UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☑ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
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: 000-55705
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York | 13-3690700 | |||||||||||||||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||||||||
285 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, New York | 10017 | |||||||||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(980) 365-7100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | ||||||||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | þ | 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
As of May 12, 2021, 200,000 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding, all of which were owned indirectly 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. | Financial Statements (at March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020 and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)): | |||||||
Item 2. | ||||||||
Item 4. | ||||||||
Item 1. | ||||||||
Item 1A. | ||||||||
Item 6. | ||||||||
Part I — Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Balance Sheets
March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
(In millions, except share and per share data)
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $3,809 and $3,460, respectively; allowance for credit losses of $0 and $0, respectively) | $ | 4,000 | $ | 3,843 | ||||||||||
Mortgage loans (net of allowance for credit losses of $2 and $2, respectively) | 630 | 643 | ||||||||||||
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value | 33 | 71 | ||||||||||||
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value | 240 | 266 | ||||||||||||
Total investments | 4,903 | 4,823 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 397 | 275 | ||||||||||||
Accrued investment income | 31 | 29 | ||||||||||||
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables | 1,110 | 1,223 | ||||||||||||
Deferred policy acquisition costs | 192 | 160 | ||||||||||||
Current income tax recoverable | 16 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 27 | 27 | ||||||||||||
Separate account assets | 4,989 | 4,965 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 11,665 | $ | 11,502 | ||||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity | ||||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Future policy benefits | $ | 815 | $ | 825 | ||||||||||
Policyholder account balances | 3,412 | 3,151 | ||||||||||||
Other policy-related balances | 11 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Payables for collateral under derivative transactions | 165 | 137 | ||||||||||||
Current income tax payable | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liability | 146 | 178 | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 1,018 | 940 | ||||||||||||
Separate account liabilities | 4,989 | 4,965 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 10,556 | 10,210 | ||||||||||||
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 9) | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Stockholder’s Equity | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, par value $10 per share; 200,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 491 | 491 | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings (deficit) | 492 | 541 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 124 | 258 | ||||||||||||
Total stockholder’s equity | 1,109 | 1,292 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity | $ | 11,665 | $ | 11,502 |
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed financial statements.
2
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 5 | $ | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees | 25 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 37 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | (23) | (22) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net derivative gains (losses) | (85) | 128 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | (40) | 175 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Policyholder benefits and claims | (6) | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest credited to policyholder account balances | 13 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | (3) | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 19 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses | 23 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income tax | (63) | 123 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (14) | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (49) | $ | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (183) | $ | 54 |
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed financial statements.
3
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings (Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholder’s Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | 491 | $ | 541 | $ | 258 | $ | 1,292 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (49) | (49) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax | (134) | (134) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2021 | $ | 2 | $ | 491 | $ | 492 | $ | 124 | $ | 1,109 |
Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings (Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholder’s Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 2 | $ | 491 | $ | 434 | $ | 122 | $ | 1,049 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 98 | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax | (44) | (44) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | 491 | $ | 532 | $ | 78 | $ | 1,103 |
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed financial statements.
4
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Interim Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 2 | $ | 51 | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||
Sales, maturities and repayments of: | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | 105 | 163 | |||||||||
Mortgage loans | 23 | 27 | |||||||||
Purchases of: | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | (402) | (217) | |||||||||
Mortgage loans | (11) | (20) | |||||||||
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives | 172 | 80 | |||||||||
Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives | (45) | (150) | |||||||||
Net change in short-term investments | 39 | 45 | |||||||||
Net change in other invested assets | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (119) | (71) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||
Policyholder account balances: | |||||||||||
Deposits | 237 | 164 | |||||||||
Withdrawals | (26) | (32) | |||||||||
Net change in payables for collateral under derivative transactions | 28 | (67) | |||||||||
Short-term debt issued | 0 | 100 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 239 | 165 | |||||||||
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 122 | 145 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 275 | 148 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 397 | $ | 293 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to the interim condensed financial statements.
5
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
“BHNY” and the “Company” refer to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY, a New York domiciled life insurance company. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (“BHF” together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Brighthouse Financial”). The Company is licensed to transact business in the state of New York.
The Company markets or administers a range of annuity and life insurance products to individuals. The Company is organized into 2 segments: Annuities and Life. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in 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 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.
Since the Company is a member of a controlled group of affiliated companies, its results may not be indicative of those of a standalone entity.
The accompanying interim condensed 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, 2020 balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements included in Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Annual Report”), which include all disclosures required by GAAP. Therefore, these interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company included in the 2020 Annual Report.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASU”) to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. There were no ASUs adopted during the first quarter of 2021.
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on long-duration contracts (ASU 2018-12, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts). This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2023. The amendments to Topic 944 will result in significant changes to the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts. These changes (i) require all guarantees that qualify as market risk benefits to be measured at fair value, (ii) require more frequent updating of assumptions and modify existing discount rate requirements for certain insurance liabilities, (iii) modify the methods of amortization for deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), and (iv) require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures around insurance contract asset and liability balances and the judgments, assumptions and methods used to measure those balances. The market risk benefit guidance is required to be applied on a retrospective basis, while the changes to guidance for insurance liabilities and DAC may be applied to existing carrying amounts on the effective date or on a retrospective basis.
The Company continues to evaluate the new guidance and therefore is unable to estimate the impact on its financial statements. The most significant impact from the ASU is the requirement that all variable annuity guarantees will be considered market risk benefits and measured at fair value, whereas currently a significant amount of variable annuity guarantees are classified as insurance liabilities.
6
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information
The Company is organized into 2 segments: Annuities and Life. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other.
Annuities
The Annuities segment consists of a variety of variable, fixed, index-linked and income annuities designed to address contract holders’ needs for protected wealth accumulation on a tax-deferred basis, wealth transfer and income security.
Life
The Life segment consists of insurance products and services, mainly term life insurance, designed to address policyholders’ needs for financial security and protected wealth transfer, which may be provided on a tax-advantaged basis.
Corporate & Other
Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments and expenses associated with certain legal proceedings and income tax audit issues. Corporate & Other also includes term life insurance sold direct to consumers, which is no longer being offered for new sales.
Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies
Adjusted 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 adjusted earnings, as the Company measures it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of its performance by contract holders by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Adjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss).
Adjusted earnings, which may be positive or negative, focuses on the Company’s primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends.
The following are significant items excluded from total revenues, net of income tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
•Net investment gains (losses);
•Net derivative gains (losses) except earned income 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; and
•Certain variable annuity guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”) fees (“GMIB Fees”).
The following are significant items excluded from total expenses, net of income tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
•Amounts associated with benefits 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 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 above is calculated net of the statutory tax rate, which could differ from the Company’s effective tax rate.
