Shield Annuities embedded derivatives were not included in GMLB results for the six months ended June 30, 2017.
(2) Excludes living benefit fees of $35 million, included as a component of adjusted earnings, for both the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Comparative results from GMLB Riders were favorable by $553 million. Of this amount, a favorable change of $796 million was recorded in net derivative gains (losses).
GMLB Riders Liabilities. The change in the carrying value of GMLB Riders liabilities resulted in an unfavorable impact on comparative results of $109 million, primarily due to unfavorable impacts from assumed reinsurance, partially offset by net favorable changes in the direct liabilities. The direct liabilities were favorably impacted by changes in interest rates in the current period compared to the prior period and the change in the nonperformance risk adjustment due in part to changing to use of our own creditworthiness post-Separation. These favorable impacts were partially offset by (i) less favorable changes in equity markets in the current period than in the prior period, (ii) an internal capital models.unfavorable change in fair value of the Shield Annuities embedded derivatives, and (iii) in-force growth of GMIB insurance liabilities.
GMLB Riders Hedging Program and Reinsurance. The change in the fair value of GMLB Riders hedging program and reinsurance had a favorable impact on comparative results of approximately $1.1 billion, primarily due to:
a net favorable change of $926 million from the inverse impacts of the same interest rate and equity market factors that impacted the directly written GMLB Riders liabilities; and
a favorable change of $181 million due to a charge recognized in the prior period in connection with the recapture from MLIC of certain ceded and assumed variable annuity insurance agreements.
GMLB Riders Fees. Fees from GMLB Riders resulted in a favorable impact of comparative results of $29 million primarily due to the impact from the recapture and novation, in the prior period, of assumed and ceded agreements covering certain of our variable annuity business.
DAC Offsets. DAC offsets, which are inversely related to the changes in certain components of GMLB Riders discussed above, resulted in an unfavorable impact on comparative results of $480 million.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,report, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and other oral or written statements that we make from time to time may contain information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-lookingSuch forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. Theseinvolve substantial risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They useusing words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “intend,” “goal,” “target,” “forecast,” “objective,” “continue,” “aim,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or that are tied to future periods, in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include, without limitation, statements relating to future actions, statements regarding the Separation from MetLife, 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 operationsoperating and financial results.results, as well as statements regarding the expected benefits of the Separation and the recapitalization actions.
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 Brighthouse Insurance.BLIC. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. Theyenvironment and 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,statements due to a variety of known and other factors that may cause such differences include theunknown risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Brighthouse Insurance’s subsequent filings with the SEC.factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others:
the impact of the Separation on our business and profitability due to MetLife’s strong brand and reputation, the increased costs related to replacing arrangements with MetLife with those of third parties;
whether the operational, strategic and other benefits of the Separation can be achieved, and our ability to implement our business strategy;
differences between actual experience and actuarial assumptions;assumptions and the effectiveness of our actuarial models;
higher risk management costs and exposure to increased counterparty risk due to guarantees within certain of our products;
the effectiveness of our exposure management strategy and the impact of such strategy on net income volatility and negative effects on our statutory capital;
a sustained period of low equity market prices and interest rates that are lower than those we assumed when we issued our variable annuity products;
the effect adverse capital and credit market conditions may have on our ability to meet liquidity needs and our access to capital;
the impact of regulatory, legislative or tax changes in regulation and in supervisory and enforcement policies on our insurance business or other operations;
the effectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures;
the availability of reinsurance and the ability of our counterparties to our reinsurance or indemnification arrangements to perform their obligations thereunder;
heightened competition, including with respect to service, product features, scale, price, actual or perceived financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities and name recognition;
changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies applicable to us;
the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us;
our ability to market and distribute our products through distribution channels;
the impact of the Separation on our business and profitability due to MetLife’s strong brand and reputation, the increased costs related to replacing arrangements with MetLife with those of third parties;
any failure of third parties to provide services we need, any failure of the practices and procedures of these third parties and any inability to obtain information or assistance we need from third parties, including MetLife;
whether the operational, strategic and other benefits of the Separation can be achieved, and our ability to implement our business strategy;
whether all or any portion of the Separation tax consequences are not as expected, leading to material additional taxes or material adverse consequences to tax attributes that impact us;
the uncertainty of the outcome of any disputes with MetLife over tax-related or other matters and agreements including the potential of outcomes adverse to us that could cause us to owe MetLife material tax reimbursements or payments or disagreements regarding MetLife’s or our obligations under our other agreements;

