Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q/A

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

 

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 001-16707

 

 

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

New Jersey   22-3703799

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

751 Broad Street

Newark, New Jersey 07102

(973) 802-6000

(Address and Telephone Number of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

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  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

As of September 30, 2008, 422 million shares of the registrant’s Common Stock (par value $0.01) were outstanding. In addition, 2 million shares of the registrant’s Class B Stock, for which there is no established public trading market, were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page
Number
PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
  Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   1
PART II   OTHER INFORMATION   
  Item 6.   

Exhibits

   143
SIGNATURES    144

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A is being filed for the purpose of amending Item 2 of Part I of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 of Prudential Financial, Inc. to reflect corrections in certain data relating to (a) the weighted average estimated subordination percentages of commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses and the Closed Block Business included within “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities,” (b) the amortized cost and gross unrealized losses greater than 20% by timeframe for fixed maturity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses included within “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Unrealized Losses from Fixed Maturity Securities” and (c) the cost and gross unrealized losses greater than 20% by timeframe for equity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses included within “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Equity Securities—Unrealized Losses from Equity Securities.” All other Items of the original filing on Form 10-Q made on October 30, 2008 are unaffected and such Items have not been included in this Amendment. Information in this Form 10-Q/A is generally stated as of September 30, 2008 and does not reflect any subsequent information or events.

 

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) addresses the consolidated financial condition of Prudential Financial as of September 30, 2008, compared with December 31, 2007, and its consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. You should read the following analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the MD&A and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008, as well as the “Risk Factors” section, the statements under “Forward-Looking Statements” and the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

Prudential Financial has two classes of common stock outstanding. The Common Stock, which is publicly traded (NYSE:PRU), reflects the performance of the Financial Services Businesses, while the Class B Stock, which was issued through a private placement and does not trade on any exchange, reflects the performance of the Closed Block Business. The Financial Services Businesses and the Closed Block Business are discussed below.

 

Financial Services Businesses

 

Our Financial Services Businesses consist of three operating divisions, which together encompass eight segments, and our Corporate and Other operations. The Insurance division consists of our Individual Life, Individual Annuities and Group Insurance segments. The Investment division consists of our Asset Management, Financial Advisory and Retirement segments. The International Insurance and Investments division consists of our International Insurance and International Investments segments. Our Corporate and Other operations include our real estate and relocation services business, as well as corporate items and initiatives that are not allocated to business segments. Corporate and Other operations also include businesses that have been or will be divested and businesses that we have placed in wind-down status.

 

We attribute financing costs to each segment based on the amount of financing used by each segment, excluding financing costs associated with corporate debt. The net investment income of each segment includes earnings on the amount of equity that management believes is necessary to support the risks of that segment.

 

We seek growth internally and through acquisitions, joint ventures or other forms of business combinations or investments. Our principal acquisition focus is in our current business lines, both domestic and international.

 

Closed Block Business

 

In connection with the demutualization, we ceased offering domestic participating products. The liabilities for our traditional domestic in force participating products were segregated, together with assets, in a regulatory mechanism referred to as the “Closed Block.” The Closed Block is designed generally to provide for the reasonable expectations for future policy dividends after demutualization of holders of participating individual life insurance policies and annuities included in the Closed Block by allocating assets that will be used exclusively for payment of benefits, including policyholder dividends, expenses and taxes with respect to these products. See Note 4 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the Closed Block. At the time of demutualization, we determined the amount of Closed Block assets so that the Closed Block assets initially had a lower book value than the Closed Block liabilities. We expect that the Closed Block assets will generate sufficient cash flow, together with anticipated revenues from the Closed Block policies, over the life of the Closed Block to fund payments of all expenses, taxes, and policyholder benefits to be paid to, and the reasonable dividend expectations of, holders of the Closed Block policies. We also segregated for

 

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accounting purposes the assets that we need to hold outside the Closed Block to meet capital requirements related to the Closed Block policies. No policies sold after demutualization will be added to the Closed Block, and its in force business is expected to ultimately decline as we pay policyholder benefits in full. We also expect the proportion of our business represented by the Closed Block to decline as we grow other businesses.

 

Concurrently with our demutualization, Prudential Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial that owns the capital stock of Prudential Insurance, issued $1.75 billion in senior secured notes, which we refer to as the IHC debt. The net proceeds from the issuances of the Class B Stock and IHC debt, except for $72 million used to purchase a guaranteed investment contract to fund a portion of the bond insurance cost associated with that debt, were allocated to the Financial Services Businesses. However, we expect that the IHC debt will be serviced by the net cash flows of the Closed Block Business over time, and we include interest expenses associated with the IHC debt when we report results of the Closed Block Business.

 

The Closed Block Business consists principally of the Closed Block, assets that we must hold outside the Closed Block to meet capital requirements related to the Closed Block policies, invested assets held outside the Closed Block that represent the difference between the Closed Block assets and Closed Block liabilities and the interest maintenance reserve, deferred policy acquisition costs related to Closed Block policies, the principal amount of the IHC debt and related hedging activities, and certain other related assets and liabilities.

 

The Closed Block Business is not a separate legal entity from the Financial Services Businesses; however, they are operated as separate entities and are separated for financial reporting purposes. The Financial Services Businesses are not obligated to pay dividends on Closed Block policies. Dividends on Closed Block policies reflect the experience of the Closed Block over time and are subject to adjustment by Prudential Insurance’s Board of Directors. Further, our plan of demutualization provides that we are not required to pay dividends on policies within the Closed Block from assets that are not within the Closed Block and that the establishment of the Closed Block does not represent a guarantee that any certain level of dividends will be maintained.

 

Executive Summary

 

Prudential Financial, one of the largest financial services companies in the U.S., offers individual and institutional clients a wide array of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, pension and retirement-related services and administration, investment management, real estate brokerage and relocation services, and, through a joint venture, retail securities brokerage services. We offer these products and services through one of the largest distribution networks in the financial services industry.

 

The stress experienced by global financial markets that began in the second half of 2007 continued and substantially increased during the third quarter of 2008. The volatility and disruption in the global financial markets have reached unprecedented levels. The impact of these events and other items, include the following:

 

   

For the three months ended September 30, 2008, our Financial Services Businesses had a net loss of $108 million and the Closed Block Business had a net loss of $58 million, as unfavorable financial market conditions had a substantial negative effect on reported results of our domestic businesses and market values in our investment portfolio.

 

   

In light of recent market volatility and extraordinary events and developments affecting financial markets generally, including market conditions for issuance of certain capital instruments such as hybrid securities, we suspended all purchases of our Common Stock under our existing share repurchase program effective October 10, 2008.

 

   

Net unrealized gains (losses) on general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses were an unrealized loss of $3.522 billion as of September 30, 2008, compared to an unrealized gain of $1.332 billion as of December 31, 2007. Gross unrealized gains declined from $3.302

 

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billion as of December 31, 2007 to $2.328 billion as of September 30, 2008 and gross unrealized losses increased from $1.970 billion to $5.850 billion for the same periods. The increase in gross unrealized losses was primarily due to credit spread increases in the credit markets and liquidity concerns. Net unrealized gains (losses) on general account fixed maturity investments of the Closed Block Business were an unrealized loss of $2.585 billion as of September 30, 2008, compared to an unrealized gain of $682 million as of December 31, 2007.

 

   

As discussed within “—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” as of September 30, 2008, we had significant cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments on our balance sheet, including $3.8 billion at Prudential Financial, the parent holding company; however, adverse capital market conditions have affected and may continue to affect the availability and cost of borrowed funds and could impact our ability to refinance existing borrowings.

 

   

As discussed within “—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” as of September 30, 2008, we estimate that the total adjusted operating capital of our domestic life insurance subsidiaries met the Risk Based Capital levels required to meet their ratings objectives. However, subsequent to September 30, 2008 market conditions have negatively impacted the level of capital in our domestic life insurance subsidiaries and absent a recovery in markets we will need to take capital management actions to maintain capital consistent with these ratings objectives, which may include redeployment of financial resources from internal sources or, if markets continue to decline, require external sources of capital. Certain of these capital management activities may require regulatory approval.

 

   

During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, we continued to have positive net flows in our domestic annuity, retirement and asset management businesses, as well as sales growth in our Individual Life, Group Insurance and International Insurance segments.

 

We analyze performance of the segments and Corporate and Other operations of the Financial Services Businesses using a measure called adjusted operating income. See “—Consolidated Results of Operations” for a definition of adjusted operating income and a discussion of its use as a measure of segment operating performance.

 

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Shown below are the contributions of each segment and Corporate and Other operations to our adjusted operating income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and a reconciliation of adjusted operating income of our segments and Corporate and Other operations to income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Adjusted operating income before income taxes for segments of the Financial Services Businesses:

        

Individual Life

   $ 238     $ 251     $ 437     $ 493  

Individual Annuities

     (307 )     205       (38 )     551  

Group Insurance

     101       100       271       220  

Asset Management

     (8 )     161       301       503  

Financial Advisory

     (217 )     85       (150 )     254  

Retirement

     133       65       398       351  

International Insurance

     460       423       1,326       1,245  

International Investments

     37       114       89       219  

Corporate and Other

     (21 )     (12 )     (61 )     (11 )

Reconciling Items:

        

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments

     (564 )     (178 )     (1,756 )     10  

Charges related to realized investment gains (losses), net

     17       (2 )     45       (15 )

Investment gains (losses) on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, net

     (534 )     36       (919 )     10  

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes

     388       (6 )     682       4  

Divested businesses

     (3 )     (27 )     (128 )     19  

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

     208       (103 )     108       (323 )
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures for Financial Services Businesses

     (72 )     1,112       605       3,530  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures for Closed Block Business

     (113 )     8       (101 )     160  
                                

Consolidated income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (185 )   $ 1,120     $ 504     $ 3,690  
                                

 

Results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 presented above reflect the following:

 

   

Individual Life segment results for the third quarter of 2008 and the first nine months of 2008 declined from the same periods in the prior year primarily due to a net increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, net of related amortization of unearned revenue reserves, due to unfavorable equity market performance, partially offset by improved mortality experience, net of reinsurance. Adjusted operating income in both the current year and prior year periods benefited from the annual reviews of the estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs and unearned revenue reserves, which benefited the current year period $79 million and the prior year period $78 million.

 

   

Individual Annuities segment results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 declined in comparison to the corresponding prior year periods, reflecting the impact of our annual reviews of the reserve for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products and the estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition and other costs. Results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 included $380 million of charges

 

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from the annual reviews, largely reflecting the impact of current market conditions, compared to $30 million of benefits in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007. Also contributing to the decline was an unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features.

 

   

Group Insurance segment results were relatively unchanged in the third quarter of 2008 as the benefit of growth and more favorable claims experience in our group disability business was mostly offset by lower investment yields. Group Insurance segment results for the first nine months of 2008 improved reflecting growth in our group disability business, as well as higher earnings in our group life business from more favorable claims experience and the benefit from a premium adjustment for updated data on a large case.

 

   

Asset Management segment results declined in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 largely attributable to unfavorable results from the segment’s proprietary investing business primarily related to investment results in fixed income and equity investments, as well as a decrease in performance based incentive fees, primarily related to institutional real estate funds. These items were partially offset by higher asset management fees.

 

   

Financial Advisory segment results for the third quarter of 2008 and the first nine months of 2008 decreased in comparison to the corresponding prior year periods, as the current year periods include losses from our share of the retail brokerage joint venture with Wachovia. These results include a charge of $235 million related to our share of Wachovia’s global settlement concerning the underwriting, sale and subsequent auction of certain auction rate securities. In addition, results in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 include transition costs of $37 million and $130 million, respectively, associated with the January 1, 2008 combination of the A.G. Edwards business with Wachovia Securities. Our reported share of earnings and transition costs for the first nine months of 2008 are based on our estimate of our diluted ownership percentage subsequent to this combination.

 

   

Retirement segment results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 increased in comparison to the corresponding prior year periods. The third quarter and first nine months of 2007 include an $81 million charge for payments made to plan clients related to a legal action filed against an unaffiliated asset manager. Results for both periods include the impact of our annual reviews and other cumulative adjustments relating to the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and valuation of business acquired. Absent the impact of these items, results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 decreased in comparison to the corresponding prior year periods, primarily reflecting higher general and administrative expenses, driven by expenses incurred to expand our full service product and service capabilities, and a decrease in asset management fees, driven by a decrease in average full service fee-based retirement account values, primarily resulting from equity market depreciation.

 

   

The International Insurance segment is comprised of its Life Planner and Gibraltar Life operations. Results from the segment’s Life Planner operations improved for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 primarily reflecting continued growth of our Japanese Life Planner operations and, to a lesser extent, improved investment income margins. Results from the segment’s Gibraltar Life operation benefited in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 from improved investment income margins which benefited from various investment portfolio strategies, and the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated annuity product.

 

   

International Investments segment results declined in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 due to the benefit of certain one-time items recognized in the prior year, as well as lower earnings in the current year in the segment’s Korean asset management operation.

 

   

Corporate and Other results for the third quarter of 2008 and the first nine months of 2008 declined from the same periods in the prior year primarily due to losses in our real estate and relocation services business.

 

   

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments for the Financial Services Businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 amounted to $(564) million and $(1,756) million,

 

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respectively. Results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 relate primarily to other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity and equity securities of $(404) million and $(1,387) million, respectively.

 

   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in the Closed Block Business decreased $121 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007, primarily reflecting a decrease in net investment income and an increase in dividends paid and accrued to policyholders, which was partially offset by the resulting decrease in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation expense. Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in the Closed Block Business decreased $261 million for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first nine months of 2007, reflecting a decrease in net realized investment gains and net investment income, partially offset by the resulting decrease in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation expense.

 

Accounting Policies & Pronouncements

 

Application of Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, requires the application of accounting policies that often involve a significant degree of judgment. Management, on an ongoing basis, reviews estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements. If management determines that modifications in assumptions and estimates are appropriate given current facts and circumstances, results of operations and financial position as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements could change significantly.

 

Management believes the accounting policies relating to the following areas are most dependent on the application of estimates and assumptions:

 

   

Valuation of investments, including the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments;

 

   

Policyholder liabilities;

 

   

Deferred policy acquisition costs;

 

   

Goodwill;

 

   

Pension and other postretirement benefits;

 

   

Taxes on income; and

 

   

Reserves for contingencies, including reserves for losses in connection with unresolved legal matters.

 

For an updated discussion of the application of estimates and assumptions around the valuation of investments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities.” For an updated discussion of the application of estimates and assumptions around the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments, see “Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” and “Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Equity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Equity Securities.”

 

A discussion of each of the remaining critical accounting estimates may be found in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008, under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Accounting Policies and Pronouncements—Application of Critical Accounting Estimates.”

 

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Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

 

See Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently adopted accounting pronouncements, including the adoption of SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” and SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

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Consolidated Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes income from continuing operations for the Financial Services Businesses and the Closed Block Business as well as other components comprising net income.

 

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (in millions)  

Financial Services Businesses by segment:

       

Individual Life

  $ 80     $ 217     $ 209     $ 451  

Individual Annuities

    (363 )     179       (167 )     517  

Group Insurance

    55       67       22       199  
                               

Total Insurance Division

    (228 )     463       64       1,167  
                               

Asset Management

    (4 )     170       307       510  

Financial Advisory

    (2 )     (12 )     (21 )     (47 )

Retirement

    (249 )     18       (514 )     224  
                               

Total Investment Division

    (255 )     176       (228 )     687  
                               

International Insurance

    386       569       878       1,546  

International Investments

    29       106       69       193  
                               

Total International Insurance and Investments Division

    415       675       947       1,739  
                               

Corporate and Other

    (4 )     (202 )     (178 )     (63 )
                               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures for Financial Services Businesses

    (72 )     1,112       605       3,530  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (88 )     315       2       1,014  
                               

Income from continuing operations before equity in earnings of operating joint ventures for Financial Services Businesses

    16       797       603       2,516  

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures, net of taxes

    (129 )     67       (62 )     200  
                               

Income (loss) from continuing operations for Financial Services Businesses

    (113 )     864       541       2,716  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

    5       (4 )     3       4  
                               

Net income (loss)—Financial Services Businesses

  $ (108 )   $ 860     $ 544     $ 2,720  
                               

Basic income (loss) from continuing operations per share—Common Stock

  $ (0.24 )   $ 1.92     $ 1.33     $ 5.96  

Diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share—Common Stock

  $ (0.24 )   $ 1.89     $ 1.32     $ 5.85  

Basic net income (loss) per share—Common Stock

  $ (0.23 )   $ 1.91     $ 1.32     $ 5.97  

Diluted net income (loss) per share—Common Stock

  $ (0.23 )   $ 1.88     $ 1.32     $ 5.86  

Closed Block Business:

       

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for Closed Block Business

  $ (113 )   $ 8     $ (101 )   $ 160  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (55 )     1       (50 )     49  
                               

Income (loss) from continuing operations for Closed Block Business

    (58 )     7       (51 )     111  

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

    —         —         —         2  
                               

Net income (loss)—Closed Block Business

  $ (58 )   $ 7     $ (51 )   $ 113  
                               

Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share–Class B Stock

  $ (34.00 )   $ (3.00 )   $ (43.50 )   $ 34.50  

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share—Class B Stock

  $ (34.00 )   $ (3.00 )   $ (43.50 )   $ 35.50  

Consolidated:

       
                               

Net income (loss)

  $ (166 )   $ 867     $ 493     $ 2,833  
                               

 

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Results of Operations—Financial Services Businesses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Financial Services Businesses decreased $977 million, from income of $864 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $113 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease reflects the impact of unfavorable market conditions on the results of our segments and investment portfolio. Results for the third quarter of 2008 include net investment losses within both our general account and proprietary investments. In addition, results for the third quarter of 2008 include reserve increases for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products and increased amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs reflecting an update of actuarial assumptions based on an annual review, including the impact of markets. Results for the third quarter of 2008 also include the company’s share of results of the retail securities brokerage joint venture with Wachovia, including costs associated with a settlement relating to auction rate securities. On a diluted per share basis, income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Financial Services Businesses for the three months ended September 30, 2008 of $(0.24) per share of Common Stock decreased from $1.89 per share of Common Stock for the three months ended September 30, 2007. We analyze the operating performance of the segments included in the Financial Services Businesses using “adjusted operating income” as described in “—Segment Measures,” below. For a discussion of our segment results on this basis see “—Results of Operations for Financial Services Businesses by Segment,” below. In addition, for a discussion of the realized investment gains (losses), net attributable to the Financial Services Businesses, see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses,” below. For additional information regarding investment income, excluding realized investment gains (losses) see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments,” below.

 

The direct equity adjustment increased income from continuing operations available to holders of the Common Stock for earnings per share purposes by $10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The direct equity adjustment modifies earnings available to holders of the Common Stock and the Class B Stock for earnings per share purposes. The holders of the Common Stock will benefit from the direct equity adjustment as long as reported administrative expenses of the Closed Block Business are less than the cash flows for administrative expenses determined by the policy servicing fee arrangement that is based upon insurance and policies in force and statutory cash premiums. As statutory cash premiums and policies in force in the Closed Block Business decline, we expect the benefit to the Common Stock holders from the direct equity adjustment to decline accordingly. If the reported administrative expenses of the Closed Block Business exceed the cash flows for administrative expenses determined by the policy servicing fee arrangement, the direct equity adjustment will reduce income available to holders of the Common Stock for earnings per share purposes.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Income from continuing operations attributable to the Financial Services Businesses decreased $2.175 billion, from $2.716 billion for the first nine months of 2007 to $541 million for the first nine months of 2008. The decrease reflects the impact of unfavorable market conditions on the results of our segments and investment portfolio. Results for the first nine months of 2008 include net investment losses on our general account investments and lower proprietary investing results. In addition, results for the first nine months of 2008 include reserve increases for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products and increased amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs reflecting an update of actuarial assumptions based on an annual review, including the impact of markets. Results for the first nine months of 2008 also include the company’s share of results of the retail securities brokerage joint venture with Wachovia, including costs associated with a settlement relating to auction rate securities. On a diluted per share basis, income from continuing operations attributable to the Financial Services Businesses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 of $1.32 per share of Common Stock decreased from $5.85 per share of Common Stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease reflects the decline in earnings discussed above, partially offset by the benefit of a lower number of shares of Common Stock outstanding due to share repurchases.

 

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The direct equity adjustment increased income from continuing operations available to holders of the Common Stock for earnings per share purposes by $36 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

Results of Operations—Closed Block Business

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Closed Block Business for the three months ended September 30, 2008, was a loss of $58 million, or $(34.00) per share of Class B Stock, compared to income of $7 million, or $(3.00) per share of Class B Stock, for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The direct equity adjustment decreased income from continuing operations available to the Class B Stock holders for earnings per share purposes by $10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. For a discussion of the results of operations for the Closed Block Business, see “—Results of Operations of Closed Block Business,” below.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Closed Block Business for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was a loss of $51 million, or $(43.50) per share of Class B Stock, compared to income of $111 million, or $34.50 per share of Class B Stock, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The direct equity adjustment decreased income from continuing operations available to the Class B Stock holders for earnings per share purposes by $42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $36 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. For a discussion of the results of operations for the Closed Block Business, see “—Results of Operations of Closed Block Business,” below.

 

Segment Measures

 

In managing our business, we analyze operating performance separately for our Financial Services Businesses and our Closed Block Business. For the Financial Services Businesses, we analyze our segments’ operating performance using “adjusted operating income.” Results of the Closed Block Business for all periods are evaluated and presented only in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted operating income does not equate to “income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures” or “net income” as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP but is the measure of segment profit or loss we use to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources, and consistent with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” is our measure of segment performance.

 

Adjusted operating income is calculated for the segments of the Financial Services Businesses by adjusting each segment’s “income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures” for the following items:

 

   

realized investment gains (losses), net, except as indicated below, and related charges and adjustments;

 

   

net investment gains and losses on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities and changes in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes;

 

   

the contribution to income/loss of divested businesses that have been or will be sold or exited that do not qualify for “discontinued operations” accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP; and

 

   

equity in earnings of operating joint ventures.

 

The items above are important to an understanding of our overall results of operations. Adjusted operating income is not a substitute for income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our definition of adjusted operating income may differ from that used by other companies. However, we believe that the presentation of adjusted operating income as we measure it for management purposes enhances understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability of the Financial Services Businesses.

 

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Effective with the first quarter of 2008, we amended our definition of adjusted operating income as it relates to certain externally managed investments in the European market held within the general account portfolio. These investments are medium term notes that are collateralized by investment portfolios primarily consisting of investment grade European fixed income securities, including corporate bonds and asset-backed securities, and derivatives, as well as varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a stated coupon and provide a return based on the performance of the underlying portfolios and the level of leverage. We invest in these notes to earn a coupon through maturity, consistent with our investment purpose for other debt securities. The notes are accounted for under U.S. GAAP as available for sale fixed maturity securities with bifurcated embedded derivatives (total return swaps). Changes in the value of the fixed maturity securities are reported in Stockholders’ Equity under the heading “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” and changes in the market value of the embedded total return swaps are included in current period earnings in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” Historically, adjusted operating income included cumulative losses and recoveries of such losses on the embedded derivatives in the period they occurred, while cumulative net gains on the embedded derivatives were deferred and amortized into adjusted operating income over the remaining life of the notes.

 

Adjusted operating income under the amended definition excludes any amounts related to changes in the market value of the embedded derivatives. Adjusted operating income for all periods presented has been revised to conform with the amended definition. We view adjusted operating income under the amended definition as a more meaningful presentation of our results for purposes of analyzing the operating performance of, and allocating resources to, our business segments, as the amended definition presents the results of these investments on a basis generally consistent with similar investments held directly within the general account portfolio. We believe the mark to market losses discussed below, resulting primarily from unprecedented credit spread widening, are not representative of the fundamental value of the underlying investments over the long term. Adjusted operating income continues to include the coupon on these notes, which reflects the market based interest rate and spread of securities comparable to the underlying securities that existed at the time we entered into the investments. The accounting for these investments under U.S. GAAP has not changed.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we recorded losses of $132 million and $103 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, recorded losses of $318 million and $92 million, respectively, within “Realized investment gains (losses), net” related to the change in value on the embedded derivatives associated with these investments, which are excluded from adjusted operating income under the amended definition. Adjusted operating income under the former definition included losses of $72 million and $69 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

In 2008, we classified our commercial mortgage securitization operations as a divested business, reflecting our decision to exit this business. As a result of this decision, these operations, which involved the origination and purchase of commercial mortgage loans that we in turn would aggregate and sell into commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, together with related hedging activities, previously reported within the Asset Management segment, have been classified within divested businesses and are reflected in our Corporate and Other operations. Accordingly, these results are excluded from adjusted operating income, with prior period results being adjusted to reflect such reclassification. These operations had pre-tax losses of $6 million and $129 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and pre-tax losses of $42 million and $10 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. We retained and continue the remainder of our commercial mortgage origination, servicing and other commercial mortgage related activities, which remain a part of the Asset Management segment.

 

Adjusted operating income excludes “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” except as indicated below, and related charges and adjustments. A significant element of realized investment gains and losses are impairments and credit-related and interest rate-related gains and losses from sales of securities. Impairments and losses from sales of credit-impaired securities, the timing of which depends largely on market credit cycles, can vary considerably across periods. The timing of other sales that would result in gains or losses, such as interest rate-related gains or losses, is largely subject to our discretion and influenced by market opportunities, as well as

 

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our tax profile. Trends in the underlying profitability of our businesses can be more clearly identified without the fluctuating effects of these transactions. Similarly, adjusted operating income excludes investment gains and losses on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities and changes in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes, because these recorded changes in asset and liability values will ultimately accrue to the contractholders. Adjusted operating income excludes the results of divested businesses because they are not relevant to understanding our ongoing operating results. The contributions to income/loss of wind-down businesses that we have not divested remain in adjusted operating income. See Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the presentation of segment results.

 

As noted above, certain “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” are included in adjusted operating income. We include in adjusted operating income the portion of our realized investment gains and losses on derivatives that arise from the termination of contracts used to hedge our foreign currency earnings in the same period that the expected earnings emerge. Similarly, we include in adjusted operating income the portion of our realized investment gains and losses on derivatives that represent current period yield adjustments. The realized investment gains or losses from products that are free standing derivatives, or contain embedded derivatives, along with the realized investment gains or losses from associated derivative portfolios that are part of an economic hedging program related to the risk of these products, are included in adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating income also includes those realized investment gains and losses that represent profit or loss of certain of our businesses which primarily originate investments for sale or syndication to unrelated investors.

 

Results of Operations for Financial Services Businesses by Segment

 

Insurance Division

 

Individual Life

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the Individual Life segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues

   $ 682     $ 672     $ 2,038     $ 1,932  

Benefits and expenses

     444       421       1,601       1,439  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     238       251       437       493  

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     (158 )     (34 )     (228 )     (42 )
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ 80     $ 217     $ 209     $ 451  
                                

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”

 

Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $13 million, from $251 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $238 million in the third quarter of 2008. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2008 includes a $79 million benefit from a net reduction in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other costs due to an increased estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing

 

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deferred policy acquisition costs and unearned revenue reserves, based on an annual review, primarily reflecting improved future mortality expectations, compared to a similar benefit for $78 million from the annual review in the third quarter of 2007. Third quarter 2008 results also include a $53 million benefit from compensation received based on multi-year profitability of third-party products we distribute, while results for the year-ago quarter include a similar benefit amounting to $57 million. Absent the effect of these items, adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2008 decreased $10 million from the year-ago quarter. On this basis, the decrease in adjusted operating income primarily reflects a net increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs net of related amortization of unearned revenue reserves, primarily reflecting the impact of unfavorable equity markets on both separate account fund performance and variable product policy persistency. These items were partially offset by more favorable mortality experience, net of reinsurance, compared to the third quarter of the prior year. The net increase in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs net of related amortization of unearned revenue reserves reflects the impact of actual market performance on both actual profits and estimated future gross profits, used as the basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $56 million, from $493 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $437 million in the first nine months of 2008. Adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2008 includes a $79 million benefit from a net reduction in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other costs while adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2007 included a similar benefit for $78 million, based on an annual review, as discussed above. Results for the first nine months of 2008 also include a $53 million benefit from compensation received based on multi-year profitability of third-party products we distribute, while the first nine months of 2007 included a $57 million benefit for this item, as discussed above. Absent the effect of these items, adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2008 decreased $53 million from the prior year period. On this basis, the decrease in adjusted operating income primarily reflects a net increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs net of related amortization of unearned revenue reserves as well as lower asset based fees, primarily reflecting the impact of unfavorable equity markets on both separate account fund performance and variable product policy persistency. These decreases were partially offset by improved mortality experience, net of reinsurance, compared to the prior year.

 

Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased by $10 million, from $672 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $682 million in the third quarter of 2008. Premiums increased $18 million, primarily due to increased premiums on term life insurance reflecting continued growth of our in force block of term insurance. Net investment income increased $26 million, reflecting higher asset balances primarily from the financing of regulatory capital requirements associated with statutory reserves for certain term and universal life insurance policies and growth in universal life account balances due to increased policyholder deposits. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in policy charges and fee income of $17 million, including $36 million due to the effects of updates in both periods of our assumptions related to the amortization of unearned revenue reserves based on the annual reviews, as discussed above. Absent this item, policy charges and fee income increased $19 million primarily reflecting the increase in amortization of unearned revenue reserves, discussed above. Lower asset based fees due to lower separate account asset balances reflecting market value changes partially offset the foregoing items.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues increased by $106 million, from $1.932 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $2.038 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Premiums increased $62 million, primarily due to increased premiums on term life insurance reflecting continued growth of our in force block of term insurance. Net investment income increased $72 million, reflecting higher asset balances primarily from the financing of regulatory capital requirements associated with statutory reserves for certain term and universal life insurance policies and growth in universal life account balances due to increased policyholder deposits. Policy charges and fee income increased $5 million, including a $36 million decrease due to the effects of updates in both periods of our assumptions related to the amortization of unearned revenue reserves based on the annual

 

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reviews, as discussed above. Absent this item, policy charges and fee income increased $41 million primarily reflecting the increase in amortization of unearned revenue reserves, discussed above. These items were partially offset by lower asset based fees due to lower separate account asset balances reflecting market value changes.

 

Benefits and Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased by $23 million, from $421 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $444 million in the third quarter of 2008. Absent the impacts of the annual reviews conducted in the third quarter of both periods, as discussed above, benefits and expenses increased $60 million, from $544 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $604 million in the third quarter of 2008. On this basis, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs increased $45 million, primarily reflecting the impact of unfavorable equity markets on both separate account fund performance and variable product policy persistency. Also on this basis, policyholders’ benefits, including interest credited to policyholders’ account balances were essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter. An increase in policyholder reserves driven by growth in our in force block of term insurance, as well as an increase in interest credited to policyholders due to growth in universal life account balances due to increased policyholder deposits, were offset by more favorable mortality experience compared to the prior year resulting from lower death claims. Interest expense increased $10 million, primarily reflecting interest on increased borrowings related to the financing of regulatory capital requirements associated with statutory reserves for certain term and universal life insurance policies.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses increased $162 million, from $1.439 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.601 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Absent the impacts of the annual reviews conducted in the third quarter of both periods, as discussed above, benefits and expenses increased $199 million, from $1.562 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.761 billion in the first nine months of 2008. On this basis, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs increased $97 million, primarily reflecting the impact of unfavorable equity markets on both separate account fund performance and variable product policy persistency. Also on this basis, policyholders’ benefits, including interest credited to policyholders’ account balances, increased $50 million, reflecting higher policyholder reserves from growth in our in force block of term insurance and an increase in interest credited to policyholders due to growth in universal life account balances due to increased policyholder deposits. Interest expense increased $36 million, primarily reflecting interest on increased borrowings related to the financing of regulatory capital requirements associated with statutory reserves for certain term and universal life insurance policies.

 

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Sales Results

 

The following table sets forth individual life insurance sales, as measured by scheduled premiums from new sales on an annualized basis and first year excess premiums and deposits on a cash-received basis, for the periods indicated. Individual life insurance sales do not correspond to revenues under U.S. GAAP. They are, however, a relevant measure of business activity. In managing our individual life insurance business, we analyze new sales on this basis because it measures the current sales performance of the business, while revenues primarily reflect the renewal persistency and aging of in force policies written in prior years and net investment income as well as current sales.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
       2008        2007        2008        2007  
     (in millions)

Life insurance sales(1):

           

Excluding corporate-owned life insurance:

           

Variable life

   $ 12    $ 19    $ 52    $ 86

Universal life

     52      40      147      129

Term life

     53      54      156      157
                           

Total excluding corporate-owned life insurance

     117      113      355      372

Corporate-owned life insurance

     —        1      1      9
                           

Total

   $ 117    $ 114    $ 356    $ 381
                           

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
       2008        2007        2008        2007  
     (in millions)

Life insurance sales by distribution channel, excluding corporate-owned life insurance(1):

           

Prudential Agents

   $ 35    $ 44    $ 113    $ 128

Third party

     82      69      242      244
                           

Total

   $ 117    $ 113    $ 355    $ 372
                           

 

(1) Scheduled premiums from new sales on an annualized basis and first year excess premiums and deposits on a cash-received basis.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Sales of new life insurance, excluding corporate-owned life insurance, measured as described above, increased $4 million, from $113 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $117 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher sales of universal life products from the third party distribution channel, as the current quarter includes a greater benefit from large case sales. The increase in universal life sales was partially offset by a decrease in sales of variable life and term life products by Prudential Agents. Sales by Prudential Agents were $9 million lower than the prior year quarter, reflecting a product shift towards annuity sales. The number of Prudential Agents decreased from 2,552 at September 30, 2007 to 2,482 at September 30, 2008.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Sales of new life insurance, excluding corporate-owned life insurance, measured as described above, decreased $17 million, from $372 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $355 million in the first nine months of 2008, primarily due to lower sales of variable life products from Prudential Agents and third party distribution channels, as the prior year period included a greater benefit from large case sales which have uneven sales patterns. The decrease in variable life sales was partially offset by higher sales of universal life products from the third party distribution channel. Sales by Prudential Agents were $15 million lower than the prior year period, reflecting a product shift towards annuity sales. The number of Prudential Agents decreased from 2,552 at September 30, 2007 to 2,482 at September 30, 2008.

 

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Policy Surrender Experience

 

The following table sets forth the individual life insurance business’ policy surrender experience for variable and universal life insurance, measured by cash value of surrenders, for the periods indicated. These amounts do not correspond to expenses under U.S. GAAP. In managing this business, we analyze the cash value of surrenders because it is a measure of the degree to which policyholders are maintaining their in force business with us, a driver of future profitability. Generally, our term life insurance products do not provide for cash surrender values.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2008         2007         2008         2007    
     ($ in millions)  

Cash value of surrenders

   $ 188     $ 223     $ 562     $ 565  
                                

Cash value of surrenders as a percentage of mean future benefit reserves, policyholders’ account balances, and separate account balances

     3.5 %     3.8 %     3.4 %     3.3 %
                                

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. The total cash value of surrenders decreased $35 million, from $223 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $188 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting a greater volume of variable product surrenders in the third quarter of 2007. Cash value of surrenders as a percentage of mean future policy benefit reserves, policyholders’ account balances and separate account balances decreased from 3.8% in the third quarter of 2007 to 3.5% in the third quarter of 2008.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. The total cash value of surrenders decreased $3 million, from $565 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $562 million in the first nine months of 2008, reflecting a lower volume of variable product surrenders in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first nine months of 2007. Cash value of surrenders as a percentage of mean future policy benefit reserves, policyholders’ account balances and separate account balances was relatively unchanged, from 3.3% in the first nine months of 2007 to 3.4% in the first nine months of 2008.

 

Individual Annuities

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the Individual Annuities segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2008         2007         2008         2007    
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues

   $ 528     $ 633     $ 1,723     $ 1,869  

Benefits and expenses

     835       428       1,761       1,318  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     (307 )     205       (38 )     551  

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     (75 )     (33 )     (180 )     (40 )

Related charges(1)(2)

     19       7       51       6  
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (363 )   $ 179     $ (167 )   $ 517  
                                

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related charges and adjustments. The related charges represent payments related to the market value adjustment features of certain of our annuity products. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”
(2) Benefits and expenses exclude related charges which represent the unfavorable (favorable) impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on change in reserves and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements and value of business acquired.

 

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Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $512 million, from $205 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $307 million in the third quarter of 2008. Results for both periods include the impact of the annual reviews of the reserve for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products and our estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition and other costs. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2008 included $380 million of charges from these annual reviews, including $265 million relating to reserve increases for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products and $115 million relating to increased amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs. The charge relating to increased amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs primarily reflects the impact on gross profits of market value decreases in the underlying assets associated with our variable annuity products. The reserve increases for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products also reflects this impact, as well as increased cost of expected income and death benefit claims due to lower expected lapse rates for policies where the current policyholder account value is below the guaranteed minimum death benefit. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2007 included $30 million of benefits from the annual reviews, reflecting market value increases in the underlying assets associated with our variable annuity products, and decreased cost of actual and expected death claims, partially offset by the impact of model refinements and higher expected lapse rates for the variable annuity business acquired from The Allstate Corporation (“Allstate”).