The segment accounting policies are the same as those used to prepare the Company’s interim condensed financial statements, except for the adjustments to calculate adjusted earnings described above. In addition, segment accounting policies include the methods of capital allocation described below.
7
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)
Segment investment and capitalization targets are 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. 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.
Operating results by segment, as well as Corporate & Other, were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annuities | Life | Corporate & Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax adjusted earnings | $ | (8) | $ | 5 | $ | 0 | $ | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (2) | 1 | 0 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings | $ | (6) | $ | 4 | $ | 0 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments for: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net derivative gains (losses) | (85) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other adjustments to net income (loss) | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (49) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest revenue | $ | 28 | $ | 9 | $ | 0 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annuities | Life | Corporate & Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax adjusted earnings | $ | 9 | $ | 20 | $ | (1) | $ | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | 2 | 4 | (1) | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings | $ | 7 | $ | 16 | $ | 0 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments for: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net derivative gains (losses) | 128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other adjustments to net income (loss) | (38) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest revenue | $ | 24 | $ | 9 | $ | 0 |
Total revenues by segment, as well as Corporate & Other, were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annuities | $ | 29 | $ | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Life | 12 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate & Other | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments | (81) | 135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (40) | $ | 175 |
8
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)
Total assets by segment, as well as Corporate & Other, were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||
Annuities | $ | 9,621 | $ | 9,467 | |||||||
Life | 1,825 | 1,859 | |||||||||
Corporate & Other | 219 | 176 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 11,665 | $ | 11,502 |
3. Insurance
Guarantees
As discussed in Notes 1 and 3 of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report, the Company issues variable annuity contracts with guaranteed minimum benefits. Guaranteed minimum death benefits, the life contingent portion of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) and certain portions of GMIBs are accounted for as insurance liabilities in future policyholder benefits, while other guarantees are accounted for in whole or in part as embedded derivatives in policyholder account balances and are further discussed in Note 5.
Information regarding the Company’s guarantee exposure was as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In the Event of Death | At Annuitization | In the Event of Death | At Annuitization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annuity Contracts (1), (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable Annuity Guarantees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total account value (3) | $ | 4,997 | $ | 3,799 | $ | 4,971 | $ | 3,816 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Separate account value | $ | 4,987 | $ | 3,797 | $ | 4,962 | $ | 3,816 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net amount at risk | $ | 6 | (4) | $ | 354 | (5) | $ | 3 | (4) | $ | 429 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||
Average attained age of contract holders | 69 years | 69 years | 69 years | 69 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.
(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. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report for a discussion of guaranteed minimum benefits which have been reinsured.
(3)Includes the contract 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.
(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 contract 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 contract holders have achieved.
9
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments
See Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for investments and Note 6 for information about the fair value hierarchy for investments and the related valuation methodologies.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-sale
Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector
Fixed maturity securities by sector were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost | Allowance for Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Allowance for Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains | Losses | Gains | Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. corporate | $ | 1,916 | $ | 0 | $ | 114 | $ | 25 | $ | 2,005 | $ | 1,697 | $ | 0 | $ | 201 | $ | 1 | $ | 1,897 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign corporate | 518 | 0 | 35 | 5 | 548 | 503 | 0 | 58 | 2 | 559 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ABS | 341 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 345 | 350 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 355 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CMBS | 324 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 340 | 299 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 329 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | 254 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 285 | 254 | 0 | 58 | 0 | 312 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMBS | 272 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 283 | 219 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 236 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State and political subdivision | 166 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 175 | 122 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 137 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | $ | 3,809 | $ | 0 | $ | 229 | $ | 38 | $ | 4,000 | $ | 3,460 | $ | 0 | $ | 388 | $ | 5 | $ | 3,843 |
The Company did 0t hold any non-income producing fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2021. The Company held non-income producing fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of $2 million at December 31, 2020.
Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity date, were as follows at March 31, 2021:
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 (1) | Total Fixed Maturity Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized cost | $ | 31 | $ | 534 | $ | 1,218 | $ | 1,089 | $ | 937 | $ | 3,809 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated fair value | $ | 31 | $ | 568 | $ | 1,272 | $ | 1,161 | $ | 968 | $ | 4,000 |
_______________
(1)Structured securities include residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) (collectively, “Structured Securities”).
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.
10
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
Continuous Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector
The estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position, by sector and by length of time that the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Greater | Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Greater | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. corporate | $ | 538 | $ | 24 | $ | 5 | $ | 1 | $ | 54 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign corporate | 85 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ABS | 74 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 98 | 1 | 17 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CMBS | 78 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMBS | 105 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State and political subdivision | 75 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | $ | 958 | $ | 36 | $ | 30 | $ | 2 | $ | 190 | $ | 3 | $ | 29 | $ | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position | 422 | 15 | 82 | 15 |
Allowance for Credit Losses for Fixed Maturity Securities
Evaluation and Measurement Methodologies
For fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position, management first assesses whether the Company intends to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to estimated fair value through net investment gains (losses). For fixed maturity securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, management evaluates whether the decline in estimated fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. 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 allowance for credit loss evaluation process include, but are not limited to: (i) the extent to which estimated fair value is less than amortized cost; (ii) any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency; (iii) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, industry or geographic area; and (iv) payment structure of the fixed maturity security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments in the future or the issuer’s failure to make scheduled interest and principal payments. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss is deemed to exist and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited by the amount that the estimated fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, with a corresponding charge to net investment gains (losses). Any unrealized losses that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”).
Once a security specific allowance for credit losses is established, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security continues to be reassessed. Any changes in the security specific allowance for credit losses are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense in net investment gains (losses).
Fixed maturity securities are also evaluated to determine whether any amounts have become uncollectible. When all, or a portion, of a security is deemed uncollectible, the uncollectible portion is written-off with an adjustment to amortized cost and a corresponding reduction to the allowance for credit losses.
Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost basis of fixed maturity securities. An allowance for credit losses is not estimated on an accrued interest receivable, rather receivable balances 90-days past due are deemed uncollectible and are written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income. The accrued interest receivable on fixed maturity securities totaled $27 million and $24 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and is included in accrued investment income.
11
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
Fixed maturity securities are also evaluated to determine if they qualify as purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (“PCD”). To determine if the credit deterioration experienced since origination is more than insignificant, both (i) the extent of the credit deterioration and (ii) any rating agency downgrades are evaluated. For securities categorized as PCD assets, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the par value of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the par value, credit losses are embedded in the purchase price of the PCD asset. In this situation, both an allowance for credit losses and amortized cost gross-up is recorded, limited by the amount that the estimated fair value is less than the grossed-up amortized cost basis. Any difference between the purchase price and the present value of cash flows is amortized or accreted into net investment income over the life of the PCD asset. Any subsequent PCD asset allowance for credit losses is evaluated in a manner similar to the process described above for fixed maturity securities.
