| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | The carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments are shown below (in thousands): March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Financial assets Fixed maturity, bonds held-to-maturity $ 7,475,862 $ 7,908,767 $ 7,354,970 $ 7,983,181 Fixed maturity, bonds available-for-sale 7,397,792 7,397,792 7,597,180 7,597,180 Equity securities 2,164,146 2,164,146 2,070,766 2,070,766 Equity-indexed options, included in other invested assets 253,363 253,363 242,201 242,201 Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance 5,141,094 5,264,896 5,242,531 5,451,152 Policy loans 369,525 369,525 373,014 373,014 Short-term investments 1,212,342 1,212,342 1,028,379 1,028,379 Separate account assets ($1,175,689 and $1,153,702 included in fair value hierarchy) 1,207,754 1,207,754 1,185,467 1,185,467 Separately managed accounts, included in other invested assets 66,981 66,981 64,424 64,424 Total financial assets $ 25,288,859 $ 25,845,566 $ 25,158,932 $ 25,995,764 Financial liabilities Investment contracts $ 10,235,015 $ 10,235,015 $ 10,101,764 $ 10,101,764 Embedded derivative liability for equity-indexed contracts 740,514 740,514 705,013 705,013 Notes payable 152,607 152,607 153,703 153,703 Federal Home Loan Bank advance 250,000 250,070 250,000 250,227 Separate account liabilities ($1,175,689 and $1,153,702 included in fair value hierarchy) 1,207,754 1,207,754 1,185,467 1,185,467 Total financial liabilities $ 12,585,890 $ 12,585,960 $ 12,395,947 $ 12,396,174 Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability. A fair value hierarchy is used to determine fair value based on a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant. American National has evaluated the types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. The classification of assets or liabilities within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The input levels are defined as follows: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities other than quoted prices in Level 1; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect American National’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models and third-party evaluation, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. Valuation Techniques for Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Options —American National utilizes a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements. The fair value for fixed maturity securities that are disclosed as Level 1 measurements are based on unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets that are readily available in an active market. The estimates of fair value for most fixed maturity securities, including municipal bonds, provided by the pricing service are disclosed as Level 2 measurements as the estimates are based on observable market information rather than market quotes. The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Since fixed maturity securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications, which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Additionally, an option adjusted spread model is used to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The pricing service evaluates each asset class based on relevant market information, credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. The market inputs utilized in the pricing evaluation, listed in the approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, pricing source quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and economic events. The extent of the use of each market input depends on the asset class and the market conditions. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of inputs may change or some market inputs may not be relevant. For some securities, additional inputs may be necessary. American National has reviewed the inputs and methodology used and the techniques applied by the pricing service to produce quotes that represent the fair value of a specific security. The review confirms that the pricing service is utilizing information from observable transactions or a technique that represents a market participant’s assumptions. American National does not adjust quotes received from the pricing service. The pricing service utilized by American National has indicated that they will only produce an estimate of fair value if there is objectively verifiable information available. American National holds a small amount of private placement debt and fixed maturity securities that have characteristics that make them unsuitable for matrix pricing. For these securities, a quote from an independent pricing source (typically a market maker) is obtained. Due to the disclaimers on the quotes that indicate the price is indicative only, American National includes these fair value estimates in Level 3. For securities priced using a quote from an independent pricing source, such as the equity-indexed options and certain fixed maturity securities, American National uses a market-based fair value analysis to validate the reasonableness of prices received. Price variances above a certain threshold are analyzed further to determine if any pricing issue exists. This analysis is