development included in the pre-tax results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $41.2 million compared to $34.6 million for the comparable 2020 period.
Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were 61.3%, 32.6%, and 93.9%, respectively, compared to 49.8%, 35.2%, and 85.0%, respectively, for the comparable 2020 period. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were 58.6%, 33.3%, and 91.9%, respectively, compared to 53.7%, 34.0%, and 87.7%, respectively, for the comparable 2020 period.
Net investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 increased by $1.4 million, or 14.3%, to $11.1 million from $9.7 million for the comparable 2020 period. Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $2.1 million, or 6.8%, to $32.4 million from $30.3 million for the comparable 2020 period. The increase in both periods is a result of an increase in the average invested asset balance and an increase in the equity in earnings of other invested assets compared to the prior year. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was 3.1% compared to 2.8% for the comparable 2020 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was 3.0% compared to 2.9% for the comparable 2020 period. Our duration on fixed maturities was 3.5 years at September 30, 2021 compared to 3.2 years at December 31, 2020, respectively.
Today, our Board of Directors approved a $0.90 per share quarterly cash dividend on its issued and outstanding common stock payable on December 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2021.
Non-GAAP Measures
Management has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in presenting the Company’s results. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures better explain the Company’s results of operations and allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.
Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share consist of our GAAP net income adjusted by the net realized gains (losses) on investments, change in net unrealized gains on equity securities, credit loss (expense) benefit and taxes related thereto. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $3.4 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized within income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $7.5 million recognized in the comparable 2020 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $11.4 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to a decrease of $5.6 million recognized in the comparable 2020 period. Net income and earnings per diluted share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share, respectively. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures to these non-GAAP measures is included in the financial highlights below.
About Safety: Safety Insurance Group, Inc., based in Boston, MA, is the parent of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and Safety Northeast Insurance Company. Operating exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, Safety is a leading writer of property and casualty insurance products, including private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies.
Additional Information: Press releases, announcements, U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Filings and investor information are available under “About Safety,” “Investor Information” on our