 

Absent the effect of the annual reviews discussed above, adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2008 decreased $102 million from the third quarter of 2007. Contributing to this decrease is a $109 million unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features. The unfavorable variance reflects a charge of $94 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to a benefit of $15 million in the third quarter of 2007, and was largely due to unfavorable basis risk, reflecting the underperformance of the underlying separate account funds relative to the performance we expected and utilized as a basis for developing our hedging strategy, driven by financial market conditions in the third quarter of 2008. The charge in the third quarter of 2008 includes a $66 million benefit for an update of the assumptions used in the valuation of the embedded derivatives, primarily relating to an update of implied volatility ratios to better match the actual equity indices referenced. Given the sensitivity of the fair value of both the embedded derivatives and related hedge positions to financial market conditions, the variance related to the mark-to-market of these items for a given period will be largely dependent on the financial market conditions at the end of the period. For additional information regarding the methodology used in determining the fair value of the embedded derivatives associated with our living benefit features, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Variable Annuity Optional Living Benefit Features.”

 

Also contributing to the decrease in adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2008 was a decrease in fee income, driven by lower average variable annuity asset balances invested in separate accounts. The declines in separate account assets were due to market depreciation and transfers of balances to our general account, partially offset by consistent positive net asset flows since the third quarter of 2007. The transfer of balances to our general account relates to an automatic rebalancing element in some of our living benefit features, which, as part of the overall product design, transferred approximately $5 billion of investments in the third quarter of 2008, out of the separate accounts and into our general account due to equity market declines. Higher average annuity account values invested in our general account resulting from these transfers also lead to improved investment results. Also serving as a partial offset to the decrease in adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2008 was a decrease in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other costs, absent the effect of the annual reviews discussed above. The decrease primarily reflects the impact on gross profits of the unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features and the decrease in fee income, partially offset by the quarterly adjustments for current period experience.

 

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The quarterly adjustments for current period experience referred to above reflects the cumulative impact of differences between actual gross profits for the period and the previously estimated expected gross profits for the period, as well as an update for current and future expected claims costs associated with the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products. The third quarter of 2008 reflects charges of $38 million relating to these quarterly adjustments, due to less favorable than expected experience, while the third quarter of 2007 reflects benefits of $15 million due to better than expected experience. Total estimated gross profits, including actual experience and estimates for future periods, are used as the basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition and other costs. In addition, total estimated revenues and guaranteed benefit claims, which are components of total gross profits, are used for establishing the reserves for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products. To the extent each period’s actual experience differs from the previous estimate for that period, the assumed level of total gross profits may change, and a cumulative adjustment to previous periods’ costs, referred to as an adjustment for current period experience, may be required. The adjustment for deferred policy acquisition and other costs in the third quarter of 2008 resulted from less favorable than expected gross profits, due primarily to lower than expected fee income and the unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features. In addition to these drivers, the adjustment for the reserves for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products in the third quarter of 2008 also reflected higher actual contract guarantee claims costs in the third quarter of 2008, primarily driven by financial market conditions.

 

Further or continued deterioration of financial market conditions could result in additional market depreciation within our separate account assets and corresponding decreases in our fee income, which could lead to an impairment of some or all of the goodwill associated with our individual annuities business in future periods. As of September 30, 2008 the carrying value of this goodwill was $97 million. Further or continued market declines could also result in additional adjustments to the amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs, and the costs relating to the reserves for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products. In light of recent market conditions, adjustments to our estimate of total gross profits to reflect actual fund performance and any corresponding changes to the future rate of return assumptions will no longer be dependent on a comparison to a statistically generated range of estimated gross profits. Instead, for purposes of evaluating deferred policy acquisition and other costs and the reserves for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products, total estimated gross profits will be updated for these items each quarter. We will continue to derive future rate of return assumptions using a reversion to the mean approach, a common industry practice. Under this approach, we consider actual returns over a period of time and adjust future projected returns so that the assets grow at the expected rate of return for the entire period. If the projected future rate of return is greater than our maximum future rate of return assumption, as was the case for certain groups of contracts in our annual review in the third quarter of 2008, we use the maximum future rate of return. Given that the estimates of future gross profits for certain of our variable annuity contracts are already based upon our maximum future rate of return assumption, all else being equal, further market movements could have a greater impact on the amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs, and the costs relating to the reserves for the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products, in comparison to prior periods.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $589 million, from $551 million in the first nine months of 2007 to a loss of $38 million in the first nine months of 2008. Adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2008 included $380 million of charges and the first nine months of 2007 included $30 million of benefits from the annual reviews discussed above. Absent the effect of these annual reviews, adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2008 decreased $179 million from the first nine months of 2007. Contributing to this decrease is a $182 million unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features. The unfavorable variance reflects a charge of $140 million in the first nine months of 2008 compared to a benefit of $42 million in the first nine months of 2007, and was largely due to unfavorable basis risk, reflecting the underperformance of the underlying separate account funds relative to the performance we expected and utilized as a basis for

 

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developing our hedging strategy, driven by financial market conditions in the first nine months of 2008. The charge in the first nine months of 2008 includes a $66 million benefit for an update of the assumptions used in the valuation of the embedded derivatives, primarily relating to an update of implied volatility ratios to better match the actual equity indices referenced.

 

Also contributing to the decrease in adjusted operating income in the first nine months of 2008 is a decrease in fee income, driven by lower average variable annuity asset balances invested in separate accounts. The declines in separate account assets were due to market depreciation and transfers of balances to our general account, partially offset by consistent positive net asset flows since September 30, 2007. The transfer of balances to our general account relates to an automatic rebalancing element in some of our living benefit features, which, as part of the overall product design, transferred approximately $9 billion of investments in the first nine months of 2008 out of the separate accounts and into our general account due to equity market declines. Higher average annuity account values invested in our general account resulting from these transfers, also lead to improved investment results. Also serving as a partial offset to the decrease in adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2008 was a decrease in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other costs, absent the effect of the annual reviews discussed above. The decrease primarily reflects the impact on gross profits of the unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features and the decrease in fee income, partially offset by the quarterly adjustments for current period experience.

 

The quarterly adjustments for current period experience referred to above reflects the cumulative impact of differences between actual gross profits for the period and the previously estimated expected gross profits for the period, as well as an update for current and future expected claims costs associated with the guaranteed minimum death and income benefit features of our variable annuity products. The first nine months of 2008 reflects charges of $47 million relating to these quarterly adjustments, due to less favorable than expected experience, while the first nine months of 2007 reflects benefits of $37 million due to better than expected experience. Less favorable than expected gross profits in the current period were primarily due to lower than expected fee income, the unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features, and higher actual contract guarantee claims costs in the first nine months of 2008, primarily driven by financial market conditions.

 

Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $105 million, from $633 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $528 million in the third quarter of 2008. Policy charges and fees and asset management fees and other income decreased $166 million, including a $109 million unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features, as discussed above. Also contributing to the decrease in policy charges and fees and asset management fees and other income is a decrease in fee income driven by lower average variable annuity asset balances invested in separate accounts due to market depreciation and transfers of balances to our general account, partially offset by consistent positive net asset flows since the third quarter of 2007. The transfer of balances to our general account relates to an automatic rebalancing element in some of our living benefit features, which, as part of the overall product design, transferred investments out of the separate accounts and into our general account due to equity market declines. Partially offsetting this decrease, net investment income increased $56 million reflecting higher average annuity account values invested in our general account, also resulting from these transfers.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $146 million, from $1.869 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.723 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Policy charges and fees and asset management fees and other income decreased $235 million, including a $182 million unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features, as discussed above. Also contributing to the decrease in

 

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policy charges and fees and asset management fees and other income is a decrease in fee income driven by lower average variable annuity asset balances invested in separate accounts due to market depreciation and the transfer of balances to our general account relating to an automatic rebalancing element in some of our living benefit features, as discussed above. Partially offsetting this decrease, net investment income increased $92 million reflecting higher average annuity account values invested in our general account, also resulting from these transfers.

 

Benefits and Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $407 million, from $428 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $835 million in the third quarter of 2008. Absent the impact of the annual reviews discussed above, which account for $410 million of increases, benefits and expenses decreased $3 million reflecting a decrease in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs, partially offset by an increase in interest credited to policyholders’ account balances and policyholders’ benefits. The decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs on this basis primarily reflects the impact on gross profits of the unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with our living benefit features and the decrease in fee income, partially offset by the quarterly adjustment for current period experience discussed above. Also on this basis, interest credited to policyholders’ account balances increased $29 million reflecting higher average annuity account values invested in our general account resulting from transfers relating to an automatic rebalancing element in some of our living benefit features, as discussed above. Policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, increased $24 million on this basis, primarily reflecting the impact of the quarterly adjustment for current period experience discussed above.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $443 million, from $1.318 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.761 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Absent the impact of the annual reviews discussed above, which account for $410 million of the increase, benefits and expenses increased $33 million. On this basis, interest credited to policyholders’ account balances increased $61 million reflecting higher average annuity account values invested in our general account resulting from transfers relating to an automatic rebalancing element in some of our living benefit features, as discussed above. Also on this basis, policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, increased $35 million primarily reflecting the impact of the quarterly adjustments for current period experience discussed above. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in the amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs, absent the effect of the annual reviews discussed above, primarily reflecting the impact on gross profits of the unfavorable variance in the mark-to-market of embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with of our living benefit features and the decrease in fee income, partially offset by the quarterly adjustments for current period experience discussed above.

 

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Account Values

 

The following table sets forth changes in account values for the individual annuity business, for the periods indicated. For our individual annuity business, assets are reported at account value, and net sales (redemptions) are gross sales minus redemptions or surrenders and withdrawals, as applicable.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (in millions)  

Variable Annuities(1):

        

Beginning total account value

   $ 74,707     $ 78,968     $ 80,330     $ 74,555  

Sales

     2,507       2,825       8,076       8,637  

Surrenders and withdrawals

     (1,988 )     (2,328 )     (6,346 )     (7,153 )
                                

Net sales

     519       497       1,730       1,484  

Benefit payments

     (259 )     (265 )     (815 )     (870 )
                                

Net flows

     260       232       915       614  

Change in market value, interest credited and other activity

     (6,712 )     2,295       (12,367 )     6,941  

Policy charges

     (287 )     (322 )     (910 )     (937 )
                                

Ending total account value(2)

   $ 67,968     $ 81,173     $ 67,968     $ 81,173  
                                

Fixed Annuities:

        

Beginning total account value

   $ 3,394     $ 3,608     $ 3,488     $ 3,748  

Sales

     33       16       74       57  

Surrenders and withdrawals

     (71 )     (69 )     (185 )     (224 )
                                

Net redemptions

     (38 )     (53 )     (111 )     (167 )

Benefit payments

     (37 )     (41 )     (120 )     (129 )
                                

Net flows

     (75 )     (94 )     (231 )     (296 )

Interest credited and other activity

     32       33       95       97  

Policy charges

     (2 )     (1 )     (3 )     (3 )
                                

Ending total account value

   $ 3,349     $ 3,546     $ 3,349     $ 3,546  
                                

 

(1) Variable annuities include only those sold as retail investment products. Investments through defined contribution plan products are included with such products within the Retirement segment.
(2) As of September 30, 2008, variable annuity account values are invested in equity funds ($24 billion or 36%), balanced funds ($16 billion or 23%), bond funds ($9 billion or 13%), and other ($19 billion or 28%). Variable annuity account values with living benefit features were $35.1 billion and $36.0 billion as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Total account values for fixed and variable annuities amounted to $71.3 billion as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $6.8 billion from June 30, 2008. The decrease came primarily from decreases in the market value of customers’ variable annuities. Total account values for fixed and variable annuities as of September 30, 2008 decreased $13.4 billion from September 30, 2007, primarily reflecting decreases in the market value of customers’ variable annuities due to significant equity market declines, partially offset by positive variable annuity net flows. Individual variable annuity gross sales decreased by $318 million, from $2.8 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2008, due to market volatility and equity market declines. Individual variable annuity surrenders and withdrawals decreased by $340 million, from $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $2.0 billion in the third quarter of 2008.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Total account values for fixed and variable annuities amounted to $71.3 billion as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $12.5 billion from December 31, 2007. The decrease came primarily from decreases in the market value of customers’ variable annuities due to significant equity market declines. Total account values for fixed and variable annuities as of September 30, 2008 decreased $13.4 billion

 

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from September 30, 2007, primarily reflecting decreases in the market value of customers’ variable annuities due to significant equity market declines, partially offset by positive variable annuity net flows. Individual variable annuity gross sales decreased by $561 million, from $8.6 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $8.1 billion in the first nine months of 2008, due to market volatility and equity market declines. Individual variable annuity surrenders and withdrawals decreased by $807 million, from $7.2 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $6.3 billion in the first nine months of 2008.

 

Group Insurance

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the Group Insurance segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues

   $ 1,232     $ 1,203     $ 3,707     $ 3,619  

Benefits and expenses

     1,131       1,103       3,436       3,399  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     101       100       271       220  

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     (46 )     (32 )     (249 )     (20 )

Related charges(2)

     —         (1 )     —         (1 )
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ 55     $ 67     $ 22     $ 199  
                                

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”
(2) Benefits and expenses exclude related charges which represent the unfavorable (favorable) impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on interest credited to policyholders’ account balances.

 

Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income was relatively unchanged, from $100 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $101 million in the third quarter of 2008. Both periods reflect the benefit from refinements in group disability reserves as a result of annual reviews. These annual reviews benefited both periods by $13 million and were primarily associated with our long-term disability products. Also impacting adjusted operating income was the benefit of growth and more favorable claims experience in our group disability business, which was mostly offset by lower investment yields.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income increased $51 million, from $220 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $271 million in the first nine months of 2008, reflecting growth in our group disability business, as well as more favorable claims experience in our group life business. Also included in results for the first nine months of 2008 is a $20 million benefit from a premium adjustment recorded during the first quarter of 2008 for updated data on a large group life insurance case. Slightly offsetting these items was less favorable investment results during the first nine months of 2008. Both periods reflect the benefit from refinements in group disability reserves as a result of annual reviews. These annual reviews benefited both periods by $13 million and were primarily associated with our long-term disability products.

 

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Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased by $29 million, from $1.203 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.232 billion in the third quarter of 2008. Group life premiums and policy charges and fee income increased by $5 million, from $784 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $789 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting a relatively stable business in force. Group disability premiums and policy charges and fee income, which include long-term care products, increased by $36 million from $223 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $259 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting growth in business in force resulting from new sales, which included the assumption of existing liabilities from third parties. Net investment income decreased by $8 million, from $170 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $162 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting lower investment yields.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues increased by $88 million, from $3.619 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.707 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Group life premiums and policy charges and fee income decreased by $13 million, from $2.405 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $2.392 billion in the first nine months of 2008, primarily reflecting lower net premiums and policy charges and fee income from experience-rated group life business resulting from the decrease in policyholder benefits on these contracts as discussed below. Also contributing to this decrease were lower premiums from non-experience-rated group life business due to reduced business in force, as the level of lapses exceeded new sales in the current year. Lapse activity remained relatively constant as group life persistency was unchanged at 94% in both periods. Offsetting these decreases is the premium adjustment for updated data on a large case as discussed above. Group disability premiums and policy charges and fee income, which include long-term care products, increased by $114 million from $650 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $764 million in the first nine months of 2008. This increase reflects growth in business in force resulting from new sales, which included the assumption of existing liabilities from third parties during the first nine months of 2008, exceeding the level of lapses, which increased as persistency deteriorated from 89% in the first nine months of 2007 to 87% in the first nine months of 2008. The group life and group disability persistency are reflective of continuing competitive pricing in the marketplace and the pricing discipline we apply in writing business. Net investment income declined $14 million, from $500 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $486 million in the first nine months of 2008, as the benefit from growth in invested assets was more than offset by lower investment yields.

 

Benefits and Expenses

 

The following table sets forth the Group Insurance segment’s benefits and administrative operating expense ratios for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2008         2007         2008         2007    
     (in millions)  

Benefits ratio(1):

        

Group life

   88.1 %   88.4 %   88.2 %   90.4 %

Group disability

   81.5     82.1     86.4     85.9  

Administrative operating expense ratio(2):

        

Group life

   9.4     9.8     8.6     9.6  

Group disability

   19.3     20.6     19.5     20.9  

 

(1) Ratio of policyholder benefits to earned premiums, policy charges and fee income. Group disability ratios include long-term care products.
(2) Ratio of administrative operating expenses (excluding commissions) to gross premiums, policy charges and fee income. Group disability ratios include long-term care products.

 

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2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased by $28 million, from $1.103 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.131 billion in the third quarter of 2008. This increase is primarily due to a $30 million increase in policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, reflecting the growth of business in force in our group disability business.

 

The group life benefits ratio improved 0.3 percentage points from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008, due to more favorable mortality experience. The group disability benefits ratio improved 0.6 percentage points from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008, due to more favorable claims experience. The group life administrative operating expense ratio was relatively consistent from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008. The group disability administrative operating expense ratio improved from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008, reflecting growth in the business from new sales, as discussed above, that outpaced the related increase in operating expenses.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses increased by $37 million, from $3.399 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.436 billion in the first nine months of 2008. This increase is primarily due to a $39 million increase in policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, primarily reflecting growth of business in force in our group disability business, mostly offset by more favorable claims experience in our group life businesses, which resulted in lower premiums from experience-rated group life business as discussed above.

 

The group life benefits ratio improved 2.2 percentage points from the first nine months of 2007 to the first nine months of 2008, due to more favorable mortality experience combined with the benefit from a premium adjustment for updated data on a large case. The group disability benefits ratio deteriorated 0.5 percentage points from the first nine months of 2007 to the first nine months of 2008, due to slightly less favorable claims experience. The group life administrative operating expense ratio improved from the first nine months of 2007 to the first nine months of 2008, as gross premiums increased, primarily from the experience-rated group life business, while operating expenses were relatively unchanged. The group disability administrative operating expense ratio improved from the first nine months of 2007 to the first nine months of 2008, reflecting growth in the business from new sales, as discussed above, that outpaced the related increase in operating expenses.

 

Sales Results

 

The following table sets forth the Group Insurance segment’s new annualized premiums for the periods indicated. In managing our group insurance business, we analyze new annualized premiums, which do not correspond to revenues under U.S. GAAP, because new annualized premiums measure the current sales performance of the business unit, while revenues primarily reflect the renewal persistency and aging of in force policies written in prior years and net investment income, in addition to current sales.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
       2008        2007        2008        2007  
     (in millions)

New annualized premiums(1):

           

Group life

   $ 70    $ 33    $ 212    $ 162

Group disability(2)

     47      21      178      139
                           

Total

   $ 117    $ 54    $ 390    $ 301
                           

 

(1) Amounts exclude new premiums resulting from rate changes on existing policies, from additional coverage under our Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance contract and from excess premiums on group universal life insurance that build cash value but do not purchase face amounts, and include premiums from the takeover of claim liabilities.
(2) Includes long-term care products.

 

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2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Total new annualized premiums increased $63 million, from $54 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $117 million in the third quarter of 2008. Group life sales increased $37 million driven primarily by several large case sales during the third quarter of 2008. Group disability sales increased $26 million during the third quarter of 2008 due to a significant large case disability sale and higher long-term care sales.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Total new annualized premiums increased $89 million, from $301 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $390 million in the first nine months of 2008. Group life sales increased $50 million driven primarily by increased large case sales to both new and existing customers and higher premiums related to the assumption of existing liabilities from third parties. Group disability sales increased $39 million due to increased sales of large case disability products, which reflect a benefit from the assumption of existing liabilities from third parties, and higher sales of long-term care products. Our sales are reflective of the continuing competitive pricing in the marketplace and the pricing discipline we apply in writing business.

 

Investment Division

 

Asset Management

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the Asset Management segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
       2008         2007        2008        2007  
     (in millions)

Operating results:

          

Revenues

   $ 345     $ 558    $ 1,457    $ 1,693

Expenses

     353       397      1,156      1,190
                            

Adjusted operating income

     (8 )     161      301      503

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     4       9      6      7
                            

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (4 )   $ 170    $ 307    $ 510
                            

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”

 

In 2008, we classified our commercial mortgage securitization operations as a divested business, reflecting our decision to exit this business. As a result of this decision, these operations, which involved the origination and purchase of commercial mortgage loans that we in turn would aggregate and sell into commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, together with related hedging activities, are excluded from the Asset Management segment and included in Corporate and Other operations as a divested business. Accordingly, these results are excluded from adjusted operating income, with prior period results being adjusted to reflect such reclassification. These operations had pre-tax losses of $6 million and $129 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. We retained and continue the remainder of our commercial mortgage origination, servicing and other commercial mortgage related activities, which remain a part of our Asset Management segment.

 

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Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $169 million, from income of $161 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $8 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in adjusted operating income is largely attributable to unfavorable results from the segment’s proprietary investing business. Results of the segment’s proprietary investing business included losses of $108 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to income of $10 million in the third quarter of 2007, from investment results in fixed income and equity investments, as well as a decline in real estate proprietary investing. The third quarter of 2008 includes $76 million in losses attributed to an investment in a fixed income fund. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, the Asset Management business gave notice of its intention to withdraw its investment from this fixed income fund, which was $286 million at September 30, 2008, with the timing of the withdrawal and amount to be received depending on market conditions. We anticipate making further reductions in certain equity investments. Results for the third quarter of 2008 also reflect lower performance based incentive fees, primarily related to institutional real estate funds, in addition to higher expenses. These decreases were partially offset by increased asset management fees primarily from institutional customer assets as a result of net asset flows.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $202 million, from $503 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $301 million in the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in adjusted operating income is largely attributable to unfavorable results from the segment’s proprietary investing business. Results of the segment’s proprietary investing business included losses of $84 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to income of $60 million in the first nine months of 2007, from investment results in fixed income and equity investments. The segment’s results for the first nine months of 2008 also included a decrease in performance based incentive fees, primarily related to our real estate investment management activities, and higher compensation costs. Results benefited from an increase in asset management fees of $60 million, primarily from institutional customer assets as a result of increased asset values due to net asset flows, in addition to higher income related to securities lending activities in the first nine months of 2008.

 

Revenues

 

The following tables set forth the Asset Management segment’s revenues, presented on a basis consistent with the table above under “—Operating Results,” by type, asset management fees by source and assets under management for the periods indicated. In managing our business we analyze assets under management, which do not correspond to U.S. GAAP assets, because a principal source of our revenues are fees based on assets under management.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
       2008         2007        2008        2007  
     (in millions)

Revenues by type:

          

Asset management fees

   $ 289     $ 265    $ 858    $ 798

Incentive, transaction, principal investing and capital markets revenues

     (49 )     133      191      423

Service, distribution and other revenues(1)

     105       160      408      472
                            

Total revenues

   $ 345     $ 558    $ 1,457    $ 1,693
                            

 

(1) Includes revenues under a contractual arrangement with Wachovia Securities, to provide essentially a fixed fee for managed account services. This arrangement expired with respect to most services provided as of July 1, 2008. Revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 included $3 million and $18 million, respectively, for those managed account services. Also includes payments from Wachovia Corporation under an agreement dated as of July 30, 2004 implementing arrangements with respect to money market mutual funds in connection with the combination of our retail securities brokerage and clearing operations with those of Wachovia Corporation. The agreement extends for ten years after termination of the joint venture. The revenue from Wachovia Corporation under this agreement was $14 million and $13 million in the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $42 million and $38 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007            2008            2007    
     (in millions)

Asset management fees by source:

           

Institutional customers

   $ 138    $ 118    $ 407    $ 358

Retail customers(1)

     83      87      249      258

General account

     68      60      202      182
                           

Total asset management fees

   $ 289    $ 265    $ 858    $ 798
                           

 

(1) Consists of individual mutual funds and both variable annuities and variable life insurance asset management revenues from our separate accounts. This also includes funds invested in proprietary mutual funds through our defined contribution plan products. Revenues from fixed annuities and the fixed rate options of both variable annuities and variable life insurance are included in the general account.

 

     September 30,
2008
   September 30,
2007
     (in billions)

Assets Under Management (at fair market value):

     

Institutional customers(1)

   $ 170.9    $ 170.1

Retail customers(2)

     75.4      88.5

General account

     175.2      171.6
             

Total

   $ 421.5    $ 430.2
             

 

(1) Consists of third party institutional assets and group insurance contracts.
(2) Consists of individual mutual funds and both variable annuities and variable life insurance assets in our separate accounts. This also includes funds invested in proprietary mutual funds through our defined contribution plan products. Fixed annuities and the fixed rate options of both variable annuities and variable life insurance are included in the general account.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $213 million, from $558 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $345 million in the third quarter of 2008. Incentive, transaction, principal investing and capital markets revenues decreased $182 million, primarily reflecting losses from the segment’s proprietary investing business driven by investment results in fixed income and equity investments, as well as lower incentive based fees primarily related to institutional real estate funds. A portion of these incentive based fees are offset in incentive compensation expense in accordance with the terms of the contractual agreements. Certain of our incentive fees are subject to positive or negative future adjustment based on cumulative fund performance in relation to specified benchmarks. As of September 30, 2008, $145 million of cumulative incentive fee revenue, net of compensation, is subject to future adjustment, compared to $130 million as of December 31, 2007. Service, distribution and other revenues decreased $55 million, including a reduction in service fee revenue, with a corresponding decrease in expense, as a result of a change in the service fee arrangement whereby Wachovia Securities is now paying investment managers directly. Also, revenues in certain consolidated real estate funds declined, which were fully offset by lower expenses related to minority interest in these funds. Asset management fees increased $25 million, primarily from the management of institutional customer assets as a result of net asset flows.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $236 million, from $1.693 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.457 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Incentive, transaction, principal investing and capital markets revenues decreased $232 million primarily reflecting a decline in revenues from the segment’s proprietary investing business driven by investment results in fixed income and equity investments, as well as lower incentive based fees from real estate related investments. Service, distribution and other revenues decreased $64 million including a reduction in service fee revenue, with a corresponding decrease in expense, as a result of a change in the service fee arrangement whereby Wachovia Securities is now paying investment managers directly. Also, revenues in certain consolidated real estate funds declined, which were fully offset by lower expenses related to minority interest in

 

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these funds. These items were partially offset by higher revenues related to securities lending activities. Asset management fees increased $60 million, primarily from the management of institutional customer assets as a result of increased asset values due to net asset flows.

 

Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $44 million, from $397 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $353 million in the third quarter of 2008, driven by lower expenses related to the decline in service fee revenue, incentive based fees, and revenues associated with certain real estate funds, as discussed above. These items are partially offset by higher compensation costs primarily reflecting increased headcount, as well as higher non-compensation costs.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $34 million, from $1.190 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.156 billion in the first nine months of 2008, driven by lower expenses related to the decline in service fee revenue, incentive based fees, and revenues associated with certain real estate funds, as discussed above. These increases are partially offset by higher compensation costs and interest expense related to proprietary investing activities.

 

Financial Advisory

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the Financial Advisory segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues

   $ (214 )   $ 98     $ (127 )   $ 303  

Expenses

     3       13       23       49  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     (217 )     85       (150 )     254  

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures(1)

     215       (97 )     129       (301 )
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (2 )   $ (12 )   $ (21 )   $ (47 )
                                

 

(1) Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures are included in adjusted operating income but excluded from income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures as they are reflected on a U.S. GAAP basis on an after-tax basis as a separate line in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

On July 1, 2003, we combined our retail securities brokerage and clearing operations with those of Wachovia Corporation, or Wachovia, and formed Wachovia Securities Financial Holdings, LLC, or Wachovia Securities, a joint venture currently headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. As of December 31, 2007, we had a 38% ownership interest in the joint venture with Wachovia owning the remaining 62%. The transaction included certain assets and liabilities of our securities brokerage operations; however, we retained certain assets and liabilities related to the contributed businesses, including liabilities for certain litigation and regulatory matters. We have agreed with Wachovia to indemnify each other for certain losses, including losses resulting from litigation and regulatory matters relating to certain events arising from the operations of our respective contributed businesses prior to March 31, 2004.

 

On October 1, 2007, Wachovia completed the acquisition of A.G. Edwards, Inc., or A.G. Edwards, for $6.8 billion and on January 1, 2008 combined the retail securities brokerage business of A.G. Edwards with Wachovia Securities. As discussed in Note 11 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, we have elected

 

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the “lookback” option under the terms of the agreements relating to the joint venture. The “lookback” option permits us to delay for a period of two years ending on January 1, 2010, our decision on whether or not to make payments to avoid or limit dilution of our ownership interest in the joint venture. During this “lookback” period, our share in the earnings of the joint venture and one-time costs associated with the combination of the A.G. Edwards business with Wachovia Securities is based on our diluted ownership level, which is in the process of being determined. Any payments at the end of the “lookback” period to restore all or part of our ownership interest in the joint venture will be based on the appraised or agreed value of the joint venture excluding the A.G. Edwards business as well as the A.G. Edwards business. In such event, we may also need to make a true-up payment of one-time costs incurred during the “lookback” period associated with the combination to reflect the incremental increase in our ownership interest in the joint venture. Alternatively, at the end of the “lookback” period, we may “put” our joint venture interests to Wachovia based on the appraised value of the joint venture, excluding the A.G. Edwards business, as of January 1, 2008, the date of the combination of the A.G. Edwards business with Wachovia Securities.

 

We also retain our separate right to “put” our joint venture interests to Wachovia at any time after July 1, 2008 based on the appraised value of the joint venture, including the A.G. Edwards business, determined as if it were a public company and including a control premium such as would apply in the case of a sale of 100% of its common equity. However, if in connection with the “lookback” option we elect at the end of the “lookback” period to make payments to avoid or limit dilution, we may not exercise this “put” option prior to the first anniversary of the end of the “lookback” period. The agreement between Prudential Financial and Wachovia also gives us put rights, and Wachovia call rights, in certain other specified circumstances, at prices determined in accordance with the agreement.

 

We have had negotiations with Wachovia concerning possible modifications to the terms of the existing agreements relating to the joint venture. Based upon the existing agreements and our estimates of the values of the A.G. Edwards business and the joint venture excluding the A.G. Edwards business, we adjusted the carrying value of our ownership interest in the joint venture effective as of January 1, 2008 to reflect the addition of that business and the dilution of our 38% ownership level and to record the value of the above described rights under the “lookback” option. As a result, effective January 1, 2008, we recognized an increase to “Additional paid-in capital” of $977 million, net of tax. Our recorded share of pre-tax losses from the joint venture of $129 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflects our estimated diluted ownership level based upon the existing agreements and our estimates of the values of the A.G. Edwards business and the joint venture excluding the A.G. Edwards business. As noted above, we have had negotiations with Wachovia concerning possible modifications to the terms of the existing agreements relating to the joint venture. Such modifications, if agreed to, as well as the establishment of definitive agreed or appraised values for the A.G. Edwards business and the joint venture excluding the A.G. Edwards business, will result in an adjustment to the credit to equity and a true-up to the earnings from the joint venture for any difference between the diluted ownership percentage used to record earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and the finally determined diluted ownership percentage. We do not anticipate any such adjustment to have a material effect on our reported results of operations.

 

On October 3, 2008, Wachovia and Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”) announced that they had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which Wells Fargo will acquire all of Wachovia Corporation and all its businesses and obligations. Wachovia has notified the Company that Wells Fargo’s brokerage business will be contributed to the joint venture in accordance with the existing joint venture agreements.

 

Earnings of the joint venture included in the results of the Financial Advisory segment are subject to certain risks pertaining to the joint venture operations, including customer claims, litigation and regulatory investigations affecting Wachovia Securities’ businesses. Such customer claims, litigation and regulatory matters include matters typical for retail securities brokerage and clearing operations and matters unique to the joint venture operations. In recent months, following the failure in early 2008 of the auctions which set the rates for most

 

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auction rate securities, Wachovia Securities has become the subject of customer complaints, legal actions, including a putative class action, and investigations by securities regulators and agencies relating to Wachovia Securities’ role in the underwriting, sale and auction of auction rate securities. On August 15, 2008, Wachovia announced that it had reached an agreement in principle for a global settlement of investigations concerning the underwriting, sale and subsequent auction of certain auction rate securities by subsidiaries of Wachovia Securities and had recorded an increase to legal reserves. The Company’s recorded share of pre-tax earnings from the joint venture for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 includes $235 million, which is the Company’s share of this charge.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $302 million, from income of $85 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $217 million in the third quarter of 2008. The segment’s results for the third quarter of 2008 include our share of earnings from Wachovia Securities, on a pre-tax basis, of a loss of $215 million, based on our estimated diluted ownership level, as discussed above, compared to income of $97 million for the third quarter of 2007. The results of Wachovia Securities for the third quarter of 2008 include a charge of $235 million related to the agreement in principle for a global settlement concerning the underwriting, sale and subsequent auction of certain auction rate securities, as discussed above, transition costs of $37 million related to the combination of the A.G. Edwards business with Wachovia Securities, and a lower level of fee and commission income, as compared to the prior year quarter. The segment’s results also include expenses of $2 million in the third quarter of 2008 related to obligations and costs we retained in connection with the contributed businesses, compared to $12 million in the third quarter of 2007, primarily for litigation and regulatory matters.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $404 million, from income of $254 million in the first nine months of 2007 to a loss of $150 million in the first nine months of 2008. The segment’s results for the first nine months of 2008 include our share of earnings from Wachovia Securities, on a pre-tax basis, of a loss of $129 million, based on our estimated diluted ownership level, as discussed above, compared to income of $301 million for the first nine months of 2007. The results of Wachovia Securities for the first nine months of 2008 include a charge of $235 million related to the global settlement concerning the underwriting, sale and subsequent auction of certain auction rate securities, as discussed above, in addition to transition costs in the first nine months of 2008 of $130 million related to the combination of the A.G. Edwards business with Wachovia Securities. The results of Wachovia Securities for the first nine months of 2007 benefited from higher fee and commission income, including a greater contribution from equity syndication activity of the joint venture. The segment’s results also include expenses of $21 million in the first nine months of 2008 related to obligations and costs we retained in connection with the contributed businesses, primarily for litigation and regulatory matters, compared to $47 million in the first nine months of 2007.

 

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Retirement

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the Retirement segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues

   $ 1,118     $ 1,195     $ 3,592     $ 3,508  

Benefits and expenses

     985       1,130       3,194       3,157  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     133       65       398       351  

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     (242 )     (79 )     (677 )     (137 )

Related charges(2)

     6       2       2       (2 )

Investment gains (losses) on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, net(3)

     (410 )     112       (683 )     30  

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes(4)

     264       (82 )     446       (18 )
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (249 )   $ 18     $ (514 )   $ 224  
                                

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”
(2) Benefits and expenses exclude related charges which represent the unfavorable (favorable) impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on change in reserves and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.
(3) Revenues exclude net investment gains and losses on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities.”
(4) Benefits and expenses exclude changes in contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes in the pool of investments supporting these experience-rated contracts. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities.”

 

On December 31, 2007 we acquired a portion of Union Bank of California, N.A.’s retirement business, including $7.3 billion in full service retirement account values, for $103 million of cash consideration. The retirement account values related to this acquisition primarily consist of mutual funds and other client assets we administer, and are not reported on our balance sheet.

 

During the third quarter of 2008 we entered into an agreement to acquire MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, LLC and related entities (“MullinTBG”), a provider of executive benefit solutions and financing strategies, including nonqualified executive deferred compensation plans. The acquisition closed on October 10, 2008 and included approximately $8 billion of nonqualified full service retirement account values, which will not be reported on our balance sheet.

 

Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income for the Retirement segment increased $68 million, from $65 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $133 million in the third quarter of 2008. Included within adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2007 is an $81 million charge reflecting payments made to plan clients related to a legal action filed against an unaffiliated asset manager, State Street Global Advisors, Inc., or SSgA. This action seeks, among other relief, restitution of certain losses experienced by plan clients attributable to certain investment funds managed by SSgA as to which we believe SSgA employed investment strategies and practices that were misrepresented by SSgA and failed to exercise the standard of care of a prudent investment manager. In order to protect the interests of the affected plans and their participants while we pursue

 

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these remedies, we have made payments to affected plan clients that authorize us to proceed on their behalf. Results for both periods include the impact of an annual review of our estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs and valuation of business acquired. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2008 included a $21 million charge from the annual review, primarily reflecting a decrease in our estimate of future gross profits including a decline in our asset-based profit assumptions and an increase in our expense assumptions. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2007 included a $1 million charge from the annual review. In addition, the third quarter of 2008 includes a $29 million benefit from a reduction in the amortization of valuation of business acquired due to a cumulative adjustment relating to the calculation of actual and expected gross profits.

