Investments | 4. InvestmentsSee Notes 1 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2021 Annual Report for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for investments and 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, 2022 December 31, 2021 Amortized Allowance for Credit Losses Gross Unrealized Estimated Amortized Allowance for Credit Losses Gross Unrealized Estimated Gains Losses Gains Losses (In millions) U.S. corporate $ 35,794 $ 2 $ 1,448 $ 1,222 $ 36,018 $ 35,326 $ 2 $ 3,946 $ 189 $ 39,081 Foreign corporate 11,276 7 276 505 11,040 10,916 7 906 109 11,706 U.S. government and agency 8,470 — 1,357 223 9,604 7,301 — 2,066 60 9,307 RMBS 8,821 — 184 278 8,727 8,878 — 432 51 9,259 CMBS 7,109 2 45 176 6,976 6,976 2 333 25 7,282 State and political subdivision 3,945 — 469 104 4,310 3,995 — 846 6 4,835 ABS 4,600 — 8 98 4,510 4,261 — 33 14 4,280 Foreign government 1,227 — 117 33 1,311 1,593 — 244 5 1,832 Total fixed maturity securities $ 81,242 $ 11 $ 3,904 $ 2,639 $ 82,496 $ 79,246 $ 11 $ 8,806 $ 459 $ 87,582 The Company held non-income producing fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of $44 million and $3 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity date, were as follows at March 31, 2022: Due in One Due After One Due After Five Due After Ten Structured Total Fixed (In millions) Amortized cost $ 923 $ 11,765 $ 17,075 $ 30,949 $ 20,530 $ 81,242 Estimated fair value $ 928 $ 11,672 $ 16,730 $ 32,953 $ 20,213 $ 82,496 _______________ (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. 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, 2022 December 31, 2021 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Estimated Gross Estimated Gross Estimated Gross Estimated Gross (Dollars in millions) U.S. corporate $ 14,516 $ 904 $ 1,983 $ 318 $ 5,131 $ 113 $ 888 $ 76 Foreign corporate 5,575 393 576 112 2,044 62 326 47 U.S. government and agency 2,850 98 574 125 1,716 40 222 20 RMBS 4,991 238 411 40 3,488 51 32 — CMBS 4,146 131 399 45 1,401 21 95 4 State and political subdivision 1,042 100 24 4 356 6 7 — ABS 3,734 94 151 4 2,459 13 93 1 Foreign government 453 33 — — 278 4 18 1 Total fixed maturity securities $ 37,307 $ 1,991 $ 4,118 $ 648 $ 16,873 $ 310 $ 1,681 $ 149 Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position 5,280 714 2,454 369 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 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 $580 million and $534 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and is included in accrued investment income. 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 an allowance for credit losses of $11 million, relating to eight securities at March 31, 2022. Management concluded that for all other 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. Allowance for Credit Losses for Fixed Maturity Securities The allowance for credit losses for fixed maturity securities was $11 million at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. For both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the change in the allowance for fixed maturity securities by sector was immaterial. The Company recorded total write-offs of $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company did not record any write-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Mortgage Loans Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Carrying % of Carrying % of (Dollars in millions) Commercial $ 13,119 61.4 % $ 12,187 61.4 % Agricultural 4,139 19.4 4,163 21.0 Residential 4,226 19.8 3,623 18.2 Total mortgage loans (1) 21,484 100.6 19,973 100.6 Allowance for credit losses (127) (0.6) (123) (0.6) Total mortgage loans, net $ 21,357 100.0 % $ 19,850 100.0 % _______________ (1) Purchases of mortgage loans from third parties were $840 million and $178 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and were primarily comprised of residential mortgage loans. 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 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The accrued interest receivable on mortgage loans is included in accrued investment income and totaled $93 million and $95 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. 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 each of the three 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. Mortgage loans are also evaluated to determine if they qualify as PCD assets. To determine if the credit deterioration experienced since origination is more than insignificant, the extent of credit deterioration is evaluated. All re-performing/modified loan (“RPL”) pools purchased after December 31, 2019 are determined to have been acquired with evidence of more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination and are classified as PCD assets. RPLs are pools of residential mortgage loans acquired at a discount or premium which have both credit and non-credit components. For PCD mortgage loans, the allowance for credit losses is determined using a similar methodology described above, except the loss-rate is determined at the pool level instead of the individual loan level. The initial allowance for credit losses, determined on a collective basis, is then allocated to the individual loans. The initial amortized cost of the loan is grossed-up to reflect the sum of the loan’s purchase price and allowance for credit losses. The difference between the grossed-up amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is accreted or amortized into net investment income over the remaining life of the loan. Any subsequent PCD mortgage loan allowance for credit losses is evaluated in a manner similar to the process described above for each of the three portfolio segments. 