performed quarterly. Equity Securities —For publicly-traded equity securities, prices are received from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions, and these securities are classified as Level 1 measurements. For certain preferred stock, current market quotes in active markets are unavailable. In these instances, an estimated fair value is received from the pricing service. The service utilizes similar methodologies to price preferred stocks as it does for fixed maturity securities. If applicable, these estimates would be disclosed as Level 2 measurements. American National tests the accuracy of the information provided by reference to other services annually. Short-Term Investments —Short-term investments are primarily commercial paper rated A2 or P2 or better by Standard & Poor's and Moody's, respectively. Commercial paper is carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value. These investments are classified as Level 2 measurements. Separate Account Assets and Liabilities —Separate account assets and liabilities are funds that are held separate from the general assets and liabilities of American National. Separate account assets include funds representing the investments of variable insurance product contract holders, who bear the investment risk of such funds. Investment income and investment gains and losses from these separate funds accrue to the benefit of the contract holders. American National reports separately, as assets and liabilities, investments held in such separate accounts and liabilities of the separate accounts if (i) such separate accounts are legally recognized; (ii) assets supporting the contract liabilities are legally insulated from American National’s general account liabilities; (iii) investments are directed by the contract holder; and (iv) all investment performance, net of contract fees and assessments, is passed through to the contract holder. In addition, American National's qualified pension plan assets are included in separate accounts. The assets of these accounts are carried at fair value. Deposits, net investment income and realized investment gains and losses for these accounts are excluded from revenues, and related liability increases are excluded from benefits and expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Separate accounts are established in conformity with insurance laws and are not chargeable with liabilities that arise from any other business of American National. The separate account assets included on the quantitative disclosures fair value hierarchy table are comprised of short-term investments, equity securities, and fixed maturity bonds available-for-sale. Equity securities are classified as Level 1 measurements. Short-term investments and fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 measurements. These classifications for separate account assets reflect the same fair value level methodologies as listed above as they are derived from the same vendors and follow the same process. The separate account assets also include cash and cash equivalents, investment funds, accrued investment income, and receivables for securities. These are not financial instruments and are not included in the quantitative disclosures of fair value hierarchy table. No gains or losses were recognized on assets transferred to separate accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Embedded Derivative —The amounts reported within policyholder contract deposits include equity linked interest crediting rates based on the S&P 500 within indexed annuities and indexed life. The following unobservable inputs are used for measuring the fair value of the embedded derivatives associated with the policyholder contract liabilities: • Lapse rate assumptions are determined by company experience. Lapse rates are generally assumed to be lower during a contract’s surrender charge period and then higher once the surrender charge period has ended. Decreases to the assumed lapse rates generally increase the fair value of the liability as more policyholders persist to collect the crediting interest pertaining to the indexed product. Increases to the lapse rate assumption decrease the fair value. • Mortality rate assumptions vary by age and gender based on company and industry experience. Decreases to the assumed mortality rates increase the fair value of the liabilities as more policyholders earn crediting interest. Increases to the assumed mortality rates decrease the fair value as higher decrements reduce the potential for future interest credits. • Equity volatility assumptions begin with current market volatilities and grow to long-term values. Increases to the assumed volatility will increase the fair value of liabilities, as future projections will produce higher increases in the linked index. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the one year implied volatility used to estimate embedded derivative value was 15.0% and 17.6%, respectively. Fair values of indexed life and annuity liabilities are calculated using the discounted cash flow technique. Shown below are the significant unobservable inputs used to calculate the Level 3 fair value of the embedded derivatives within policyholder contract deposits (in millions, except range percentages): Fair Value Range March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Unobservable Input March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Indexed Annuities $ 704.4 $ 670.8 Lapse Rate 1-50% 1-50% Mortality Multiplier 100% 100% Equity Volatility 15-62% 16-69% Indexed Life 36.1 34.2 Equity Volatility 15-62% 16-69% Quantitative Disclosures The fair value hierarchy measurements of the financial instruments are shown below (in thousands): Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value by Hierarchy Level at March 31, 2021 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets Fixed maturity, bonds available-for-sale U.S. treasury and government $ 25,353 $ 25,353 $ — $ — U.S. states and political subdivisions 1,108,536 — 1,108,536 — Foreign governments 16,181 — 16,181 — Corporate debt securities 6,163,651 — 6,037,574 126,077 Residential mortgage-backed securities 19,517 — 19,517 — Collateralized debt securities 64,554 — 64,554 — Total bonds available-for-sale 7,397,792 25,353 7,246,362 126,077 Equity securities Common stock 2,148,131 2,147,001 — 1,130 Preferred stock 16,015 14,736 — 1,279 Total equity securities 2,164,146 2,161,737 — 2,409 Options 253,363 — — 253,363 Short-term investments 1,212,342 — 1,212,342 — Separate account assets 1,175,689 324,269 851,420 — Separately managed accounts 66,981 — — 66,981 Total financial assets $ 12,270,313 $ 2,511,359 $ 9,310,124 $ 448,830 Financial liabilities Embedded derivative for equity-indexed contracts $ 740,514 $ — $ — $ 740,514 Notes payable 152,607 — — 152,607 Separate account liabilities 1,175,689 324,269 851,420 — Total financial liabilities $ 2,068,810 $ 324,269 $ 851,420 $ 893,121 Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value by Hierarchy Level at December 31, 2020 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets Fixed maturity, bonds available-for-sale U.S. treasury and government $ 29,183 $ — $ 29,183 $ — U.S. states and political subdivisions 1,140,458 — 1,140,458 — Foreign governments 16,388 — 16,388 — Corporate debt securities 6,334,479 — 6,224,042 110,437 Residential mortgage-backed securities 21,291 — 21,291 — Collateralized debt securities 55,381 — 55,381 — Total bonds available-for-sale 7,597,180 — 7,486,743 110,437 Equity securities Common stock 2,055,229 2,054,789 — 440 Preferred stock 15,537 14,909 — 628 Total equity securities 2,070,766 2,069,698 — 1,068 Options 242,201 — — 242,201 Short-term investments 1,028,379 — 1,028,379 — Separate account assets 1,153,702 309,425 844,277 — Separately managed accounts 64,424 — — 64,424 Total financial assets $ 12,156,652 $ 2,379,123 $ 9,359,399 $ 418,130 Financial liabilities Embedded derivative for equity-indexed contracts $ 705,013 $ — $ — $ 705,013 Notes payable 153,703 — — 153,703 Separate account liabilities 1,153,702 309,425 844,277 — Total financial liabilities $ 2,012,418 $ 309,425 $ 844,277 $ 858,716 For financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs during the period, a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances is shown below (in thousands): Level 3 Three months ended March 31, 2021 Assets Liability Investment Securities Equity-Indexed Options Separately Managed Accounts Embedded Derivative Balance at January 1, 2021 $ 111,505 $ 242,201 $ 64,424 $ 705,013 Net gain for derivatives included in net investment income — 28,827 — — Net change included in interest credited — — — 26,689 Net fair value change included in other comprehensive income 1,178 — 594 — Purchases, sales and settlements or maturities Purchases 27,453 20,147 10,072 — Sales (11,650) — (8,109) — Settlements or maturities — (37,812) — — Premiums less benefits — — — 8,812 Ending balance at March 31, 2021 $ 128,486 $ 253,363 $ 66,981 $ 740,514 Level 3 Three months ended March 31, 2020 Assets Liability Investment Securities Equity-Indexed Options Separately Managed Accounts Embedded Derivative Balance at January 1, 2020 $ 45,307 $ 256,005 $ 50,503 $ 731,552 Net loss for derivatives included in net investment income — (108,095) — — Net change included in interest credited — — — (89,581) Net fair value change included in other comprehensive income — — 80 — Purchases, sales and settlements or maturities Purchases 22,702 14,164 — — Sales (14,156) — — — Settlements or maturities — (36,086) — — Premiums less benefits — — — (11,019) Ending balance at March 31, 2020 $ 53,853 $ 125,988 $ 50,583 $ 630,952 Within the net gain (loss) for derivatives included in net investment income were unrealized gains of $7.9 million and $127.2 million, relating to assets still held at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Unless information is obtained from the pricing sources that indicates observable inputs were used in their pricing, there are not enough observable inputs to enable American National to classify the securities priced by the pricing source as other than Level 3. American National’s valuation of these securities involves judgment regarding assumptions market participants would use including quotes from independent pricing sources. The inputs used by the pricing sources include recent transactions in the security, similar bonds with same name, ratings, maturity and