 

Excluding the items discussed above, adjusted operating income decreased $22 million compared to the third quarter of 2007 reflecting lower adjusted operating income in our full service business, and, to a lesser extent, in our institutional investment products business. The decrease in adjusted operating income relating to our full service business was primarily attributable to an increase in general and administrative expenses, driven by expenses incurred to expand our product and service capabilities, and a decrease in asset management fees, driven by a decrease in average full service fee-based retirement account values primarily resulting from equity market depreciation. Asset management fees and fee income from the acquired retirement business of Union Bank of California, N.A. were largely offset by expenses relating to the acquired business. The decrease in our institutional investment products business primarily reflects an unfavorable variance in the mark to market of equity investments required in certain of our separate account products. Investment results for this business were relatively unchanged, as lower portfolio yields, were partially offset by a larger base of invested assets, driven by sales of guaranteed investment and structured settlement products in the institutional and retail markets. Also contributing to investment results was the accretion into net investment income in the third quarter of 2008 of $8 million relating to fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods. For a further discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value, the related methodology for recording fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments and the subsequent accretion into net investment income, see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” below.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income for the Retirement segment increased $47 million, from $351 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $398 million in the first nine months of 2008. Included within adjusted operating income in the first nine months of 2007 is an $81 million charge reflecting payments made to plan clients related to a legal action filed against an unaffiliated asset manager, as discussed above. Results for both periods include the impact of an annual review of our estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs and valuation of business acquired. Adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2008 and 2007 included a $21 million charge and a $1 million charge, respectively, from these annual reviews, as discussed above. In addition, the first nine months of 2008 includes a $29 million benefit from a reduction in the amortization of valuation of business acquired due to a cumulative adjustment relating to the calculation of actual and expected gross profits.

 

Excluding the items discussed above, adjusted operating income decreased $43 million compared to the first nine months of 2007 reflecting lower adjusted operating income in our full service business, partially offset by improved results for our institutional investment products business. The decrease relating to the full service business was primarily attributable to higher general and administrative expenses, driven by expenses incurred to expand our product and service capabilities, and a $8 million loss in the first nine months of 2008 relating to the acquired retirement business of Union Bank of California, N.A. Results from the acquired business include costs related to an interim service agreement with Union Bank of California, N.A., which covers the integration period, as well as $6 million of transition costs. In addition, asset management fees, excluding the impact of this acquisition, declined, driven by a decrease in average full service fee-based retirement account values primarily resulting from equity market depreciation. Improved results in our institutional investment products business primarily reflect more favorable case experience related to our group annuity block of business, partially offset by an unfavorable variance in the mark to market of equity investments required in certain of our separate

 

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account products. Investment results for this business were relatively unchanged, as a larger base of invested assets, driven by sales of guaranteed investment and structured settlement products in the institutional and retail markets, were offset by lower portfolio yields and negative earnings in the first nine months of 2008 relating to a single equity method investment in a fixed income fund. Also contributing to the investment results was the accretion into net investment income in the first nine months of 2008 of $12 million relating to fixed maturity other-than temporary impairments recognized in previous periods, as discussed above.

 

Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $77 million, from $1.195 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.118 billion in the third quarter of 2008. Net investment income decreased $51 million, primarily reflecting lower portfolio yields, including lower interest rates on floating rate investments due to rate resets, lower balances of investments supported by borrowings, and an unfavorable variance in the mark to market of equity investments required in certain of our separate account products, partially offset by a larger base of invested assets, driven by sales of guaranteed investment and structured settlement products in the institutional and retail markets. Also serving as a partial offset to the decline in investment results was the accretion into net investment income in the third quarter of 2008 of $9 million relating to fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods. Premiums decreased $31 million, driven by lower life-contingent structured settlement sales, and resulted in a corresponding decrease in policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, as discussed below. Partially offsetting these decreases, policy charges and fee income and asset management fees and other income increased $5 million, including $7 million of revenues in the third quarter of 2008 associated with the acquired retirement business of Union Bank of California, N.A., as well as increased net settlements on interest rate swaps used to manage the duration of the investment portfolio. Excluding the impact of this acquisition, asset management fees declined, driven by a decrease in average full service fee-based retirement account values primarily resulting from equity market depreciation.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $84 million, from $3.508 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.592 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Premiums increased $140 million, driven by higher single premium group annuity and life-contingent structured settlement sales, and resulted in a corresponding increase in policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, as discussed below. In addition, policy charges and fee income and asset management fees and other income increased $20 million including $19 million of revenues associated with the acquired retirement business of Union Bank of California, N.A., as well as increased net settlements on interest rate swaps used to manage the duration of the investment portfolio. Excluding the impact of this acquisition, asset management fees declined, driven by a decrease in average full service fee-based retirement account values primarily resulting from equity market depreciation. Partially offsetting these increases, net investment income decreased $76 million, primarily reflecting lower portfolio yields, including lower interest rates on floating rate investments due to rate resets, lower balances of investments supported by borrowings, an unfavorable variance in the mark to market of equity investments required in certain of our separate account products and negative earnings in the first nine months of 2008 relating to a single equity method investment in a fixed income fund. The decreases in net investment income were partially offset by a larger base of invested assets, driven by sales of guaranteed investment and structured settlement products in the institutional and retail markets and the accretion into net investment income in the first nine months of 2008 of $14 million relating to fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods.

 

Benefits and Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $145 million, from $1.130 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $985 million in the third quarter of 2008. Absent the impact of the payments made to plan clients related to a legal action filed against an unaffiliated asset manager, the annual reviews, and the cumulative adjustment discussed above, which

 

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account for $90 million of the decrease, benefits and expenses decreased $55 million. On this basis, policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, decreased $41 million, primarily reflecting the decrease in premiums on lower life-contingent structured settlement sales discussed above. In addition, interest expense decreased $38 million primarily due to lower borrowings used to support investments and lower interest rates on these borrowings. Partially offsetting these items, general and administrative expenses, net of capitalization, and amortization of acquisition costs, increased $14 million excluding the items mentioned above, driven by expenses incurred to expand our full service product and service capabilities. Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances increased $10 million, primarily reflecting a greater base of guaranteed investment products sold in the institutional and retail markets, partially offset by lower crediting rates on floating rate guaranteed investment product liabilities due to rate resets.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $37 million, from $3.157 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.194 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Absent the impact of the payments made to plan clients related to a legal action filed against an unaffiliated asset manager, the annual reviews, and the cumulative adjustment discussed above, which account for a $90 million decrease, benefits and expenses increased $127 million. On this basis, policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, increased $113 million primarily reflecting the increase in premiums on higher single premium group annuity and life-contingent structured settlement sales discussed above, partially offset by more favorable case experience related to a group annuity block of business and lower interest on general account reserves. In addition, interest credited to policyholders’ account balances increased $66 million, primarily reflecting a greater base of guaranteed investment products sold in the institutional and retail markets, partially offset by lower crediting rates on floating rate guaranteed investment product liabilities due to rate resets. General and administrative expenses, net of capitalization, and amortization of acquisition costs, increased $36 million excluding the items mentioned above, and included $27 million of costs in the first nine months of 2008 associated with the acquired retirement business of Union Bank of California, N.A., including costs related to an interim services agreement with Union Bank of California, N.A., which covered the integration period, as well as $6 million of transition costs. Expenses incurred to expand our full service product and service capabilities also contributed to the increase. Partially offsetting these increases was an $88 million decrease in interest expense, primarily reflecting lower borrowings used to support investments and lower interest rates on these borrowings.

 

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Sales Results and Account Values

 

The following table shows the changes in the account values and net additions (withdrawals) of Retirement segment products for the periods indicated. Net additions (withdrawals) are deposits and sales or additions, as applicable, minus withdrawals and benefits. These concepts do not correspond to revenues under U.S. GAAP, but are used as a relevant measure of business activity.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (in millions)  

Full Service(1):

        

Beginning total account value

   $ 106,917     $ 104,033     $ 112,192     $ 97,430  

Deposits and sales

     3,276       3,219       12,392       10,434  

Withdrawals and benefits

     (2,883 )     (3,309 )     (11,182 )     (9,945 )

Change in market value, interest credited and interest income(2)

     (6,847 )     1,658       (12,939 )     7,682  
                                

Ending total account value

   $ 100,463     $ 105,601     $ 100,463     $ 105,601  
                                

Net additions (withdrawals)

   $ 393     $ (90 )   $ 1,210     $ 489  
                                

Institutional Investment Products(3):

        

Beginning total account value

   $ 51,513     $ 50,926     $ 51,591     $ 50,269  

Additions

     1,052       545       4,468       3,675  

Withdrawals and benefits(4)

     (2,114 )     (1,193 )     (5,760 )     (4,003 )

Change in market value, interest credited and interest income

     153       933       955       1,865  

Other(4)(5)

     (563 )     416       (1,213 )     (179 )
                                

Ending total account value

   $ 50,041     $ 51,627     $ 50,041     $ 51,627  
                                

Net additions (withdrawals)

   $ (1,062 )   $ (648 )   $ (1,292 )   $ (328 )
                                

 

(1) Ending total account value for the full service business includes assets of Prudential’s retirement plans of $5.3 billion and $5.9 billion as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(2) Change in market value, interest credited and interest income includes $511 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 representing a transfer from Institutional Investment Products to Full Service as a result of one client’s change in contract form.
(3) Ending total account value for the institutional investment products business includes assets of Prudential’s retirement plans of $5.0 billion and $5.3 billion as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(4) Transfers between the Retirement and Asset Management segments, previously presented within Withdrawals and benefits, have been reclassified to Other for all periods presented.
(5) Other includes transfers from (to) the Asset Management segment of $(20) million and $407 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $(111) million and $75 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Other also includes $(511) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 representing a transfer from Institutional Investment Products to Full Service as a result of one client’s change in contract form. Remaining amounts for all periods presented primarily represents changes in asset balances for externally managed accounts.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Account values in our full service business amounted to $100.5 billion as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $6.5 billion from June 30, 2008. The decrease in account values was driven primarily by a decrease in the market value of customer funds due to declines in the equity markets, partially offset by net additions of $393 million. Account values in our full service business as of September 30, 2008 decreased $5.1 billion from September 30, 2007, primarily driven by a decrease in the market value of customer funds due to declines in the equity markets, partially offset by $7.3 billion of account values acquired from Union Bank of California, N.A. and net additions of $1.7 billion. Net additions (withdrawals) increased $483 million, from net withdrawals of $90 million in the third quarter of 2007 to net additions of $393 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting higher participant contributions and lower plan lapses, partially offset by lower new plan sales.

 

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Account values in our institutional investment products business amounted to $50.0 billion as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $1.5 billion from June 30, 2008, primarily reflecting net withdrawals of $1.1 billion, driven by the impact of scheduled withdrawals in our guaranteed investment products, and a decrease in the market value of customer funds. Account values in our institutional investment products business as of September 30, 2008 decreased $1.6 billion from September 30, 2007, primarily reflecting net withdrawals, partially offset by interest on general account business. Net additions (withdrawals) decreased $414 million, from net withdrawals of $648 million in the third quarter of 2007 to net withdrawals of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2008. This decrease primarily reflects higher withdrawals driven by scheduled withdrawals in our guaranteed investment products, partially offset by higher additions due to higher sales of guaranteed investment products in the institutional and retail markets.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Account values in our full service business amounted to $100.5 billion as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $11.7 billion from December 31, 2007. The decrease in account values was driven primarily by a decrease in the market value of customer funds due to declines in the equity markets, partially offset by net additions of $1.2 billion. Account values in our full service business as of September 30, 2008 decreased $5.1 billion from September 30, 2007, primarily driven by a decrease in the market value of customer funds due to declines in the equity markets, partially offset by $7.3 billion of account values acquired from Union Bank of California, N.A. and net additions of $1.7 billion. Net additions increased $721 million, from $489 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2008, reflecting higher new plan sales and participant contributions, partially offset by higher plan lapses. New plan sales in the first nine months of 2008 included six large client sales totaling $1.6 billion. Plan lapses in the first nine months of 2008 included $1.0 billion of lapses relating to account values acquired from Union Bank of California, N.A. These lapses primarily occurred during the final stages of the conversion of acquired account values to our systems platform, which was completed in the second quarter of 2008.

 

Account values in our institutional investment products business amounted to $50.0 billion as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $1.6 billion from December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting net withdrawals of $1.3 billion, driven by the impact of scheduled withdrawals in our guaranteed investment products, and declines in the value of asset balances for externally managed accounts. Interest on general account business partially offset these decreases. Account values in our institutional investment products business as of September 30, 2008 decreased $1.6 million from September 30, 2007, primarily reflecting net withdrawals, partially offset by interest on general account business. Net additions (withdrawals) decreased $964 million, from net withdrawals of $328 million in the first nine months of 2007 to net withdrawals of $1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2008. This decrease primarily reflects higher withdrawals driven by scheduled withdrawals in our guaranteed investment products, partially offset by higher additions due to higher sales of guaranteed investment and structured settlement products in the institutional and retail markets.

 

International Insurance and Investments Division

 

Impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on earnings

 

As a U.S.-based company with significant business operations outside the U.S., we seek to mitigate the risk that future unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movements will reduce our U.S. dollar equivalent earnings. The operations of our International Insurance and International Investments segments are subject to currency fluctuations that can materially affect their U.S. dollar results from period to period even if results on a local currency basis are relatively constant. As discussed further below, we enter into forward currency derivative contracts, as well as “dual currency” and “synthetic dual currency” investments, as part of our strategy to effectively fix the currency exchange rates for a portion of our prospective non-U.S. dollar denominated earnings streams, thereby reducing volatility from unfavorable and favorable foreign currency exchange rate movements.

 

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Forward currency hedging program

 

The financial results of our International Insurance segment and International Investments segment, excluding the global commodities group, for all periods presented reflect the impact of an intercompany arrangement with Corporate and Other operations pursuant to which the segments’ non-U.S. dollar denominated earnings in all countries are translated at fixed currency exchange rates. The fixed rates are determined in connection with a currency income hedging program designed to mitigate the risk that unfavorable exchange rate changes will reduce the segments’ U.S. dollar equivalent earnings. Pursuant to this program, Corporate and Other operations executes forward currency contracts with third parties to sell the hedged currency in exchange for U.S. dollars at specified exchange rates. The maturities of these contracts correspond with the future periods in which the identified non-U.S. dollar denominated earnings are expected to be generated. This program is primarily associated with the International Insurance segment’s businesses in Japan, Korea and Taiwan and the International Investments segment’s businesses in Korea and Europe. The intercompany arrangement with Corporate and Other operations increased (decreased) revenues and adjusted operating income of each segment as follows for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008    2007  
     (in millions)  

Impact on revenues and adjusted operating income:

         

International Insurance

   $ 8     $ 20     $ 9    $ 81  

International Investments

     (1 )     (6 )     —        (11 )
                               

Total International Insurance and Investments Division

   $ 7     $ 14     $ 9    $ 70  
                               

 

Results of Corporate and Other operations include any differences between the translation adjustments recorded by the segments and the gains or losses recorded from the forward currency contracts that settled during the period. The consolidated net impact of this program recorded within the Corporate and Other operations were gains of $5 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and a gain of $7 million and a loss of $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The notional amount of these forward currency contracts was $3.3 billion and $2.8 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, of which $2.3 billion and $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, related to our Japanese insurance operations.

 

Dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments

 

In addition, our Japanese insurance operations also hold dual currency investments in the form of fixed maturities and loans. The principal of these dual currency investments are yen-denominated while the related interest income is U.S. dollar denominated. These investments are the economic equivalent of exchanging what would otherwise be fixed streams of yen-denominated interest income for fixed streams of U.S. dollars. Our Japanese insurance operations also hold investments in yen-denominated investments that have been coupled with cross-currency coupon swap agreements, creating synthetic dual currency investments. The yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate is effectively fixed, as we are obligated in future periods to exchange fixed amounts of Japanese yen interest payments generated by the yen-denominated investments for U.S. dollars at the yen/U.S. dollar exchange rates specified by the cross-currency coupon swap agreements. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the notional amount of these investments was ¥496 billion, or $4.4 billion, and ¥538 billion, or $4.8 billion, respectively, based upon the foreign currency exchange rates applicable at the time these investments were acquired. For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the weighted average yields generated by these investments were 2.3% in both periods. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the weighted average yields generated by these investments were 2.3% and 2.4%, respectively.

 

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Presented below is the fair value of these instruments as reflected on our balance sheet for the periods presented.

 

     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
     (in millions)  

Cross-currency coupon swap agreements

   $ 35     $ 40  

Foreign exchange component of interest on dual currency investments

     (24 )     (11 )
                

Total

   $ 11     $ 29  
                

 

The table below presents as of September 30, 2008, the yen-denominated earnings subject to our dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments and the related weighted average exchange rates resulting from these investments.

 

Year

   (1)
Interest component
of dual currency
investments
   Cross-currency
coupon swap element
of synthetic dual
currency investments
   Yen-denominated
earnings subject to
these investments
   Weighted average
exchange rate per
U.S. Dollar
     (in billions)    (Yen per $)

Remainder of 2008

   ¥ 0.9    ¥ 1.6    ¥ 2.5    91.9

2009

     3.4      5.8      9.2    88.7

2010

     3.2      4.9      8.1    87.4

2011

     3.1      3.8      6.9    85.6

2012-2034

     36.0      56.4      92.4    78.8
                       

Total

   ¥ 46.6    ¥ 72.5    ¥ 119.1    80.7
                       

 

(1) Yen amounts are imputed from the contractual U.S. dollar denominated interest cash flows.

 

The table above does not reflect the forward currency income hedging program discussed above. In establishing the level of yen-denominated earnings that will be hedged through the forward currency income hedging program we take into account the anticipated level of U.S. dollar denominated earnings that will be generated by dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments, as well as the anticipated level of U.S. dollar denominated earnings that will be generated by U.S. dollar denominated products and investments, which are discussed in greater detail below.

 

Impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on equity

 

Hedges of U.S. GAAP equity and available economic capital

 

We also seek to mitigate the risk that future unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movements will reduce our U.S. dollar equivalent equity in foreign subsidiaries through various hedging strategies. In the case of our Japanese insurance operations, which constitute our most significant foreign insurance operations, we hedge 100% of our U.S. GAAP equity in these subsidiaries, excluding “Accumulated other comprehensive income” components of Stockholders’ Equity and certain other adjustments. We are in the process of developing an economic capital framework, which includes available economic capital, as discussed in “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Prudential Financial—Economic Capital.” In our Japanese insurance operations we seek to hedge a portion of the amount by which estimated available economic capital and other measures of value exceed the current value of the U.S. GAAP equity. Available economic capital represents the excess of the fair value of assets over the fair value of liabilities for the current in force block of business. We hedge a portion of the estimated available economic capital, including that portion represented by U.S. GAAP equity, in our Japanese insurance operations primarily by maintaining U.S. dollar denominated investments financed with yen-denominated liabilities and equity, as well as to a lesser extent with yen-denominated debt. In certain of our

 

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other foreign insurance operations, the U.S. GAAP equity exposure is mitigated by entering into forward currency contracts that generally qualify for hedge accounting treatment, and by holding U.S. dollar denominated investments.

 

As of September 30, 2008, our U.S. dollar denominated investments and other net assets serving as a hedge of our estimated available economic capital in our Japanese insurance operations amounted to $6.2 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion from December 31, 2007, and was principally comprised of available for sale U.S. dollar denominated investments with an amortized cost of $5.0 billion and held to maturity U.S. dollar denominated investments with an amortized cost of $1.0 billion. As of September 30, 2008, our U.S. dollar denominated investments and other net assets supporting the portion of our estimated available economic capital above our U.S. GAAP equity, excluding “Accumulated other comprehensive income” components of Stockholders’ Equity and certain other adjustments, totaled $1.9 billion and were acquired at an average exchange rate of approximately 104 yen. These amounts do not reflect the forward currency income hedging program or dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments discussed above.

 

The available for sale investments under U.S. GAAP are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet with unrealized changes in fair value (except as described below for impairments), including those from changes in foreign currency exchange rate movements, recorded as unrealized gains or losses in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” within Stockholders’ Equity. Changes in the U.S. GAAP equity of our Japanese insurance operations due to foreign currency exchange rate movements are also recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” as a “Currency translation adjustment.” The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the U.S. GAAP equity of our Japanese insurance operations is partially offset by foreign currency exchange related changes in designated Yen denominated debt and other hedging instruments within the “Currency translation adjustment” account. To a larger degree the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on the U.S. GAAP equity of our Japanese insurance operations is offset by the related changes in fair value due to foreign currency exchange rate movements of the portion of the available for sale investments that supports our Japanese insurance operations’ U.S. GAAP equity, hence creating a “natural equity hedge.” For U.S. dollar denominated investments that support the portion of estimated available economic capital above our U.S. GAAP equity there is no offsetting impact to equity.

 

The investments designated as held to maturity under U.S. GAAP are recorded at amortized cost on the balance sheet, but are remeasured for foreign currency exchange rate movements with the related change in value recorded within “Asset management fees and other income.” The remeasurement related to the change in value for foreign currency exchange rate movements for these investments is excluded from adjusted operating income, as part of our application of the hedge of available economic capital.

 

The U.S. dollar denominated investments that hedge a portion of our estimated available economic capital in our Japanese insurance operations pay a coupon, which is reflected within “Net investment income,” and, therefore, included in adjusted operating income, which is approximately 200 to 300 basis points greater than what a similar yen-based investment would pay. The incremental impact of this higher yield will vary over time, and is dependent on the duration of the underlying investment, as well as interest rate environments in the U.S. and Japan at the time of the investment. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Investment Results” for a discussion of the investment yields generated by our Japanese insurance operations.

 

Because these U.S. dollar denominated investments are recorded on the books of yen-based entities, foreign currency exchange movements will impact their value. To the extent the value of the yen strengthens as compared to the U.S. dollar, the value of these U.S. dollar denominated investments will decrease as a result of changes in the foreign currency exchange rates. Upon the ultimate sale or maturity of the U.S. dollar denominated investments, any realized change in value related to changes in the foreign currency exchange rates will be included in “Realized gains (losses), net” within the income statement and, excluded from adjusted operating income. Similarly, any impairment recognized on these investments, including those for an other-than-

 

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temporary decline in value that may include the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, will be included in “Realized gains (losses), net” within the income statement, and, as such, excluded from adjusted operating income. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” for a discussion of our policies regarding impairments.

 

During the first quarter of 2008, we began incorporating the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on the remaining U.S. dollar denominated net asset position of our Japanese insurance operations, which primarily relates to accrued investment income, as part of our overall application of the hedge of available economic capital. These U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities are remeasured for foreign currency exchange rate movements, as they are non-yen denominated items on the books of yen-based entities, and the related change in value is recorded within “Asset management fees and other income.” As these U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities are included in the determination of the Japanese insurance operations’ level of available economic capital, we exclude all remeasurement related to these items from adjusted operating income.

 

Prospectively, we will seek to continue to hedge 100% of the U.S. GAAP equity as discussed above, and, to varying degrees, the estimated available economic capital of the Japanese insurance operations, which we may accomplish through holding U.S. dollar investments within the Japanese insurance operations, through yen-denominated borrowings issued within our U.S. operations, or by other means.

 

In addition, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our international insurance operations also had $5.8 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively, of foreign currency exposure from U.S. dollar liabilities for U.S. dollar denominated products issued by these operations. These operations hold U.S. dollar denominated investments, including a significant portion that are designated as available for sale, and other related U.S. dollar denominated net assets, primarily accrued investment income, to support these products. The change in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rate movements, or remeasurement, of the related U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities associated with these products is excluded from adjusted operating income.

 

International Insurance

 

The results of our International Insurance operations are translated on the basis of weighted average monthly exchange rates, and inclusive of the effects of the intercompany arrangement discussed above. To provide a better understanding of operating performance within the International Insurance segment, where indicated below, we have analyzed our results of operations excluding the effect of the year over year change in foreign currency exchange rates. Our results of operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations were derived by translating foreign currencies to U.S. dollars at uniform exchange rates for all periods presented, including, for constant dollar information discussed below, Japanese yen at a rate of 106 yen per U.S. dollar; Korean won at a rate of 950 won per U.S. dollar. In addition, for constant dollar information discussed below, activity denominated in U.S. dollars is reported based on the amounts as transacted in U.S. dollars. New annualized premiums presented on a constant exchange rate basis in the “Sales Results” section below reflect translation based on these same uniform exchange rates.

 

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Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the International Insurance segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues:

        

Life Planner operations

   $ 1,462     $ 1,344     $ 4,528     $ 4,011  

Gibraltar Life

     764       696       2,352       2,137  
                                
     2,226       2,040       6,880       6,148  
                                

Benefits and expenses:

        

Life Planner operations

     1,169       1,078       3,664       3,223  

Gibraltar Life

     597       539       1,890       1,680  
                                
     1,766       1,617       5,554       4,903  
                                

Adjusted operating income:

        

Life Planner operations

     293       266       864       788  

Gibraltar Life

     167       157       462       457  
                                
     460       423       1,326       1,245  
                                

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     (66 )     155       (441 )     315  

Related charges(1)(2)

     (8 )     (9 )     (8 )     (14 )

Investment gains (losses) on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, net(3)

     (124 )     (76 )     (236 )     (22 )

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes(4)

     124       76       236       22  

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures(5)

     —         —         1       —    
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ 386     $ 569     $ 878     $ 1,546  
                                

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related charges and adjustments. The related charges represent the impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on the amortization of unearned revenue reserves. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”
(2) Benefits and expenses exclude related charges that represent the element of “Dividends to policyholders” that is based on a portion of certain realized investment gains required to be paid to policyholders and the impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.
(3) Revenues exclude net investment gains and losses on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities.”
(4) Benefits and expenses exclude changes in contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes in the pool of investments supporting these experience-rated contracts. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities.”
(5) Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures are included in adjusted operating income but excluded from income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures as they are reflected on a U.S. GAAP basis on an after-tax basis as a separate line in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income from Life Planner operations increased $27 million, from $266 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $293 million in third quarter of 2008, including a $1 million unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations. This increase primarily reflected the continued growth of our Japanese Life Planner operations. Also contributing to the increase were lower general and administrative

 

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expenses and improved investment income margins primarily due to higher investment yields reflecting the lengthening of the duration of our Japanese yen investment portfolio. Partially offsetting these increases was the lower benefit in the current quarter from a reduction in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs primarily reflecting improved future mortality assumptions, which benefited both periods, associated with our annual review of the estimated gross profits used to amortize deferred policy acquisition costs.

 

Gibraltar Life’s adjusted operating income increased $10 million, from $157 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $167 million in the third quarter of 2008, including a $4 million unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, adjusted operating income for Gibraltar Life increased $14 million, primarily reflecting improved investment income margins which benefited from various investment portfolio strategies, as discussed in more detail below, and the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated annuity product.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income from Life Planner operations increased $76 million, from $788 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $864 million in the first nine months of 2008 with no impact from currency fluctuations. This increase primarily reflected the continued growth of our Japanese and Korean Life Planner operations and, to a lesser extent, improved investment income margins. The improved investment income margins are primarily the result of duration lengthening in our Japanese yen investment portfolio.

 

Gibraltar Life’s adjusted operating income increased $5 million, from $457 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $462 million in the first nine months of 2008, including an $11 million unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations. Results for the first nine months of 2007 benefited $14 million from investment income associated with a single investment joint venture, reflecting the sale of real estate within the venture. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations and the foregoing investment income benefit to the prior year period, adjusted operating income for Gibraltar Life increased $30 million, reflecting improved investment income margins which reflect the benefits of various investment portfolio strategies, as discussed in more detail below, and the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated fixed annuity product. In addition, current year results benefited from more favorable mortality experience than that of the prior year. These items were partially offset by increased amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs driven by the continued growth of our U.S dollar denominated fixed annuity product.

 

Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $186 million, from $2.040 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $2.226 billion in the third quarter of 2008, including a net favorable impact of $65 million relating to currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues increased $121 million, from $2.162 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $2.283 billion in the third quarter of 2008.

 

Revenues from our Life Planner operations increased $118 million, from $1.344 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.462 billion in the third quarter of 2008, including a net favorable impact of currency fluctuations of $8 million. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues increased $110 million from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008. This increase in revenues came primarily from increases in premiums and policy charges and fee income of $60 million, from $1.174 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.234 billion in the third quarter of 2008. Premiums and policy charges and fee income from our Japanese Life Planner operation increased $58 million, from $792 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $850 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting growth of business in force from new sales and strong persistency. Net investment income also increased $38 million, from $215 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $253 million in the third quarter of 2008, due to asset growth and higher investment yields reflecting the lengthening of the duration of our Japanese yen investment portfolio. Through September 30, 2008, we have accomplished the duration lengthening of our Japanese yen investment portfolio by employing various strategies, including investing in longer term securities

 

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or entering into long-duration floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps. Reflecting the severe market dislocations that occurred in October 2008, we have begun to terminate some of these interest rate swaps during the fourth quarter of 2008. We will continue implementing strategies to lengthen the duration of our Japanese yen investment portfolio in order to better align our asset/liability matching and are seeking to replicate the duration lengthening achieved by these swaps through the purchase of longer term securities, the timing of which is constrained by market conditions and availability.

 

Revenues from Gibraltar Life increased $68 million, from $696 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $764 million in the third quarter of 2008, including a favorable impact from currency fluctuations of $57 million. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues for Gibraltar Life increased $11 million, from $764 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $775 million in the third quarter of 2008. This increase reflects a $34 million increase in net investment income, from $226 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $260 million in the third quarter of 2008, driven by the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated annuity product, as well as higher portfolio yields from various investment portfolio strategies including increased exposure to corporate securities, increased utilization of U.S. dollar denominated investments and duration lengthening. The duration lengthening for Gibraltar is accomplished through similar means as described for our Life Planner operations above. Premiums decreased $15 million from $520 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $505 million in the third quarter of 2008, driven by a decrease in renewal premiums reflecting the attrition of existing business. Our renewal premiums have declined as the market has continued to transition from traditional products, on which we record premiums, to newer products such as those with a retirement and savings objective, for which customer funds received are recorded as deposits.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues increased $732 million, from $6.148 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $6.880 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including a net favorable impact of $323 million relating to currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues increased $409 million, from $6.534 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $6.943 billion in the first nine months of 2008.

 

Revenues from our Life Planner operations increased $517 million, from $4.011 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $4.528 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including a net favorable impact of currency fluctuations of $133 million. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues increased $384 million from the first nine months of 2007 to the first nine months of 2008. This increase in revenues came primarily from increases in premiums and policy charges and fee income of $245 million, from $3.539 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.784 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Premiums and policy charges and fee income from our Japanese Life Planner operation increased $204 million, from $2.440 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $2.644 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Premiums and policy charges and fee income from our Korean operation increased $23 million, from $860 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $883 million in the first nine months of 2008. The increase in premiums and policy charges and fee income in both operations was primarily the result of growth in business in force from new sales and strong persistency. Net investment income also increased $110 million, from $609 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $719 million in the first nine months of 2008, due to asset growth and higher investment yields reflecting our continuing desire to lengthen the duration of our Japanese investment portfolio as discussed in more detail above.

 

Revenues from Gibraltar Life increased $215 million, from $2.137 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $2.352 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including a favorable impact from currency fluctuations of $190 million. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues for Gibraltar Life increased $25 million, from $2.349 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $2.374 billion in the first nine months of 2008. This increase reflects a $65 million increase in net investment income, from $667 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $732 million in the first nine months of 2008, driven by the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated annuity product, as well as higher portfolio yields from various investment portfolio strategies including increased exposure to corporate securities, increased utilization of U.S. dollar denominated investments and duration lengthening as discussed in more detail above. Premiums decreased $28 million from $1.615 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.587 billion in the first nine months of 2008, driven by a decrease in renewal

 

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premiums reflecting the attrition of existing business. The 13-month policy persistency declined from 93% for the nine months of 2007 to 91% in the nine months of 2008. Our renewal premiums have declined as the market has continued to transition from traditional products, on which we record premiums, to newer products such as those with a retirement and savings objective, for which customer funds received are recorded as deposits.

 

Benefits and Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $149 million, from $1.617 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.766 billion in the third quarter of 2008, including a net unfavorable impact of $70 million related to currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $79 million, from $1.735 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.814 billion in the third quarter of 2008.

 

Benefits and expenses of our Life Planner operations increased $91 million, from $1.078 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.169 billion in the third quarter of 2008, including a net unfavorable impact of $9 million from currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $82 million, from $1.126 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.208 billion in the third quarter of 2008. Benefits and expenses of our Japanese Life Planner operation increased $55 million from $724 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $779 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting an increase in policyholder benefits, including changes in reserves, which was driven by the growth in business in force. Also contributing to the increase in benefits and expenses was the lower benefit in the current quarter from a reduction in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs that benefited both periods, as discussed above. Partially offsetting these increases were lower general and administrative expenses in the current quarter.

 

Gibraltar Life’s benefits and expenses increased $58 million, from $539 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $597 million in the third quarter of 2008, including a $61 million unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses decreased $3 million, from $609 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $606 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease primarily reflects a decrease in policyholder benefits, including changes in reserves, which was driven by the attrition of existing business as discussed above. Partially offsetting this decrease was higher interest credited to policyholders’ account balances and higher amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs both related to the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated annuity product.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses increased $651 million, from $4.903 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $5.554 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including a net unfavorable impact of $334 million related to currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $317 million, from $5.273 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $5.590 billion in the first nine months of 2008.

 

Benefits and expenses of our Life Planner operations increased $441 million, from $3.223 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.664 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including a net unfavorable impact of $133 million from currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $308 million, from $3.386 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.694 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Benefits and expenses of our Japanese Life Planner operation increased $210 million from $2.233 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $2.443 billion in the first nine months of 2008. Benefits and expenses from our Korean operation increased $46 million, from $817 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $863 million in first nine months of 2008. The increase in benefits and expenses in both operations reflects an increase in policyholder benefits, including changes in reserves, which was driven by the growth in business in force.

 

Gibraltar Life’s benefits and expenses increased $210 million, from $1.680 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.890 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including a $201 million unfavorable impact of

 

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currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $9 million, from $1.887 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $1.896 billion in the first nine months of 2008. This increase reflects higher interest credited to policyholders’ account balances and higher amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs both related to the continued growth of our U.S. dollar denominated annuity product. Partially offsetting these items is a decrease in policyholder benefits, including changes in reserves, which was driven by more favorable mortality experience, as well as the attrition of existing business as discussed above.

 

Sales Results

 

In managing our international insurance business, we analyze revenues, as well as new annualized premiums, which do not correspond to revenues under U.S. GAAP. New annualized premiums measure the current sales performance of the segment, while revenues primarily reflect the renewal persistency of policies written in prior years and net investment income, in addition to current sales. New annualized premiums include 10% of first year premiums or deposits from single pay products. New annualized premiums on an actual and constant exchange rate basis are as follows for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007            2008            2007    
     (in millions)

New annualized premiums:

           

On an actual exchange rate basis:

           

Life Planner operations

   $ 175    $ 178    $ 598    $ 579

Gibraltar Life(1)

     111      86      353      249
                           

Total

   $ 286    $ 264    $ 951    $ 828
                           

On a constant exchange rate basis:

           

Life Planner operations

   $ 180    $ 186    $ 601    $ 610

Gibraltar Life(1)

     112      93      355      269
                           

Total

   $ 292    $ 279    $ 956    $ 879
                           

 

(1) The methodology for determining Gibraltar Life's annualized new business premium on an actual and constant exchange rate basis has been revised to more clearly report the trend of U.S. dollar product sales. Prior period amounts have been restated to conform to current presentation.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. On a constant exchange rate basis, new annualized premiums increased $13 million, from $279 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $292 million in the third quarter of 2008.

 

New annualized premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Life Planner operations declined $6 million primarily driven by a decline in Taiwan due to a higher level of sales in the prior year quarter as a result of an anticipated regulation change, as well as a decline in Korea reflective of the continued competitive market environment. Partially offsetting these declines was as an increase of $11 million in our Japanese operations mostly from sales of retirement income products.

 

New annualized premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Gibraltar Life operation increased $19 million, due to continuing strong sales of a U.S. dollar denominated retirement income product launched in the first quarter of 2008 and continuing strong sales of a new single premium yen denominated endowment product launched in the second quarter of 2008. Sales of our U.S. dollar denominated fixed annuity products was essentially flat, as increased sales of this product in our bank distribution channel was offset by lower sales from Life Advisors.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. On a constant exchange rate basis, new annualized premiums increased $77 million, from $879 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $956 million in the first nine months of 2008.