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 Residential Total (In millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Balance, beginning of period $ 67 $ 12 $ 44 $ 123 Current period provision 2 3 (1) 4 Balance, end of period $ 69 $ 15 $ 43 $ 127 Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Balance, beginning of period $ 44 $ 15 $ 35 $ 94 Current period provision 1 (2) (2) (3) Balance, end of period $ 45 $ 13 $ 33 $ 91 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: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 Prior Total (In millions) March 31, 2022 Commercial mortgage loans Loan-to-value ratios: Less than 65% $ 637 $ 2,772 $ 436 $ 1,538 $ 986 $ 3,839 $ 10,208 65% to 75% 346 631 92 383 406 602 2,460 76% to 80% — — — 55 29 68 152 Greater than 80% — — — — 29 270 299 Total commercial mortgage loans 983 3,403 528 1,976 1,450 4,779 13,119 Agricultural mortgage loans Loan-to-value ratios: Less than 65% 90 1,149 429 503 669 936 3,776 65% to 75% 49 114 77 61 20 42 363 Total agricultural mortgage loans 139 1,263 506 564 689 978 4,139 Residential mortgage loans Performing 132 1,773 187 243 202 1,626 4,163 Nonperforming — 3 — 2 2 56 63 Total residential mortgage loans 132 1,776 187 245 204 1,682 4,226 Total $ 1,254 $ 6,442 $ 1,221 $ 2,785 $ 2,343 $ 7,439 $ 21,484 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Prior Total (In millions) December 31, 2021 Commercial mortgage loans Loan-to-value ratios: Less than 65% $ 2,771 $ 437 $ 1,539 $ 986 $ 554 $ 3,303 $ 9,590 65% to 75% 633 92 383 406 128 481 2,123 76% to 80% — — 55 29 59 31 174 Greater than 80% — — — 30 — 270 300 Total commercial mortgage loans 3,404 529 1,977 1,451 741 4,085 12,187 Agricultural mortgage loans Loan-to-value ratios: Less than 65% 1,150 541 510 674 292 633 3,800 65% to 75% 114 77 61 26 33 52 363 Total agricultural mortgage loans 1,264 618 571 700 325 685 4,163 Residential mortgage loans Performing 1,124 202 270 230 132 1,606 3,564 Nonperforming 1 — 3 3 1 51 59 Total residential mortgage loans 1,125 202 273 233 133 1,657 3,623 Total $ 5,793 $ 1,349 $ 2,821 $ 2,384 $ 1,199 $ 6,427 $ 19,973 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. Performing status is a measure commonly used to assess the quality of residential mortgage loans. A loan is considered performing when the borrower makes consistent and timely payments. The amortized cost of commercial mortgage loans by debt-service coverage ratio was as follows at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Amortized Cost % of Amortized Cost % of (Dollars in millions) Debt-service coverage ratios: Greater than 1.20x $ 11,012 84.0 % $ 10,289 84.4 % 1.00x - 1.20x 569 4.3 596 4.9 Less than 1.00x 1,538 11.7 1,302 10.7 Total $ 13,119 100.0 % $ 12,187 100.0 % 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 all mortgage loans classified as performing at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Delinquency is defined consistent with industry practice, when mortgage loans are past due as follows: commercial and residential mortgage loans — 60 days; and agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days. 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 March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $31 million and $30 million, respectively, of the COVID-19 pandemic modified loans were classified as delinquent. The aging of the amortized cost of past due mortgage loans by portfolio segment was as follows at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Commercial Agricultural Residential Total Commercial Agricultural Residential Total (In millions) Current $ 13,119 $ 4,064 $ 4,147 $ 21,330 $ 12,187 $ 4,163 $ 3,550 $ 19,900 30-59 days past due — 57 16 73 — — 14 14 60-89 days past due — 16 17 33 — — 14 14 90-179 days past due — 2 31 33 — — 29 29 180+ days past due — — 15 15 — — 16 16 Total $ 13,119 $ 4,139 $ 4,226 $ 21,484 $ 12,187 $ 4,163 $ 3,623 $ 19,973 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 March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $31 million and $30 million, respectively, of the COVID-19 pandemic modified loans were in nonaccrual status. The amortized cost of mortgage loans in a nonaccrual status by portfolio segment were as follows at: Commercial Agricultural Residential (1) Total (In millions) March 31, 2022 $ — $ — $ 63 $ 63 December 31, 2021 $ — $ — $ 59 $ 59 _______________ (1) All residential mortgage loans in nonaccrual status had an allowance for credit losses at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. 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 not have a significant amount of mortgage loans modified in a TDR during both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. 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. Other Invested Assets Over 90% of other invested assets is comprised of freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values. See Note 5 for information about freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values. Other invested assets also includes Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships and leveraged leases. Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) Unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities and the effect on DAC, VOBA, deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and future policy benefits, that would result from the realization of the unrealized gains (losses), are included in net unrealized investment gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in AOCI, were as follows at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Fixed maturity securities $ 1,265 $ 8,347 Derivatives 346 329 Other (18) (29) Subtotal 1,593 8,647 Amounts allocated from: Future policy benefits (983) (2,903) DAC, VOBA and DSI (80) (403) Subtotal (1,063) (3,306) Deferred income tax benefit (expense) (111) (1,121) Net unrealized investment gains (losses) $ 419 $ 4,220 The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 4,220 Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period (7,054) Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to: Future policy benefits 1,920 DAC, VOBA and DSI 323 Deferred income tax benefit (expense) 1,010 Balance at March 31, 2022 $ 419 Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) $ (3,801) 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Securities Lending Elements of the securities lending program are presented below at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Securities on loan: (1) Amortized cost $ 4,491 $ 3,573 Estimated fair value $ 5,073 $ 4,539 Cash collateral received from counterparties (2) $ 5,168 $ 4,611 Securities collateral received from counterparties (3) $ — $ 2 Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value $ 5,202 $ 4,730 _______________ (1) Included within fixed maturity securities. (2) Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions. (3) Securities collateral received from counterparties may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reported on the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. The cash collateral liability by loaned security type and remaining tenor of the agreements