the impact on our business structure, profitability, cost of capital and flexibility due to restrictions we have agreed to that preserve the tax-free treatment of certain parts of the Separation;
the potential material negative tax impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and other potential future tax legislation that could decrease the value of our tax attributes, lead to increased RBC requirements and cause other cash expenses, such as reserves, to increase materially and make some of our products less attractive to consumers;
whether the Distribution will qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes and potential indemnification to MetLife if the Distribution does not so qualify;
our ability to attract and retain key personnel.personnel; and
other factors described in our 2017 Annual Report, the First Quarter Form 10-Q, this report, and from time to time in documents that we file with the SEC.
For the reasons described above, we caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements included and the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified elsewhere in this Quarterlyour 2017 Annual Report onand the First Quarter Form 10-Q, includingparticularly in the sectionsections entitled “Risk Factors.Factors” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, and included elsewhere herein, as well as in our subsequent filings with the SEC. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law. Please consult any further disclosures Brighthouse Life Insurancethe Company makes on related subjects in reports to the SEC.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We regularly analyze our market risk exposure to interest rate, equity market price, credit 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 materiallysignificantly exposed to changes in interest rates, and to a lesser extent, to changes in equity market prices and foreign currency exchange rates and changes in the equity markets.rates. We have exposure to market risk through our insurance and annuity operations and general account investment activities. We use a varietyFor purposes of strategies to managethis discussion, “market risk” is defined as changes in fair value resulting from changes in interest rate,rates, equity market prices, credit spreads and foreign currency exchange rate and equity market risk, includingrates. We may have additional financial impacts other than changes in fair value, which are beyond the usescope of derivatives.this discussion. A description of our market risk exposures may be found under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part I, Item 3, of the Q1 2017 Form 10-Q.Annual Report. There have been no material changes to our market risk exposures from the market risk exposures previously disclosed in the Q1 2017 Form 10-Q.