 

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New annualized premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Life Planner operations decreased $9 million, due to lower sales in Korea, which is reflective of the continued competitive market environment, as well as lower sales in Taiwan. Partially offsetting these declines was an increase of $13 million in our Japanese operations mostly from sales of whole life products.

 

The number of Life Planners increased 229, or 4%, from 6,038 as of September 30, 2007 to 6,267 as of September 30, 2008, driven by increases in all countries, including increases of 83 in Taiwan, 54 in Japan, 35 in Argentina. The number of Life Planners in Korea increased by 13 reflective of the continuing competitive market environment. In addition, during 2007 and the first nine months of 2008, 140 Life Planners in Japan were transferred to Gibraltar primarily to support our efforts to expand our bank channel distribution. Factoring in these transfers, the number of Life Planners would have increased 5%, from September 30, 2007 to September 30, 2008.

 

New annualized premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Gibraltar Life operation increased $86 million, reflecting strong sales of a new U.S. dollar denominated retirement income product and a new single premium yen denominated endowment product launched in the first and second quarters of 2008, respectively. Higher sales of our U.S. dollar denominated fixed annuity products in both the Life Advisor and bank distribution channels also contributed to the increase in new annualized premiums. The number of Life Advisors increased by 113, from 5,944 as of September 30, 2007 to 6,057 as of September 30, 2008, as we continue to focus on hiring practices to enhance retention and productivity.

 

Investment Margins and Other Profitability Factors

 

Many of our insurance products sold in international markets provide for the buildup of cash values for the policyholder at mandated guaranteed interest rates. Japanese authorities regulate interest rates guaranteed in our Japanese insurance contracts. The regulated guaranteed interest rates do not necessarily match the actual returns on the underlying investments. The spread between the actual investment returns and these guaranteed rates of return to the policyholder is an element of the profit or loss that we will experience on these products. With regulatory approval, guaranteed rates may be changed on new business. While these actions enhance our ability to set rates commensurate with available investment returns, the major sources of profitability on our products sold in Japan, other than those sold by Gibraltar Life, are margins on mortality, morbidity and expense charges rather than investment spreads.

 

We base premiums and cash values in most countries in which we operate on mandated mortality and morbidity tables. Our mortality and morbidity experience in the International Insurance segment on an overall basis in the first nine months of 2008 and the first nine months of 2007 was well within our pricing assumptions and below the guaranteed levels reflected in the premiums we charge.

 

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International Investments

 

Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth the International Investments segment’s operating results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Revenues

   $ 157     $ 251     $ 487     $ 597  

Expenses

     120       137       398       378  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     37       114       89       219  

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(1)

     (1 )     (1 )     2       —    

Related charges(2)

     —         (1 )     —         (4 )

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures(3)

     (7 )     (6 )     (22 )     (22 )
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ 29     $ 106     $ 69     $ 193  
                                

 

(1) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”
(2) Benefits and expenses exclude related charges which represent the unfavorable (favorable) impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on minority interest.
(3) Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures are included in adjusted operating income but excluded from income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures as they are reflected on a U.S. GAAP basis on an after-tax basis as a separate line in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

In 2004, we acquired an 80 percent interest in Hyundai Investment and Securities Co., Ltd., a Korean asset management firm, from an agency of the Korean government. We subsequently renamed the company Prudential Investment & Securities Co., Ltd, or PISC. On January 25, 2008, we acquired the remaining 20 percent for $90 million and PISC is now a wholly owned operation.

 

On January 18, 2008, we made an additional investment of $154 million in our UBI Pramerica operating joint venture in Italy, which we account for under the equity method. This additional investment was necessary to maintain our ownership interest at 35 percent and was a result of the merger of our joint venture partner with another Italian bank, and their subsequent consolidation of their asset management companies into the UBI Pramerica joint venture.

 

On July 1, 2008, we acquired a 40 percent interest in GAP Asset Management of Brazil, which we account for under the equity method. GAP Asset Management of Brazil had $2.9 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2008.

 

Adjusted Operating Income

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $77 million, from $114 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $37 million in the third quarter of 2008. This decrease reflects the benefit to the prior year quarter of a $37 million gain from the sale of the segment’s Oppenheim joint ventures in July 2007 and a $17 million gain from recoveries related to a former investment of the segment’s Korean asset management operation. Also contributing to the decrease in adjusted operating income is a lower level of gains on securities relating to exchange memberships of the segment’s global commodities group, as the third quarter of 2007 benefited by $22 million, while the third quarter of 2008 benefited by $14 million. The remainder of the decrease in adjusted operating income is attributable to lower results from the segment’s Korean asset

 

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management operation. The adjusted operating income of our Korean asset management operation includes $5 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $4 million in the third quarter of 2007, respectively, of fee revenue from the Korean government under an agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition of PISC, related to the provision of asset management and brokerage services, which agreement extends until February 27, 2009.

 

The significant deterioration in financial market conditions that occurred subsequent to September 30, 2008, particularly in Europe and Asia, may result in a decline in our future asset management and transaction based fees, and hence a decrease in the expected future earnings of the segment’s asset management businesses. Absent a recovery in financial market conditions prior to December 31, 2008, we would expect to record a goodwill impairment for some or all of the goodwill associated with the segment’s asset management businesses in the fourth quarter of 2008. As of September 30, 2008, the carrying value of this goodwill was $131 million. Additionally, these same conditions will require that we review the carrying value of certain equity method investments to determine whether any portion of them will need to be impaired. The aggregate carrying value of these investments was $508 million as of September 30, 2008. Such reviews could lead to an impairment of some portion of the carrying value of these investments in future periods.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $130 million, from $219 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $89 million in the first nine months of 2008. This decrease reflects the benefit to the prior year of a $37 million gain from the sale of Oppenheim and a $17 million gain from the recovery of a former investment, as discussed above. The decrease in adjusted operating income also reflects lower results from the segment’s asset management businesses, primarily in our Korean operation, as well as lower results from the segment’s global commodities group. The decrease in earnings for the global commodities group is driven by a $19 million credit loss reserve related to a brokerage client that was recorded in the first quarter of 2008. Also contributing to lower earnings in the global commodities group is a lower level of gains on securities relating to exchange memberships, which benefited the first nine months of 2007 by $39 million, while benefiting the first nine months of 2008 by $22 million. Results for the first nine months of 2008 and 2007 include fee revenue from the Korean government under the agreement discussed above of $14 million and $13 million, respectively.

 

Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $94 million, from $251 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $157 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting the benefit to the prior year quarter of the gain from the sale of Oppenheim and the gain from the recovery of a former investment as discussed above, as well as lower revenue in the Korean asset management operation.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues decreased $110 million, from $597 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $487 million in the first nine months of 2008, reflecting the benefit to the prior year of the gain from the sale of Oppenheim and the gain from the recovery of a former investment as discussed above, as well as lower revenues from the segment’s asset management businesses, primarily in our Korean operation. Partially offsetting this decrease were higher revenues in our global commodities group due to increased sales and trading activity, which more than offset the lower benefit in the current year from securities relating to exchange memberships.

 

Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $17 million, from $137 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $120 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting lower expenses corresponding with the lower level of revenues generated by the Korean asset management operation.

 

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2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Expenses increased $20 million, from $378 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $398 million in the first nine months of 2008, primarily due to the $19 million credit loss in our global commodities group and higher expenses corresponding with the higher level of revenues generated by the sales and trading activity of our global commodities group. Partially offsetting these items were lower expenses in the segment’s asset management businesses corresponding with the lower level of revenues generated by these businesses.

 

Corporate and Other

 

Corporate and Other includes corporate operations, after allocations to our business segments, and our real estate and relocation services business.

 

Corporate operations consist primarily of: (1) corporate-level income and expenses, after allocations to any of our business segments, including income and expense from our qualified pension and other employee benefit plans and investment returns on capital that is not deployed in any of our segments; (2) returns from investments that we do not allocate to any of our business segments, including debt-financed investment portfolios, as well as tax credit investments and other tax enhanced investments financed by our business segments; (3) capital debt that is used or will be used to meet the capital requirements of Prudential Financial and the related interest expense; and (4) businesses that we have placed in wind-down status but have not divested as well as the impact of transactions with other segments.

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (in millions)  

Operating results:

        

Corporate Operations(1)

   $ (17 )   $ (33 )   $ (31 )   $ (47 )

Real Estate and Relocation Services

     (4 )     21       (30 )     36  
                                

Adjusted operating income

     (21 )     (12 )     (61 )     (11 )

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(2)

     20       (163 )     11       (73 )

Investment gains on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities(1)(3)

     —         —         —         2  

Divested businesses(4)

     (3 )     (27 )     (128 )     19  
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (4 )   $ (202 )   $ (178 )   $ (63 )
                                

 

(1) Includes consolidating adjustments.
(2) Revenues exclude Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.” The related charges represent the impact of Realized investment gains (losses), net, on the amortization of unearned revenue reserves. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.”
(3) Revenues exclude net investment gains and losses on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities.”
(4) See “—Divested Businesses.”

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $9 million, from a loss of $12 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $21 million in the third quarter of 2008. Adjusted operating income of our real estate and relocation services business decreased $25 million, from income of $21 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $4 million in the third quarter of 2008. Less favorable residential real estate market conditions resulted in lower royalty fees, increased bad debt reserves and lower relocation revenue from real estate referral fees and home sale transactions. Certain of our clients utilize a fixed fee home sale program under which we assume the benefits and burdens of ownership with respect to a relocating employee's home that is purchased by us, including carrying costs and any loss on sale. As of September 30, 2008, we held in unsold inventory homes with a net value of $81 million under this program.

 

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We have evaluated the goodwill of our Real Estate and Relocation Services business, which, as of September 30, 2008 was $118 million, for potential impairment. As of September 30, 2008, we determined that a goodwill impairment did not exist, as the fair value of the business, which was calculated by applying a discounted cash flow analysis to its expected future earnings, was greater than its carrying value. Further or continued deterioration of the U.S. housing markets could result in an impairment of some or all of the goodwill associated with this business in future periods.

 

Adjusted operating income from corporate operations increased $16 million, from a loss of $33 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $17 million in the third quarter of 2008. Corporate operations benefited from a decline in our deferred compensation liabilities and other compensation related items in the third quarter of 2008 versus the prior year quarter, as well as lower costs associated with philanthropic activities and other retained corporate expenses. These lower costs were partially offset by increased costs related to our retained obligations relating to policyholders with whom we had previously agreed to provide insurance for reduced or no premium in accordance with contractual settlements related to prior individual life sales practices remediation. Both our deferred compensation liabilities and our retained obligations to certain policyholders are impacted by financial market conditions. Corporate operations investment income, net of interest expense, decreased, primarily reflecting the impact of increased borrowings, which includes the issuance in 2008 of $1.5 billion of junior subordinated notes, as well as lower yields on invested assets.

 

The proceeds from our $2 billion December 2006 convertible debt issuance were used to fund an investment portfolio of fixed income securities until December 2007, which also benefited results for the prior year quarter. These proceeds, as well as the proceeds from our $3 billion December 2007 convertible debt issuance, are now invested primarily in short-term investments or are used to support operating needs in lieu of other short-term borrowings.

 

Corporate operations includes income from our qualified pension plan of $73 million in the third quarter of 2008, a decrease of $19 million from $92 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the transfer in April 2007 of $1 billion in plan assets within the qualified pension plan under Section 420 of the Internal Revenue Code from assets supporting pension benefits to assets supporting retiree medical benefits. As a result of the transfer, the decline in income from our qualified pension plan was offset by a corresponding decline in other postretirement benefit expenses.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $50 million, from a loss of $11 million in the first nine months of 2007 to a loss of $61 million in the first nine months of 2008. The greater loss in the first nine months of 2008 is primarily due to less favorable results in our real estate and relocation services business. Adjusted operating income of our real estate and relocation services business decreased $66 million, from income of $36 million in the first nine months of 2007 to a loss of $30 million in the first nine months of 2008. Less favorable residential real estate market conditions resulted in lower royalty fees, increased bad debt reserves and lower relocation revenue from real estate referral fees and homesale transactions.

 

Adjusted operating income from corporate operations increased $16 million, from a loss of $47 million for the first nine months of 2007 to a loss of $31 million for the first nine months of 2008. Corporate operations benefited from a decline in our deferred compensation liabilities and other compensation related items in the first nine months of 2008 versus the prior year, as well as lower costs associated with philanthropic activities and other retained corporate expenses. This benefit was partially offset by increased costs related to our retained obligations relating to policyholders with whom we had previously agreed to provide insurance for reduced or no premium in accordance with contractual settlements related to prior individual life sales practices remediation. Both our deferred compensation liabilities and our retained obligations to certain policyholders are impacted by financial market conditions. Corporate operations investment income, net of interest expense, decreased, primarily reflecting the impact of increased borrowings, which includes the issuance in 2008 of $1.5 billion of junior subordinated notes, as well as lower earnings from the investment of proceeds from our convertible debt issues, lower yields on invested assets and the impact of less favorable pre-tax income from our tax credit investments.

 

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The $2 billion November 2005 convertible debt securities, for which investment of proceeds in fixed income securities contributed to results during the first nine months of 2007, were repaid in May 2007. The proceeds from our $2 billion December 2006 convertible debt issuance were used to fund an investment portfolio of fixed income securities until December 2007, which also benefited results for the first nine months of the prior year. These proceeds, as well as the proceeds from our $3 billion December 2007 convertible debt issuance, are now invested primarily in short-term investments or are used to support operating needs in lieu of other short-term borrowings.

 

Corporate operations includes income from our qualified pension plan of $217 million in the first nine months of 2008, a decrease of $57 million from $274 million in first nine months of 2007. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the transfer in April 2007 of $1 billion in plan assets within the qualified pension plan under Section 420 of the Internal Revenue Code from assets supporting pension benefits to assets supporting retiree medical benefits. As a result of the transfer, the decline in income from our qualified pension plan was offset by a corresponding decline in other postretirement benefit expenses.

 

Results of Operations of Closed Block Business

 

We established the Closed Block Business effective as of the date of demutualization. The Closed Block Business includes our in force traditional domestic participating life insurance and annuity products and assets that are used for the payment of benefits and policyholder dividends on these policies, as well as other assets and equity and related liabilities that support these policies. We no longer offer these traditional domestic participating policies. See “—Overview—Closed Block Business” for additional details.

 

At the end of each year, the Board of Directors of Prudential Insurance determines the dividends payable on participating policies for the following year based on the experience of the Closed Block, including investment income, net realized and unrealized investment gains, mortality experience and other factors. Although Closed Block experience for dividend action decisions is based upon statutory results, at the time the Closed Block was established, we developed, as required by U.S. GAAP, an actuarial calculation of the timing of the maximum future earnings from the policies included in the Closed Block. If actual cumulative earnings in any given period are greater than the cumulative earnings we expected, we will record this excess as a policyholder dividend obligation. We will subsequently pay this excess to Closed Block policyholders as an additional dividend unless it is otherwise offset by future Closed Block performance that is less favorable than we originally expected. The policyholder dividends we charge to expense within the Closed Block Business will include any change in policyholder dividend obligations that we recognize for the excess of actual cumulative earnings in any given period over the cumulative earnings we expected in addition to the actual policyholder dividends declared by the Board of Directors of Prudential Insurance.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the excess of actual cumulative earnings over the expected cumulative earnings was $175 million. Actual cumulative earnings, as required by U.S. GAAP, reflect the recognition of realized investment gains and losses in the current period, as well as changes in assets and related liabilities that support the Closed Block policies. However, due to the accumulation of net unrealized investment losses that have arisen subsequent to the establishment of the Closed Block, the policyholder dividend obligation balance as of September 30, 2008 is zero.

 

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Operating Results

 

Management does not consider adjusted operating income to assess the operating performance of the Closed Block Business. Consequently, results of the Closed Block Business for all periods are presented only in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following table sets forth the Closed Block Business U.S. GAAP results for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008             2007            2008             2007    
     (in millions)

U.S. GAAP results:

         

Revenues

   $ 1,778     $ 1,886    $ 4,945     $ 5,770

Benefits and expenses

     1,891       1,878      5,046       5,610
                             

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures

   $ (113 )   $ 8    $ (101 )   $ 160
                             

 

Income (loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Operating Joint Ventures

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures decreased $121 million, from income of $8 million in the third quarter of 2007 to a loss of $113 million in the third quarter of 2008. Results for the third quarter of 2008 reflect a decrease of $81 million in net investment income, net of interest expense, primarily related to lower yields and a decrease in income on joint ventures and limited partnership investments accounted for under the equity method. In addition, dividends paid and accrued to policyholders increased, primarily due to an increase in the 2008 dividend scale. These decreases to income were partially offset by an increase of $6 million in realized investment gains, from $113 million in the third quarter of 2007 to $119 million in the third quarter of 2008. For a discussion of Closed Block Business realized investment gains (losses), net, see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.” The impact of these items contributed to actual cumulative earnings which, when compared to the expected cumulative earnings, resulted in a decrease in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation expense of $38 million from the third quarter of 2007, compared to the third quarter of 2008. As noted above, as of September 30, 2008, the excess of actual cumulative earnings over the expected cumulative earnings was $175 million. Actual cumulative earnings less than expected cumulative earnings will result in volatility in the Closed Block Business earnings in future periods.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures decreased $261 million, from income of $160 million in the first nine months of 2007 to a loss of $101 million in the first nine months of 2008. Results for the first nine months of 2008 include net realized investment losses of $339 million as compared to gains of $312 million in the first nine months of 2007, a decrease of $651 million. For a discussion of Closed Block Business realized investment gains (losses), net, see “—Realized Investment Gains and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains.” Net investment income, net of interest expense, decreased $181 million, primarily related to lower yields and a decrease in income on joint ventures and limited partnership investments accounted for under the equity method. In addition, dividends paid and accrued to policyholders increased, primarily due to an increase in the 2008 dividend scale. The impact of these items contributed to actual cumulative earnings which, when compared to the expected cumulative earnings, resulted in a decrease in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation expense of $754 million from the first nine months of 2007, compared to the first nine months of 2008.

 

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Revenues

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $108 million, from $1.886 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.778 billion in the third quarter of 2008, principally driven by the decrease in net investment income, as discussed above.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $825 million, from $5.770 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $4.945 billion in the first nine months of 2008, principally driven by the decrease in net realized investment gains and net investment income, as discussed above.

 

Benefits and Expenses

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $13 million, from $1.878 billion in the third quarter of 2007 to $1.891 billion in the third quarter of 2008. This increase included an $18 million increase in dividends to policyholders reflecting an increase in dividends paid and accrued to policyholders of $56 million, primarily due to an increase in the 2008 dividend scale, partially offset by a decrease in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation expense of $38 million.

 

2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison. Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $564 million, from $5.610 billion in the first nine months of 2007 to $5.046 billion in the first nine months of 2008. This decrease included a $584 million decline in dividends to policyholders reflecting a decrease in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation expense of $754 million, partially offset by an increase in dividends paid and accrued to policyholders, primarily due to an increase in the 2008 dividend scale and the aging of the policies.

 

Income Taxes

 

Our income tax provision amounted to an income tax benefit of $143 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to income tax expense of $316 million in the third quarter of 2007. Our income tax provision amounted to an income tax benefit of $48 million in the first nine months of 2008 compared to income tax expense of $1.063 billion in the first nine months of 2007, representing 10% of income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures for the first nine months of 2008 and 29% for the first nine months of 2007.

 

We have utilized a discrete effective tax rate method, as allowed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28 and Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 18, to calculate taxes for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008. We believe that, at this time, the use of this discrete method is more appropriate than the full year effective tax rate method applied in prior quarters. As a result of the extreme volatility in the U.S. markets and its impact on our ability to forecast pre-tax earnings, the 2008 effective tax rate estimate is unreliable.

 

The decline in income tax expense primarily reflects the decline in pre-tax income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures for both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2008.

 

The dividends received deduction, or DRD, reduces the amount of dividend income subject to U.S. tax and in recent years is the primary component of the difference between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. The DRD for the current period was estimated using information from 2007, current year results, and was adjusted to take into account the current year’s equity market performance. The actual current year DRD can vary from the estimate based on factors such as, but not limited to, changes in the amount of dividends

 

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received that are eligible for the DRD, changes in the amount of distributions received from mutual fund investments, changes in the account balances of variable life and annuity contracts, and our taxable income before the DRD.

 

In August 2007, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, released Revenue Ruling 2007-54, which included, among other items, guidance on the methodology to be followed in calculating the dividends received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. In September 2007, the IRS released Revenue Ruling 2007-61. Revenue Ruling 2007-61 suspends Revenue Ruling 2007-54 and informs taxpayers that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to address through new regulations the issues considered in Revenue Ruling 2007-54, including the methodology to be followed in determining the dividends received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. These activities had no impact on our 2007 or 2008 results.

 

In December 2006, the IRS completed all fieldwork with regards to its examination of the consolidated federal income tax returns for tax years 2002 and 2003. The final report was initially submitted to the Joint Committee on Taxation for their review in April 2007. The final report was resubmitted in March 2008 and again in April 2008. The Joint Committee returned the report to the IRS for additional review of the industry issue regarding the methodology for calculating the DRD related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. The IRS completed its review of the issue and proposed an adjustment with respect to the calculation of the DRD. In order to expedite a pending income tax refund related to the 2002 and 2003 years, we have agreed to such adjustment. Nevertheless, we believe that our return position is technically correct. Therefore, we intend to file a protective refund claim to recover the taxes associated with the agreed upon adjustment and to pursue such other actions as appropriate. The report, with the adjustment, was submitted to the Joint Committee on Taxation in October 2008. These activities had no impact on our 2007 or 2008 results.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Included within net income are the results of businesses which are reflected as discontinued operations under U.S. GAAP. A summary of the results of discontinued operations by business is as follows for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008            2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Equity sales, trading and research operations

   $ 1    $ (1 )   $ (1 )   $ (104 )

Real estate investments sold or held for sale

     3      —         4       62  

Canadian intermediate weekly premium and individual health operations

     —        (1 )     —         (1 )

International securities operations

     —        (2 )     (2 )     (1 )

Healthcare operations

     3      —         3       5  
                               

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes

     7      (4 )     4       (39 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     2      —         1       (45 )
                               

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

   $ 5    $ (4 )   $ 3     $ 6  
                               

 

The nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes a $26 million tax benefit associated with a discontinued international business. Real estate investments sold or held for sale reflects the income from discontinued real estate investments.

 

For additional information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 3 of the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Divested Businesses

 

Our income from continuing operations includes results from several businesses that have been or will be sold or exited that do not qualify for “discontinued operations” accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP. The results of these divested businesses are reflected in our Corporate and Other operations, but excluded from adjusted operating income. A summary of the results of the divested businesses that have been excluded from adjusted operating income is as follows for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (in millions)  

Commercial mortgage securitization operations

   $ (6 )   $ (42 )   $ (129 )   $ (10 )

Exchange shares previously held by Prudential Equity Group

     2       11       (5 )     5  

Prudential Securities capital markets

     (2 )     3       2       12  

Prudential Home Mortgage Company

     (1 )     1       (1 )     8  

Property and casualty insurance

     4       —         5       4  
                                

Total divested businesses excluded from adjusted operating income

   $ (3 )   $ (27 )   $ (128 )   $ 19  
                                

 

In 2008, we classified our commercial mortgage securitization operations as a divested business, reflecting our decision to exit this business. As a result of this decision, these operations, which involved the origination and purchase of commercial mortgage loans that we in turn would aggregate and sell into commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, together with related hedging activities, previously reported within the Asset Management segment, have been classified within divested businesses and are reflected in our Corporate and Other operations. Accordingly, these results are excluded from adjusted operating income, with prior period results being adjusted to reflect such reclassification. We retained and continue the remainder of our commercial mortgage origination, servicing and other commercial mortgage related activities, which remain a part of our Asset Management segment. We do not anticipate incurring material additional costs (including employee severance, retention and other employee related costs) in connection with this decision. As of September 30, 2008, our commercial mortgage securitization operations held loans with a principal balance of $286 million. Net of the derivatives purchased as hedges, about $144 million of these positions continue to be subject to changes in credit spreads. This represents a decrease from about $750 million as of December 31, 2007. The losses of $6 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $129 million in the first nine months of 2008 primarily reflect net realized and unrealized losses on the loans, bonds and hedges from instability in the commercial mortgage-backed securities market during 2008.

 

Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

 

“Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value” include assets that support certain products included in the Retirement and International Insurance segments, which are experience-rated, meaning that the investment results associated with these products will ultimately accrue to contractholders. Realized and unrealized gains and losses for these investments are reported in “Asset management fees and other income.” Investment income for these investments is reported in “Net investment income.”

 

Results for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 include the recognition of $534 million of investment losses and $36 million of investment gains, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 include the recognition of $919 million of investment losses and $10 million of investment gains, respectively, on “Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value.” These gains and losses primarily represent interest-rate related mark-to-market adjustments on fixed maturity securities. Consistent with our treatment of “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” these gains and losses, which will

 

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ultimately accrue to the contractholders, are excluded from adjusted operating income. In addition, results for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 include decreases of $388 million and increases of $6 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 include decreases of $682 million and $4 million, respectively, in contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes in the pool of investments that support these experience-rated contracts. These liability changes are reflected in “Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances” and are also excluded from adjusted operating income. As prescribed by U.S. GAAP, changes in the fair value of commercial loans held in our general account, other than when associated with impairments, are not recognized in income in the current period, while the impact of these changes in commercial loan value are reflected as a change in the liability to contractholders in the current period. Included in the amounts above related to the change in the liability to contractholders are decreases related to commercial loans of $59 million and increases related to commercial loans of $23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and decreases related to commercial loans of $76 million and increases related to commercial loans of $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Valuation of Assets and Liabilities

 

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

 

As discussed in Notes 2 and 10 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1—Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to us for identical assets or liabilities. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available. Active markets are defined as having the following for the measured asset/liability: i) many transactions, ii) current prices, iii) price quotes not varying substantially among market makers, iv) narrow bid/ask spreads and v) most information publicly available. Our Level 1 assets and liabilities primarily include certain cash equivalents and short term investments, equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market. Prices are obtained from readily available sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2—Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than Level 1 inputs, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities and other market observable inputs. Our Level 2 assets and liabilities include: fixed maturities (corporate public and private bonds, most government securities, certain asset- and mortgage-backed securities, etc.), certain equity securities and commercial loans, short-term investments and certain cash equivalents (primarily commercial paper) and certain over-the-counter derivatives. Valuations are generally obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities, non-binding broker quotes (when pricing service information is not available) or through the use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs. Prices from services are validated through comparison to internal pricing information and economic indicators as well as backtesting to trade data or other data to confirm that the pricing service’s significant inputs are observable. Broker quotes are non-binding, reviewed for reasonableness, based on our understanding of the market, and generally considered Level 3. Under certain conditions, we may conclude the prices received from independent third party pricing services or brokers are not reasonable or reflective of market activity. In those instances, we may choose to over-ride the third-party pricing information or quotes received

 

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and apply internally developed values to the related assets or liabilities. In such cases, the valuations are generally classified as Level 3. As of September 30, 2008 such over-rides on a net basis resulted in lower pricing levels being used and in aggregate were not materially different from the prices received from the independent pricing services.

 

Level 3—Fair value is based on at least one or more significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect our assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Our Level 3 assets and liabilities primarily include: certain private fixed maturities and equity securities, certain manually priced public equity securities and fixed maturities, including certain asset-backed securities and securities where we chose to over-ride pricing information received from third parties as discussed above, certain highly structured over-the-counter derivative contracts, certain commercial loans, certain consolidated real estate funds for which we are the general partner, and embedded derivatives resulting from certain products with guaranteed benefits. Prices are determined using valuation methodologies such as option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques. Prices may also be based upon non-binding quotes from brokers or other market-makers that are reviewed for reasonableness, based on our understanding of the market.

 

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2008, for Consolidated, Financial Services Businesses and Closed Block Business.

 

     Consolidated
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3(1)    Netting(2)     Total
     (in millions)

Fixed maturities, available for sale

   $ 5    $ 153,399    $ 2,200    $ —       $ 155,604

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

     1,093      13,169      130      —         14,392

Other trading account assets

     519      4,315      802      (2,268 )     3,368

Equity securities, available for sale

     4,905      2,234      250      —         7,389

Commercial loans

     —        511      63      —         574

Other long-term investments

     550      30      991      —         1,571

Short term investments

     3,752      2,711      —        —         6,463

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,241      7,455      —        —         8,696

Other assets

     52      3,596      —        —         3,648
                                   

Sub-total excluding separate account assets

     12,117      187,420      4,436      (2,268 )     201,705

Separate account assets(3)

     73,963      68,310      22,875      —         165,148
                                   

Total assets

   $ 86,080    $ 255,730    $ 27,311    $ (2,268 )   $ 366,853
                                   

Future policy benefits

     —        —        785      —         785

Long-term debt

     —        —        280      —         280

Other liabilities

     65      2,383      158      (2,079 )     527
                                   

Total liabilities

   $ 65    $ 2,383    $ 1,223    $ (2,079 )   $ 1,592
                                   

 

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     Financial Services Businesses
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3(1)    Netting(2)     Total
     (in millions)

Fixed maturities, available for sale

   $ 5    $ 113,071    $ 1,550    $ —       $ 114,626

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

     1,093      13,169      130      —         14,392

Other trading account assets

     519      4,200      789      (2,268 )     3,240

Equity securities, available for sale

     1,966      2,071      221      —         4,258

Commercial loans

     —        511      63      —         574

Other long-term investments

     550      30      991      —         1,571

Short term investments

     3,031      2,169      —        —         5,200

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,068      6,184      —        —         7,252

Other assets

     52      3,596      —        —         3,648
                                   

Sub-total excluding separate account assets

     8,284      145,001      3,744      (2,268 )     154,761

Separate account assets(3)

     73,963      68,310      22,875      —         165,148
                                   

Total assets

   $ 82,247    $ 213,311    $ 26,619    $ (2,268 )   $ 319,909
                                   

Future policy benefits

     —        —        785      —         785

Long-term debt

     —        —        280      —         280

Other liabilities

     4      2,337      151      (2,079 )     413
                                   

Total liabilities

   $ 4    $ 2,337    $ 1,216    $ (2,079 )   $ 1,478
                                   

 

     Closed Block Business
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3(1)    Netting(2)    Total
     (in millions)

Fixed maturities, available for sale

   $ —      $ 40,328    $ 650    $ —      $ 40,978

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

     —        —        —        —        —  

Other trading account assets

     —        115      13      —        128

Equity securities, available for sale

     2,939      163      29      —        3,131

Commercial loans

     —        —        —        —        —  

Other long-term investments

     —        —        —        —        —  

Short term investments

     721      542      —        —        1,263

Cash and cash equivalents

     173      1,271      —        —        1,444

Other assets

     —        —        —        —        —  
                                  

Sub-total excluding separate account assets

     3,833      42,419      692      —        46,944

Separate account assets(3)

     —        —        —        —        —  
                                  

Total assets

   $ 3,833    $ 42,419    $ 692    $ —      $ 46,944
                                  

Future policy benefits

     —        —        —        —        —  

Long-term debt

     —        —        —        —        —  

Other liabilities

     61      46      7      —        114
                                  

Total liabilities

   $ 61    $ 46    $ 7    $ —      $ 114
                                  

 

(1) The amount of Level 3 assets taken as a percentage of total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis totaled 7%, 8% and 1% for Consolidated, Financial Services Businesses and Closed Block Business, respectively. Excluding separate account assets for which the risk is borne by the policyholder, the amount of Level 3 assets taken as a percentage of total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis totaled 2% for both Consolidated and Financial Services Businesses. The amount of Level 3 liabilities was immaterial to our balance sheet.
(2) “Netting” amounts represent cash collateral and the impact of offsetting asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty as permitted by FASB Interpretation No. 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts and FSP FIN 39-1, Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39.
(3) Separate account assets represent segregated funds that are invested for certain customers. Investment risks associated with market value changes are borne by the customers, except to the extent of minimum guarantees made by us with respect to certain accounts. Separate account assets classified as Level 3 consist primarily of real estate and real estate investment funds. Separate account liabilities are not included in the above table as they are reported at contract value and not fair value in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

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For additional information regarding the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value by hierarchy level see Note 10 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The determination of fair value, which for certain assets and liabilities is dependent on the application of estimates and assumptions, can have a significant impact on our results of operations. As discussed in more detail below, the determination of fair value for certain assets and liabilities may require the application of a greater degree of judgment given current market conditions, as the ability to value assets can be significantly impacted by a decrease in market activity. The following sections describe the key estimates and assumptions surrounding certain assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, that could have a significant impact on our results of operations or involve the use of significant unobservable inputs. Information regarding Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities as well as Separate Account Assets is excluded as the risk of assets for these categories is ultimately borne by our customers and policyholders.

 

Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities

 

Our public fixed maturity securities include investments in corporate securities, government securities and various structured securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. The fair values of our public fixed maturity securities are generally based on prices obtained from independent pricing services. Prices are sourced from multiple pricing services, and a vendor hierarchy is maintained by asset type based on historical pricing experience and vendor expertise. We generally receive prices from multiple pricing services for each security, but ultimately utilize the price from the pricing service highest in the vendor hierarchy based on the respective asset type. In order to validate reasonability, prices are reviewed by our internal asset managers through comparison with directly observed recent market trades or comparison of all significant inputs used by the pricing service to our observations of those inputs in the market. Consistent with the fair value hierarchy described above, securities with validated quotes from pricing services are generally reflected within Level 2. If we conclude pricing information received from third party pricing services is not reflective of market activity or other inputs we have observed in the market, we may challenge the price through a formal process with the pricing service. If the pricing service updates the price to be more reasonable in comparison to our presented market observations, the security remains within Level 2.

 

If we ultimately conclude that pricing information received from the independent pricing service is not reflective of market activity, we utilize values based on non-binding broker quotes, if available. If we conclude values from both pricing services and brokers are not reflective of market activity, we may over-ride the information from the pricing service or broker with an internally developed valuation. As of September 30, 2008, such over-rides in aggregate, were not material. In circumstances where vendor pricing is not available, we also use internally developed valuations or non-binding broker quotes to determine fair value. These estimates may use significant unobservable inputs, which reflect our own assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset. Circumstances where observable market data is not available may include events such as market illiquidity and credit events related to the security. Pricing service over-rides, internally developed valuations and non-binding broker quotes are generally included in Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. Despite the dislocated markets and low levels of liquidity at the end of the third quarter of 2008, our internally developed valuations of current exit value, which reflect our estimates of liquidity and non performance risks, compared with pricing received from the independent pricing services did not produce significantly material differences for the vast majority of our fixed maturity portfolio. As a result, we generally continued to use the price provided by the independent pricing service under our normal pricing protocol.

 

Our private fixed maturities are primarily comprised of investments in private placement securities originated by our internal private asset managers. The fair values of these private fixed maturities are primarily determined using a discounted cash flow model, which utilizes a discount rate based upon the average of spread surveys collected from private market intermediaries who are active in both primary and secondary transactions, and takes into account, among other factors, the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer and the reduced liquidity associated with private placements. Generally, these securities have been reflected within Level 2 in our

 

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fair value hierarchy. For certain of these securities, including those that are distressed, the discounted cash flow model may also incorporate significant unobservable inputs, which reflect our own assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset. Accordingly, these securities have been reflected within Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

Private fixed maturities also include debt investments in funds that, in addition to a stated coupon, pay a return based upon the results of the underlying portfolios. The fair values of these securities are determined by reference to the funds’ net asset value (NAV). Any restrictions on our ability to redeem our interests in these funds at NAV are considered to have a de minimis effect on the fair value. Since the NAV that the funds trade at can be observed by redemption and subscription transactions between third parties, the fair values of these investments have been reflected within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

Our Level 3 fixed maturity securities generally include certain public fixed maturities and distressed private fixed maturities priced internally based on observable and unobservable inputs. As of September 30, 2008, about half of our Level 3 fixed maturity securities were public fixed maturities, with values primarily based on non-binding broker-quotes, and about half were private fixed maturities, with values primary based on internally developed models, as discussed above. Significant unobservable inputs used include: issue specific credit adjustments, material non-public financial information, management judgment, estimation of future earnings and cashflows, default rate assumptions, liquidity assumptions and non-binding quotes from market makers. These inputs are usually considered unobservable, as not all market participants will have access to this data. As of September 30, 2008 we classified approximately $100 million of our investments in asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages as Level 3, primarily reflecting securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes. The vast majority of our asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages are valued using information from independent pricing services, and are included in Level 2 based on the process described above. Net realized and unrealized losses for Level 3 Available for Sale fixed maturities totaled $39 million and $88 million, respectively, for the third quarter of 2008.

 

Within fixed maturities, we hold asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, as discussed in greater detail in “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities”. While the fair value of these investments, as well as others within our portfolio of fixed maturities, has declined in recent quarters due to increased credit spreads and illiquidity in the financial markets, we believe the ultimate value that will be realized from these investments is greater than that reflected by their current fair value.