Current Period Evaluation
Based on the Company’s current evaluation of its fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and the current intent or requirement to sell, the Company recorded 0 allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2021. Management concluded that for fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position, the unrealized loss was not due to issuer specific credit-related factors and as a result was recognized in OCI. Where unrealized losses have not been recognized into income, it is primarily because the securities’ bond issuer(s) are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell and it is likely that management will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in estimated fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and non-issuer-specific credit spreads. These issuers continued to make timely principal and interest payments and the estimated fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | % of Total | Carrying Value | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial | $ | 453 | 71.9 | % | $ | 458 | 71.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Agricultural | 179 | 28.4 | 187 | 29.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total mortgage loans | 632 | 100.3 | 645 | 100.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for credit losses | (2) | (0.3) | (2) | (0.3) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total mortgage loans, net | $ | 630 | 100.0 | % | $ | 643 | 100.0 | % |
Allowance for Credit Losses for Mortgage Loans
Evaluation and Measurement Methodologies
The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the mortgage loan’s amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the mortgage loan. The loan balance, or a portion of the loan balance, is written-off against the allowance when management believes this amount is uncollectible.
Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost basis of mortgage loans. An allowance for credit losses is generally not estimated on an accrued interest receivable, rather when a loan is placed in nonaccrual status the associated accrued interest receivable balance is written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income. For mortgage loans that are granted payment deferrals due to the impact of the ongoing worldwide pandemic sparked by the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19 pandemic”), interest continues to be accrued during the deferral period if the loan was less than 30 days past due at December 31, 2019 and performing at the onset of the pandemic. Accrued interest on COVID-19 pandemic impacted loans was not significant at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The accrued interest receivable on mortgage loans is included in accrued investment income and totaled $3 million and $4 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
12
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
The allowance for credit losses is estimated using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for estimating expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics and environmental conditions. A reasonable and supportable forecast period of two-years is used with an input reversion period of one-year.
Mortgage loans are evaluated in both portfolio segments to determine the allowance for credit losses. The loan-level loss rates are determined using individual loan terms and characteristics, risk pools/internal ratings, national economic forecasts, prepayment speeds, and estimated default and loss severity. The resulting loss rates are applied to the mortgage loan’s amortized cost to generate an allowance for credit losses. In certain situations, the allowance for credit losses is measured as the difference between the loan’s amortized cost and liquidation value of the collateral. These situations include collateral dependent loans, expected troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”), foreclosure probable loans, and loans with dissimilar risk characteristics.
Rollforward of the Allowance for Credit Losses for Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
The changes in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment were as follows:
Commercial | Agricultural | Total | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | |||||||||||
Current period provision | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | |||||||||||
Current period provision | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 |
Credit Quality of Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
The amortized cost of mortgage loans by year of origination and credit quality indicator was as follows at:
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-to-value ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 65% | $ | 0 | $ | 31 | $ | 97 | $ | 23 | $ | 13 | $ | 200 | $ | 364 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65% to 75% | 0 | 0 | 55 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76% to 80% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greater than 80% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total commercial mortgage loans | 0 | 31 | 152 | 34 | 20 | 216 | 453 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agricultural mortgage loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-to-value ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 65% | 10 | 45 | 43 | 21 | 6 | 50 | 175 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65% to 75% | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total agricultural mortgage loans | 10 | 45 | 46 | 22 | 6 | 50 | 179 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 10 | $ | 76 | $ | 198 | $ | 56 | $ | 26 | $ | 266 | $ | 632 |
13
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-to-value ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 65% | $ | 32 | $ | 102 | $ | 23 | $ | 13 | $ | 16 | $ | 187 | $ | 373 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65% to 75% | 0 | 50 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 66 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76% to 80% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greater than 80% | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total commercial mortgage loans | 32 | 152 | 34 | 20 | 17 | 203 | 458 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agricultural mortgage loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-to-value ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 65% | 46 | 43 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 52 | 183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65% to 75% | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total agricultural mortgage loans | 46 | 46 | 22 | 6 | 15 | 52 | 187 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 78 | $ | 198 | $ | 56 | $ | 26 | $ | 32 | $ | 255 | $ | 645 |
The loan-to-value ratio is a measure commonly used to assess the quality of commercial and agricultural mortgage loans. The loan-to-value ratio compares the amount of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan and is commonly expressed as a percentage. A loan-to-value ratio less than 100% indicates an excess of collateral value over the loan amount. Loan-to-value ratios greater than 100% indicate that the loan amount exceeds the collateral value.
The amortized cost of commercial mortgage loans by debt-service coverage ratio was as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost | % of Total | Amortized Cost | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt-service coverage ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Greater than 1.20x | $ | 437 | 96.5 | % | $ | 450 | 98.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
1.00x - 1.20x | 9 | 2.0 | 8 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less than 1.00x | 7 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 453 | 100.0 | % | $ | 458 | 100.0 | % |
The debt-service coverage ratio compares a property’s net operating income to its debt-service payments. Debt-service coverage ratios less than 1.00 times indicate that property operations do not generate enough income to cover the loan’s current debt payments. A debt-service coverage ratio greater than 1.00 times indicates an excess of net operating income over the debt-service payments.
Past Due Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
The Company has a high-quality, well performing mortgage loan portfolio, with over 99% of mortgage loans classified as performing at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Delinquency is defined consistent with industry practice, when mortgage loans are past due as follows: commercial mortgage loans — 60 days; and agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days. To the extent a payment deferral is agreed to with a borrower, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past due status of the impacted loans during the forbearance period is locked-in as of March 1, 2020, which reflects the date on which the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect the borrower’s ability to make payments. At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company did 0t have any COVID-19 pandemic modified loans in delinquent status.
The Company had one agricultural mortgage loan past due with an amortized cost of $2 million at March 31, 2021. The Company did 0t have any mortgage loans past due at December 31, 2020.
14
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
Mortgage Loans in Nonaccrual Status by Portfolio Segment
Mortgage loans are placed in a nonaccrual status if there are concerns regarding collectability of future payments or the loan is past due, unless the past due loan is well collateralized. To the extent a payment deferral is agreed to with a borrower, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacted loans generally will not be reported as in a nonaccrual status during the period of deferral. A COVID-19 pandemic modified loan is only reported as a nonaccrual asset in the event a borrower declares bankruptcy, the borrower experiences significant credit deterioration such that the Company does not expect to collect all principal and interest due, or the loan was 90 days past due at the onset of the pandemic. At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company did 0t have any COVID-19 pandemic modified loans in nonaccrual status.