Annual Report.
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 RuleRules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), 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 were effective as of June 30, 2018.
MetLife continues to provide certain services to the Company on a transitional basis through services agreements. The Company continues to change business processes and standup systems as a subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and identifies, documents and evaluates controls to ensure controls over our financial reporting are effective. We consider these to be a material change in our internal control over financial reporting. 
ThereOther than as noted above, there were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as(as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act Rule 15d-15 (f)Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 20172018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The following should be read in conjunction with (i) Part I, Item 3 of the 20162017 Annual Reportand Note 14 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2017 Annual Report; (ii) Part II, Item 1 of our Quarterly Report onthe First Quarter Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (the “First Quarter 2017 Report”);10-Q; and (iii)Note 1110 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this report.
VariousUnclaimed Property Litigation
Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC on its own behalf and on behalf of the State of New York v. Brighthouse Financial, Inc., et al. (Supreme Court, New York County, NY, second amended complaint filed November 17, 2017). Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC (the “Relator”) has brought a qui tam action against Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates under the New York False Claims Act seeking to recover damages on behalf of the State of New York. The action originally was filed under seal on or about December 3, 2010. The State of New York declined to intervene in the action, and the Relator is now prosecuting the action. The Relator alleges that from on or about April 1, 1986 and continuing annually through on or about September 10, 2017, the defendants violated New York State Finance Law Section 189 (1) (g) by failing to timely report and deliver unclaimed insurance property to the State of New York. The Relator is seeking, among other things, treble damages, penalties, expenses and attorneys’ fees and prejudgment interest. No specific dollar amount of damages is specified by the Relator who also is suing numerous insurance companies and John Doe defendants. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. filed a motion to dismiss. The Court has entered an order of voluntary discontinuance without prejudice pursuant to which the Relator dismissed Brighthouse Financial, Inc. without prejudice but reserved its right to file a motion to amend to name other Brighthouse entities as defendants. If other Brighthouse entities are named, the Brighthouse defendants intend to defend this action vigorously.
Group Annuity Class Action
Edward Roycroft v. Brighthouse Financial, Inc., et al. (U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, filed June 18, 2018). Edward Roycroft filed a purported class action against Brighthouse Financial, Inc., MetLife, Inc., and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The complaint alleges plaintiff is a beneficiary of a Martindale-Hubbell group annuity contract and did not receive payments plaintiff claims he was entitled to upon his retirement in 1999. Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of all beneficiaries who were due annuity benefits pursuant to group annuity contracts and whose annuity benefits were released from reserves. Plaintiff’s causes of action are for conversion, unjust enrichment, an accounting and for a constructive trust. Plaintiff seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, declaratory and injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. intends to defend this action vigorously.
In addition to the matters discussed above, various litigation, 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, investor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.
It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, 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 readWe discuss in conjunctionthe 2017 Annual Report and our other filings with and supplements and amends, the factorsSEC, including our First Quarter Form 10-Q, various risks that may materially affect the Company’s business or operations described under “Risk Factors”our business. In addition, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview — Changes in Part I, Item 1A,Accounting Standards” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the 2016 Annual Report,Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Regulatory Developments” for regulatory and other updates, as amended or supplemented by the information under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A,well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the First Quarter 2017 Report. Other than as describedFinancial Condition and Results of Operations — Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in this Item 1A, therereport, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. There have otherwise been no other material changes to our risk factors from the risk factors previously disclosed in the 20162017 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented by such information in the First Quarter 2017 Report.
Risks Related to Our Business
The following updates and replaces in its entirety the risk factor entitled “An inability to access credit facilities could result in a reduction in our liquidity and lead to downgrades in MetLife, Inc.’s or Brighthouse Financial’s credit ratings and our financial strength ratings” included in the 2016 Annual Report.
An inability to access credit facilities could result in a reduction in our liquidity and lead to downgrades in Brighthouse’s credit ratings and our financial strength ratings.
Brighthouse entered into a $2.0 billion five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility, dated as of December 2, 2016 (the “revolving credit facility”), and a $600 million senior unsecured term loan facility, dated as of July 21, 2017 that matures on December 2, 2019 (the “term loan facility” and together with the revolving credit facility, the “Brighthouse Credit Facilities”), and issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027 and $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.700% Senior Notes due 2047 (collectively, the “2027 Senior Notes and 2047 Senior Notes”) on June 22, 2017 to third-party investors. The proceeds of the 2027 Senior Notes and 2047 Senior Notes reduced the commitments under our $3.0 billion three-year senior unsecured delayed draw term loan, dated as of December 2, 2016, by approximately $2.5 billion and the remaining commitments were refinanced by the term loan facility. The revolving credit facility is intended to provide significant support to Brighthouse’s liquidity position when alternative sources of credit are limited. The availability of these credit facilities could be critical to Brighthouse’s credit ratings, as well as our financial strength ratings and our ability to meet our obligations as they come due in a market when alternative sources of credit are limited. The Brighthouse Credit Facilities contain certain administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants, including requirements to maintain a specified minimum consolidated net worth. The Brighthouse Credit Facilities also contain requirements to maintain a ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization not in excess of a specified percentage, and limitations on the dollar amount of indebtedness that may be incurred by subsidiaries of Brighthouse following the distribution. Such requirements could restrict our operations and use of funds. Borrowings under the term loan facility may be accessed through August 15, 2017.
The right to borrow funds under the revolving credit facility is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, including compliance with all covenants. Failure to comply with the covenants in the revolving credit facility or fulfill the conditions to borrowings, or the failure of lenders to fund their lending commitments (whether due to insolvency, illiquidity or other reasons) in the amounts provided for under the terms of the revolving credit facility, would restrict the ability to access such credit facility when needed and, consequently, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
Regulatory and Legal Risks
The following updates and replaces the “Department of Labor and ERISA considerations” section of the risk factor entitled “Our business is highly regulated, and changes in regulation and in supervisory and enforcement policies may materially impact our capitalization or cash flows, reduce our profitability and limit our growth” included in the 2016 Annual Report. There have been no material changes to other sections of such risk factor, which include: “NAIC — Existing and proposed insurance regulation,” “State insurance guaranty associations,” “Federal — Insurance regulation” and “Other.”
Department of Labor and ERISA considerations
We manufacture life insurance products for third parties to sell to tax-qualified pension and retirement plans and IRAs to individuals that are subject to ERISA or the Code. While we currently believe manufacturers do not have as much exposure to ERISA and the Code as distributors, certain 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 those fiduciaries may not cause a covered plan to engage in certain prohibited transactions. The prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Code generally restrict the provision of investment advice to ERISA plans and participants and 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. Similarly, without an exemption, fiduciary advisors are prohibited from receiving compensation from third parties in connection with their advice. ERISA also affects certain of our in-force insurance policies and annuity contracts as well as insurance policies and annuity contracts we may sell in the future.Form 10-Q.