 

Valuation of Equity Securities

 

Equity securities consist principally of investments in common and preferred stock of publicly traded companies, privately traded securities, as well as common stock mutual fund shares. The fair values of most publicly traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and are classified within Level 1 in our fair value hierarchy. Estimated fair values for privately traded equity securities are determined using valuation and discounted cash flow models that require a substantial level of judgment. In determining the fair value of certain privately traded equity securities the discounted cash flow model may also use unobservable inputs, which reflect our own assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset. Most privately traded equity securities are classified within Level 3. The fair values of common stock mutual fund shares that transact regularly (but do not trade in active markets because they are not publicly available) are based on transaction prices of identical fund shares and are classified within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy. The fair values of preferred equity securities are based on prices obtained from independent pricing services and, in order to validate reasonability, are compared with recent market trades we have directly observed. Accordingly, these securities are classified within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

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Impact of Valuation of Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities on Results of Operations

 

The impact our determination of fair value for fixed maturity and equity securities has on our results of operations is dependent on our classification of the security as either trading, available for sale, or held to maturity. For our investments classified as trading, the impact of changes in fair value is recorded within “Asset management fees and other income.” For our investments classified as available for sale, the impact of changes in fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net,” a separate component of equity. Our investments classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. In addition, investments classified as available for sale, as well as those classified as held to maturity, are subject to impairment reviews to identify when a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. When it is determined that a decline in value is other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the security is impaired to its fair value, with a corresponding charge to “Realized investment gains (losses), net” in the statement of operations and is included in income from continuing operations under U.S. GAAP but excluded from adjusted operating income. The level of impairment losses can be expected to increase when economic conditions worsen and decrease when economic conditions improve. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” for a discussion of the effects of impairments on our operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

For a further discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments, see “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” below. For a further discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording equity impairments, see “—General Account Investments—Equity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Equity Securities” below.

 

Valuation of Commercial Loans

 

Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” we elected the fair value option for certain loans held within the commercial mortgage operations of the asset management segment. Specifically, the fair value option was elected for funded commercial loans held for sale originated beginning January 1, 2008. In addition, we elected the fair value option for fixed rate commercial loans held for investment that were held at December 31, 2007 and for such loans originated beginning January 1, 2008. We elected the fair value option for the loan programs mentioned above primarily to eliminate the need for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, while still achieving an offset in earnings from the associated interest rate derivative hedges.

 

Due to volatility in the credit markets, we experienced unexpected volatility in the fair value of the aforementioned fixed rate commercial loans held for investment that was not substantially offset by the associated interest rate derivative hedges during the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Therefore, we decided to no longer elect the fair value option on loans held for investment that were originated after March 31, 2008, and have applied hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133.

 

The fair value of loans held for investment and accounted for using the Fair Value Option discussed above is determined based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the appropriate U.S. Treasury rate, adjusted for the current market spread for similar quality loans. Since the interest rate and market spread assumptions for similar quality loans are generally observable based upon market transactions, the fair value of loans held for investment has been reflected within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

The fair value of loans held for sale and accounted for using the Fair Value Option discussed above as well as those loans reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis and accounted for using the lower of cost or market approach is determined utilizing pricing indicators from the whole loan market, which we consider our principal market for these loans. We have evaluated the valuation inputs used for these assets, and deemed that the primary pricing inputs are Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

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Valuation of Other Long-Term Investments

 

Other long-term investments carried at fair value include limited partnerships which we consolidate because we are either deemed to exercise control or are considered the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. These entities are considered investment companies and follow specialized industry accounting whereby their assets are carried at fair value. The investments held by these entities include various feeder fund investments in underlying master funds (whose underlying holdings generally include public fixed maturities and equity securities), as well as wholly-owned real estate held within other investment funds.

 

The fair value of the feeder fund investments in master funds is determined by reference to the master funds’ net asset value (NAV). Any restrictions on our ability to redeem our interests in these funds at NAV are considered to have a de minimis effect on fair value. Since the NAV at which these funds trade can be observed by redemption and subscription transactions with third parties, the fair values of feeder fund investments in master funds have been reflected within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

The fair value of wholly-owned real estate held in consolidated investment funds is determined through an independent appraisal process. The appraisals generally utilize a discounted cash flow model, following an income approach, that incorporates various assumptions including rental revenue, operating expenses and discount rates. These appraisals and the related assumptions are updated at least annually, and incorporate historical property experience and any observable market data, including any market transactions. Since many of the assumptions utilized are unobservable and are considered to be significant inputs to the valuation, the real estate investments within other long-term investments have been reflected within Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. Consolidated real estate investment funds classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2008 totaled approximately $985 million. Our direct investment in these funds is not material, and the majority of the assets recorded as a result of the consolidation of these funds is offset by a minority interest liability, which liability is not considered to be fair value and therefore, not included in fair value reporting above.

 

Valuation of Derivative Instruments

 

Derivatives are recorded either as assets, within “Other trading account assets,” or “Other long-term investments,” or as liabilities, within “Other liabilities,” except for embedded derivatives which are recorded with the associated host contract. The fair values of derivative contracts are determined based on quoted prices in active exchanges or through the use of valuation models. The fair values of derivative contracts can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, credit spreads, market volatility, expected returns and liquidity as well as other factors. Liquidity valuation adjustments are made to reflect the cost of exiting significant risk positions, and consider the bid-ask spread, maturity, complexity, and other specific attributes of the underlying derivative position. Fair values can also be affected by changes in estimates and assumptions including those related to counterparty behavior used in valuation models.

 

Our over-the-counter, or OTC, derivative contracts are executed under master netting agreements with counterparties with a Credit Support Annex, or CSA, which is a bilateral ratings-sensitive agreement that requires collateral postings at established credit threshold levels. These agreements protect our interest, as well as those of our counterparties, should either party suffer a credit rating deterioration. The vast majority of our derivative agreements are with highly rated major international financial institutions. Consistent with the practice of major international financial institutions, we use the credit spread embedded in the LIBOR interest rate curve to reflect nonperformance risk when determining the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities. We believe this credit spread is an appropriate estimate of the nonperformance risk for derivative related assets and liabilities between highly rated institutions that are subject to periodic collateral posting.

 

Our exchange traded futures and options include treasury futures, Eurodollar futures, commodity futures, Eurodollar options and commodity options. Exchange traded futures and options are valued using quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

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The majority of our derivative positions are traded in the OTC derivative market and are classified within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives classified within Level 2 are valued using models generally accepted in the financial services industry that use actively quoted or observable market input values from external market data providers, non-binding broker-dealer quotations, third-party pricing vendors and/or recent trading activity. The fair values of most OTC derivatives, including forward rate agreements, interest rate and cross currency swaps, commodity swaps, commodity forward contracts, single name credit default swaps and to be announced forward contracts on highly rated mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities are determined using discounted cash flow models. The fair values of European style option contracts are determined using Black-Scholes option pricing models. These models’ key assumptions include the contractual terms of the respective contract, along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, currency rates, credit spreads, yield curves, equity prices, index dividend yields, and volatility.

 

Most OTC derivative contracts have bid and ask prices that can be readily observed in the market place. Our policy is to use mid-market pricing consistent with our best estimate of fair value. The bid-ask spreads for derivatives classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are generally wider than derivatives classified within Level 2 thus requiring more judgment in estimating the mid-market price of such derivatives. The fair values of OTC derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 totaled approximately $700 million and $150 million, respectively, without giving consideration to the impact of netting, as of September 30, 2008.

 

Derivatives that are valued based upon models with unobservable market input values or input values from less actively traded or less-developed markets are classified within Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. Derivatives classified as Level 3 include first-to-default credit basket swaps, look-back equity options and other structured options. For additional information regarding embedded derivatives in our annuity and retirement products classified as Level 3, see “Valuation of Variable Annuity Optional Living Benefit Features” below. The fair values of first-to-default credit basket swaps are derived from relevant observable inputs such as: individual credit default spreads, interest rates, recovery rates and unobservable model-specific input values such as correlation between different credits within the same basket. Look-back equity options and other structured options and derivatives are valued using simulation models such as the Monte Carlo technique. The input values for look-back equity options are derived from observable market indices such as interest rates, dividend yields, equity indices as well as unobservable model-specific input values such as certain volatility parameters. Level 3 methodologies are validated through periodic comparison of our fair values to broker-dealer’s values.

 

All realized and unrealized changes in fair value of non-dealer related derivatives, with the exception of the effective portion of cash flow hedges and effective hedges of net investments in foreign operations, are recorded in current earnings. Generally, the changes in fair value of such non-dealer related derivatives, excluding those that qualify for hedge accounting, are recorded in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” For additional information regarding the impact of changes in fair value of derivative instruments on our results of operations see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” below.

 

We hold externally managed investments in the European market, as discussed in greater detail under “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Fixed Maturity Securities and Unrealized Gains and Losses by Industry Category.” These investments are valued using market observable inputs including benchmark yields and reported trades and are classified as Level 2 for fair value reporting. The fair value of the embedded derivatives associated with these investments declined during the third quarter of 2008 due to credit spread widening in the applicable financial markets, and remains in a loss position on a cumulative basis as a result of the recent stress in the credit markets. However, we believe the investment fundamentals remain sound, and the ultimate value that will be realized from these investments is greater than reflected by the current fair value of the embedded derivatives.

 

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Valuation of Variable Annuity Optional Living Benefit Features

 

Our liability for future policy benefits includes general account liabilities for guarantees on variable annuity contracts, including guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”), guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) and guaranteed minimum income and withdrawal benefits (“GMIWB”). These benefits are accounted for as embedded derivatives and are carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.”

 

The fair values of the GMAB, GMWB and GMIWB liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected payments to customers less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature. The expected cash flows are discounted using LIBOR interest rates, which are commonly viewed as being consistent with our claims paying ratings of AA quality. Since insurance liabilities are senior to debt, we believe that reflecting our claims-paying ratings in the valuation of the liability appropriately takes into consideration our own risk of nonperformance. Since there is no observable active market for the transfer of these obligations, the valuations are calculated using internally developed models. Significant inputs to these models include capital market assumptions, such as interest rate, equity market, and implied volatility assumptions, as well as various policyholder behavior assumptions that are actuarially determined, including lapse rates, benefit utilization rates, mortality rates and withdrawal rates. These assumptions are reviewed at least annually, and updated based upon historical experience and give consideration to any observable market data, including market transactions such as acquisitions and reinsurance transactions. Since many of the assumptions utilized are unobservable and are considered to be significant inputs to the liability valuation, the liability included in future policy benefits has been reflected within Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. The change in fair value of the GMAB, GMWB and GMIWB resulted in an increase in the total liability of $458 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and an increase in the total liability of $617 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This change was significantly offset by changes in value of related hedging instruments as described in more detail under “—Results of Operations for Financial Services Businesses by Segment—Insurance Division—Individual Annuities.”

 

Valuation of Other Assets and Other Liabilities

 

Other assets carried at fair value include U.S. Treasury bills held within our global commodities group whose fair values are determined consistent with similar securities described above under “Fixed Maturities”. Included in other liabilities are various derivatives contracts executed within our global commodities group, including exchange-traded futures, foreign currency and commodity contracts. The fair values of these derivative instruments are determined consistent with similar derivative instruments described above under “Derivatives.”

 

Valuation of Other Trading Account Assets

 

Other trading account assets consist primarily of public corporate bonds, treasuries, equity securities and derivatives whose fair values are determined consistent with similar instruments described above in “Valuation of Fixed Maturities”, “Valuation of Equity Securities” and “Valuation of Derivative Instruments.”

 

Valuation of Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

 

Cash equivalents and short-term investments carried at fair value include money market instruments, commercial paper and other highly liquid debt instruments. Money market instruments are generally valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to us for identical assets and are primarily classified as Level 1. The remaining instruments in the Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments category are typically not traded in active markets; however, their fair values are based on market observable inputs and, accordingly, these investments have been classified within Level 2 in our fair value hierarchy.

 

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Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments

 

Realized Investment Gains and Losses

 

Realized investment gains and losses are generated from numerous sources, including the sale of fixed maturity securities, equity securities, investments in joint ventures and limited partnerships and other types of investments, as well as adjustments to the cost basis of investments for other-than-temporary impairments. Realized investment gains and losses are also generated from prepayment premiums received on private fixed maturity securities, recoveries of principal on previously impaired securities, provisions for losses on commercial loans, fair value changes on commercial mortgage operations’ loans, fair value changes on embedded derivatives and derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, except those derivatives used in our capacity as a broker or dealer.

 

We perform quarterly impairment reviews to determine when a decline in value is other-than-temporary. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, we consistently consider several factors including, but not limited to, the following: the extent and duration of the decline in value; the reasons for the decline (credit event, currency, or interest-rate related, including spread widening); our ability and intent to hold our investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value; and the financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer. When we determine that there is an other-than-temporary impairment, we write down the value of the security to its fair value, with a corresponding charge recorded in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” Historically, the causes of other-than-temporary impairments have been specific to each individual issuer and have not directly resulted in impairments to other securities within the same industry or geographic region. However, as discussed in more detail below, certain of the other-than-temporary impairments recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 resulted from broad market concerns over the sub-prime mortgage market, and liquidity concerns.

 

In addition, for our impairment review of asset-backed securities with a credit rating below AA, we forecast the prospective future cash flows of the security, representing our best estimate of current information and events that a market participant would use in determining the current fair value of the security, and determine if the present value of those cash flows, discounted using the effective yield of the most recent interest accrual rate, has decreased from the previous reporting period. When a decrease from the prior reporting period has occurred and the security’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized by writing the security down to fair value.

 

Given current market conditions and liquidity concerns, beginning in the third quarter of 2008, our determinations of whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary have placed greater emphasis on our internal analysis of the underlying credit and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value, versus the extent and duration of a decline in fair value. For a further discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments, see “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” below. For a further discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording equity impairments, see “—General Account Investments—Equity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Equity Securities” below.

 

The level of other-than-temporary impairments generally reflects economic conditions and is expected to increase when economic conditions worsen and to decrease when economic conditions improve. We may realize additional credit and interest rate related losses through sales of investments pursuant to our credit risk and portfolio management objectives. Other-than-temporary impairments, interest rate related losses and credit losses (other than those related to certain of our businesses which primarily originate investments for sale or syndication to unrelated investors) are excluded from adjusted operating income. In periods subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment, the impaired security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the

 

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measurement date of the impairment. Accordingly, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis is accreted into net investment income, and included in adjusted operating income in future periods based upon the amount and timing of expected future cash flows of the security, if the recoverable value of the investment based upon those cash flows is greater than the carrying value of the investment after the impairment.

 

We require most issuers of private fixed maturity securities to pay us make-whole yield maintenance payments when they prepay the securities. Prepayments are driven by factors specific to the activities of our borrowers as well as the interest rate environment.

 

We use interest and currency swaps and other derivatives to manage interest and currency exchange rate exposures arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities, including duration mismatches. We use derivative contracts to mitigate the risk that unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates will reduce U.S. dollar equivalent earnings generated by certain of our non-U.S. businesses. We also use equity-based derivatives to hedge the equity risks embedded in some of our annuity products. Derivative contracts also include forward purchases and sales of to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities primarily related to our mortgage dollar roll program. Many of these derivative contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, and, consequently, we recognize the changes in fair value of such contracts from period to period in current earnings, although we do not necessarily account for the related assets or liabilities the same way. Accordingly, realized investment gains and losses from our derivative activities can contribute significantly to fluctuations in net income.

 

Adjusted operating income excludes “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” (other than those representing profit or loss of certain of our businesses which primarily originate investments for sale or syndication to unrelated investors, and those associated with terminating hedges of foreign currency earnings, current period yield adjustments, or product derivatives and the effect of any related economic hedging program) and related charges and adjustments.

 

The following tables set forth “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” by investment type for the Financial Services Businesses and Closed Block Business, as well as related charges and adjustments associated with the Financial Services Businesses, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and gross realized investment gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For a discussion of our general account investment portfolio and related results, including overall income yield and investment income, as well as our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording impairment charges, see “—General Account Investments” below. For additional details regarding adjusted operating income, which is our measure of performance for the segments of our Financial Services Businesses, see Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Realized investment gains (losses), net:

        

Financial Services Businesses

   $ (392 )   $ (197 )   $ (1,744 )   $ 141  

Closed Block Business

     119       113       (339 )     312  
                                

Consolidated realized investment gains (losses), net

   $ (273 )   $ (84 )   $ (2,083 )   $ 453  
                                

Financial Services Businesses:

        

Realized investment gains (losses), net

        

Fixed maturity securities(1)

   $ (378 )   $ (88 )   $ (1,266 )   $ (48 )

Equity securities

     (103 )     118       (256 )     324  

Derivative instruments(2)

     114       (264 )     (129 )     (228 )

Other

     (25 )     37       (93 )     93  
                                

Total

     (392 )     (197 )     (1,744 )     141  

Related adjustments(3)

     (172 )     19       (12 )     (131 )
                                

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments

   $ (564 )   $ (178 )   $ (1,756 )     10  
                                

Related charges(4)

   $ 17     $ (2 )   $ 45     $ (15 )
                                

Closed Block Business:

        

Realized investment gains (losses), net

        

Fixed maturity securities(1)

   $ (54 )   $ (22 )   $ (269 )   $ 66  

Equity securities

     (46 )     65       (252 )     303  

Derivative instruments

     235       69       207       (59 )

Other

     (16 )     1       (25 )     2  
                                

Total

   $ 119     $ 113     $ (339 )   $ 312  
                                

Realized investment gains (losses) by segment—Fixed Maturity Securities

        

Financial Services Businesses:

        

Gross realized investment gains:

        

Individual Life

   $ 2     $ 2     $ 7     $ 6  

Individual Annuities

     8       6       26       19  

Group Insurance

     2       5       11       23  

Asset Management

     —         —         —         —    

Financial Advisory

     —         —         —         —    

Retirement

     21       17       60       56  

International Insurance

     29       37       109       86  

International Investments

     —         —         —         —    

Corporate and Other Operations

     —         5       7       9  
                                

Total

     62       72       220       199  
                                

Gross realized investment losses:

        

Individual Life

     (53 )     (10 )     (128 )     (17 )

Individual Annuities

     (49 )     (10 )     (129 )     (35 )

Group Insurance

     (37 )     (26 )     (240 )     (28 )

Asset Management

     (1 )     (14 )     (22 )     (14 )

Financial Advisory

     —         —         —         —    

Retirement

     (246 )     (55 )     (618 )     (84 )

International Insurance

     (38 )     (28 )     (241 )     (39 )

International Investments

     —         —         —         (1 )

Corporate and Other Operations

     (16 )     (17 )     (108 )     (29 )
                                

Total

     (440 )     (160 )     (1,486 )     (247 )
                                

Realized investment gains (losses), net—Financial Services Businesses

   $ (378 )   $ (88 )   $ (1,266 )   $ (48 )
                                

Closed Block Business:

        

Gross realized investment gains

   $ 129     $ 90     $ 462     $ 314  

Gross realized investment losses

     (183 )     (112 )     (731 )     (248 )
                                

Realized investment gains (losses), net—Closed Block Business

   $ (54 )   $ (22 )   $ (269 )   $ 66  
                                

 

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(1) The Financial Services Businesses include $91 million and $756 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $11 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007, related to other-than-temporary impairments of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. The Closed Block Business includes $39 million and $318 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007, related to other-than-temporary impairments of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. The three months ended September 30, 2007 also includes losses of $67 million for the Financial Services Businesses and $3 million for the Closed Block Business relating to sales of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages.
(2) The Financial Services Businesses include $132 million and $318 million of losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $103 million and $92 million of losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, related to embedded derivatives associated with certain externally managed investments in the European market.
(3) Related adjustments include that portion of “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” that are included in adjusted operating income, including those pertaining to certain derivative contracts, as well as those that represent profit or loss of certain of our businesses which primarily originate investments for sale or syndication to unrelated investors. Related adjustments also include that portion of “Asset management fees and other income” that are excluded from adjusted operating income, including the change in value due to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates during the period on certain assets and liabilities for which we economically hedge the foreign currency exposure as well as counterparty credit losses on derivative positions experienced during the third quarter of 2008. See Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these related adjustments.
(4) Reflects charges that are related to realized investment gains (losses), net, and excluded from adjusted operating income, as described more fully in Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2008 to 2007 Three Month Comparison

 

Financial Services Businesses

 

The Financial Services Businesses’ net realized investment losses in the third quarter of 2008 were $392 million, compared to net realized investment losses of $197 million in the third quarter of 2007. Net realized losses on fixed maturity securities were $378 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to net losses of $88 million in the third quarter of 2007, as set forth in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Realized investment gains (losses)—Fixed Maturity Securities—Financial Services Businesses

    

Gross realized investment gains:

    

Gross gains on sales and maturities

   $ 51     $ 66  

Private bond prepayment premiums

     11       6  
                

Total

     62       72  
                

Gross realized investment losses:

    

Gross losses on sales and maturities(1)

     (95 )     (127 )

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (333 )     (31 )

Credit related losses on sales

     (12 )     (2 )
                

Total

     (440 )     (160 )
                

Realized investment gains (losses), net—Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ (378 )   $ (88 )
                

 

(1) Amounts exclude credit related losses through sales of investments pursuant to our credit risk and portfolio management objectives.

 

Net losses on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $44 million in the third quarter of 2008, none of which related to asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, were primarily due to credit spread increases in the marketplace and liquidity concerns. See “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Asset-Backed Securities” for additional information regarding our exposure to sub-prime mortgages. Net losses on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $61 million in the third quarter of 2007 were primarily due to credit spread increases in the structured credit marketplace resulting from concerns

 

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over sub-prime mortgage exposures, and interest rates. Gross losses on sales and maturities in the third quarter of 2007 include $67 million related to sales of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity securities in the third quarter of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net realized losses on equity securities were $103 million in the third quarter of 2008, of which net losses on sales of equity securities were $32 million and other-than-temporary impairments were $71 million. Net realized gains on equity securities were $118 million in the third quarter of 2007, of which net gains on sales of equity securities were $127 million, partially offset by other-than-temporary impairments of $9 million. Net realized gains on equity securities in 2007 were primarily due to sales of Japanese equities in our Gibraltar Life and Japanese Life Planner operations from portfolio restructuring and equity sales in our Korean Life Planner operations. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities in the third quarter of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net realized gains on derivatives were $114 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to net derivative losses of $264 million in the third quarter of 2007. The net derivative gains in 2008 primarily reflect positive mark-to-market adjustments of $153 million on currency derivatives used to hedge foreign investments due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar and net gains of $147 million from interest rate derivative contracts mainly used to manage the duration of the fixed maturity investment portfolio. Also contributing to the net derivative gains in the third quarter of 2008 were net gains of $103 million on foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge the future income of non-U.S. businesses and net gains of $31 million related to equity market hedges used in our asset management business. Partially offsetting these gains were mark-to-market losses of $132 million on embedded derivatives associated with certain externally managed investments in the European market, net losses of $112 million on credit derivatives mainly related to contracts tied to our own credit and net losses of $101 million on embedded derivatives within certain variable annuity contracts, net of the effect of a related derivative hedging portfolio. Contracts tied to our own credit primarily relate to a credit derivative we issued concurrent with the issuance of surplus notes by one of our insurance subsidiaries. For additional information regarding these surplus notes and the associated credit derivative see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activities.” The net derivative losses in the third quarter of 2007 were primarily the result of net losses of $103 million on embedded derivatives associated with certain externally managed investments in the European market and net losses of $93 million from foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge the future income of non-U.S. businesses driven by the weakening of the U.S. dollar. Also contributing to the net derivative losses in the third quarter of 2007 was $34 million on derivative activity associated with our commercial mortgage operations. For information regarding our methodology for determining the fair value of our derivative instruments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Derivative Instruments.”

 

Net realized investment losses on other investments were $25 million in the third quarter of 2008, including $11 million of other-than-temporary impairments on real estate investments and investments in joint ventures and partnerships. The remaining $14 million primarily related to mark-to-market losses on mortgage loans within our divested commercial mortgage securitization operations due to instability in the commercial mortgage-backed securities market during 2008. For additional information regarding these operations, see “—Divested Businesses.” Net realized gains on other investments were $37 million in the third quarter of 2007, primarily from real estate related investments.

 

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During the third quarter of 2008 we recorded total other-than-temporary impairments of $415 million attributable to the Financial Services Businesses, compared to total other-than-temporary impairments of $42 million attributable to the Financial Services Businesses in the third quarter of 2007. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the composition of other-than-temporary impairments attributable to the Financial Services Businesses by asset type, and for fixed maturity securities, by reason.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     2008    2007
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments—Financial Services Businesses

     

Public fixed maturity securities

   $ 328    $ 29

Private fixed maturity securities

     5      2
             

Total fixed maturity securities

     333      31

Equity securities

     71      9

Other invested assets(1)

     11      2
             

Total

   $ 415    $ 42
             

 

(1) Includes other-than-temporary impairments relating to real estate investments and investments in joint ventures and partnerships.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Asset-backed securities
collateralized by
sub-prime mortgages
   All other
Investments
   Total
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities— Financial Services Businesses

        

Due to credit events or adverse conditions of the respective issuer(1)

   $ 38    $ 197    $ 235

Due to other accounting guidelines(2)

     53      45      98
                    

Total

   $ 91    $ 242    $ 333
                    

 

(1) Represents circumstances where we believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused, or will lead to, a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.
(2) Represents circumstances where we cannot assert our ability or intent to hold for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. In certain of these circumstances the decrease in fair value, at the time the impairment was recorded, was driven primarily by credit spread widening or liquidity concerns, and we believe the recoverable value of the investment, based on the expected future cash flows, is greater than the current fair value. Also includes certain circumstances relating to asset-backed securities with a credit rating below AA, where the present value of market forecasted prospective cash flows of the security have declined, but we do not believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.

 

Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the finance and services sectors of our corporate securities, and were primarily driven by downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 included $82 million related to the filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., or Lehman Brothers, and $49 million related to American International Group, or AIG. Equity security other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 were primarily driven by overall declines in the Japanese equity markets. Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2007 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the services and finance sectors of our corporate securities, and were primarily driven by credit spread increases as discussed above, interest rates, downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuer. Included in the other-than-temporary impairments recorded on fixed maturities in the third quarter of 2007 were $11 million of other-than-temporary impairments on asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. For information regarding the fair value methodology used in determining our other-than-temporary

 

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impairments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities,” and “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Equity Securities.”

 

As mentioned above, fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 included $82 million related to the filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition by Lehman Brothers. In addition, the third quarter of 2008 also included a $75 million loss associated with this bankruptcy filing relating to the unsecured portion of our counterparty exposure on derivative transactions we had entered into with Lehman Brothers and its affiliates. We have replaced these derivative positions with various other counterparties. The counterparty loss was included in “Asset management fees and other income,” under the broker-dealer accounting model followed by our affiliated derivative subsidiary that executed these transactions, and was excluded from adjusted operating income as a related adjustment to “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” See Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

As discussed above, previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments are accreted into net investment income and included in adjusted operating income, if the recoverable value of the investment based on the expected future cash flows is greater than the carrying value of the investment after the impairment. Net investment income for the third quarter of 2008 included $18 million from the accretion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods. For a further discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments, see “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Other-than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” below.

 

Closed Block Business

 

For the Closed Block Business, net realized investment gains in the third quarter of 2008 were $119 million, compared to net realized investment gains of $113 million in the third quarter of 2007. Net realized losses on fixed maturity securities were $54 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to net realized losses of $22 million in the third quarter of 2007, as set forth in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Realized investment gains (losses)—Fixed Maturity Securities—Closed Block Business

    

Gross realized investment gains:

    

Gross gains on sales and maturities

   $ 114     $ 84  

Private bond prepayment premiums

     15       6  
                

Total

     129       90  
                

Gross realized investment losses:

    

Gross losses on sales and maturities(1)

     (63 )     (99 )

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (119 )     (8 )

Credit related losses on sales

     (1 )     (5 )
                

Total

     (183 )     (112 )
                

Realized investment gains (losses), net—Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ (54 )   $ (22 )
                

 

(1) Amounts exclude credit related losses through sales of investments pursuant to our credit risk and portfolio management objectives.

 

Net gains on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities were $51 million in the third quarter of 2008, none of which related to asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. See “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Asset-Backed Securities” for additional information regarding our

 

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exposure to sub-prime mortgages. Net losses on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $15 million in the third quarter of 2007 were primarily due to sales related to our total return investment strategy, and included $3 million of gross losses related to sales of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity securities in the third quarter of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net realized losses on equity securities were $46 million in the third quarter of 2008, of which net losses on sales of equity securities were $32 million and other-than-temporary impairments were $14 million. Net realized gains on equity securities were $65 million in the third quarter of 2007, of which net trading gains on sales of equity securities were $69 million, partially offset by other-than-temporary impairments of $4 million. Results for both periods reflect sales pursuant to our active management strategy. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities in the third quarter of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net gains on derivatives were $235 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to net gains of $69 million in the third quarter of 2007. Derivative gains in the third quarter of 2008 primarily reflect net mark-to-market gains of $152 million on currency derivatives used to hedge foreign investments and net gains of $89 million on interest rate derivatives used to manage the duration of the fixed maturity investment portfolio. Derivative gains in the third quarter of 2007 were primarily the result of interest derivatives used to manage the duration of the fixed maturity investment portfolio. For information regarding our methodology for determining the fair value of our derivative instruments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Derivative Instruments.”

 

Net realized investment losses on other investments were $16 million in the third quarter of 2008, including $9 million related to other-than-temporary impairments on joint ventures and partnerships.

 

During the third quarter of 2008 we recorded total other-than-temporary impairments of $142 million attributable to the Closed Block Business, compared to total other-than-temporary impairments of $14 million attributable to the Closed Block Business in the third quarter of 2007. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the composition of other-than-temporary impairments attributable to the Closed Block Business by asset type, and for fixed maturity securities, by reason.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007    
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments—Closed Block Business

     

Public fixed maturity securities

   $ 119    $ 8

Private fixed maturity securities

     —        —  
             

Total fixed maturity securities

     119      8

Equity securities

     14      4

Other invested assets(1)

     9      2
             

Total

   $ 142    $ 14
             

 

(1) Includes other-than-temporary impairments relating to real estate investments and investments in joint ventures and partnerships.

 

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     Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Asset-backed securities
collateralized by
sub-prime mortgages
   All other
Investments
   Total
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities—Closed Block Business

        

Due to credit events or adverse conditions of the respective issuer(1)

   $ 14    $ 73    $ 87

Due to other accounting guidelines(2)

     25      7      32
                    

Total

   $ 39    $ 80    $ 119
                    

 

(1) Represents circumstances where we believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused, or will lead to, a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.
(2) Represents circumstances where we cannot assert our ability or intent to hold for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. In certain of these circumstances the decrease in fair value, at the time the impairment was recorded, was driven primarily by credit spread widening or liquidity concerns, and we believe the recoverable value of the investment, based on the expected future cash flows, is greater than the current fair value. Also includes certain circumstances relating to asset-backed securities with a credit rating below AA, where the present value of market forecasted prospective cash flows of the security have declined, but we do not believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.

 

Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the services and finance sectors of our corporate securities and were primarily driven by downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 included $16 million related to the filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition by Lehman Brothers and $30 million related to AIG. Equity security other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2008 were primarily driven by overall declines in the equity markets. Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the third quarter of 2007 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the services sector of our corporate securities and were primarily driven by credit spread increases as discussed above, interest rates, downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. Included in the other-than-temporary impairments recorded on fixed maturities in the third quarter of 2007 were $8 million of other-than-temporary impairments on asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. For information regarding the fair value methodology used in determining our other-than-temporary impairments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities,” and “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Equity Securities.”

 

As discussed above, previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments are accreted into net investment income if the recoverable value of the investment based on the expected future cash flows, is greater than the carrying value of the investment after the impairment. Net investment income for the third quarter of 2008 did not materially benefit from the accretion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods.

 

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2008 to 2007 Nine Month Comparison

 

Financial Services Businesses

 

The Financial Services Businesses’ net realized investment losses in the first nine months of 2008 were $1,744 million, compared to net realized investment gains of $141 million in the first nine months of 2007. Net realized losses on fixed maturity securities were $1,266 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to net losses of $48 million in the first nine months of 2007, as set forth in the following table:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Realized investment gains (losses) - Fixed Maturity Securities—Financial Services Businesses

    

Gross realized investment gains:

    

Gross gains on sales and maturities

   $ 200     $ 189  

Private bond prepayment premiums

     20       10  
                

Total

     220       199  
                

Gross realized investment losses:

    

Gross losses on sales and maturities(1)

     (265 )     (188 )

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (1,173 )     (53 )

Credit related losses on sales

     (48 )     (6 )
                

Total

     (1,486 )     (247 )
                

Realized investment gains (losses), net—Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ (1,266 )   $ (48 )
                

 

(1) Amounts exclude credit related losses through sales of investments pursuant to our credit risk and portfolio management objectives.

 

Net losses on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $65 million in the first nine months of 2008, none of which related to asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, were primarily due to credit spread increases in the marketplace and liquidity concerns. See “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Asset-Backed Securities” for additional information regarding our exposure to sub-prime mortgages. Net gains on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $1 million in the first nine months of 2007 were primarily interest-rate related. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity securities in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net realized losses on equity securities were $256 million in the first nine months of 2008, of which net losses on sales of equity securities were $42 million, and other-than-temporary impairments were $214 million. Net realized gains on equity securities were $324 million in the first nine months of 2007, of which net gains on sales of equity securities were $352 million, partially offset by other-than-temporary impairments of $28 million. Net realized gains on equity securities in 2007 were primarily due to sales of Japanese equities in our Gibraltar Life and Japanese Life Planner operations from portfolio restructuring and equity sales in our Korean Life Planner operations. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net realized losses on derivatives were $129 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to net derivative losses of $228 million in the first nine months of 2007. The net derivative losses in the first nine months of 2008 primarily reflect net mark-to-market losses of $318 million on embedded derivatives associated with certain externally managed investments in the European market and net losses of $146 million on embedded derivatives within certain variable annuity contracts, net of the effect of a related derivative hedging portfolio. Partially offsetting these losses were positive mark to market adjustments of $132 million on foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge the future income of non-U.S. businesses, net gains of $62 million related to equity market hedges used in our asset management business, net gains of $60 million on interest rate derivatives

 

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used to manage the duration of the fixed maturity investment portfolio, and net gains of $58 million on currency derivatives used to hedge foreign investments in our domestic investment portfolio. The net derivative losses in the first nine months of 2007 were primarily the result of net losses of $123 million from interest rate derivative contracts mainly used to manage the duration of the U.S. dollar fixed maturity investment portfolio and net losses of $92 million on embedded derivatives associated with certain externally managed investments in the European market. For information regarding our externally managed investments in the European market, see “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Fixed Maturity Securities and Unrealized Gains and Losses by Industry Category.” For information regarding our methodology for determining the fair value of our derivative instruments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Derivative Instruments.”

 

Net realized investment losses on other investments were $93 million in the first nine months of 2008, primarily related to mark-to-market losses on mortgage loans within our divested commercial mortgage securitization operations due to instability in the commercial mortgage-backed securities market during 2008. For additional information regarding these operations, see “—Divested Businesses.” Net realized investment losses on other investments in the first nine months of 2008 also included $18 million of other-than-temporary impairments on real estate investments and investments in joint ventures and partnerships. Net realized investment gains on other investments were $93 million in the first nine months of 2007, primarily related to gains from real estate related investments, commercial loans, and our divested commercial mortgage securitization operations.

 

During the first nine months of 2008 we recorded total other-than-temporary impairments of $1,405 million attributable to the Financial Services Businesses, compared to total other-than-temporary impairments of $84 million attributable to the Financial Services Businesses in the first nine months of 2007. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the composition of other-than-temporary impairments attributable to the Financial Services Businesses by asset type, and for fixed maturity securities, by reason.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007    
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments—Financial Services Businesses

     

Public fixed maturity securities

   $ 1,140    $ 48

Private fixed maturity securities

     33      5
             

Total fixed maturity securities

     1,173      53

Equity securities

     214      28

Other invested assets(1)

     18      3
             

Total

   $ 1,405    $ 84
             

 

(1) Includes other-than-temporary impairments relating to real estate investments and investments in joint ventures and partnerships.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Asset-backed securities
collateralized by
sub-prime mortgages
   All other
Investments
   Total
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities —Financial Services Businesses

        

Due to credit events or adverse conditions of the respective issuer(1)

   $ 107    $ 240    $ 347

Due to other accounting guidelines(2)

     649      177      826
                    

Total

   $ 756    $ 417    $ 1,173
                    

 

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(1) Represents circumstances where we believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused, or will lead to, a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.
(2) Represents circumstances where we cannot assert our ability or intent to hold for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. In certain of these circumstances the decrease in fair value, at the time the impairment was recorded, was driven primarily by credit spread widening or liquidity concerns, and we believe the recoverable value of the investment, based on the expected future cash flows, is greater than the current fair value. Also includes certain circumstances relating to asset-backed securities with a credit rating below AA, where the present value of market forecasted prospective cash flows of the security have declined, but we do not believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.