The Company did 0t have any mortgage loans in a nonaccrual status at either March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
Modified Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
Under certain circumstances, modifications are granted to nonperforming mortgage loans. Each modification is evaluated to determine if a TDR has occurred. A modification is a TDR when the borrower is in financial difficulty and the creditor makes concessions. Generally, the types of concessions may include reducing the amount of debt owed, reducing the contractual interest rate, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than current market interest rates and/or reducing accrued interest. The Company did 0t have any mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring during both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Short-term modifications made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were not more than 30 days past due at December 31, 2019 and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not considered TDRs.
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities and the effect on DAC, 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 accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).
The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in AOCI, were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 190 | $ | 383 | |||||||
Derivatives | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Subtotal | 191 | 384 | |||||||||
Amounts allocated from: | |||||||||||
Future policy benefits | (11) | (20) | |||||||||
DAC and DSI | (23) | (38) | |||||||||
Subtotal | (34) | (58) | |||||||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | (33) | (68) | |||||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | $ | 124 | $ | 258 |
15
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||
(In millions) | |||||
Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | 258 | |||
Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period | (193) | ||||
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to: | |||||
Future policy benefits | 9 | ||||
DAC and DSI | 15 | ||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | 35 | ||||
Balance at March 31, 2021 | $ | 124 | |||
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) | $ | (134) |
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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Invested Assets on Deposit and Pledged as Collateral
Invested assets on deposit and pledged as collateral at estimated fair value were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||
Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits) | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | |||||||
Invested assets pledged as collateral (1) | 39 | 5 | |||||||||
Total invested assets on deposit and pledged as collateral (2) | $ | 41 | $ | 7 |
_______________
(1)The Company has pledged invested assets in connection with derivative transactions (see Note 5).
(2)The Company did 0t hold any restricted cash and cash equivalents at either March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company has invested in legal entities that are variable interest entities (“VIE”). VIEs are consolidated when the investor is the primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is the variable interest holder in a VIE with both the power to (i) direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
There were no material VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary at either March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
The carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss related to the VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it holds a variable interest, but is not the primary beneficiary, were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Maximum Exposure to Loss | Carrying Amount | Maximum Exposure to Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 310 | $ | 291 | $ | 301 | $ | 274 | |||||||||||||||
16
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
The Company’s investments in unconsolidated VIEs are described below.
Fixed Maturity Securities
The Company invests in U.S. corporate bonds, foreign corporate bonds, and Structured Securities issued by VIEs. The Company is not obligated to provide any financial or other support to these VIEs, other than the original investment. The Company’s involvement with these entities is limited to that of a passive investor. The Company has no unilateral right to appoint or remove the servicer, special servicer, or investment manager, which are generally viewed as having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE, nor does the Company function in any of these roles. The Company does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity; as a result, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary, or consolidator, of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these fixed maturity securities is limited to the amortized cost of these investments. See “— Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-sale” for information on these securities.
Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 32 | $ | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage loans | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment income | 38 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Investment expenses | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 37 | $ | 33 |
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total net investment gains (losses) | $ | 1 | $ | 5 |
17
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
4. Investments (continued)
Sales or Disposals of Fixed Maturity Securities
Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity securities and the components of fixed maturity securities net investment gains (losses) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds | $ | 35 | $ | 127 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross investment gains | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross investment losses | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | $ | 1 | $ | 5 |
5. Derivatives
Accounting for Derivatives
See Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for derivatives and Note 8 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.
Derivative Strategies
Types of Derivative Instruments and Derivative Strategies
The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize its exposure to various market risks. Commonly used derivative instruments include, but are not necessarily limited to:
•Interest rate caps;
•Foreign currency swaps, and
•Equity derivatives: options and total return swaps
For detailed information on these contracts and the related strategies, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report.
18
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)
Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives
The primary underlying risk exposure, gross notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives held were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primary Underlying Risk Exposure | Gross Notional Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Gross Notional Amount | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency swaps | Foreign currency exchange rate | $ | 115 | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | $ | 115 | $ | 4 | $ | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total qualifying hedges | 115 | 3 | 3 | 115 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate caps | Interest rate | 800 | 5 | 0 | 800 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency swaps | Foreign currency exchange rate | 16 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity index options | Equity market | 3,393 | 218 | 89 | 5,908 | 250 | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity total return swaps | Equity market | 895 | 11 | 7 | 249 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-designated or non-qualifying derivatives | 5,104 | 237 | 96 | 6,973 | 262 | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ceded guaranteed minimum income benefits | Other | N/A | 335 | 0 | N/A | 477 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits | Other | N/A | 0 | (35) | N/A | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct index-linked annuities | Other | N/A | 0 | 501 | N/A | 0 | 393 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total embedded derivatives | Other | N/A | 335 | 466 | N/A | 477 | 407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 5,219 | $ | 575 | $ | 565 | $ | 7,088 | $ | 743 | $ | 504 |
19
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)
The amount and location of gains (losses), including earned income, recognized for derivatives and gains (losses) pertaining to hedged items presented in net derivative gains (losses) were as follows:
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives | Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items | Net Investment Income | Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Total cash flow hedges | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate derivatives | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives | (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity derivatives | 97 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives | (184) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total non-qualifying hedges | (85) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (85) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 16 | |||||||||||||||
Total cash flow hedges | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate derivatives | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity derivatives | (250) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives | 375 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total non-qualifying hedges | 128 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 128 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 16 |
At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balance in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges was $1 million.
Counterparty Credit Risk
The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance on derivative instruments. Generally, the credit exposure is the fair value at the reporting date less any collateral received from the counterparty.
The Company manages its credit risk by: (i) entering into derivative transactions with creditworthy counterparties governed by master netting agreements; (ii) trading through regulated exchanges and central clearing counterparties; (iii) obtaining collateral, such as cash and securities, when appropriate; and (iv) setting limits on single party credit exposures which are subject to periodic management review.
See Note 6 for a description of the impact of credit risk on the valuation of derivatives.
20
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
5. Derivatives (continued)
The estimated fair values of net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral were as follows at:
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amount Recognized | Financial Instruments (1) | Collateral Received/Pledged (2) | Net Amount | Securities Collateral Received/Pledged (3) | Net Amount After Securities Collateral | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 240 | $ | (60) | $ | (165) | $ | 15 | $ | (14) | $ | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | $ | 99 | $ | (60) | $ | 0 | $ | 39 | $ | (36) | $ | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 266 | $ | (91) | $ | (136) | $ | 39 | $ | (34) | $ | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | $ | 97 | $ | (91) | $ | 0 | $ | 6 | $ | (6) | $ | 0 |
_______________
(1)Represents amounts subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement.
(2)The amount of cash collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreement.
(3)Securities collateral received from counterparties is not reported on the balance sheets and may not be sold or re-pledged unless the counterparty is in default. Amounts do not include excess of collateral pledged or received.