The DOL issued new regulations on April 6, 2016 with an original applicable date for most provisions of April 10, 2017, although on April 4, 2017, the DOL released its final rule delaying the original applicable date for 60 days from April 10, 2017 until June 9, 2017. Further, on June 29, 2017, the DOL issued a request for information regarding its final rule defining who is a “fiduciary” for purposes of ERISA and the Code, and also the DOL’s new and amended exemptions (as described further below) that were published in conjunction with the final rule. The request for information seeks public input that could lead to new exemptions or changes and revisions to the final rule. On April 4, 2017, the DOL issued a news release regarding the delay stating that, as of June 9, 2017, the definition of fiduciary under the final regulations and the impartial conduct or “best interest” standard must be met for all retail sales of life and annuity products. The DOL also indicated that the BIC contract and the point of sale disclosures required under prohibited transaction exemption 84-24 would be delayed until January 1, 2018. Application of these standards on June 9, 2017 is likely to create further confusion among our distribution partners that could negatively impact product sales. The change of administration and the DOL’s June 29, 2017 request for information related to the fiduciary rule and related exemptions, leaves uncertainty over whether the regulations will be substantially modified or repealed. Application of the rules on June 9, 2017, in light of the DOL’s request for information and the overall reconsideration of the rules requested by President Trump, 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.
These rules substantially expand the definition of “investment advice” and thereby broaden the circumstances under which we or our 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 rule, certain communications with plans, plan participants and IRA holders, including the marketing of products, and marketing of 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. While the final rule also provides that, to a limited extent, contracts sold and advice provided prior to the applicable date would not have to be modified to comply with the new investment advice regulations, there is lack of clarity surrounding some of the conditions for qualifying for this limited exception. There can be no assurance that the DOL will agree with our interpretation of these provisions, in which case the DOL and IRS could assess significant penalties against a portion of products sold prior to the applicable date of the new regulations. The assessment of such penalties could also trigger substantial litigation risk. Any such penalties and related litigation could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The DOL also issued amendments to certain of its prohibited transaction exemptions, and issued a new exemption, that applies more onerous disclosure and contact requirements to, and increases fiduciary requirements and fiduciary liability exposure in respect of, 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 August 9, 2017, the DOL filed a public notice in the case of Thrivent Financial v. the DOL alerting the court that the DOL has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget proposed amendments to several prohibited transaction exemptions (including BIC and 84-24) further delaying application of these exemptions as re-written by the DOL, from January 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019.
While we continue to analyze the impact of the final regulation on our business, we believe it could have an adverse effect on sales of annuity products to ERISA qualified plans such as IRAs through our independent distribution partners. A significant portion of our annuity sales are to IRAs. The new regulation deems advisors, including independent distributors, who sell fixed index-linked annuities to IRAs, IRA rollovers or 401(k) plans, fiduciaries and prohibits them from receiving compensation unless they comply with a prohibited transaction exemption. The exemption requires advisors to comply with impartial conduct standards and may require us to exercise additional oversight of the sales process. Compliance with the prohibited transaction exemptions will likely result in increased regulatory burdens on us and our independent distribution partners, changes to our compensation practices and product offerings and increased litigation risk, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Business — Regulatory Developments — Department of Labor and ERISA Considerations.”
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

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,herein, 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 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, 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 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Qherein and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.)
Exhibit
No.
 Description
10.1Investment Management Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2017, between MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (formerly known as MetLife Insurance Company USA) is incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2017 (File No. 033-03094).
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 
32.2 
101.INS XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.



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.

BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   
By:  /s/ Lynn A. Dumais
 Name: Lynn A. Dumais
 Title: Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
   (Authorized Signatory and Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: August 11, 2017

Exhibit Index
(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, 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 Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.)
Exhibit
No.
Description
10.1Investment Management Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2017, between MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (formerly known as MetLife Insurance Company USA) is incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2017 (File No. 033-03094).
31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

8, 2018

E-177