 

Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the finance, services, and manufacturing sectors of our corporate securities, and were primarily driven by credit spread increases as discussed above, liquidity concerns, downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 included $82 million related to the filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition by Lehman Brothers and $49 million related to AIG. Equity security other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 were primarily driven by overall declines in the Japanese equity markets. Other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2007 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the services and finance sectors of our corporate securities, and were primarily driven by interest rates, downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. For information regarding the fair value methodology used in determining our other-than-temporary impairments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities,” and “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Equity Securities.”

 

As mentioned above, fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 included $82 million related to the filing of a bankruptcy petition by Lehman Brothers. In addition, the first nine months of 2008 also included a $75 million loss associated with this bankruptcy filing relating to the unsecured portion of our counterparty exposure on derivative transactions we had entered into with Lehman Brothers and its affiliates. We have replaced these derivative positions with various other counterparties. The loss was included in “Asset management fees and other income,” under the broker-dealer accounting model followed by our affiliated derivative subsidiary that executed these transactions, and was excluded from adjusted operating income as a related adjustment to “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” See Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

As discussed above, previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments are accreted into net investment income, and included in adjusted operating income if the recoverable value of the investment based on the expected future cash flows, is greater than the carrying value of the investment after the impairment. Net investment income for the first nine months of 2008 included $32 million from the accretion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods.

 

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Closed Block Business

 

For the Closed Block Business, net realized investment losses in the first nine months of 2008 were $339 million, compared to net realized investment gains of $312 million in the first nine months of 2007. Net realized losses on fixed maturity securities were $269 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to net realized gains of $66 million in the first nine months of 2007, as set forth in the following table:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Realized investment gains (losses)—Fixed Maturity Securities—Closed Block Business

    

Gross realized investment gains:

    

Gross gains on sales and maturities

   $ 439     $ 301  

Private bond prepayment premiums

     23       13  
                

Total

     462       314  
                

Gross realized investment losses:

    

Gross losses on sales and maturities(1)

     (224 )     (220 )

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (479 )     (17 )

Credit related losses on sales

     (28 )     (11 )
                

Total

     (731 )     (248 )
                

Realized investment gains (losses), net—Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ (269 )   $ 66  
                

 

(1) Amounts exclude credit related losses through sales of investments pursuant to our credit risk and portfolio management objectives.

 

Net gains on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $215 million in the first nine months of 2008 were primarily due to sales related to our total return strategy. See “—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities—Asset-Backed Securities” for additional information regarding our exposure to sub-prime mortgages. Net gains on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities of $81 million in the first nine months of 2007 were primarily due to sales related to our total return strategy. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity securities in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net realized losses on equity securities were $252 million in the first nine months of 2008, of which net losses on sales of equity securities were $51 million, and other-than-temporary impairments were $201 million. Net realized gains on equity securities were $303 million in the first nine months of 2007, of which net gains on sales of equity securities were $308 million, partially offset by other-than-temporary impairments of $5 million. Results for both periods reflect sales pursuant to our active management strategy. See below for additional information regarding the other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007.

 

Net gains on derivatives were $207 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to net losses of $59 million in the first nine months of 2007. Derivative gains in the first nine months of 2008 primarily reflect net mark-to-market gains of $121 million on interest rate derivatives used to manage the duration of the fixed maturity investment portfolio, net gains $68 million on currency derivatives used to hedge foreign investments and net gains of $42 million on credit derivatives used to hedge credit exposure in our investment portfolio. Derivative losses in the first nine months of 2007 were primarily the result of currency derivatives used to hedge foreign investments. For information regarding our methodology for determining the fair value of our derivative instruments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Derivative Instruments.”

 

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Net realized investment losses on other investments were $25 million in the first nine months of 2008, including $15 million related to other-than-temporary impairments on joint ventures and partnerships. Net realized investment gains on other investments were $2 million in the first nine months of 2007.

 

During the first nine months of 2008 we recorded total other-than-temporary impairments of $695 million attributable to the Closed Block Business, compared to total other-than-temporary impairments of $27 million attributable to the Closed Block Business in the first nine months of 2007. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the composition of other-than-temporary impairments attributable to the Closed Block Business by asset type, and for fixed maturity securities, by reason.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007    
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments—Closed Block Business

     

Public fixed maturity securities

   $ 455    $ 11

Private fixed maturity securities

     24      6
             

Total fixed maturity securities

     479      17

Equity securities

     201      5

Other invested assets(1)

     15      5
             

Total

   $ 695    $ 27
             

 

(1) Includes other-than-temporary impairments relating to real estate investments and investments in joint ventures and partnerships.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Asset-backed securities
collateralized by
sub-prime mortgages
   All other
Investments
   Total
     (in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities—Closed Block Business

        

Due to credit events or adverse conditions of the respective issuer(1)

   $ 36    $ 98    $ 134

Due to other accounting guidelines(2)

     282      63      345
                    

Total

   $ 318    $ 161    $ 479
                    

 

(1) Represents circumstances where we believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused, or will lead to, a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.
(2) Represents circumstances where we cannot assert our ability or intent to hold for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. In certain of these circumstances the decrease in fair value, at the time the impairment was recorded, was driven primarily by credit spread widening or liquidity concerns, and we believe the recoverable value of the investment, based on the expected future cash flows, is greater than the current fair value. Also includes certain circumstances relating to asset-backed securities with a credit rating below AA, where the present value of market forecasted prospective cash flows of the security have declined, but we do not believe credit events or other adverse conditions of the respective issuers have caused a deficiency in the contractual cash flows related to the investment.

 

Other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the services, finance, and manufacturing sectors of our corporate securities and were primarily driven by credit spread increases as discussed above, liquidity concerns, downgrades in credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. Fixed maturity other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 included $16 million related to the filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition by Lehman Brothers and $30 million related to AIG. Equity security other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2008 were primarily driven by overall declines in the equity markets. Other-than-temporary impairments in the first nine months of 2007 were concentrated in asset-backed securities and the services and manufacturing sectors of our corporate securities and were primarily driven by interest rates, downgrades in

 

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credit, bankruptcy or other adverse financial conditions of the respective issuers. For information regarding the fair value methodology used in determining our other-than-temporary impairments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities,” and “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Equity Securities.”

 

As discussed above, previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments are accreted into net investment income if the recoverable value of the investment based on the expected future cash flows is greater than the carrying value of the investment after the impairment. Net investment income for the first nine months of 2008 did not materially benefit from the accretion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in previous periods.

 

General Account Investments

 

Portfolio Composition

 

Our investment portfolio consists of public and private fixed maturity securities, commercial loans, equity securities and other invested assets. The composition of our general account reflects, within the discipline provided by our risk management approach, our need for competitive results and the selection of diverse investment alternatives available primarily through our Asset Management segment. The size of our portfolio enables us to invest in asset classes that may be unavailable to the typical investor.

 

Our total general account investments were $229.9 billion and $232.5 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, which are segregated between the Financial Services Businesses and the Closed Block Business. Total general account investments attributable to the Financial Services Businesses were $169.0 billion and $163.0 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, while total general account investments attributable to the Closed Block Business were $60.9 billion and $69.5 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The following table sets forth the composition of the investments of our general account as of the dates indicated. The average duration of our general account investment portfolio attributable to the domestic Financial Services Businesses, including the impact of derivatives, as of September 30, 2008 is between 4 and 5 years.

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Financial
Services
Businesses
   Closed
Block
Business
   Total    % of
Total
 
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed Maturities:

           

Public, available for sale, at fair value

   $ 92,533    $ 29,283    $ 121,816    53.0 %

Public, held to maturity, at amortized cost

     2,774      —        2,774    1.2  

Private, available for sale, at fair value

     20,171      11,695      31,866    13.9  

Private, held to maturity, at amortized cost

     707      —        707    0.3  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value

     14,392      —        14,392    6.3  

Other trading account assets, at fair value

     856      128      984    0.4  

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value

     4,244      3,131      7,375    3.2  

Commercial loans, at book value

     21,829      8,563      30,392    13.2  

Policy loans, at outstanding balance

     3,822      5,389      9,211    4.0  

Other long-term investments(1)

     2,508      1,416      3,924    1.7  

Short-term investments(2)

     5,184      1,263      6,447    2.8  
                           

Total general account investments

     169,020      60,868      229,888    100.0 %
               

Invested assets of other entities and operations(3)

     11,019      —        11,019   
                       

Total investments

   $ 180,039    $ 60,868    $ 240,907   
                       

 

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     December 31, 2007  
     Financial
Services
Businesses
   Closed
Block
Business
   Total    % of
Total
 
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed Maturities:

           

Public, available for sale, at fair value

   $ 90,962    $ 37,168    $ 128,130    55.1 %

Public, held to maturity, at amortized cost

     2,879      —        2,879    1.2  

Private, available for sale, at fair value

     20,313      12,246      32,559    14.0  

Private, held to maturity, at amortized cost

     669      —        669    0.3  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value

     14,473      —        14,473    6.2  

Other trading account assets, at fair value

     204      142      346    0.2  

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value

     4,629      3,940      8,569    3.7  

Commercial loans, at book value

     19,603      7,954      27,557    11.9  

Policy loans, at outstanding balance

     3,942      5,395      9,337    4.0  

Other long-term investments(1)

     2,724      1,268      3,992    1.7  

Short-term investments(2)

     2,598      1,385      3,983    1.7  
                           

Total general account investments

     162,996      69,498      232,494    100.0 %
               

Invested assets of other entities and operations(3)

     11,063      —        11,063   
                       

Total investments

   $ 174,059    $ 69,498    $ 243,557   
                       

 

(1) Other long-term investments consist of real estate and non-real estate related investments in joint ventures (other than our investment in operating joint ventures, which includes our investment in Wachovia Securities) and partnerships, investment real estate held through direct ownership and other miscellaneous investments.
(2) Short-term investments consist primarily of money market funds with virtually no sub-prime exposure.
(3) Includes invested assets of securities brokerage, securities trading, banking operations, real estate and relocation services, and asset management operations. Excludes assets of our asset management operations managed for third parties and those assets classified as “Separate account assets” on our balance sheet. For additional information regarding these investments, see “—Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” below.

 

The increase in general account investments attributable to the Financial Services Businesses in 2008 was primarily a result of net operating inflows, the reinvestment of net investment results and the impact of foreign currency, partially offset by net declines in market value, primarily attributable to increased credit spreads. Net operating inflows include transfers of investments out of the separate accounts and into our general account relating to an automatic rebalancing element embedded in the living benefit features of some of our variable annuity products. As part of the overall product design, the automatic rebalancing element transferred investments out of the separate accounts, and into our general account, due to equity market declines. The decrease in general account investments attributable to the Closed Block Business in 2008 was primarily due to reductions in leverage and a net decrease in market value, partially offset by portfolio growth as a result of reinvestment of net investment income.

 

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We have substantial insurance operations in Japan, with 32% and 31% of our Financial Services Businesses’ general account investments relating to our Japanese insurance operations as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Total general account investments related to our Japanese insurance operations were $53.3 billion and $50.7 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The average duration of our general account investment portfolio related to our Japanese insurance operations, including the impact of derivatives, as of September 30, 2008 is approximately 11 years. The increase in general account investments related to our Japanese insurance operations in 2008 is primarily attributable to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, portfolio growth as a result of business growth and the reinvestment of net investment income, partially offset by net declines in market value. The following table sets forth the composition of the investments of our Japanese insurance operations’ general account as of the dates indicated.

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (in millions)

Fixed Maturities:

     

Public, available for sale, at fair value

   $ 36,886    $ 34,752

Public, held to maturity, at amortized cost

     2,774      2,879

Private, available for sale, at fair value

     3,144      3,467

Private, held to maturity, at amortized cost

     707      668

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value

     1,042      1,132

Other trading account assets, at fair value

     669      48

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value

     2,355      2,550

Commercial loans, at book value

     3,108      2,881

Policy loans, at outstanding balance

     1,293      1,133

Other long-term investments(1)

     1,171      993

Short-term investments

     147      239
             

Total Japanese general account investments(2)

   $ 53,296    $ 50,742
             

 

(1) Other long-term investments consist of real estate and non-real estate related investments in joint ventures and partnerships, investment real estate held through direct ownership, and other miscellaneous investments.
(2) Excludes assets classified as “Separate accounts assets” on our balance sheet.

 

Our Japanese insurance operations use the yen as their functional currency, as it is the currency in which they conduct the majority of their operations. Although the majority of the Japanese general account is invested in yen denominated investments, our Japanese insurance operations also hold significant investments denominated in U.S. dollars. As of September 30, 2008, our Japanese insurance operations had $12.6 billion of investments denominated in U.S. dollars, including $1.3 billion that were hedged to yen through third party derivative contracts and $5.4 billion that support liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars. As of December 31, 2007, our Japanese insurance operations had $10.2 billion of investments denominated in U.S. dollars, including $1.1 billion that were hedged to yen through third party derivative contracts and $4.1 billion that support liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars. For additional information regarding U.S. dollar investments held in our Japanese insurance operations see, “—Results of Operations for Financial Services Businesses by Segment—International Insurance and Investments Division.”

 

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Investment Results

 

The following tables set forth the income yield and investment income, excluding realized investment gains (losses), for each major investment category of our general account for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2008  
     Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
    Combined  
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   4.80 %   $ 1,413     6.23 %   $ 649     5.17 %   $ 2,062  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   5.21       187     —         —       5.21       187  

Equity securities

   5.51       64     2.91       24     4.44       88  

Commercial loans

   5.86       316     6.42       137     6.02       453  

Policy loans

   5.48       54     6.32       85     5.96       139  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   2.39       72     8.90       20     2.61       92  

Other investments

   3.49       33     (0.60 )     (3 )   2.29       30  
                              

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   4.84       2,139     5.93       912     5.12       3,051  

Investment expenses

   (0.13 )     (81 )   (0.23 )     (64 )   (0.16 )     (145 )
                                          

Investment income after investment expenses

   4.71 %     2,058     5.70 %     848     4.96 %     2,906  
                        

Investment results of other entities and operations(2)

       25         —           25  
                              

Total investment income

     $ 2,083       $ 848       $ 2,931  
                              

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2007  
     Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
    Combined  
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   5.01 %   $ 1,426     6.29 %   $ 763     5.38 %   $ 2,189  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   5.14       183     —         —       5.14       183  

Equity securities

   5.82       60     2.54       21     4.36       81  

Commercial loans

   6.24       280     6.77       124     6.39       404  

Policy loans

   5.08       47     6.12       82     5.69       129  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   5.11       93     12.93       59     6.21       152  

Other investments

   3.55       26     22.28       57     8.53       83  
                              

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   5.17       2,115     6.49       1,106     5.54       3,221  

Investment expenses

   (0.13 )     (128 )   (0.22 )     (146 )   (0.16 )     (274 )
                                          

Investment income after investment expenses

   5.04 %     1,987     6.27 %     960     5.38 %     2,947  
                        

Investment results of other entities and operations(2)

       86         —           86  
                              

Total investment income

     $ 2,073       $ 960       $ 3,033  
                              

 

(1) Yields are annualized, for interim periods, and based on quarterly averages calculated using beginning and end of period balances. Yields are based on carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities are based on amortized cost. Yields for equity securities are based on cost. Yields for securities lending activity are calculated net of corresponding liabilities and rebate expenses. Yields exclude investment income on assets other than those included in invested assets of the Financial Services Businesses. Prior periods yields are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.
(2) Includes investment income of securities brokerage, securities trading, banking operations, real estate and relocation services, and asset management operations.

 

The net investment income yield on our general account investments after investment expenses, excluding realized investment gains (losses), was 4.96% and 5.38% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and

 

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2007, respectively. The net investment income yield attributable to the Financial Services Businesses was 4.71% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 5.04% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. See below for a discussion of the change in the Financial Services Businesses’ yields.

 

The net investment income yield attributable to the Closed Block Business was 5.70% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 6.27% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of lower interest rates on floating rate investments due to rate resets and lower income from investments in joint ventures and limited partnerships, driven by lower appreciation of the underlying assets.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008  
     Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
    Combined  
     Yield (1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   4.85 %   $ 4,191     6.35 %   $ 2,021     5.24 %   $ 6,212  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   5.25       561     —         —       5.25       561  

Equity securities

   4.96       170     3.31       81     4.27       251  

Commercial loans

   5.97       922     6.58       405     6.14       1,327  

Policy loans

   5.31       157     6.35       251     5.90       408  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   2.96       238     11.23       76     3.28       314  

Other investments

   3.92       95     2.03       21     3.35       116  
                                  

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   4.91       6,334     6.14       2,855     5.23       9,189  

Investment expenses

   (0.14 )     (241 )   (0.24 )     (230 )   (0.16 )     (471 )
                                          

Investment income after investment expenses

   4.77 %     6,093     5.90 %     2,625     5.07 %     8,718  
                        

Investment results of other entities and operations(2)

       266         —           266  
                              

Total investment income

     $ 6,359       $ 2,625       $ 8,984  
                              

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007  
     Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
    Combined  
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   5.06 %   $ 4,264     6.46 %   $ 2,278     5.46 %   $ 6,542  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   5.03       529     —         —       5.03       529  

Equity securities

   5.04       149     2.98       71     4.12       220  

Commercial loans

   6.15       798     7.03       376     6.41       1,174  

Policy loans

   5.11       136     6.22       246     5.77       382  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   4.99       275     9.00       141     5.45       416  

Other investments

   5.60       118     21.36       147     9.58       265  
                              

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   5.19       6,269     6.58       3,259     5.58       9,528  

Investment expenses

   (0.14 )     (402 )   (0.22 )     (420 )   (0.17 )     (822 )
                                          

Investment income after investment expenses

   5.05 %     5,867     6.36 %     2,839     5.41 %     8,706  
                        

Investment results of other entities and operations(2)

       249         —           249  
                              

Total investment income

     $ 6,116       $ 2,839       $ 8,955  
                              

 

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(1) Yields are annualized, for interim periods, and based on quarterly averages calculated using beginning and end of period balances. Yields are based on carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities are based on amortized cost. Yields for equity securities are based on cost. Yields for securities lending activity are calculated net of corresponding liabilities and rebate expenses. Yields exclude investment income on assets other than those included in invested assets of the Financial Services Businesses. Prior periods yields are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.
(2) Includes investment income of securities brokerage, securities trading, banking operations, real estate and relocation services, and asset management operations.

 

The net investment income yield on our general account investments after investment expenses, excluding realized investment gains (losses), was 5.07% and 5.41% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The net investment income yield attributable to the Financial Services Businesses was 4.77% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 5.05% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. See below for a discussion of the change in the Financial Services Businesses’ yields.

 

The net investment income yield attributable to the Closed Block Business was 5.90% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 6.36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of lower interest rates on floating rate investments due to rate resets and lower income from investments in joint ventures and limited partnerships, driven by lower appreciation of the underlying assets.

 

The following tables set forth the income yield and investment income, excluding realized investment gains (losses), for each major investment category of the Financial Services Business general account, excluding the Japanese operations’ portion of the general account which is presented separately below, for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
 
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   5.82 %   $ 1,074     6.30 %   $ 1,163  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   5.42       180     5.40       177  

Equity securities

   7.53       39     8.25       40  

Commercial loans

   6.07       280     6.55       249  

Policy loans

   6.26       42     5.58       37  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   2.49       69     5.49       84  

Other investments

   1.37       8     0.86       5  
                            

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   5.54       1,692     6.10       1,755  

Investment expenses

   (0.11 )     (57 )   (0.11 )     (106 )
                            

Investment income after investment expenses

   5.43 %     1,635     5.99 %     1,649  
                            

Investment results of other entities and operations(2)

       25         86  
                    

Total investment income

     $ 1,660       $ 1,735  
                    

 

(1) Yields are annualized, for interim periods, and based on quarterly averages calculated using beginning and end of period balances. Yields are based on carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities are based on amortized cost. Yields for equity securities are based on cost. Yields for securities lending activity are calculated net of corresponding liabilities and rebate expenses. Yields exclude investment income on assets other than those included in invested assets of the Financial Services Businesses. Prior periods yields are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.
(2) Includes investment income of securities brokerage, securities trading, banking operations, real estate and relocation services, and asset management operations.

 

The net investment income yield attributable to the non-Japanese operations’ portion of the Financial Services Businesses portfolio was 5.43% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 5.99% for

 

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the three months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in fixed maturity yields as a result of lower interest rates on floating rate investments due to rate resets.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007
 
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   5.97 %   $ 3,211     6.39 %   $ 3,487  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   5.50       542     5.31       513  

Equity securities

   7.49       113     7.55       105  

Commercial loans

   6.17       816     6.46       706  

Policy loans

   5.97       121     5.65       107  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   3.01       223     5.39       257  

Other investments

   1.31       19     2.43       35  
                            

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   5.70       5,045     6.16       5,210  

Investment expenses

   (0.11 )     (162 )   (0.13 )     (332 )
                            

Investment income after investment expenses

   5.59 %     4,883     6.03 %     4,878  
                            

Investment results of other entities and operations(2)

       266         249  
                    

Total investment income

     $ 5,149       $ 5,127  
                    

 

(1) Yields are annualized, for interim periods, and based on quarterly averages calculated using beginning and end of period balances. Yields are based on carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities are based on amortized cost. Yields for equity securities are based on cost. Yields for securities lending activity are calculated net of corresponding liabilities and rebate expenses. Yields exclude investment income on assets other than those included in invested assets of the Financial Services Businesses. Prior periods yields are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.
(2) Includes investment income of securities brokerage, securities trading, banking operations, real estate and relocation services, and asset management operations.

 

The net investment income yield attributable to the non-Japanese operations’ portion of the Financial Services Businesses portfolio was 5.59% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 6.03% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in fixed maturity yields as a result of lower interest rates on floating rate investments due to rate resets and lower income from investments in joint ventures and limited partnerships, driven by lower appreciation of the underlying assets.

 

The following tables set forth the income yield and investment income, excluding realized investment gains (losses), for each major investment category of our Japanese operations’ general account for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
 
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   3.11 %   $ 339     2.72 %   $ 263  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   2.73       7     2.25       6  

Equity securities

   3.82       25     3.66       20  

Commercial loans

   4.66       36     4.53       31  

Policy loans

   3.82       12     3.81       10  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   1.39       3     3.45       9  

Other investments

   5.58       25     10.17       21  
                            

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   3.29       447     3.03       360  

Investment expenses

   (0.18 )     (24 )   (0.17 )     (22 )
                            

Total investment income

   3.11 %   $ 423     2.86 %   $ 338  
                            

 

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(1) Yields are annualized, for interim periods, and based on quarterly averages calculated using beginning and end of period balances. Yields are based on carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities are based on amortized cost. Yields for equity securities are based on cost. Yields for securities lending activity are calculated net of corresponding liabilities and rebate expenses. Yields exclude investment income on assets other than those included in invested assets of the Financial Services Businesses. Prior periods yields are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.

 

The net investment income yield attributable to the Japanese insurance operations’ portfolios was 3.11% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 2.86% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in yield on the Japanese insurance portfolio is primarily attributable to an increase in unhedged U.S. dollar investments, the lengthening of the duration of the investment portfolio by investing in longer term securities, and an increase in credit exposure. The U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third party derivative contracts provide a yield that is substantially higher than the yield on comparable Japanese fixed maturities. The average value of U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third party derivative contracts for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $11.0 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively, based on amortized cost.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2007
 
     Yield(1)     Amount     Yield(1)     Amount  
     ($ in millions)  

Fixed maturities

   3.01 %   $ 980     2.70 %   $ 777  

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   2.25       19     1.85       16  

Equity securities

   2.96       57     2.82       44  

Commercial loans

   4.75       106     4.49       92  

Policy loans

   3.86       36     3.78       29  

Short-term investments and cash equivalents

   2.46       15     2.91       18  

Other investments

   7.42       76     12.76       83  
                            

Gross investment income before investment expenses

   3.21       1,289     3.00       1,059  

Investment expenses

   (0.19 )     (79 )   (0.17 )     (70 )
                            

Total investment income

   3.02 %   $ 1,210     2.83 %   $ 989  
                            

 

(1) Yields are annualized, for interim periods, and based on quarterly averages calculated using beginning and end of period balances. Yields are based on carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities are based on amortized cost. Yields for equity securities are based on cost. Yields for securities lending activity are calculated net of corresponding liabilities and rebate expenses. Yields exclude investment income on assets other than those included in invested assets of the Financial Services Businesses. Prior periods yields are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.

 

The net investment income yield attributable to the Japanese insurance operations’ portfolios was 3.02% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 2.83% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in yield on the Japanese insurance portfolio is primarily attributable to an increase in unhedged U.S. dollar investments, the lengthening of the duration of the investment portfolio by investing in longer term securities, and an increase in credit exposure. The U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third party derivative contracts provide a yield that is substantially higher than the yield on comparable Japanese fixed maturities. The average value of U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third party derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $9.5 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively, based on amortized cost. For additional information regarding U.S. dollar investments held in our Japanese insurance operations and our on-going process to lengthen the duration of our Japanese yen investment portfolio see, “—Results of Operations for Financial Services Businesses by Segment—International Insurance and Investments Division.”

 

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Fixed Maturity Securities

 

Our fixed maturity securities portfolio consists of publicly traded and privately placed debt securities across an array of industry categories. The fixed maturity securities relating to our international insurance operations are primarily comprised of foreign government securities.

 

Fixed Maturity Securities and Unrealized Gains and Losses by Industry Category

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the portion of our fixed maturity securities portfolio by industry category attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of the dates indicated and the associated gross unrealized gains and losses.

 

Fixed Maturity Securities – Financial Services Businesses

 

    September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007

Industry(1)

  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(2)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(2)
  Fair Value   Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(2)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(2)
  Fair Value
    (in millions)

Corporate Securities:

               

Manufacturing

  $ 16,385   $ 233   $ 882   $ 15,736   $ 14,754   $ 523   $ 248   $ 15,029

Utilities

    10,143     195     615     9,723     10,170     408     191     10,387

Finance

    9,048     36     849     8,235     11,009     141     247     10,903

Services

    8,639     97     641     8,095     8,238     237     191     8,284

Energy

    4,105     55     303     3,857     4,009     157     69     4,097

Transportation

    3,106     68     122     3,052     2,872     112     38     2,946

Retail and Wholesale

    3,139     24     162     3,001     2,722     64     50     2,736

Other

    872     10     52     830     742     11     20     733
                                               

Total Corporate Securities

    55,437     718     3,626     52,529     54,516     1,653     1,054     55,115

Foreign Government

    28,802     993     113     29,682     27,606     904     98     28,412

Asset-Backed Securities

    12,091     78     1,430     10,739     13,833     123     747     13,209

Residential Mortgage-Backed

    10,991     131     78     11,044     7,782     104     46     7,840

Commercial Mortgage-Backed

    8,420     8     584     7,844     6,581     102     25     6,658

U.S. Government

    3,318     377     15     3,680     2,585     379     —       2,964

State & Municipal(3)

    577     23     4     596     583     37     —       620
                                               

Total(4)(5)

  $ 119,636   $ 2,328   $ 5,850   $ 116,114   $ 113,486   $ 3,302   $ 1,970   $ 114,818
                                               

 

(1) Investment data has been classified based on standard industry categorizations for domestic public holdings and similar classifications by industry for all other holdings.
(2) Includes $37 million of gross unrealized gains and $108 million of gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008, compared to $36 million of gross unrealized gains and $41 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2007 on securities classified as held to maturity, which are not reflected in other comprehensive income.
(3) State and municipal securities were previously presented within U.S. Government.
(4) Excluded from the above are securities held outside the general account in other entities and operations. For additional information regarding investments held outside the general account, see “—Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” below.
(5) The table above excludes fixed maturity securities classified as trading. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities” for additional information.

 

As a percentage of amortized cost, fixed maturity investments attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008, consist primarily of 24% foreign government securities, 14% manufacturing sector, 10% asset-backed securities and 9% residential mortgage-backed securities, compared to 24% foreign government securities, 13% manufacturing sector, 12% asset-backed securities and 10% finance sector as of December 31, 2007.

 

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The gross unrealized losses related to our fixed maturity portfolio attributable to the Financial Services Businesses increased from $1.970 billion as of December 31, 2007 to $5.850 billion as of September 30, 2008, primarily due to credit spread increases in the credit markets and liquidity concerns. The gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008 were concentrated primarily in asset-backed securities and the manufacturing, finance, and service sectors of our corporate securities. The gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2007 were concentrated primarily in asset-backed securities and the manufacturing and finance sectors of our corporate securities. The gross unrealized gains related to our fixed maturity portfolio attributable to the Financial Services Businesses decreased from $3.302 billion as of December 31, 2007 to $2.328 billion as of September 30, 2008.

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the portion of our fixed maturity securities portfolio by industry category attributable to the Closed Block Business as of the dates indicated and the associated gross unrealized gains and losses.

 

Fixed Maturity Securities – Closed Block Business

 

    September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007

Industry(1)

  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
    (in millions)

Corporate Securities:

               

Manufacturing

  $ 8,441   $ 110   $ 472   $ 8,079   $ 8,455   $ 346   $ 91   $ 8,710

Utilities

    5,443     127     407     5,163     5,338     280     73     5,545

Services

    4,571     66     327     4,310     4,566     184     77     4,673

Finance

    2,399     5     246     2,158     3,997     53     71     3,979

Energy

    2,068     26     149     1,945     2,103     99     13     2,189

Retail and Wholesale

    1,624     24     92     1,556     1,631     59     19     1,671

Transportation

    1,264     32     86     1,210     1,274     65     21     1,318
                                               

Total Corporate Securities

    25,810     390     1,779     24,421     27,364     1,086     365     28,085

Asset-Backed Securities

    6,429     21     1,053     5,397     8,091     14     478     7,627

Commercial Mortgage-Backed

    3,869     4     269     3,604     4,265     46     21     4,290

Residential Mortgage-Backed

    3,688     38     60     3,666     5,163     61     18     5,206

U.S. Government

    2,939     125     16     3,048     3,184     291     1     3,474

State & Municipal(2)

    234     12     3     243     169     18     —       187

Foreign Government

    594     31     26     599     496     53     4     545
                                               

Total

  $ 43,563   $ 621   $ 3,206   $ 40,978   $ 48,732   $ 1,569   $ 887   $ 49,414
                                               

 

(1) Investment data has been classified based on standard industry categorizations for domestic public holdings and similar classifications by industry for all other holdings.
(2) State and municipal securities were previously presented within U.S. Government.

 

As a percentage of amortized cost, fixed maturity investments attributable to the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008 consist primarily of 19% manufacturing sector, 15% asset-backed securities, 12% utilities sector, 10% services sector, 9% commercial mortgage-backed securities and 8% residential mortgage-backed securities compared to 17% asset-backed securities, 17% manufacturing sector, 11% utilities sector, 11% residential mortgage-backed securities, 9% services sector, and 9% commercial mortgage-backed securities, as of December 31, 2007.

 

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The gross unrealized losses related to our fixed maturity portfolio attributable to the Closed Block Business increased from $887 million as of December 31, 2007 to $3.206 billion as of September 30, 2008, primarily due to credit spread increases in the credit markets and liquidity concerns. The gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were concentrated primarily in asset-backed securities and the manufacturing, utilities, and service sectors of our corporate securities. The gross unrealized gains related to our fixed maturity portfolio attributable to the Closed Block Business decreased from $1.569 billion as of December 31, 2007 to $621 million as of September 30, 2008.

 

Asset-Backed Securities

 

As of September 30, 2008, included within asset-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses on an amortized cost basis is approximately $5.872 billion ($4.696 billion fair value) of securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. While there is no market standard definition, we define sub-prime mortgages as residential mortgages that are originated to weaker quality obligors as indicated by weaker credit scores, as well as mortgages with higher loan to value ratios, or limited documentation. The slowing U.S. housing market, high interest rate resets, and relaxed underwriting standards for some originators of sub-prime mortgages have recently led to higher delinquency rates, particularly for those mortgages issued in 2006 and 2007. The following tables set forth the amortized cost and fair value of our asset-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of the dates indicated, by credit quality, and for asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, by year of issuance (vintage).

 

Asset-Backed Securities at Amortized Cost – Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total   

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB
and
below
     
     ($ in millions)

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages:

                    

Enhanced short-term portfolio(1)

                    

2008

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

2007

     311      176      69      55      —        611      737

2006

     1,007      408      182      163      7      1,767      2,622

2005

     38      3      —        6      1      48      142

2004

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  

2003 & Prior

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  
                                                

Total enhanced short-term portfolio

     1,356      587      251      224      8      2,426      3,501

All other portfolios

                    

2008

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  

2007

     73      93      53      32      62      313      420

2006

     385      486      97      153      259      1,380      1,811

2005

     17      370      92      61      35      575      677

2004

     41      359      249      38      3      690      763

2003 & Prior

     28      191      145      82      42      488      640
                                                

Total all other portfolios

     544      1,499      636      366      401      3,446      4,311
                                                

Total collateralized by sub-prime mortgages(2)

     1,900      2,086      887      590      409      5,872      7,812

Other asset-backed securities:

                    

Externally managed investments in the European market

     —        —        964      489      14      1,467      1,841

Collateralized by auto loans

     1,471      74      60      82      3      1,690      1,187

Collateralized by credit cards

     69      —        2      722      —        793      907

Collateralized by non-sub-prime mortgages

     826      42      7      33      15      923      771

Other asset-backed securities(4)

     686      241      147      100      172      1,346      1,315
                                                

Total asset-backed securities(5)

   $ 4,952    $ 2,443    $ 2,067    $ 2,016    $ 613    $ 12,091    $ 13,833
                                                

 

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Asset-Backed Securities at Fair Value – Financial Services Businesses

 

    September 30, 2008   Total
December 31,
2007
    Lowest Rating Agency Rating   Total
Fair
Value
 

Vintage

  AAA   AA   A   BBB   BB
and
below
   
    (in millions)

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages:

             

Enhanced short-term portfolio(1)

             

2008

  $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

2007

    272     139     58     41     —       510     692

2006

    942     367     156     139     5     1,609     2,532

2005

    37     3     —       6     1     47     140

2004

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  

2003 & Prior

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
                                         

Total enhanced short-term portfolio

    1,251     509     214     186     6     2,166     3,364

All other portfolios

             

2008

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  

2007

    39     62     44     25     38     208     341

2006

    312     324     73     117     149     975     1,539

2005

    15     265     76     47     29     432     604

2004

    36     272     187     33     2     530     711

2003 & Prior

    25     151     112     64     33     385     576
                                         

Total all other portfolios

    427     1,074     492     286     251     2,530     3,771
                                         

Total collateralized by sub-prime mortgages

    1,678     1,583     706     472     257     4,696     7,135

Other asset-backed securities:

             

Externally managed investments in the European market(3)

    —       —       983     499     14     1,496     1,898

Collateralized by auto loans

    1,450     72     58     67     3     1,650     1,188

Collateralized by credit cards

    68     —       2     623     —       693     874

Collateralized by non-sub-prime mortgages

    839     41     7     32     15     934     778

Other asset-backed securities(4)

    679     221     126     85     159     1,270     1,336
                                         

Total asset-backed securities(5)

  $ 4,714   $ 1,917   $ 1,882   $ 1,778   $ 448   $ 10,739   $ 13,209
                                         

 

(1) Our enhanced short-term portfolio is used primarily to invest cash proceeds of securities lending and repurchase activities, commercial paper issuances and cash generated from certain trading and operating activities. The investment policy statement of this portfolio requires that securities purchased for this portfolio have a remaining expected average life of 2 years or less when acquired.
(2) Included within the $5.9 billion of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages as of September 30, 2008 are $0.9 billion of securities supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, of which $0.7 billion are collateralized by second-lien exposures. See “—Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality” for additional information regarding guarantees from monoline bond insurers.
(3) Excludes the $(338) million impact of the bifurcated embedded derivative described below.
(4) As of September 30, 2008, includes collateralized debt obligations with amortized cost of $507 million and fair value of $474 million, with less than 1% secured by sub-prime mortgages. Also includes asset-backed securities collateralized by education loans, equipment leases, timeshares, aircraft, and franchises.
(5) Excluded from the table above are asset-backed securities held outside the general account in other entities and operations. For additional information regarding asset-backed securities held outside the general account, see “—Invested Asset of Other Entities and Operations” below. Also excluded from the table above are asset-backed securities classified as trading and carried at fair value. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities” for information regarding $1.0 billion of such securities as of September 30, 2008. An additional $255 million of asset-backed securities held within the general account as of September 30, 2008 are classified as other trading, 79% of which have credit ratings of A or above and the remaining 21% of virtually all of which have BBB credit ratings.