The Company’s collateral arrangements 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. Certain of these arrangements also include credit-contingent provisions which permit the party with positive fair value to terminate the derivative at the current fair value or demand immediate full collateralization from the party in a net liability position, in the event that the financial strength or credit rating of the party in a net liability position falls below a certain level.
The aggregate estimated fair values of derivatives in a net liability position containing such credit-contingent provisions and the aggregate estimated fair value of assets posted as collateral for such instruments were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||
Estimated fair value of derivatives in a net liability position (1) | $ | 39 | $ | 6 | ||||||||||
Estimated Fair Value of Collateral Provided (2): | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 39 | $ | 6 |
_______________
(1)After taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.
(2)Substantially all of the Company’s collateral arrangements provide for daily posting of collateral for the full value of the derivative contract. As a result, if the credit-contingent provisions of derivative contracts in a net liability position were triggered, minimal additional assets would be required to be posted as collateral or needed to settle the instruments immediately.
21
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
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, are presented in the tables below. Investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value and are measured at net asset value (or equivalent) as a practical expedient to estimated fair value are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Hierarchy | Total Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. corporate | $ | 0 | $ | 1,984 | $ | 21 | $ | 2,005 | |||||||||||||||
Foreign corporate | 0 | 547 | 1 | 548 | |||||||||||||||||||
ABS | 0 | 340 | 5 | 345 | |||||||||||||||||||
CMBS | 0 | 340 | 0 | 340 | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | 149 | 136 | 0 | 285 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMBS | 0 | 283 | 0 | 283 | |||||||||||||||||||
State and political subdivision | 0 | 175 | 0 | 175 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | 149 | 3,824 | 27 | 4,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments | 28 | 5 | 0 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity market | 0 | 229 | 0 | 229 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | 0 | 240 | 0 | 240 | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2) | 0 | 0 | 335 | 335 | |||||||||||||||||||
Separate account assets | 0 | 4,989 | 0 | 4,989 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 177 | $ | 9,058 | $ | 362 | $ | 9,597 | |||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities: (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate | $ | 0 | $ | 3 | $ | 0 | $ | 3 | |||||||||||||||
Equity market | 0 | 96 | 0 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | 0 | 99 | 0 | 99 | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2) | 0 | 0 | 466 | 466 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 0 | $ | 99 | $ | 466 | $ | 565 |
22
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Hierarchy | Total Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. corporate | $ | 0 | $ | 1,873 | $ | 24 | $ | 1,897 | |||||||||||||||
Foreign corporate | 0 | 557 | 2 | 559 | |||||||||||||||||||
ABS | 0 | 349 | 6 | 355 | |||||||||||||||||||
CMBS | 0 | 329 | 0 | 329 | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | 158 | 154 | 0 | 312 | |||||||||||||||||||
RMBS | 0 | 236 | 0 | 236 | |||||||||||||||||||
State and political subdivision | 0 | 137 | 0 | 137 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | 158 | 3,653 | 32 | 3,843 | |||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments | 63 | 8 | 0 | 71 | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity market | 0 | 257 | 0 | 257 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | 0 | 266 | 0 | 266 | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2) | 0 | 0 | 477 | 477 | |||||||||||||||||||
Separate account assets | 0 | 4,965 | 0 | 4,965 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 221 | $ | 8,892 | $ | 509 | $ | 9,622 | |||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities: (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rate | $ | 0 | $ | 3 | $ | 0 | $ | 3 | |||||||||||||||
Equity market | 0 | 94 | 0 | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | 0 | 97 | 0 | 97 | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2) | 0 | 0 | 407 | 407 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 0 | $ | 97 | $ | 407 | $ | 504 | |||||||||||||||
(1)Derivative assets are presented within other invested assets on the balance sheets and derivative liabilities are presented within other liabilities on the balance sheets. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation on the balance sheets.
(2)Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts are presented within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables on the balance sheets. Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts are presented within policyholder account balances on the balance sheets.
Valuation Controls and Procedures
The Company monitors and provides oversight of valuation controls and policies for securities, mortgage loans and derivatives, which are primarily executed by its valuation service providers. The valuation methodologies used to determine fair values prioritize the use of observable market prices and market-based parameters and determines that judgmental valuation adjustments, when applied, are based upon established policies and are applied consistently over time. The valuation methodologies for securities, mortgage loans and derivatives are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised when necessary. In addition, the Chief Accounting Officer periodically reports to the Audit Committee of Brighthouse Financial’s Board of Directors regarding compliance with fair value accounting standards.
23
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities is based on quoted market prices, where available. Prices received are assessed to determine if they represent a reasonable estimate of fair value. Several controls are performed, 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, 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. Independent non-binding broker quotes, also referred to herein as “consensus pricing,” are used for a 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 current market dynamics and current pricing for similar financial instruments.
A formal process is also applied 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. If obtaining an independent non-binding broker quotation is unsuccessful, the last available price will be used.
Additional controls are performed, such as, balance sheet analytics to assess reasonableness of period-to-period pricing changes, including any price adjustments. Price adjustments are applied if prices or quotes received from independent pricing services or brokers are not considered reflective of market activity or representative of estimated fair value. The Company did not have significant price adjustments during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
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 quoted 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 issuer, and delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues.
U.S. government and agency, 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.
Short-term Investments
The fair value for actively traded short-term investments are determined using quoted market prices and are classified as Level 1 assets. For financial instruments classified as Level 2 assets, fair values are determined using a market approach and are valued based on a variety of observable inputs as described below.
Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary input being quoted prices in markets that are not active.
24
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
Derivatives
Derivatives are financial instruments with values derived from interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and/or financial indices. Derivatives may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. The Company’s OTC derivatives are settled bilateral contracts between two counterparties (“OTC-bilateral”).
The fair values for OTC-bilateral derivatives classified as Level 2 assets or liabilities are determined using the income approach. Valuations of non-option-based derivatives utilize present value techniques, whereas valuations of option-based derivatives utilize option pricing models which are based on market standard valuation methodologies and a variety of observable inputs.
The significant inputs to the pricing models for most OTC-bilateral derivatives are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Certain OTC-bilateral derivatives may rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. These unobservable inputs may involve significant management judgment or estimation. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments.
Most inputs for OTC-bilateral derivatives are mid-market inputs but, in certain cases, liquidity adjustments are made when they are deemed more representative of exit value. Market liquidity, as well as the use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs, may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s derivatives and could materially affect net income.
The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the estimated fair value for all OTC-bilateral 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 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.
Embedded Derivatives
Embedded derivatives principally include certain direct variable annuity guarantees and certain affiliated ceded reinsurance agreements related to such variable annuity guarantees, and equity crediting rates within index-linked annuity contracts. Embedded derivatives are recorded at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value reported in net income.