structure, external dealer quotes in the security, Bloomberg evaluated pricing and prior months pricing. None of these inputs were observable to American National as of March 31, 2021. The transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 were the result of securities being priced by the third-party service at the end of the period, using inputs that were observable or derived from market data, which resulted in classification of these assets as Level 2. Fair Value Information About Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value Information about fair value estimates for financial instruments not measured at fair value is discussed below: Fixed Maturity Securities —The fair value of bonds held-to-maturity is determined to be consistent with the disclosure under Valuation Techniques for the Financial Instrument Recorded at Fair Value section. Mortgage Loans —The fair value of mortgage loans is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses on a loan by loan basis by applying a discount rate to expected cash flows from future installment and balloon payments. The discount rate takes into account general market trends and specific credit risk trends for the individual loan. Factors used to arrive at the discount rate include inputs from spreads based on U.S. Treasury notes and the loan’s credit quality, region, property type, lien priority, payment type and current status. Policy Loans —The carrying value of policy loans is the outstanding balance plus any accrued interest. Due to the collateralized nature of policy loans such that they cannot be separated from the policy contracts, the unpredictable timing of repayments and the fact that settlement is at outstanding value, American National believes the carrying value of policy loans approximates fair value. Separately Managed Accounts —The amounts reported in separately managed accounts consist primarily of notes and private equity. These investments are private placements and do not have a readily determinable fair value. The carrying value of the separately managed accounts is cost or market value, if available from the separately managed account manager. Market value is provided by the separately managed account manager in subsequent quarters. American National believes that cost approximates fair value at initial recognition during the quarter of investment. Investment Contracts —The carrying value of investment contracts is equivalent to the accrued account balance. The accrued account balance consists of deposits, net of withdrawals, net of interest credited, fees and charges assessed and other adjustments. American National believes that the carrying value of investment contracts approximates fair value because the majority of these contracts’ interest rates reset at anniversary. Notes Payable —Notes payable are carried at outstanding principal balance. The carrying value of the notes payable approximates fair value because the underlying interest rates approximate market rates at the balance sheet date. Federal Home Loan Bank Advance —The Federal Home Loan Bank advance is carried at outstanding principal balance. The fair value of the advance is obtained from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. The carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are shown below (in thousands): March 31, 2021 FV Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Financial assets Fixed maturity, bonds held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury and government Level 1 $ 11,478 $ 11,297 U.S. states and political subdivisions Level 2 114,154 113,671 Foreign governments Level 2 14,468 14,485 Corporate debt securities Level 2 7,117,100 7,540,397 Residential mortgage-backed securities Level 2 81,236 84,946 Collateralized debt securities Level 2 137,426 143,971 Total fixed maturity, bonds held-to-maturity 7,475,862 7,908,767 Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance Level 3 5,141,094 5,264,896 Policy loans Level 3 369,525 369,525 Total financial assets $ 12,986,481 $ 13,543,188 Financial liabilities Investment contracts Level 3 $ 10,235,015 $ 10,235,015 Notes payable Level 3 152,607 152,607 Federal Home Loan Bank advance Level 2 250,000 250,070 Total financial liabilities $ 10,637,622 $ 10,637,692 December 31, 2020 FV Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Financial assets Fixed maturity, bonds held-to-maturity U.S. treasury and government Level 2 $ 7,732 $ 7,744 U.S. states and political subdivisions Level 2 109,445 113,535 Foreign governments Level 2 3,851 4,225 Corporate debt securities Level 2 6,981,597 7,595,712 Corporate debt securities Level 3 3,024 3,024 Residential mortgage-backed securities Level 2 114,127 117,728 Collateralized debt securities Level 2 135,194 141,213 Total fixed maturity, bonds held-to-maturity 7,354,970 7,983,181 Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance Level 3 5,242,531 5,451,152 Policy loans Level 3 373,014 373,014 Total financial assets $ 12,970,515 $ 13,807,347 Financial liabilities Investment contracts Level 3 $ 10,101,764 $ 10,101,764 Notes payable Level 3 153,703 153,703 Federal Home Loan Bank advance Level 2 250,000 250,227 Total financial liabilities $ 10,505,467 $ 10,505,694 |