 

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The tables above provide ratings as assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies as of September 30, 2008, and reflect credit rating downgrades on asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages processed by the rating agencies in 2008. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, approximately 32% of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Financial Services Businesses had AAA credit ratings, 36% had AA credit ratings, 15% had A credit ratings, 10% had BBB credit ratings, and the remaining 7% had below investment grade credit ratings, compared to 71% with AAA credit ratings, 19% with AA credit ratings, 9% with A credit ratings, 1% with BBB credit ratings, and less than 1% with below investment grade credit ratings, as of December 31, 2007. In making our investment decisions, rather than relying solely on the rating agencies’ evaluations, we assign internal ratings to our asset-backed securities based upon our dedicated asset-backed securities unit’s independent evaluation of the underlying collateral and securitization structure, including any guarantees from monoline bond insurers.

 

On an amortized cost basis, asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Financial Services Businesses decreased from $7.812 billion as of December 31, 2007 to $5.872 billion as of September 30, 2008, primarily reflecting principal paydowns and other-than-temporary impairments recognized. Gross unrealized losses related to our asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Financial Services Businesses were $1,201 million as of September 30, 2008 and $682 million as of December 31, 2007, respectively. For additional information regarding other-than-temporary impairments of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” above.

 

The weighted average estimated subordination percentage of our asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Financial Services Businesses, excluding those supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, was 34% as of September 30, 2008. The subordination percentage represents the current weighted average estimated percentage of the capital structure subordinated to our investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, approximately 91% of the asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Financial Services Businesses have estimated credit subordination percentages of 20% or more, and 50% have estimated credit subordination percentages of 30% or more.

 

In addition to subordination, certain securities, referred to as front pay or second pay securities, benefit from the prioritization of principal cash flows within the senior tranches of the structure. In most instances, these shorter duration senior securities have priority to principal cash flows over other securities in the structure, including longer duration senior securities. Included within the $5.872 billion of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008 were $1.967 billion of securities, on an amortized cost basis, that represent front pay or second pay securities, depending on the overall structure of the securities.

 

The $1.467 billion of externally managed investments in the European market, included above in asset-backed securities of the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008, reflects our investment in medium term notes that are collateralized by investment portfolios primarily consisting of European fixed income securities, including 46% European corporate and bank bonds, 22% bank capital, 17% European asset-backed securities, and 15% other, as well as derivatives and varying degrees of leverage. Our investment in these notes further diversifies our credit risk. As of September 30, 2008 none of the underlying investments are securities collateralized by U.S. sub-prime mortgages, and 91% of the underlying investments are rated investment grade. The notes have a stated coupon and provide a return based on the return of the underlying portfolios and the level of leverage. The notes are accounted for as available for sale fixed maturity securities with bifurcated embedded derivatives (total return swaps). Changes in the value of the fixed maturity securities are reported in Stockholders’ Equity under the heading “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” Changes in the market value of the embedded total return swaps are included in current period earnings in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” As discussed further in Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, any changes in market value of the embedded total return swaps are excluded from adjusted

 

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operating income. The fair value of the embedded derivatives associated with these investments declined in the third quarter of 2008 due to increased credit spreads in the applicable financial markets, and remain in a loss position on a cumulative basis as a result of the recent stress in the credit markets. However, we believe the investment fundamentals remain sound, and the ultimate value that will be realized from these investments is greater than reflected by the current fair value of the embedded derivatives. During the second quarter of 2008, we restructured certain of these investments, which included an additional investment of approximately $500 million to fund our share of leverage in certain of the existing portfolios. The decrease in externally managed investment in the European market from December 31, 2007 is primarily a result of this restructuring, as beginning in the second quarter of 2008, the underlying restructured portfolio of investments and derivatives, totaling approximately $680 million, is held directly on our balance sheet primarily within “Other trading account assets, at fair value.” The difference between the market value of the investments at the time of the restructuring and the par amount, previously recognized primarily in “Realized investment gains (losses), net” due to changes in the market value of the embedded total return swap, will be accreted into net investment income, and included in adjusted operating income, over the remaining life of the investments.

 

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As of September 30, 2008, included within asset-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business on an amortized cost basis is approximately $4.881 billion ($3.945 billion fair value) of securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. See above for a description of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. The following tables set forth the amortized cost and fair value of our asset-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business as of the dates indicated, by credit quality, and for asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, by year of issuance (vintage).

 

Asset-Backed Securities at Amortized Cost – Closed Block Business

 

    September 30, 2008    
    Lowest Rating Agency Rating       Total
December 31,
2007

Vintage

  AAA   AA   A   BBB   BB
and
below
  Total
Amortized
Cost
 
    ($ in millions)

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages:

             

Enhanced short-term portfolio(1)

             

2008

  $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

2007

    313     181     71     30     —       595     768

2006

    1,031     420     188     13     8     1,660     2,735

2005

    39     3     —       —       —       42     148

2004

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  

2003 & Prior

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
                                         

Total enhanced short-term portfolio

    1,383     604     259     43     8     2,297     3,651

All other portfolios

             

2008

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  

2007

    54     36     23     41     45     199     211

2006

    408     253     124     178     160     1,123     1,074

2005

    28     334     31     38     15     446     456

2004

    8     300     39     3     —       350     370

2003 & Prior

    38     241     80     71     36     466     568
                                         

Total all other portfolios

    536     1,164     297     331     256     2,584     2,679
                                         

Total collateralized by sub-prime mortgages(2)

    1,919     1,768     556     374     264     4,881     6,330

Other asset-backed securities:

             

Collateralized by credit cards

    —       —       —       457     —       457     544

Collateralized by auto loans

    283     11     10     31     —       335     387

Externally managed investments in the European market

    —       —       281     —       —       281     281

Collateralized by education loans

    190     20     —       —       6     216     215

Other asset-backed securities(4)

    122     44     47     11     35     259     334
                                         

Total asset-backed securities

  $ 2,514   $ 1,843   $ 894   $ 873   $ 305   $ 6,429   $ 8,091
                                         

 

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Asset-Backed Securities at Fair Value – Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total
Fair
Value
  

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB
and
below
     
     (in millions)

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages:

                    

Enhanced short-term portfolio(1)

                    

2008

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

2007

     273      144      60      21      —        498      721

2006

     963      378      161      8      5      1,515      2,640

2005

     38      3      —        —        —        41      147

2004

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  

2003 & Prior

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  
                                                

Total enhanced short-term portfolio

     1,274      525      221      29      5      2,054      3,508

All other portfolios

                    

2008

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  

2007

     43      23      13      30      38      147      175

2006

     299      155      78      147      93      772      926

2005

     24      249      19      29      11      332      412

2004

     7      224      32      2      —        265      344

2003 & Prior

     34      190      66      55      30      375      518
                                                

Total all other portfolios

     407      841      208      263      172      1,891      2,375
                                                

Total collateralized by sub-prime mortgages

     1,681      1,366      429      292      177      3,945      5,883

Other asset-backed securities:

                    

Collateralized by credit cards

     —        —        —        387      —        387      522

Collateralized by auto loans

     280      11      10      24      —        325      386

Externally managed investments in the European market(3)

     —        —        289      —        —        289      283

Collateralized by education loans

     188      15      —        —        5      208      215

Other asset-backed securities(4)

     119      41      41      9      33      243      338
                                                

Total asset-backed securities(5)

   $ 2,268    $ 1,433    $ 769    $ 712    $ 215    $ 5,397    $ 7,627
                                                

 

(1) Our enhanced short-term portfolio is used primarily to invest cash proceeds of securities lending and repurchase activities, and cash generated from certain trading and operating activities. The investment policy statement of this portfolio requires that securities purchased for this portfolio have a remaining expected average life of 2 years or less when acquired.
(2) Included within the $4.9 billion of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages as of September 30, 2008 are $0.5 billion of securities supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, of which $0.4 billion are collateralized by second-lien exposures. See “—Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality” for additional information regarding guarantees from monoline bond insurers.
(3) Excludes the $(74) million impact of the embedded derivative described below.
(4) As of September 30, 2008 includes collateralized debt obligations with amortized cost of $61 million and fair value of $62 million, with none secured by sub-prime mortgages. Also includes asset-backed securities collateralized by equipment leases, timeshares, aircraft, and franchises.
(5) Excluded from the table above are $17 million of asset-backed securities classified as other trading and carried at fair value, all of which have BBB credit ratings as of September 30, 2008.

 

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The tables above provide ratings as assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies as of September 30, 2008, and reflect credit rating downgrades on asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages processed by the rating agencies in 2008. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, approximately 39% of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Closed Block Business had AAA credit ratings, 36% had AA credit ratings, 11% had A credit ratings, 8% had BBB credit ratings, and 6% had below investment grade credit ratings, compared to 79% with AAA credit ratings, 18% with AA credit ratings, 3% with A credit ratings, and less than 1% with BBB or below investment grade credit ratings, as of December 31, 2007. In making our investment decisions, rather than relying solely on the rating agencies’ evaluations, we assign internal ratings to our asset-backed securities based upon our dedicated asset-backed securities unit’s independent evaluation of the underlying collateral and securitization structure, including any guarantees from monoline bond insurers.

 

On an amortized cost basis, asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Closed Block Business decreased from $6.330 billion as of December 31, 2007 to $4.881 billion as of September 30, 2008, primarily reflecting principal paydowns and other-than-temporary impairments recognized. Gross unrealized losses related to our asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Closed Block Business were $944 million as of September 30, 2008 and $447 million as of December 31, 2007, respectively. For additional information regarding other-than-temporary impairments of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” above.

 

The weighted average estimated subordination percentage of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Closed Block Business, excluding those supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, was 35% as of September 30, 2008. The subordination percentage represents the current weighted average estimated percentage of the capital structure subordinated to our investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, approximately 96% of the asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Closed Block Business have estimated credit subordination percentages of 20% or more, and 58% have estimated credit subordination percentages of 30% or more.

 

In addition to subordination, certain securities, referred to as front pay or second pay securities, benefit from the prioritization of principal cash flows within the senior tranches of the structure. In most instances, these shorter duration senior securities have priority to principal cash flows over other securities in the structure, including longer duration senior securities. Included within the $4.881 billion of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages attributable to the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008 were $1.947 billion of securities, on an amortized cost basis, that represent front pay or second pay securities, depending on the overall structure of the securities.

 

The $281 million of externally managed investments in the European market, included in asset-backed securities of the Closed Block Business, reflects our investment in medium term notes that are collateralized by investment portfolios primarily consisting of European fixed income securities, including 46% European corporate and bank bonds, 22% bank capital, 17% European asset-backed securities, and 15% other, as well as derivatives and varying degrees of leverage. Our investment in these notes further diversifies our credit risk. As of September 30, 2008 none of the underlying investments are securities collateralized by U.S. sub-prime mortgages, and 91% of the underlying investments are rated investment grade. The notes have a stated coupon and provide a return based on the return of the underlying portfolios and the level of leverage. The notes are accounted for as available for sale fixed maturity securities with bifurcated embedded derivatives (total return swaps). Changes in the value of the fixed maturity securities are reported in Stockholders’ Equity under the heading “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” Changes in the market value of the embedded total return swaps are included in current period earnings in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” The fair value of the embedded derivatives associated with these investments declined in the third quarter of 2008 due to increased credit spreads in the applicable financial markets, and remain in a loss position on a cumulative basis as a result of the recent stress in the credit markets. However, we believe the investment fundamentals remain sound, and the ultimate value that will be realized from these investments is greater than reflected by the current fair value of the embedded derivatives.

 

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Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

As of September 30, 2008, $10.785 billion of the residential mortgage-backed securities in the Financial Services Businesses were publicly traded agency pass-through securities, which are supported by implicit or explicit government guarantees and have credit ratings of AA or above. Of these pass-through securities, $9.594 billion are supported by the U.S. government, and $1.191 billion are supported by foreign governments. Collateralized mortgage obligations, including approximately $51 million secured by “ALT-A” mortgages, represented the remaining $206 million of residential mortgage-backed securities (and less than 1% of total fixed maturities in the Financial Services Businesses), and all have credit ratings of A or above.

 

As of September 30, 2008, $3.118 billion of the residential mortgage-backed securities in the Closed Block Business were publicly traded agency pass-through securities, which are supported by implicit or explicit U.S. government guarantees and have credit ratings of AAA. Collateralized mortgage obligations, including approximately $150 million secured by “ALT-A” mortgages, represented the remaining $570 million of residential mortgage-backed securities (and 1% of total fixed maturities in the Closed Block Business), and all have AAA credit ratings. For additional information regarding our exposure to Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac, see “—Government Sponsored Entities.”

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

Overall delinquency rates on commercial mortgages have been relatively stable in recent years. However, we have recognized several market factors related to commercial mortgage-backed securities issued in 2006 and 2007, including less stringent underwriting, higher levels of leverage and rapid real estate price appreciation. To ensure our investment objectives and asset strategies are maintained, we consider these market factors in making our investment decisions on securities in these vintages. The following tables set forth the amortized cost and fair value of our commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of the dates indicated by credit quality and by year of issuance (vintage).

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities at Amortized Cost – Financial Services Businesses

 

    September 30, 2008   Total
December 31,
2007
    Lowest Rating Agency Rating   Total
Amortized
Cost
 

Vintage

  AAA   AA   A   BBB   BB and
below
   
    ($ in millions)

2008

  $ 176   $ 4   $ 22   $ 88   $ 21   $ 311   $ —  

2007

    1,606     —       3     64     69     1,742     713

2006

    3,367     5     —       6     12     3,390     2,546

2005

    1,513     —       —       10     37     1,560     1,509

2004

    431     —       —       —       4     435     423

2003 & Prior

    828     98     31     15     10     982     1,390
                                         

Total commercial mortgage-backed securities(1)(2)

  $ 7,921   $ 107   $ 56   $ 183   $ 153   $ 8,420   $ 6,581
                                         

 

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Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities at Fair Value – Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total
Fair
Value
  

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB and
below
     
     (in millions)

2008

   $ 161    $ 3    $ 22    $ 88    $ 22    $ 296    $ —  

2007

     1,518      —        3      62      61      1,644      727

2006

     3,084      5      —        6      11      3,106      2,588

2005

     1,396      —        —        10      36      1,442      1,517

2004

     395      —        —        0      3      398      421

2003 & Prior

     814      94      28      13      9      958      1,405
                                                

Total commercial mortgage-backed securities(1)

   $ 7,368    $ 102    $ 53    $ 179    $ 142    $ 7,844    $ 6,658
                                                

 

(1) Excluded from the table above are available for sale commercial mortgage-backed securities held outside the general account in other entities and operations. For additional information regarding commercial mortgage-backed securities held outside the general account, see “—Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” below. Also excluded from the table above are commercial mortgage-backed securities classified as trading and carried at fair value. See “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities” for information regarding $2.4 billion of such securities as of September 30, 2008.
(2) Included in the table above are commercial mortgage-backed securities supported by Japan based mortgages of $9 million in AAA, $4 million in AA, $25 million in A, $168 million in BBB and $148 million in BB and below.

 

The weighted average estimated subordination percentage of our commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses was 29% as of September 30, 2008. The subordination percentage represents the current weighted average estimated percentage of the capital structure subordinated to our investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal. The weighted average estimated subordination percentage includes an adjustment for that portion of the capital structure, which has been effectively defeased by U.S. Treasury securities. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, approximately 91% of the commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses have estimated credit subordination percentages of 20% or more, and 75% have estimated credit subordination percentages of 30% or more. The following tables set forth the weighted average estimated subordination percentage, adjusted for that portion of the capital structure which has been effectively defeased by U.S. Treasury securities, of our U.S. and Non-U.S. commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses based on amortized cost as of September 30, 2008, by rating and vintage.

 

U.S. Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – Subordination Percentages by Rating and Vintage—Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating  

Vintage

   AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and
below
 

2008

   32 %   —   %   —   %   —   %   —   %

2007

   30     —       —       —       —    

2006

   30     30     —       —       —    

2005

   28     —       —       —       —    

2004

   22     —       —       —       48  

2003 & Prior

   44     36     20     16     40  

 

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Non-U.S. Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – Subordination Percentages by Rating and Vintage – Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating  

Vintage

   AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB and
below
 

2008

   —   %   25 %   8 %   5 %   5 %

2007

   —       —       10     6     1  

2006

   —       —       —       6     1  

2005

   —       —       —       13     9  

2004

   —       —       —       —       —    

2003 & Prior

   —       —       —       —       —    

 

Loan to value and debt service coverage ratios are measures commonly used to assess the quality of commercial mortgage-backed securities. The loan to value ratio compares the amount of the loan to the fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan, and is commonly expressed as a percentage. Loan to value ratios greater than 100% percent indicate that the loan amount is greater than the collateral value. Therefore, all else being equal, a smaller loan to value ratio generally indicates a higher quality security. The debt service coverage ratio compares a property’s net operating income to its debt service payments. Debt service coverage ratios less than 1.0 times indicate that property operations do not generate enough income to cover its current debt payments. Therefore, all else being equal, a larger debt service coverage ratio generally indicates a higher quality security. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, the weighted average loan to value and debt service coverage ratios of commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses was 69% and 1.55 times, respectively. The following tables set forth the amortized cost and fair value of our commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008 by loan to value and debt service coverage ratios.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities by Loan to Value Ratio – Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

0% - 50%

   $ 65    $ 59

50% - 60%

     416      393

60% - 70%

     3,846      3,592

70% - 80%

     4,021      3,735

80% - 90%

     71      64

90% - 100%

     —        —  

Greater than 100%

     1      1
             

Total

   $ 8,420    $ 7,844
             

 

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Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities by Debt Service Coverage Ratio – Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Greater than 2.0 times

   $ 312    $ 298

1.8 times – 2.0 times

     946      878

1.5 times – 1.8 times

     3,155      2,935

1.2 times – 1.5 times

     3,681      3,425

1.0 times – 1.2 times

     303      286

Less than 1.0 times

     23      22
             

Total

   $ 8,420    $ 7,844
             

 

The following tables set forth the amortized cost and fair value of our commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business as of the dates indicated, by credit quality and by year of issuance (vintage).

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities at Amortized Cost – Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total
Amortized
Cost
  

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB and
below
     
     ($ in millions)

2008

   $ 10    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 10    $ —  

2007

     418      —        12      —        —        430      277

2006

     880      —        —        —        —        880      1,207

2005

     1,285      —        —        —        —        1,285      1,375

2004

     395      —        —        —        —        395      397

2003 & Prior

     783      42      43      1      —        869      1,009
                                                

Total commercial mortgage-backed securities

   $ 3,771    $ 42    $ 55    $ 1    $ —      $ 3,869    $ 4,265
                                                

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities at Fair Value – Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total Fair
Value
  

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB and
below
     
     (in millions)

2008

   $ 9    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 9    $ —  

2007

     389      —        7      —        —        396      279

2006

     798      —        —        —        —        798      1,221

2005

     1,187      —        —        —        —        1,187      1,375

2004

     365      —        —        —        —        365      392

2003 & Prior

     769      39      40      1      —        849      1,023
                                                

Total commercial mortgage-backed securities

   $ 3,517    $ 39    $ 47    $ 1    $ —      $ 3,604    $ 4,290
                                                

 

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The weighted average estimated subordination percentage of commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business was 30% as of September 30, 2008. The subordination percentage represents the current weighted average estimated percentage of the capital structure subordinated to our investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal. The weighted average estimated subordination percentage includes an adjustment for that portion of the capital structure which has been effectively defeased by US Treasury securities. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, approximately 92% of the commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business have estimated credit subordination percentages of 20% or more, and 59% have estimated credit subordination percentages of 30% or more. The following tables set forth the weighted average estimated subordination percentage, adjusted for that portion of the capital structure which has been effectively defeased by US Treasury securities, of our commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business based on amortized cost as of September 30, 2008, by rating and vintage

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – Subordination Percentages by Rating and Vintage – Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating  

Vintage

   AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB
and
below
 

2008

   28 %   —   %   —   %   —   %   —   %

2007

   30     —       53     —       —    

2006

   29     —       —       —       —    

2005

   28     —       —       —       —    

2004

   19     —       —       —       —    

2003 & Prior

   39     23     20     9     —    

 

Loan to value and debt service coverage ratios are measures commonly used to assess the quality of commercial mortgage-backed securities. See above for a description of these ratios. As of September 30, 2008, based on amortized cost, the weighted average loan to value and debt service coverage ratios of commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business is 69% and 1.58 times, respectively. The following tables set forth the amortized cost and fair value of our commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008 by loan to value and debt service coverage ratios.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities by Loan to Value Ratio – Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

0% - 50%

   $ —      $ —  

50% - 60%

     185      165

60% - 70%

     1,791      1,668

70% - 80%

     1,888      1,766

80% - 90%

     5      5

90% - 100%

     —        —  

Greater than 100%

     —        —  
             

Total

   $ 3,869    $ 3,604
             

 

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Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities by Debt Service Coverage Ratio – Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Greater than 2.0 times

   $ 23    $ 21

1.8 times – 2.0 times

     433      401

1.5 times – 1.8 times

     2,179      2,013

1.2 times – 1.5 times

     1,197      1,135

1.0 times – 1.2 times

     37      34

Less than 1.0 times

     —        —  
             

Total

   $ 3,869    $ 3,604
             

 

Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality

 

The Securities Valuation Office, or SVO, of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, evaluates the investments of insurers for regulatory reporting purposes and assigns fixed maturity securities to one of six categories called “NAIC Designations.” NAIC designations of “1” or “2” include fixed maturities considered investment grade, which include securities rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s. NAIC Designations of “3” through “6” are referred to as below investment grade, which include securities rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s and BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s. As a result of time lags between the funding of investments, the finalization of legal documents and the completion of the SVO filing process, the fixed maturity portfolio generally includes securities that have not yet been rated by the SVO as of each balance sheet date. Pending receipt of SVO ratings, the categorization of these securities by NAIC designation is based on the expected ratings indicated by internal analysis.

 

Investments of our international insurance companies are not subject to NAIC guidelines. Investments of our Japanese insurance operations are regulated locally by the Financial Services Agency, an agency of the Japanese government. The Financial Services Agency has its own investment quality criteria and risk control standards. Our Japanese insurance companies comply with the Financial Services Agency’s credit quality review and risk monitoring guidelines. The credit quality ratings of the non-U.S. dollar denominated investments of our Japanese insurance companies are based on ratings assigned by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, or rating equivalents based on ratings assigned by Japanese credit ratings agencies.

 

Certain of our fixed maturity investments are supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers. The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of our fixed maturity investments supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers as of the dates indicated.

 

Fixed Maturity Securities Guaranteed by Monoline Bond Insurers

 

     September 30, 2008
     Financial Services
Businesses
   Closed Block
Business
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Asset-backed securities:

           

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages

   $ 903    $ 729    $ 544      481

Other

     337      307      103      94
                           

Total asset-backed securities

     1,240      1,036      647      575

Municipal bonds

     409      420      127      135

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Total

   $ 1,649    $ 1,456    $ 774    $ 710
                           

 

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     December 31, 2007
     Financial Services
Businesses
   Closed Block Business
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Asset-backed securities:

           

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages

   $ 1,623    $ 1,490    $ 1,060    $ 1,024

Other

     607      622      184      186
                           

Total asset-backed securities

     2,230      2,112      1,244      1,210

Municipal bonds

     421      447      119      132

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     5      5      5      5
                           

Total

   $ 2,656    $ 2,564    $ 1,368    $ 1,347
                           

 

As of September 30, 2008, on an amortized cost basis, $1.649 billion, or 1%, of fixed maturity investments attributable to the Financial Services Businesses were supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers. As of September 30, 2008, 79% of these investments had A credit ratings or higher, reflecting the credit quality of the monoline bond insurers. Management estimates, taking into account the structure and credit quality of the underlying investments and giving no effect to the support of these securities by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, that 70% of the $1.649 billion total attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008 (based upon amortized cost) would have investment grade credit ratings, including 54% of the asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, 77% of the other asset-backed securities, and all of the municipal bonds. As of September 30, 2008, the bond insurance is provided by five insurance companies, with no company representing more than 34% of the overall amortized cost of the securities supported by bond insurance attributable to the Financial Services Businesses. For additional information regarding credit derivatives we have purchased in order to hedge our exposure relating to certain of these guarantees from monoline bond insurers, see “—Credit Derivative Exposure to Public Fixed Maturities.”

 

As of September 30, 2008, on an amortized cost basis, $774 million, or 2%, of fixed maturity investments attributable to the Closed Block Business were supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers. As of September 30, 2008, 72% of these investments had A credit ratings or higher, reflecting the credit quality of the monoline bond insurers. Management estimates, taking into account the structure and credit quality of the underlying investments and giving no effect to the support of these securities by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, that 88% of the $774 million total attributable to the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008 (based upon amortized cost) would have investment grade credit ratings, including 85% of the asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, 91% of the other asset-backed securities, and all of the municipal bonds. As of September 30, 2008, the bond insurance is provided by five insurance companies, with no company representing more than 34% of the overall amortized cost of the securities supported by bond insurance attributable to the Closed Block Business.

 

The amortized cost of our public and private below investment grade fixed maturities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses totaled $8.2 billion, or 7%, of the total fixed maturities as of September 30, 2008 and $7.5 billion, or 7%, of the total fixed maturities as of December 31, 2007. Below investment grade fixed maturities represented 13% and 12% of the gross unrealized losses attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

The amortized cost of our public and private below investment grade fixed maturities attributable to the Closed Block Business totaled $5.9 billion, or 14%, of the total fixed maturities as of September 30, 2008 and $5.7 billion, or 12%, of the total fixed maturities as of December 31, 2007. Below investment grade fixed maturities represented 17% of the gross unrealized losses attributable to the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008, compared to 18% of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2007.

 

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Public Fixed Maturities—Credit Quality

 

The following table sets forth our public fixed maturity portfolios by NAIC rating attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of the dates indicated.

 

Public Fixed Maturity Securities – Financial Services Businesses

 

(1)(2)

NAIC
Designation

 

Rating Agency Equivalent

  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007
    Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
        (in millions)

1

  Aaa, Aa, A   $ 79,416   $ 1,789   $ 3,046   $ 78,159   $ 74,678   $ 2,036   $ 1,184   $ 75,530

2

  Baa     14,139     187     1,184     13,142     13,573     490     351     13,712
                                                 
 

Subtotal Investment Grade

    93,555     1,976     4,230     91,301     88,251     2,526     1,535     89,242

3

  Ba     2,844     30     332     2,542     2,830     68     102     2,796

4

  B     1,392     3     178     1,217     1,681     38     82     1,637

5

  C and lower     150     14     30     134     115     5     6     114

6

  In or near default     32     3     5     30     34     5     1     38
                                                 
 

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

    4,418     50     545     3,923     4,660     116     191     4,585
                                                 

Total Public Fixed Maturities

  $  97,973   $  2,026   $  4,775   $ 95,224   $ 92,911   $ 2,642   $ 1,726   $ 93,827
                                                 

 

(1) Reflects equivalent ratings for investments of the international insurance operations that are not rated by U.S. insurance regulatory authorities.
(2) Includes, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, 14 securities with amortized cost of $19 million (fair value, $13 million) and 14 securities with amortized cost of $49 million (fair value, $46 million) that have been categorized based on expected NAIC designations pending receipt of SVO ratings.
(3) Includes $23 million of gross unrealized gains and $106 million gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008, compared to $25 million of gross unrealized gains and $39 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2007 on securities classified as held to maturity that are not reflected in other comprehensive income.

 

The following table sets forth our public fixed maturity portfolios by NAIC rating attributable to the Closed Block Business as of the dates indicated.

 

Public Fixed Maturity Securities – Closed Block Business

 

(1)

NAIC
Designation

 

Rating Agency Equivalent

  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007
    Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
        (in millions)

1

 

Aaa, Aa, A

  $ 22,244   $ 245   $ 1,730   $ 20,759   $ 27,437   $ 618   $ 578   $ 27,477

2

 

Baa

    5,968     48     597     5,419     5,915     199     101     6,013
                                                 
 

Subtotal Investment Grade

    28,212     293     2,327     26,178     33,352     817     679     33,490

3

 

Ba

    2,134     15     223     1,926     1,992     46     61     1,977

4

 

B

    1,158     2     145     1,015     1,588     23     58     1,553

5

 

C and lower

    194     4     43     155     131     5     8     128

6

 

In or near default

    12     —       3     9     19     1     —       20
                                                 
 

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

    3,498     21     414     3,105     3,730     75     127     3,678
                                                 

Total Public Fixed Maturities

  $ 31,710   $ 314   $ 2,741   $ 29,283   $ 37,082   $ 892   $ 806   $ 37,168
                                                 

 

(1) Includes, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, 16 securities with amortized cost of $39 million (fair value, $33 million) and 14 securities with amortized cost of $45 million (fair value, $47 million) that have been categorized based on expected NAIC designations pending receipt of SVO ratings.

 

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Private Fixed Maturities—Credit Quality

 

The following table sets forth our private fixed maturity portfolios by NAIC rating attributable to the Financial Services Businesses as of the dates indicated.

 

Private Fixed Maturity Securities – Financial Services Businesses

 

(1)(2)

NAIC
Designation

 

Rating Agency Equivalent

  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007
    Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
        (in millions)

1

 

Aaa, Aa, A

  $ 6,709   $ 121   $ 283   $ 6,547   $ 7,139   $ 230   $ 84   $ 7,285

2

 

Baa

    11,165     128     586     10,707     10,595     344     118     10,821
                                                 
 

Subtotal Investment Grade

    17,874     249     869     17,254     17,734     574     202     18,106

3

 

Ba

    2,512     32     134     2,410     1,637     49     26     1,660

4

 

B

    847     4     60     791     738     6     12     732

5

 

C and lower

    235     4     10     229     319     8     4     323

6

 

In or near default

    195     13     2     206     147     23     —       170
                                                 
 

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

    3,789     53     206     3,636     2,841     86     42     2,885
                                                 

Total Private Fixed Maturities

  $ 21,663   $ 302   $ 1,075   $ 20,890   $ 20,575   $ 660   $ 244   $ 20,991
                                                 

 

(1) Reflects equivalent ratings for investments of the international insurance operations that are not rated by U.S. insurance regulatory authorities.
(2) Includes, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, 199 securities with amortized cost of $2,673 million (fair value, $2,517 million) and 182 securities with amortized cost of $2,257 million (fair value, $2,273 million) that have been categorized based on expected NAIC designations pending receipt of SVO ratings.
(3) Includes $14 million of gross unrealized gains and $2 million of gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008, compared to $11 million of gross unrealized gains and $2 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2007 on securities classified as held to maturity that are not reflected in other comprehensive income.

 

The following table sets forth our private fixed maturity portfolios by NAIC rating attributable to the Closed Block Business as of the dates indicated.

 

Private Fixed Maturity Securities – Closed Block Business

 

(1)

NAIC
Designation

 

Rating Agency Equivalent

  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007
    Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
        (in millions)

1

 

Aaa, Aa, A

  $ 3,092   $ 124   $ 94   $ 3,122   $ 3,197   $ 219   $ 23   $ 3,393

2

 

Baa

    6,324     129     246     6,207     6,495     363     28     6,830
                                                 
 

Subtotal Investment Grade

    9,416     253     340     9,329     9,692     582     51     10,223

3

 

Ba

    1,761     29     95     1,695     1,246     63     21     1,288

4

 

B

    461     3     24     440     442     6     5     443

5

 

C and lower

    105     5     5     105     214     8     4     218

6

 

In or near default

    110     17     1     126     56     18     —       74
                                                 
 

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

    2,437     54     125     2,366     1,958     95     30     2,023
                                                 

Total Private Fixed Maturities

  $ 11,853   $ 307   $ 465   $ 11,695   $ 11,650   $ 677   $ 81   $ 12,246
                                                 

 

(1) Includes, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, 108 securities with amortized cost of $1,470 million (fair value, $1,421 million) and 106 securities with amortized cost of $1,578 million (fair value, $1,582 million) that have been categorized based on expected NAIC designations pending receipt of SVO ratings.

 

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Credit Derivative Exposure to Public Fixed Maturities

 

In addition to the credit exposure from public fixed maturities noted above, we sell credit derivatives to enhance the return on our investment portfolio by creating credit exposure similar to an investment in public fixed maturity cash instruments.

 

In a credit derivative we sell credit protection on an identified name, or a basket of names in a first to default structure, and in return receive a quarterly premium. With single name credit default derivatives, this premium or credit spread generally corresponds to the difference between the yield on the referenced name’s public fixed maturity cash instruments and swap rates, at the time the agreement is executed. With first-to-default baskets, because of the additional credit risk inherent in a basket of named credits, the premium generally corresponds to a high proportion of the sum of the credit spreads of the names in the basket. If there is an event of default by the referenced name or one of the referenced names in a basket, as defined by the agreement, then we are obligated to pay the counterparty the referenced amount of the contract and receive in return the referenced defaulted security or similar security. Subsequent defaults on the remaining names within such instruments require no further payment to counterparties.

 

The majority of referenced names in the credit derivatives where we have sold credit protection, as well as all the counterparties to these agreements, are investment grade credit quality and our credit derivatives generally have maturities of five years or less. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had $1.248 billion and $1.470 billion, respectively, in outstanding notional amounts of credit derivative contracts where we have sold credit protection. The Financial Services Businesses had $1.162 billion and $1.142 billion of outstanding notional amounts as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The Closed Block Business had $86 million and $328 million of outstanding notional amounts, as September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Credit derivative contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value, including the premium received, recorded in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” The premium received for the credit derivatives we sell attributable to the Financial Services Businesses was $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $10 million and $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and is included in adjusted operating income as an adjustment to “Realized investment gains (losses), net.”

 

The following table sets forth our exposure where we have sold credit protection through credit derivatives in the Financial Services Businesses by NAIC rating of the underlying credits as of the dates indicated.

 

Credit Derivatives, Sold Protection—Financial Services Businesses

 

(1)

NAIC
Designation

  

Rating Agency Equivalent

   September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
      Notional    Fair Value     Notional    Fair Value  
          (in millions)  

1

  

Aaa, Aa, A

   $ 627    $ (25 )   $ 392    $ (4 )

2

  

Baa

     419      (74 )     672      (65 )
                                 
  

Subtotal Investment Grade

     1,046      (99 )     1,064      (69 )

3

  

Ba

     15      (1 )     20      (1 )

4

  

B

     36      (10 )     38      (3 )

5

  

C and lower

     65      (9 )     20      (2 )

6

  

In or near default

     —        —         —        —    
                                 
  

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

     116      (20 )     78      (6 )
                                 

Total

   $ 1,162    $ (119 )   $ 1,142    $ (75 )
                                 

 

(1) First-to-default credit swap baskets, which may include credits of varying qualities, are grouped above based on the lowest credit in the basket. However, such basket swaps may entail greater credit risk than the rating level of the lowest credit.

 

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The following table sets forth our exposure where we have sold credit protection through credit derivatives in the Closed Block Business portfolios by NAIC rating of the underlying credits as of the dates indicated.

 

Credit Derivatives, Sold Protection—Closed Block Business

 

(1)

NAIC
Designation

  

Rating Agency Equivalent

   September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
      Notional    Fair Value     Notional    Fair Value  
          (in millions)  

1

  

Aaa, Aa, A

   $ 46    $ —       $ 253    $ (1 )

2

  

Baa

     35      (1 )     70      —    
                                 
  

Subtotal Investment Grade

     81      (1 )     323      (1 )

3

  

Ba

     —        —         —        —    

4

  

B

     —        —         —        —    

5

  

C and lower

     5      (1 )     5      (1 )

6

  

In or near default

     —        —         —        —    
                                 
  

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

     5      (1 )     5      (1 )
                                 

Total

     $ 86    $ (2 )   $ 328    $ (2 )
                                 

 

(1) First-to-default credit swap baskets, which may include credits of varying qualities, are grouped above based on the lowest credit in the basket. However, such basket swaps may entail greater credit risk than the rating level of the lowest credit.

 

In addition to selling credit protection, we have purchased credit protection using credit derivatives in order to hedge specific credit exposures in our investment portfolio, including exposures relating to certain guarantees from monoline bond insurers. For additional information relating to our exposure to guarantees from monoline bond insurers see, “—Fixed Maturity Securities-Credit Quality.” As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Financial Services Businesses had $1.055 billion and $214 million of outstanding notional amounts, reported at fair value as a $128 million asset and a $1 million asset, respectively. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Closed Block Business had $300 million and $205 million of outstanding notional amounts, reported at fair value as an asset of $61 million and $5 million, respectively. The premium paid for the credit derivatives we purchase attributable to the Financial Services Businesses was $6 million and $0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $15 million and $0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and is included in adjusted operating income as an adjustment to “Realized investment gains (losses), net.”