The Company issues variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”), the non-life contingent portion of GMWBs and certain portions of GMIBs are accounted for as embedded derivatives and measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract. These embedded derivatives are classified within policyholder account balances on the balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses).
The Company determines the fair value of these embedded derivatives by estimating the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees using actuarial and capital market assumptions including expectations of 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. The percentage of fees included in the initial fair value measurement is not updated in subsequent periods.
25
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
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 BHF’s debt. These observable spreads are then adjusted to reflect the priority of these liabilities and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries as compared to BHF’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.
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.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
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) were as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | Impact of Increase in Input on Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Techniques | Significant Unobservable Inputs | Range | Range | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct, assumed and ceded guaranteed minimum benefits | Option pricing techniques | • | Mortality rates | 0.03% | - | 12.13% | 0.03% | - | 12.13% | Decrease (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
• | Lapse rates | 0.25% | - | 15.00% | 0.25% | - | 15.00% | Decrease (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
• | Utilization rates | 0.00% | - | 25.00% | 0.00% | - | 25.00% | Increase (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
• | Withdrawal rates | 0.25% | - | 10.00% | 0.25% | - | 10.00% | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
• | Long-term equity volatilities | 16.66% | - | 22.21% | 16.66% | - | 22.21% | Increase (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
• | Nonperformance risk spread | 0.25% | - | 1.45% | 0.47% | - | 1.97% | Decrease (6) |
_______________
(1)Mortality rates vary by age and by demographic characteristics such as gender. The range shown reflects the mortality rate for policyholders between 35 and 90 years old, which represents the majority of the business with living benefits. Mortality rate assumptions are set based on company experience and include an assumption for mortality improvement.
(2)The range shown reflects base lapse rates for major product categories for duration 1-20, which represents majority of business with living benefit riders. 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.
26
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
(3)The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contract holders with a GMIB or lifetime withdrawal benefit who will elect to utilize the benefit upon becoming eligible in a given year. The range shown represents the floor and cap of the GMIB dynamic election rates across varying levels of in-the-money. For lifetime withdrawal guarantee riders, the assumption is that everyone will begin withdrawals once account value reaches zero which is equivalent to a 100% utilization rate. Utilization 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.
(4)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.
(5)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.
(6)Nonperformance risk spread varies by duration. 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.
The Company does not develop unobservable inputs used in measuring fair value for all other assets and liabilities classified within Level 3; therefore, these are not included in the table above. The other Level 3 assets and liabilities primarily included fixed maturity securities and derivatives. For fixed maturity securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes, an increase (decrease) in credit spreads would result in a higher (lower) fair value. For derivatives valued based on third-party pricing models, an increase (decrease) in credit spreads would generally result in a higher (lower) fair value.
27
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
The changes in assets and (liabilities) measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were summarized as follows:
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Maturity Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate (1) | Structured Securities | Net Embedded Derivatives (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 26 | $ | 6 | $ | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3) (4) | 0 | 0 | (184) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI | (1) | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuances (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlements (5) | 0 | 0 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfers into Level 3 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfers out of Level 3 (6) | (3) | (1) | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 22 | $ | 5 | $ | (131) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 35 | $ | 9 | $ | 186 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) (3) (4) | 0 | 0 | 375 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI | (3) | (1) | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases (5) | 20 | 12 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales (5) | (4) | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuances (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlements (5) | 0 | 0 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfers into Level 3 (6) | 5 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfers out of Level 3 (6) | 0 | (1) | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 53 | $ | 24 | $ | 550 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at March 31, 2021 (7) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | (200) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income for the instruments still held at March 31, 2021 (7) | $ | (1) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at March 31, 2020 (7) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 365 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income for the instruments still held at March 31, 2020 (7) | $ | (3) | $ | (1) | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Comprised of U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
(2)Embedded derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(3)Amortization of premium/accretion of discount is included within net investment income. Changes in the allowance for credit losses and direct write-offs are 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 embedded derivatives are reported in net derivative gains (losses).
(4)Interest accruals, as well as cash interest coupons received, are excluded from the rollforward.
(5)Items purchased/issued and then sold/settled in the same period are excluded from the rollforward. Fees attributed to embedded derivatives are included in settlements.
28
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
6. Fair Value (continued)
(6)Gains and losses, in net income (loss) and OCI, are calculated assuming transfers into and/or out of Level 3 occurred at the beginning of the period. Items transferred into and then out of Level 3 in the same period are excluded from the rollforward.
(7)Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for fixed maturities are reported in either net investment income or net investment gains (losses). Substantially all changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for net embedded derivatives are reported in net derivative gains (losses).
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 and payables for collateral under derivative transactions. 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.
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:
March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Hierarchy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage loans | $ | 630 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 657 | $ | 657 | |||||||||||||||||||
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables | $ | 444 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 445 | $ | 445 | |||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Policyholder account balances | $ | 904 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 946 | $ | 946 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | 490 | $ | 0 | $ | 56 | $ | 434 | $ | 490 | |||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Hierarchy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage loans | $ | 643 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 681 | $ | 681 | |||||||||||||||||||
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables | $ | 436 | $ | 0 | $ | 1 | $ | 435 | $ | 436 | |||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Policyholder account balances | $ | 915 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 979 | $ | 979 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | 430 | $ | 0 | $ | 7 | $ | 423 | $ | 430 | |||||||||||||||||||
29
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7. Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Information regarding changes in the balances of each component of AOCI was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets (1) | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Total | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | 256 | $ | 2 | $ | 258 | |||||||||||
OCI before reclassifications | (168) | 0 | (168) | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | 35 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax | 123 | 2 | 125 | ||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI | (1) | 0 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax | (1) | 0 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2021 | $ | 122 | $ | 2 | $ | 124 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets (1) | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Total | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 116 | $ | 6 | $ | 122 | |||||||||||
OCI before reclassifications | (67) | 16 | (51) | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | 14 | (3) | 11 | ||||||||||||||
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax | 63 | 19 | 82 | ||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI | (5) | 0 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax | (4) | 0 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2020 | $ | 59 | $ | 19 | $ | 78 |
_______________
(1)See Note 4 for information on offsets to investments related to future policy benefits, DAC and DSI.
30
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
7. Equity (continued)
Information regarding amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI was as follows:
AOCI Components | Amounts Reclassified from AOCI | Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | Net investment gains (losses) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), before income tax | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | 0 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total reclassifications, net of income tax | $ | 1 | $ | 4 |
8. 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. The percentage is 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.
Direct other revenues consisted primarily of 12b-1 fees of $4 million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, of which all were reported in the Annuities segment.
Other Expenses
Information on other expenses was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation | $ | 6 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Contracted services and other labor costs | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transition services agreements | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment costs | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Premium and other taxes, licenses and fees | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Volume related costs, excluding compensation, net of DAC capitalization | 6 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total other expenses | $ | 19 | $ | 19 |
Related Party Expenses
See Note 10 for a discussion of related party expenses included in the table above.