were as follows at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Open (1) 1 Month or Less 1 to 6 Months Total Open (1) 1 Month or Less 1 to 6 Months Total (In millions) U.S. government and agency $ 1,159 $ 1,635 $ 1,751 $ 4,545 $ 1,094 $ 2,125 $ 1,391 $ 4,610 U.S. corporate 1 479 — 480 1 — — 1 Foreign corporate — 143 — 143 — — — — Total $ 1,160 $ 2,257 $ 1,751 $ 5,168 $ 1,095 $ 2,125 $ 1,391 $ 4,611 _______________ (1) The related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day which would require the Company to immediately return the cash collateral. If the Company is required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice and is forced to sell securities to meet the return obligation, it may have difficulty selling such collateral that is invested in securities in a timely manner, be forced to sell securities in a volatile or illiquid market for less than what otherwise would have been realized in normal market conditions, or both. The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at March 31, 2022 was $1.1 billion, primarily comprised of U.S. government and agency securities which, if put back to the Company, could be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirement. The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including U.S. government and agency securities, agency RMBS, ABS, non-agency RMBS and CMBS) with 55% invested in U.S. government and agency securities, agency RMBS and cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2022. If the securities on loan or the reinvestment portfolio become less liquid, the Company has the liquidity resources of most of its general account available to meet any potential cash demands when securities on loan are put back to the Company. Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral Invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral at estimated fair value were as follows at: March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits) (1) $ 9,117 $ 10,000 Invested assets held in trust (reinsurance agreements) (2) 5,699 6,029 Invested assets pledged as collateral (3) 6,030 5,116 Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral $ 20,846 $ 21,145 _______________ (1) The Company has assets, primarily fixed maturity securities, on deposit with governmental authorities relating to certain policyholder liabilities, of which $41 million and $25 million of the assets on deposit represents restricted cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. (2) The Company has assets, primarily fixed maturity securities, held in trust relating to certain reinsurance transactions, of which $102 million and $119 million of the assets held in trust balance represents restricted cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. (3) The Company has pledged invested assets in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding agreements (see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2021 Annual Report) and derivative transactions (see Note 5). See “— Securities Lending” for information regarding securities on loan. In addition, the Company’s investment in FHLB common stock, which is considered restricted until redeemed by the issuer, was $89 million and $70 million at redemption value at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Variable Interest Entities A variable interest entity (“VIE”) is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in the gains and losses of the entity. The Company enters into various arrangements with VIEs in the normal course of business and has invested in legal entities that are VIEs. VIEs are consolidated when it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is the variable interest holder in a VIE with both (i) the power to 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. In addition, the evaluation of whether a legal entity is a VIE and if the Company is a primary beneficiary includes a review of the capital structure of the VIE, the related contractual relationships and terms, the nature of the operations and purpose of the VIE, the nature of the VIE interests issued and the Company’s involvement with the entity. There were no material VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary at either March 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. 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, 2022 December 31, 2021 Carrying Maximum Carrying Maximum (In millions) Fixed maturity securities $ 15,871 $ 16,044 $ 16,472 $ 15,802 Limited partnerships and LLCs 3,888 5,255 3,679 5,115 Total $ 19,759 $ 21,299 $ 20,151 $ 20,917 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. Limited Partnerships and LLCs The Company holds investments in certain limited partnerships and LLCs which are VIEs. These ventures include limited partnerships, LLCs, private equity funds, and, to a lesser extent, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships. The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary, or consolidator, when its involvement takes the form of a limited partner interest and is restricted to a role of a passive investor, as a limited partner’s interest does not provide the Company with any substantive kick-out or participating rights, nor does it provide the Company with the power to direct the activities of the fund. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to: (i) the amount invested in debt or equity of the VIE and (ii) commitments to the VIE, as described in Note 10. Net Investment Income The components of net investment income were as follows: Three Months Ended 2022 2021 (In millions) Investment income: Fixed maturity securities $ 718 $ 690 Equity securities — 1 Mortgage loans 203 164 Policy loans 15 17 Limited partnerships and LLCs (1) 241 338 Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 1 2 Other 14 10 Total investment income 1,192 1,222 Less: Investment expenses 41 35 Net investment income $ 1,151 $ 1,187 _______________ (1) Includes net investment income pertaining to other limited partnership interests of $212 million and $331 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net Investment Gains (Losses) Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses) The components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows: Three Months Ended 2022 2021 (In millions) Fixed maturity securities $ (42) $ 10 Equity securities (6) — Mortgage loans (4) 4 Limited partnerships and LLCs |