31
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
9. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
Contingencies
Litigation
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 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 financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for sales practices matters.
Summary
Various litigations, claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed previously and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s 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 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 or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Other Contingencies
As with litigation and regulatory loss contingencies, the Company considers establishing liabilities for certain non-litigation loss contingencies when assertions are made involving disputes or other matters with counterparties to contractual arrangements entered into by the Company, including with third-party vendors. The Company establishes liabilities for such non-litigation loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In matters where it is not probable, but is reasonably possible that a loss will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, such losses or range of losses are disclosed, and no accrual is made. In the absence of sufficient information to support an assessment of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, no accrual is made and no loss or range of loss is disclosed.
On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to non-litigation contingencies and, when applicable, updates its accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews.
Commitments
Mortgage Loan Commitments
The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loan commitments. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $12 million and $7 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Commitments to Fund Private Corporate Bond Investments
The Company commits to lend funds under private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $25 million and $15 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
32
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
9. 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, 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 bylaws. 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 did 0t have a liability for indemnities, guarantees and commitments at either March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
10. Related Party Transactions
The Company has various existing arrangements with its Brighthouse Financial affiliates and had previous arrangements with MetLife, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”) for services necessary to conduct its activities. Certain of the MetLife services have continued, however, MetLife ceased to be a related party in June 2018. See Note 8 for amounts related to continuing transition services. Other material arrangements between the Company and its related parties not disclosed elsewhere are as follows:
Reinsurance Agreements
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements primarily as a purchaser of reinsurance for its various insurance products. The Company participates in reinsurance activities in order to limit losses, minimize exposure to significant risks and provide additional capacity for future growth.
Information regarding the significant effects of ceded related party reinsurance included on the interim condensed statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | (11) | $ | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees | $ | (1) | $ | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | $ | (27) | $ | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||
Policyholder benefits and claims | $ | (24) | $ | (39) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | $ | (2) | $ | (2) |
33
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
(An Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.)
Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
10. Related Party Transactions (continued)
Information regarding the significant effects of ceded related party reinsurance included on the interim condensed balance sheets was as follows at:
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(In millions) | |||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables | $ | 619 | $ | 749 | |||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | 367 | $ | 362 |
The Company cedes risks to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company related to guaranteed minimum benefit guarantees written directly by the Company. These ceded reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives and changes in the estimated fair value are included within net derivative gains (losses). The embedded derivatives associated with the cessions are included within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and were $335 million and $477 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with the embedded derivatives were ($142) million and $218 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Shared Services and Overhead Allocations
Brighthouse Services, LLC, an affiliate, currently provides the Company certain services, which include, but are not limited to, treasury, financial planning and analysis, legal, human resources, tax planning, internal audit, financial reporting and information technology. Revenues received from an affiliate related to these agreements, recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees, were $3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Costs incurred under these arrangements were $12 million and $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and were recorded in other expenses.
Included in these costs were those incurred related to the establishment of services and infrastructure to replace those previously provided by MetLife. The Company incurred costs of $0 and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company has been charged a fee to reflect the value of the available infrastructure and services provided by these costs. While management believes the method used to allocate expenses under this arrangement has been reasonable, the allocated expenses may not have been indicative of those of a standalone entity. These establishment costs were fully allocated as of December 31, 2020.
The Company had net receivables from/(payables to) affiliates, related to the items discussed above, of ($17) million and ($6) million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Broker-Dealer Transactions
The related party expense for the Company was commissions paid on the sale of variable products and passed through to the broker-dealer affiliate. The related party revenue for the Company was fee income passed through the broker-dealer affiliate from trusts and mutual funds whose shares serve as investment options of policyholders of the Company. Fee income received related to these transactions and recorded in other revenues was $3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Commission expenses incurred related to these transactions and recorded in other expenses was $22 million and $17 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company also had related party fee income receivables of $1 million at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
34
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 | |||||
35
Introduction
For purposes of this discussion, unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context indicates otherwise, “BHNY,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY, a New York domiciled life insurance company. BHNY is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Brighthouse Financial”). 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 Interim Condensed Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere herein; (ii) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 4, 2021 (the “2020 Annual Report”); and (iii) our current reports on Form 8-K filed in 2021.
Overview
We offer a range of individual annuities and individual life insurance products in New York. For operating purposes, we have established two segments: Annuities and Life. In addition, we report certain of our results of operations in Corporate & Other. See “Business — Segments and Corporate & Other” included in our 2020 Annual Report, as well as Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements for further information regarding our segments and Corporate & Other.
COVID-19 Pandemic
We continue to closely monitor developments related to the worldwide pandemic sparked by the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19 pandemic”), which has negatively impacted us in certain respects. At this time, it continues to not be possible to estimate the severity or duration of the pandemic, including the severity, duration and frequency of any additional “waves” of the pandemic or the efficacy of any therapeutic treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, including their efficacy with respect to variants of COVID-19 that have emerged or could emerge in the future. It is likewise not possible to predict or estimate the longer-term effects of the pandemic, or any actions taken to contain or address the pandemic, on the economy at large and on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, including the impact on our investment portfolio and our ratings, or the need for us in the future to revisit or revise aspects of our business model or targets previously provided to the markets. See “Business — Regulation,” “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our capitalization and liquidity” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview — COVID-19 Pandemic” included in our 2020 Annual Report, as well as Note 4 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.
Regulatory Developments
We are domiciled in New York and regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services. We are regulated primarily at the state level, with some products and services also subject to federal regulation. In addition, BHNY and its affiliates are subject to regulation under the insurance holding company laws of various U.S. jurisdictions. Furthermore, some of our operations, products and services are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, consumer protection laws, securities, broker-dealer and investment advisor regulations, as well as environmental and unclaimed property laws and regulations. See “Business — Regulation,” as well as “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks” included in our 2020 Annual Report, as amended or supplemented herein.
New York Regulation 187
On April 29, 2021, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court overturned the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) Regulation 187 — Suitability and Best Interests in Life Insurance and Annuity Transactions for being unconstitutionally vague. The NYDFS has thirty days to file their appeal.
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 Financial Statements.
The most critical estimates include those used in determining:
•liabilities for future policy benefits;
•amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”);
36
•estimated fair values of freestanding derivatives and the recognition and estimated fair value of embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation; and
•measurement of income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets.
In applying our accounting policies, we make subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to our business and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The above critical accounting estimates are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” and Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in our 2020 Annual Report.
Non-GAAP Disclosures
Our definitions of the non-GAAP 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 the presentation of adjusted earnings, as the Company measures it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of its performance by contract holders by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business. 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 net income (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.
The following are significant items excluded from total revenues, net of income tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
•Net investment gains (losses);
•Net derivative gains (losses) except earned income 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
•Certain variable annuity guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”) fees (“GMIB Fees”).
The following are significant items excluded from total expenses, net of income tax, in calculating adjusted earnings:
•Amounts associated with benefits 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 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 is calculated net of the statutory tax rate, which could differ from our effective tax rate.
37
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 Earnings | How 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 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 | (iv) | Amortization of DAC (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. | ||||||||
(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 Financial Statements.
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Results of Operations
Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
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.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 5 | $ | 8 | ||||||||||
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees | 25 | 23 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 37 | 33 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues | (23) | (22) | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Net derivative gains (losses) | (85) | 128 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | (40) | 175 | ||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||
Policyholder benefits and claims | (6) | 1 | ||||||||||||
Interest credited to policyholder account balances | 13 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Capitalization of DAC | (14) | (11) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of DAC | (3) | 22 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses | 33 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses | 23 | 52 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income tax | (63) | 123 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (14) | 25 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (49) | $ | 98 |
The components of net income (loss) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||
GMLB Riders | $ | (64) | $ | 87 | ||||||||||
Other derivative instruments | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Pre-tax adjusted earnings | (3) | 28 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income tax | (63) | 123 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (14) | 25 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (49) | $ | 98 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Loss before provision for income tax was $63 million ($49 million, net of income tax), a decrease of $186 million ($147 million, net of income tax) from income before provision for income tax of $123 million ($98 million, net of income tax) in the prior period.
The decrease in income before provision for income tax was driven by the following unfavorable items:
•a net unfavorable change in guaranteed minimum living benefits (“GMLB”) riders (“GMLB Riders”) from higher relative equity markets and higher interest rates resulting in:
◦an unfavorable change in ceded reinsurance; and
◦unfavorable changes to the estimated fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities associated with Shield Level Annuities (“Shield”);
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partially offset by
◦favorable changes in our GMLB hedges;
◦a favorable change to the estimated fair value of variable annuity liability reserves; and
◦a favorable change in GMLB DAC;
•lower pre-tax adjusted earnings, discussed in greater detail below; and
•lower net investment gains (losses) reflecting lower net gains on sales of fixed maturity securities.
The provision for income tax in the current period led to an effective tax rate of 22% compared to 20% in the prior period. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impacts of the dividends received deduction and tax credits.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Earnings
The reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted earnings was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (49) | $ | 98 | ||||||||||
Add: Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (14) | 25 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income tax | (63) | 123 | ||||||||||||
Less: GMLB Riders | (64) | 87 | ||||||||||||
Less: Other derivative instruments | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Less: Net investment gains (losses) | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Pre-tax adjusted earnings | (3) | 28 | ||||||||||||
Less: Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (1) | 5 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings | $ | (2) | $ | 23 |
Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 — Adjusted Earnings
The components of adjusted earnings were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||
Fee income | $ | 34 | $ | 32 | ||||||||||
Net investment spread | 19 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Insurance-related activities | (24) | (6) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of DAC | (13) | 3 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses, net of DAC capitalization | (19) | (19) | ||||||||||||
Pre-tax adjusted earnings | (3) | 28 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | (1) | 5 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings | $ | (2) | $ | 23 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Adjusted earnings were a loss of $2 million, a decrease of $25 million.
Key unfavorable impacts were:
•higher costs associated with insurance-related activities driven by higher paid claims, net of reinsurance; and
•higher amortization of DAC as the increase in equity market performance compared to the prior period resulted in an unfavorable change in our Shield business.
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The provision for income tax in the current period led to an effective tax rate of 33% compared to 18% in the prior period. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impacts of the dividends received deduction and tax credits.
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Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This 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. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “intend,” “goal,” “target,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “preliminary,” “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, prospective services or products, financial projections, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, as well as trends in operating and financial results.
Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the actual future results of BHNY. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment 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 due to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others:
•differences between actual experience and actuarial assumptions and the effectiveness of our actuarial models;
•the impact on earnings, capitalization and statutory capital and greater volatility of our results due to guarantees within certain of our products;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•the potential material adverse effect of changes in accounting standards, practices or policies applicable to us, including changes in the accounting for long-duration contracts;
•loss of business and other negative impacts resulting from a downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength ratings;
•the availability of reinsurance and the ability of the 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, financial strength ratings, e-business capabilities and name recognition;
•our ability to market and distribute our products through distribution channels;
•any failure of third parties to provide services we need, any failure of the practices and procedures of such third parties and any inability to obtain information or assistance we need from third parties;
•the adverse impact on liabilities for policyholder claims as a result of extreme mortality events;
•the impact of adverse capital and credit market conditions, including with respect to our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital;
•the impact of economic conditions in the capital markets and the U.S. and global economy, as well as geo-political or catastrophic events, on our investment portfolio, including on realized and unrealized losses and impairments, net investment spread and net investment income;
•the impact of events that adversely affect issuers, guarantors or collateral relating to our investments or our derivatives counterparties, on impairments, valuation allowances, reserves, net investment income and changes in unrealized gain or loss positions;
•the impact of changes in regulation and in supervisory and enforcement policies on our insurance business or other operations;
•the potential material negative tax impact of potential future tax legislation that could make some of our products less attractive to consumers;
•the effectiveness of our policies and procedures in managing risk;
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•the loss or disclosure of confidential information, damage to our reputation and impairment of our ability to conduct business effectively as a result of any failure in cyber- or other information security systems;
•whether all or any portion of the tax consequences of our separation from MetLife, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”) 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 or disagreements regarding MetLife’s or our obligations under our other agreements; and
•other factors described in 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 in our 2020 Annual Report, particularly in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” as well as in our other 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.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 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 the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2021.
MetLife provides certain services to the Company on a transitional basis through services agreements. The Company continues to change business processes, implement systems and establish new third-party arrangements, as a subsidiary of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. We consider these in aggregate to be material changes in our internal control over financial reporting.
Other than as noted above, there were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these internal controls over financial reporting.
Part II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We discuss in this report, in our 2020 Annual Report and in our other filings with the SEC, various risks that may materially affect our business. In addition, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included herein. There have been no material changes to our risk factors from the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2020 Annual Report.
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Item 6. Exhibits
(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits 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 of NY, its 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 of NY may be found elsewhere herein and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY’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 | |||||||
31.1* | ||||||||
31.2* | ||||||||
32.1** | ||||||||
32.2** | ||||||||
101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |||||||
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
104* | The cover page of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL (included within the Exhibit 101 attachments). |
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NY | |||||||||||
By: | /s/ Lynn A. Dumais | ||||||||||
Name: | Lynn A. Dumais | ||||||||||
Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
Date: May 12, 2021
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