 

Unrealized Losses from Fixed Maturity Securities

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 15% or more, but less than 20% for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Fixed Maturity Securities, Greater than 15% but Less than 20%—Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 3,455    $ 588    $ 619    $ 105

Three months or greater but less than six months

     511      90      76      13

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     489      88      9      2

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     23      4      —        —  

Greater than twelve months

     12      2      10      2
                           

Total

   $ 4,490    $ 772    $ 714    $ 122
                           

 

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The following table sets forth the amortized cost and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Fixed Maturity Securities, Greater than 20%—Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 4,480    $ 1,259    $ 769    $ 213

Three months or greater but less than six months

     1,330      447      265      91

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     643      264      —        —  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  

Greater than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Total(1)(2)

   $ 6,453    $ 1,970    $ 1,034    $ 304
                           

 

(1) As of September 30, 2008 includes $339 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with an amortized cost of $594 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 50% or more.

 

(2) In the news release announcing third quarter 2008 results attached as Exhibit 99.0 to the Current Report on Form 8-K we filed on October 29, 2008, the amount of gross unrealized losses on general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses at September 30, 2008 with declines in value of 20% or more of amortized costs for three months or more was stated to be $397 million. The correct amount, reflecting the $447 million shown in three months or greater but less than six months timeframe and the $264 million shown in six months or greater but less than nine months timeframe in the table above, is $711 million.

 

The gross unrealized losses were primarily concentrated in asset-backed securities as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Gross unrealized losses attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more of $1.970 billion as of September 30, 2008 includes $927 million relating to asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. Gross unrealized losses attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more also includes $339 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with an amortized cost of $594 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 50% or more, of which $161 million was included in the less than three month timeframe, $84 million was included in the three months or greater but less than six months timeframe and $94 million was included in the six months or greater but less than nine months timeframe. We have not recognized the gross unrealized losses shown in the tables above as other-than-temporary impairments, as each security is current on its contractual payments, and our detailed analysis of the underlying credit on each of these securities resulted in no evidence of probable credit deterioration that would indicate they would be unable to meet their contractual obligations. The declines in fair value were primarily due to credit spread increases in the structured credit marketplace and liquidity concerns, and we believe the recoverable value of these investments based on the expected future cash flows is greater than or equal to our amortized cost, and we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. See “—Other-Than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” for a discussion of the factors we consider in making these determinations.

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 15% or more, but less than 20% for the following timeframes:

 

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Unrealized Losses from Fixed Maturity Securities, Greater than 15% but Less than 20%—Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 2,205    $ 382    $ 278    $ 46

Three months or greater but less than six months

     388      69      34      6

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     189      36      —        —  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     27      4      —        —  

Greater than twelve months

     3      1      —        —  
                           

Total

   $ 2,812    $ 492    $  312    $ 52
                           

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Fixed Maturity Securities, Greater than 20%—Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 3,187    $ 924    $ 369    $ 88

Three months or greater but less than six months

     820      260      99      31

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     94      52      —        —  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  

Greater than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Total (1)

   $ 4,101    $ 1,236    $ 468    $ 119
                           

 

(1) As of September 30, 2008 includes $75 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with an amortized cost of $131 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 50% or more.

 

The gross unrealized losses were primarily concentrated in asset-backed securities as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Gross unrealized losses attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more of $1.236 billion as of September 30, 2008 includes $683 million relating to asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. Gross unrealized losses attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more also includes $75 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with an amortized cost of $131 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by 50% or more, of which $24 million was included in the less than three month timeframe, $4 million was included in the three months or greater but less than six months timeframe and $47 million was included in the six months or greater but less than nine months timeframe. We have not recognized the gross unrealized losses shown in the tables above as other-than-temporary impairments, as each security is current on its contractual payments, and our detailed analysis of the underlying credit on each of these securities resulted in no evidence of probable credit deterioration that would indicate they would be unable to meet their contractual obligations. The declines in fair value were primarily due to credit spread increases in the structured credit marketplace and liquidity concerns, and we believe the recoverable value of these investments based on the expected future cash flows is greater than or equal to our amortized cost, and we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. See “—Other-Than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities” for a discussion of the factors we consider in making these determinations.

 

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Other-Than-Temporary Impairments of Fixed Maturity Securities

 

We maintain separate monitoring processes for public and private fixed maturities and create watch lists to highlight securities that require special scrutiny and management. Our public fixed maturity asset managers formally review all public fixed maturity holdings on a quarterly basis and more frequently when necessary to identify potential credit deterioration whether due to ratings downgrades, unexpected price variances, and/or industry specific concerns.

 

For private placements our credit and portfolio management processes help ensure prudent controls over valuation and management. We have separate pricing and authorization processes to establish “checks and balances” for new investments. We apply consistent standards of credit analysis and due diligence for all transactions, whether they originate through our own in-house origination staff or through agents. Our regional offices closely monitor the portfolios in their regions. We set all valuation standards centrally, and we assess the fair value of all investments quarterly.

 

Fixed maturity securities classified as held to maturity are those securities where we have the intent and ability to hold the securities until maturity. These securities are reflected at amortized cost in our consolidated statements of financial position. Other fixed maturity securities are considered available for sale, and, as a result, we record unrealized gains and losses to the extent that amortized cost is different from estimated fair value. All held to maturity securities and all available for sale securities with unrealized losses are subject to our review to identify other-than-temporary impairments in value. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, we consistently consider several factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

the extent and the duration of the decline, including, but not limited to, the following general guidelines;

 

   

declines in value greater than 20%, maintained for six months or greater;

 

   

declines in value greater than 15%, maintained for more than one year on below investment grade bonds; and

 

   

declines in value less than six months where there has been a precipitous (generally 50% or greater) decline in value;

 

   

the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, currency or interest rate related, including spread widening);

 

   

our ability and intent to hold our investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value, including certain debt securities managed by independent third parties where we do not exercise management discretion concerning buy or sell decisions; and

 

   

the financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer.

 

Given current market conditions and liquidity concerns, and the resulting historically wide bid-ask spreads and high levels of price volatility, the extent and duration of a decline in value have become less indicative of when the market may believe there has been credit deterioration with respect to an issuer. Considering these current conditions, and in light of recent general guidance from the SEC and the FASB regarding the application of existing guidance during stressed market conditions, beginning in the third quarter of 2008 our determinations of whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary have placed greater emphasis on our analysis of the underlying credit versus the extent and duration of a decline in value. Our credit analysis of an investment includes determining whether the issuer is current on its contractual payments, evaluating whether it is probable that we will be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security, and determining whether we can assert our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value. We continue to utilize valuation declines as a potential indicator of credit deterioration, and apply additional levels of scrutiny in our analysis as the severity and duration of the decline increases.

 

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For those securities that have declines in value that are deemed to be temporary, we have asserted our ability and intent to retain the security until recovery. Once identified as such, these securities are restricted from trading unless authorized based upon events that could not have been foreseen at the time we asserted our ability and intent to retain the security until recovery. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to, the deterioration of the issuer’s creditworthiness, a major business combination or disposition, a change in regulatory requirements, certain other portfolio actions or other similar events. For those securities that have declines in value for which we cannot assert our ability and intent to retain until recovery, including certain debt securities managed by independent third parties where we do not exercise management discretion concerning buy or sell decisions, impairments are recognized as other-than-temporary regardless of the reason for, or the extent of, the decline.

 

In addition, for our impairment review of asset-backed fixed maturity securities with a credit rating below AA, we forecast the prospective future cash flows of the security, representing our best estimate of current information and events that a market participant would use in determining the current fair value of the security, and determine if the present value of those cash flows, discounted using the effective yield of the most recent interest accrual rate, has decreased from the previous reporting period. When a decrease from the prior reporting period has occurred and the security’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized by writing the security down to fair value.

 

When we determine that there is an other-than-temporary impairment, we record a writedown to estimated fair value, which reduces the cost basis. The new cost basis of an impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value. In periods subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment, the impaired security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the impairment. Accordingly, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis is accreted into net investment income, and included in adjusted operating income in future periods based upon the amount and timing of the expected future cash flows of the security, if the recoverable value of the investment based on those cash flows is greater than the carrying value of the investment after the impairment. Impairments on fixed maturity securities are included in “Realized investment gains (losses), net” and are excluded from adjusted operating income. For further information regarding the fair value methodology used in determining our other-than-temporary impairments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Fixed Maturities,” above.

 

Other-than-temporary impairments of general account fixed maturity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses were $332 million and $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively and $1,152 million and $39 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Included in the other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively were $91 million and $756 million of other-than-temporary impairments on asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. Other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business were $119 million and $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively and $479 million and $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. Included in the other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities attributable to the Closed Block Business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively were $39 million and $318 million of other-than-temporary impairments on asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. For a further discussion of other-than-temporary impairments, see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” above.

 

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

 

Certain products included in the retirement business we acquired from CIGNA, as well as certain products included in the International Insurance segment, are experience-rated, meaning that the investment results associated with these products will ultimately accrue to contractholders. The investments supporting these experience-rated products, excluding commercial loans, are classified as trading. These trading investments are

 

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reflected on the balance sheet as “Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value.” Realized and unrealized gains and losses for these investments are reported in “Asset management fees and other income.” Investment income for these investments is reported in “Net investment income.” The following table sets forth the composition of this portfolio as of the dates indicated.

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Short-term Investments and Cash Equivalents

   $ 1,050    $ 1,050    $ 554    $ 554

Fixed Maturities:

           

Corporate Securities

     8,790      8,326      7,584      7,547

Commercial Mortgage-Backed

     2,414      2,332      2,625      2,644

Asset-Backed Securities

     977      802      1,266      1,207

Residential Mortgage-Backed

     637      596      1,147      1,136

Foreign Government

     425      424      347      354

U.S. Government

     105      104      82      83
                           

Total Fixed Maturities

     13,348      12,584      13,051      12,971

Equity Securities

     973      758      1,001      948
                           

Total trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities

   $ 15,371    $ 14,392    $ 14,606    $ 14,473
                           

 

As a percentage of amortized cost, 74% of the portfolio was publicly traded as of both September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2008, 88% of the fixed maturity portfolio was classified as investment grade compared to 92% as of December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2008, $390 million of the residential mortgage-backed securities were publicly traded agency pass-through securities, which are supported by implicit or explicit government guarantees all of which have credit ratings of AAA. Collateralized mortgage obligations, including approximately $133 million secured by “ALT-A” mortgages, represented the remaining $247 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, which 95% have credit ratings of A or better and 5% are below investment grade. For a discussion of changes in the fair value of our trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities see “—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities,” above.

 

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The following table sets forth our asset-backed securities included in our trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities portfolio as of the dates indicated, by credit quality, and for asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, by year of issuance (vintage).

 

Asset-Backed Securities at Fair Value—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total Fair
Value
  

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB and
below
     
     (in millions)

Collateralized by sub-prime mortgages:

                    

2008

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

2007

     11      23      15      15      17      81      122

2006

     91      35      1      15      —        142      221

2005

     62      17      —        —        —        79      103

2004

     1      15      —        —        —        16      20

2003 & Prior

     8      32      8      4      6      58      77
                                                

Total collateralized by sub-prime mortgages(1)

     173      122      24      34      23      376      543

Other asset-backed securities:

                    

Collateralized by auto loans

     138      13      21      3      —        175      342

Collateralized by credit cards

     21      —        —        104      —        125      167

Other asset-backed securities(2)

     75      5      37      8      1      126      155
                                                

Total asset-backed securities

   $ 407    $ 140    $ 82    $ 149    $ 24    $ 802    $ 1,207
                                                

 

(1) Included within the $376 million of asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages as of September 30, 2008 are $49 million of securities supported by guarantees from monoline bond insurers, of which $25 million are collateralized by second-lien exposures. See “—Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality” for additional information regarding guarantees from monoline bond insurers.
(2) As of September 30, 2008, includes collateralized debt obligations with fair value of $16 million, with less than 1% secured by sub-prime mortgages. Also includes asset-backed securities collateralized by education loans, equipment leases, timeshares, aircraft, and franchises.

 

The following table sets forth our commercial mortgage-backed securities included in our trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities portfolio as of the dates indicated, by credit quality and by year of issuance (vintage).

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities at Fair Value—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

 

     September 30, 2008    Total
December 31,
2007
     Lowest Rating Agency Rating    Total Fair
Value
  

Vintage

   AAA    AA    A    BBB    BB and
below
     
     (in millions)

2008

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

2007

     41      —        —        —        —        41      47

2006

     191      —        —        —        —        191      273

2005

     978      —        —        —        —        978      1,105

2004

     430      —        —        —        —        430      451

2003 & Prior

     588      53      32      14      5      692      768
                                                

Total commercial mortgage-backed securities

   $ 2,228    $ 53    $ 32    $ 14    $ 5    $ 2,332    $ 2,644
                                                

 

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The following table sets forth our public fixed maturities included in our trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities portfolio by NAIC rating as of the dates indicated.

 

Public Fixed Maturity Securities—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

 

(1)(2)

NAIC
Designation

 

Rating Agency Equivalent

  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007
    Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
        (in millions)

1

 

Aaa, Aa, A

  $ 5,955   $ 8   $ 331   $ 5,632   $ 6,734   $ 54   $ 96   $ 6,692

2

 

Baa

    2,560     2     164     2,398     1,966     11     27     1,950
                                                 
 

Subtotal Investment Grade

    8,515     10     495     8,030     8,700     65     123     8,642

3

 

Ba

    532     —       56     476     374     2     9     367

4

 

B

    274     —       36     238     215     —       5     210

5

 

C and lower

    32     —       25     7     11     —       —       11

6

 

In or near default

    4     —       4     —       3     —       3     —  
                                                 
 

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

    842     —       121     721     603     2     17     588
                                                 

Total Public Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

  $ 9,357   $ 10   $ 616   $ 8,751   $ 9,303   $ 67   $ 140   $ 9,230
                                                 

 

(1) See “—Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality” above for a discussion on NAIC designations.
(2) Reflects equivalent ratings for investments of the international insurance operations that are not rated by U.S. insurance regulatory authorities.
(3) Amounts are reported in “Asset management fees and other income.”

 

The following table sets forth our private fixed maturities included in our trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities portfolio by NAIC rating as of the dates indicated.

 

Private Fixed Maturity Securities—Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

 

(1)(2)

NAIC
Designation

  

Rating Agency Equivalent

  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)
  Fair
Value
         (in millions)

1

  

Aaa, Aa, A

  $ 939   $ 2   $ 40   $ 901   $ 887   $ 6   $ 12   $ 881

2

  

Baa

    2,300     16     99     2,217     2,411     33     26     2,418
                                                  
  

Subtotal Investment Grade

    3,239     18     139     3,118     3,298     39     38     3,299

3

  

Ba

    600     1     27     574     263     3     8     258

4

  

B

    110     —       8     102     144     —       2     142

5

  

C and lower

    13     —       1     12     10     —       —       10

6

  

In or near default

    29     1     3     27     33     1     2     32
                                                  
  

Subtotal Below Investment Grade

    752     2     39     715     450     4     12     442
                                                  

Total Private Trading Account Assets Supporting Insurance Liabilities

  $ 3,991   $ 20   $ 178   $ 3,833   $ 3,748   $ 43   $ 50   $ 3,741
                                                  

 

(1) See “—Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality” above for a discussion on NAIC designations.
(2) Reflects equivalent ratings for investments of the international insurance operations that are not rated by U.S. insurance regulatory authorities.
(3) Amounts are reported in “Asset management fees and other income.”

 

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Commercial Loans

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 respectively, we held approximately 13% and 12% of our general account investments in commercial loans. This percentage is net of a $0.1 billion allowance for losses as of both September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

 

Our loan portfolio strategy emphasizes diversification by property type and geographic location. The following tables set forth the breakdown of the gross carrying values of our general account investments in commercial loans by geographic region and property type as of the dates indicated.

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
    Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
 
     Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
    Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
    Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
    Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
 
     ($ in millions)  

Commercial loans by region:

                    

U.S. Regions:

                    

Pacific

   $ 6,027    27.5 %   $ 2,851    33.1 %   $ 5,244    26.6 %   $ 2,666    33.4 %

South Atlantic

     4,619    21.0       1,721    20.0       4,421    22.5       1,605    20.1  

Middle Atlantic

     2,953    13.5       1,881    21.9       2,492    12.6       1,671    20.9  

East North Central

     1,884    8.6       440    5.1       1,654    8.4       398    5.0  

West South Central

     1,428    6.5       607    7.1       1,008    5.1       558    7.0  

Mountain

     1,080    4.9       440    5.1       968    4.9       391    4.9  

New England

     818    3.7       300    3.5       700    3.6       331    4.1  

West North Central

     600    2.7       213    2.5       622    3.2       208    2.6  

East South Central

     390    1.8       103    1.2       368    1.9       109    1.4  
                                                    

Subtotal—U.S.

     19,799    90.2       8,556    99.5       17,477    88.8       7,937    99.4  

Asia

     1,287    5.9       —      —         1,462    7.4       —      —    

Other

     855    3.9       44    0.5       754    3.8       45    0.6  
                                                    

Total Commercial Loans(1)

   $ 21,941    100.0 %   $ 8,600    100.0 %   $ 19,693    100.0 %   $ 7,982    100.0 %
                                                    

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
    Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
 
     Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
    Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
    Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
    Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of
Total
 
     ($ in millions)  

Commercial loans by property type:

                    

Industrial buildings

   $ 4,769    21.8 %   $ 1,889    22.0 %   $ 4,140    21.0 %   $ 1,908    23.9 %

Office buildings

     4,024    18.3       1,768    20.5       3,677    18.7       1,581    19.8  

Apartment complexes

     3,594    16.4       1,719    20.0       3,419    17.4       1,554    19.5  

Retail stores

     3,591    16.4       1,484    17.2       2,576    13.1       1,275    16.0  

Other

     1,454    6.6       496    5.8       1,268    6.4       416    5.2  

Agricultural properties

     1,249    5.7       797    9.3       1,289    6.5       854    10.7  

Hospitality

     1,163    5.3       406    4.7       1,257    6.4       393    4.9  

Residential properties

     879    4.0       1    —         938    4.8       1    —    
                                                    

Subtotal of collateralized loans

     20,723    94.5       8,560    99.5       18,564    94.3       7,982    100.0  

Uncollateralized loans(1)

     1,218    5.5       40    0.5       1,129    5.7       —      —    
                                                    

Total Commercial Loans(2)

   $ 21,941    100.0 %   $ 8,600    100.0 %   $ 19,693    100.0 %   $ 7,982    100.0 %
                                                    

 

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(1) Uncollateralized loans primarily represents unsecured corporate loans which do not meet the definition of a security under SFAS No. 115.
(2) Excluded from the tables above are commercial loans held outside the general account in other entities and operations. For additional information regarding commercial loans held outside the general account, see “—Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” below.

 

The increase in our general account investments in commercial loans as of September 30, 2008 primarily reflects origination activity in 2008. Unfavorable credit market conditions beginning during the second half of 2007 led to decreased activity by securitization lenders in the commercial loan market, and therefore greater opportunities for increased originations by portfolio lenders such as our general account.

 

Loan to value and debt service coverage ratios are measures commonly used to assess the quality of commercial loans. The loan to value ratio compares the amount of the loan to the fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan, and is commonly expressed as a percentage. Loan to value ratios greater than 100% percent indicate that the loan amount is greater than the collateral value. Therefore, all else being equal, a smaller loan to value ratio generally indicates a higher quality loan. The debt service coverage ratio compares a property’s net operating income to its debt service payments. Debt service coverage ratios less than 1.0 times indicates that property operations do not generate enough income to cover its current debt payments. Therefore, all else being equal, a larger debt service coverage ratio generally indicates a higher quality loan.

 

As of September 30, 2008, our general account investments in commercial loans attributable to the Financial Services Businesses had a weighted average debt service coverage ratio of 1.91 times, and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 57%. As of September 30, 2008, our general account investments in commercial loans attributable to the Closed Block Business had a weighted average debt service coverage ratio of 1.96 times, and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 50%. For those general account loans attributable to the Financial Services Businesses that were originated in 2008, the weighted average loan-to-value ratio was below 61%, and the weighted average debt service coverage ratio was above 1.88 times, both consistent with originations over the last several years. The total portfolio loan to value ratios are lower than our origination loan to value ratio due to principal payments on the loan balances and appreciation of the underlying collateral value. The values utilized in calculating these loan to value ratios are developed as part of our annual review of the commercial loan portfolio, which includes a quality re-rating as well as an internal evaluation of the underlying collateral value. The following tables set forth the gross carrying value of our general account investments in commercial loans attributable to the Financial Services Businesses and the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008 by loan to value and debt service coverage ratios.

 

Commercial Loans by Loan to Value Ratio

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Financial Services Businesses     Closed Block Business  

Loan to Value Ratio

   Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of Total     Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of Total  
     ($ in millions)  

0% - 50%

   $ 6,758    32.6 %   $ 4,170    48.7 %

50% - 60%

     4,248    20.5       1,419    16.6  

60% - 70%

     5,629    27.2       2,061    24.1  

70% - 80%

     2,477    11.9       752    8.8  

80% - 90%

     473    2.3       66    0.8  

90% - 100%

     1,038    5.0       27    0.3  

Greater than 100%

     100    0.5       65    0.7  
                          

Subtotal of collateralized loans

     20,723    100.0 %     8,560    100.0 %
                  

Uncollateralized loans

     1,218        40   
                  

Total Commercial Loans

   $ 21,941      $ 8,600   
                  

 

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Commercial Loans by Debt Service Coverage Ratio

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Financial Services Businesses     Closed Block Business  

Debt Service Coverage Ratio

   Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of Total     Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of Total  
     ($ in millions)  

Greater than 2.0 times

   $ 6,166    30.5 %   $ 2,790    32.6 %

1.8 times - 2.0 times

     2,567    12.7       1,055    12.3  

1.5 times - 1.8 times

     5,045    25.0       1,681    19.6  

1.2 times - 1.5 times

     4,170    20.6       2,046    23.9  

1.0 times - 1.2 times

     1,617    8.0       800    9.4  

Less than 1.0 times

     635    3.2       188    2.2  
                          

Subtotal

     20,200    100.0  %     8,560    100.0  %
                  

Other collateralized loans(1)

     523        —     

Uncollateralized loans

     1,218        40   
                  

Total commercial loans

   $ 21,941      $ 8,600   
                  

 

(1) Includes commercial loans attributable to the Financial Services Businesses with a carrying value of $20 million related to loans collateralized by aviation assets and $503 million related to Japanese recourse loans for which a debt service coverage measure is not applicable.

 

The following tables set forth the breakdown of our commercial loan portfolio by year of origination as of September 30, 2008.

 

Commercial Loans by Year of Origination

 

     September 30, 2008  
     Financial Services Businesses     Closed Block Business  

Year of Origination

   Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of Total     Gross
Carrying
Value
   % of Total  
     ($ in millions)  

2008

   $ 3,101    14.9 %   $ 804    9.4 %

2007

     4,739    22.9       1,690    19.8  

2006

     3,596    17.3       1,122    13.1  

2005

     2,397    11.6       858    10.0  

2004

     1,714    8.3       1,073    12.5  

2003 and prior

     5,176    25.0       3,013    35.2  
                          

Subtotal collateralized loans

     20,723    100.0 %     8,560    100.0 %
                  

Uncollateralized loans

     1,218        40   
                  

Total Commercial Loans

   $ 21,941      $ 8,600   
                  

 

Commercial Loan Quality

 

We establish valuation allowances for loans that are determined to be non-performing as a result of our loan review process. We define a non-performing loan as a loan for which it is probable that amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. Valuation allowances for a non-performing loan are recorded based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or based on the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. We record subsequent adjustments to our valuation allowances when appropriate.

 

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The following tables set forth the gross carrying value for commercial loans by loan classification as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Financial Services
Businesses
   Closed Block
Business
   Financial Services
Businesses
   Closed Block
Business
     (in millions)

Performing

   $ 21,879    $ 8,599    $ 19,631    $ 7,981

Delinquent, not in foreclosure

     51      —        50      —  

Delinquent, in foreclosure

     6      —        7      —  

Restructured

     5      1      5      1
                           

Total Commercial Loans(1)

   $ 21,941    $ 8,600    $ 19,693    $ 7,982
                           

 

(1) Excluded from the tables above are commercial loans held outside the general account in other entities and operations. For additional information regarding commercial loans held outside the general account, see “—Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” below.

 

The following table sets forth the change in valuation allowances for our commercial loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007  
     Financial Services
Businesses
   Closed Block
Business
   Financial Services
Businesses
    Closed Block
Business
 
     (in millions)  

Allowance, beginning of year

   $ 90    $ 28    $ 94     $ 35  

(Release of)/addition to allowance for losses

     21      9      (5 )     (7 )

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

     —        —        —         —    

Change in foreign exchange

     1      —        1       —    
                              

Allowance, end of period

   $ 112    $ 37    $ 90     $ 28  
                              

 

Equity Securities

 

Investment Mix

 

The equity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses consist principally of investments in common and preferred stock of publicly traded companies. The following table sets forth the composition of our equity securities portfolio attributable to the Financial Services Businesses and the associated gross unrealized gains and losses as of the dates indicated:

 

Equity Securities—Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Public equity

   $ 4,192    $ 98    $ 475    $ 3,815    $ 4,233    $ 317    $ 179    $ 4,371

Private equity

     428      12      11      429      254      9      5      258
                                                       

Total Equity

   $ 4,620    $ 110    $ 486    $ 4,244    $ 4,487    $ 326    $ 184    $ 4,629
                                                       

 

Public equity securities include mutual fund shares representing our interest in the underlying assets of certain of our separate account investments. These mutual funds invest primarily in high yield bonds. The cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair value of these shares as of September 30, 2008 were

 

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$1,601 million, $17 million, $208 million, and $1,410 million, respectively. The cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair value of these shares as of December 31, 2007 were $1,447 million, $8 million, $26 million, and $1,429 million, respectively.

 

The equity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business consist principally of investments in common and preferred stock of publicly traded companies. The following table sets forth the composition of our equity securities portfolio attributable to the Closed Block Business and the associated gross unrealized gains and losses as of the dates indicated:

 

Equity Securities—Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Public equity

   $ 3,196    $ 352    $ 434    $ 3,114    $ 3,381    $ 742    $ 200    $ 3,923

Private equity

     17      —        —        17      17      —        —        17
                                                       

Total Equity

   $ 3,213    $ 352    $ 434    $ 3,131    $ 3,398    $ 742    $ 200    $ 3,940
                                                       

 

Unrealized Losses from Equity Securities

 

The following table sets forth the cost and gross unrealized losses of our equity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by less than 20% for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Equity Securities, Less than 20%—Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 1,508    $ 59    $ 3,714    $ 93

Three months or greater but less than six months

     459      24      231      17

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     294      11      100      4

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     1,709      217      7      1

Greater than twelve months

     1      —        7      —  
                           

Total

   $ 3,971    $ 311    $ 4,059    $ 115
                           

 

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The following table sets forth the cost and gross unrealized losses of our equity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 20% or more for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Equity Securities, Greater than 20%—Financial Services Businesses

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 338    $ 94    $ 201    $ 55

Three months or greater but less than six months

     143      46      45      14

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     92      35      —        —  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  

Greater than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Total(1)

   $ 573    $ 175    $ 246    $ 69
                           

 

(1) As of September 30, 2008 includes $12 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with a cost of $22 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 50% or more.

 

The gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008 were primarily concentrated in the finance, other and manufacturing sectors compared to December 31, 2007 where the gross unrealized losses were primarily concentrated in the manufacturing and other sectors. Gross unrealized losses attributable to the Financial Services Businesses where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 20% or more of $175 million as of September 30, 2008 includes $12 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with a cost of $22 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 50% or more, of which $6 million was included in the three months or greater but less than six months timeframe and $6 million was included in the six months or greater but less than nine months timeframe. We have not recognized the gross unrealized losses shown in the table above as other-than-temporary impairments. See “—Impairments of Equity Securities” for a discussion of the factors we consider in making these determinations.

 

The following table sets forth the cost and gross unrealized losses of our equity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by less than 20% for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Equity Securities, Less than 20%—Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 2,162    $ 129    $ 2,965    $ 96

Three months or greater but less than six months

     156      15      90      15

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     24      1      40      3

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     29      3      4      1

Greater than twelve months

     —        —        3      —  
                           

Total

   $ 2,371    $ 148    $ 3,102    $ 115
                           

 

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The following table sets forth the cost and gross unrealized losses of our equity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 20% or more for the following timeframes:

 

Unrealized Losses from Equity Securities, Greater than 20%—Closed Block Business

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     (in millions)

Less than three months

   $ 702    $ 233    $ 241    $ 66

Three months or greater but less than six months

     139      53      54      19

Six months or greater but less than nine months

     1      —        —        —  

Nine months or greater but less than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  

Greater than twelve months

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Total(1)

   $ 842    $ 286    $ 295    $ 85
                           

 

(1) As of September 30, 2008 includes $48 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with a cost of $75 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 50% or more.

 

The gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008 were primarily concentrated in the manufacturing, finance, and service sectors compared to December 31, 2007 where the gross unrealized losses were primarily concentrated in the finance and services sectors. Gross unrealized losses attributable to the Closed Block Business where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 20% or more of $286 million as of September 30, 2008 includes $48 million of gross unrealized losses on securities with a cost of $75 million where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost by 50% or more, of which $43 million was included in the less than three month timeframe and $5 million was included in the three months or greater but less than six month timeframe. We have not recognized the gross unrealized losses shown in the table above as other-than-temporary impairments. See “—Impairments of Equity Securities” for a discussion of the factors we consider in making these determinations.

 

Impairments of Equity Securities

 

For those equity securities classified as available for sale we record unrealized gains and losses to the extent cost is different from estimated fair value. All securities with unrealized losses are subject to our review to identify other-than-temporary impairments in value. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, we consistently consider several factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

the extent and the duration of the decline; including, but not limited to, the following general guidelines;

 

   

declines in value greater than 20%, maintained for six months or greater;

 

   

declines in value maintained for one year or greater; and

 

   

declines in value greater than 50%;

 

   

the reasons for the decline in value (issuer specific event, currency or market fluctuation);

 

   

our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value, including certain equity securities managed by independent third parties where we do not exercise management discretion concerning buy or sell decisions; and

 

   

the financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer.

 

Given current market conditions and liquidity concerns, and the resulting high levels of price volatility, and in light of recent general guidance from the SEC and the FASB regarding the application of existing guidance during stressed market conditions, beginning in the third quarter of 2008 we have extended the parameters under

 

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which we consider a decline in value to be other-than-temporary. In particular, we generally recognize other-than-temporary impairments for securities with declines in value greater than 50% maintained for six months or greater, or with any decline in value maintained for one year or greater. In addition, in making our determinations we continue to analyze the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including an assessment of the issuer’s capital position, and consider our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value.

 

For those securities that have declines in value that are deemed to be only temporarily, we make an assertion as to our ability and intent to retain the security until recovery. Once identified, these securities are restricted from trading unless authorized based upon events that could not have been foreseen at the time we asserted our ability and intent to retain the security until recovery. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to, the deterioration of the issuer’s creditworthiness, a major business combination or disposition, a change in regulatory requirements, certain other portfolio actions or other similar events. For those securities that have declines in value for which we cannot assert our ability and intent to retain until recovery, including certain equity securities managed by independent third parties where we do not exercise management discretion concerning buy or sell decisions, impairments are recognized as other-than-temporary regardless of the reason for, or the extent of, the decline.

 

When we determine that there is an other-than-temporary impairment, we record a writedown to estimated fair value, which reduces the cost basis. The new cost basis of an impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value. Estimated fair values for publicly traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices or prices obtained from independent pricing services. Estimated fair values for privately traded equity securities are determined using valuation and discounted cash flow models that require a substantial level of judgment. In determining the fair value of certain privately traded equity securities the discounted cash flow model may also use unobservable inputs, which reflect our own assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset. Impairments on equity securities are included in “Realized investment gains (losses), net” and are excluded from adjusted operating income. For further information regarding the fair value methodology used in determining our other-than-temporary impairments, see “—Valuation of Assets and Liabilities—Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities—Valuation of Equity Securities,” above.

 

Impairments of equity securities attributable to the Financial Services Businesses were $71 million and $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively and $214 million and $28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Impairments of equity securities attributable to the Closed Block Business were $14 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively and $201 million and $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For a further discussion of impairments, see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses” above.

 

Other Long-Term Investments

 

“Other long-term investments” are comprised as follows:

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     Financial
Services
Businesses
   Closed
Block
Business
    Financial
Services
Businesses
   Closed
Block
Business
 
     (in millions)  

Joint ventures and limited partnerships:

          

Real estate related

   $ 434    $ 338     $ 342    $ 308  

Non real estate related

     866      1,091       755      1,014  

Real estate held through direct ownership

     996      —         946      —    

Other

     212      (13 )     681      (54 )
                              

Total other long-term investments

   $ 2,508    $ 1,416     $ 2,724    $ 1,268  
                              

 

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Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the investments held outside the general account in other entities and operations as of the dates indicated.

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (in millions)

Fixed Maturities:

     

Public, available for sale, at fair value

   $ 1,775    $ 1,431

Private, available for sale, at fair value

     147      42

Other trading account assets, at fair value

     2,384      3,267

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value

     14      11

Commercial loans, at book value

     2,344      2,490

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     171      129

Other long-term investments

     2,747      2,439

Short-term investments

     1,437      1,254
             

Total investments

   $ 11,019    $ 11,063
             

 

The table above includes the invested assets of our securities brokerage, securities trading, banking operations, real estate and relocation services, and asset management operations. Assets of our asset management operations managed for third parties and those assets classified as “separate account assets” on our balance sheet are not included.

 

Our global commodities group provides advice, sales and trading on a global basis covering a wide variety of commodity, financial and foreign exchange futures, swap and forward contracts, including agricultural commodities, base and precious metals, major currencies, interest rate and stock indices. Our derivatives trading operations also engage in trading activities. We maintain trading positions in various foreign exchange instruments and commodities, primarily to facilitate transactions for our clients. We seek to use short security positions and forwards, futures, options and other derivatives to limit exposure to interest rate and other market risks associated with these positions. We also trade derivative financial instruments that allow our clients to manage exposure to interest rate, currency and other market risks. Our derivative transactions involve both exchange-listed and over-the-counter contracts. We act both as a broker, buying and selling exchange-listed contracts for our customers, and as a dealer, by entering into futures and security transactions as a principal. The positions held relating to these trading operations are primarily included in “Other trading account assets.”

 

In our banking operations, customer deposit liabilities are primarily supported by fixed maturity and short-term investments, in addition to cash and cash equivalents.

 

As part of our asset management operations we make proprietary investments in real estate and private equity, as well as debt, public equity and real estate securities, including controlling interests. Certain of these investments are made primarily for purposes of co-investment in our managed funds and structured products. Other proprietary investments are made with the intention to sell or syndicate to investors, including our general account, or for placement in funds and structured products that we offer and manage. These proprietary investments are primarily included in “Other long-term investments.” As part of our asset management operations we also make short term loans to our managed funds that are secured by equity commitments from investors or assets of the funds.

 

Our asset management operations also include our commercial mortgage operations, which provide mortgage origination and servicing for our general account, institutional clients, and government sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae, the Federal Housing Administration, and Freddie Mac. We also originate shorter-term interim loans when we expect the loans will lead to sale opportunities. These mortgage loans are included in “Commercial loans,” with the related derivatives and other hedging instruments primarily included in “Other

 

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trading account assets” and “Other long-term investments.” For additional information regarding our decision to exit our commercial mortgage securitization operations, which involved the origination and purchase of commercial mortgage loans that we in turn would aggregate and sell into commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, together with related hedging activities, see “—Divested Businesses,” above.

 

As of September 30, 2008, invested assets held outside the general account in other entities and operations include available for sale residential mortgage-backed securities with amortized cost of and fair value of $676 million, all of which have credit ratings of AAA, and available for sale commercial mortgage-backed securities with amortized cost of $28 million and fair value of $27 million, 74% of which have credit ratings of AA or better and the remaining 26% of which have credit ratings of BB and below. An additional $1 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities held outside the general account are classified as other trading account assets as of September 30, 2008 all of which have AAA credit ratings.

 

As of September 30, 2008, invested assets held outside the general account in other entities and operations also includes available for sale asset-backed securities with amortized cost of $275 million and fair value of $257 million. Based on amortized cost, 74% have credit ratings of AAA, 6% have A credit ratings, and the remaining 20% have BBB or below credit ratings. Included within these asset-backed securities as of September 30, 2008, are securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages with amortized cost and fair value of $5 million, all of which have AAA credit ratings, with $4 million in the 2006 vintage and $1 million in the 2003 vintage. Also included are collateralized debt obligations with amortized cost of $39 million and fair value of $33 million, with none secured by sub-prime mortgages. An additional $28 million of asset-backed securities held outside the general account as of September 30, 2008 are classified as other trading account assets, 90% of which have credit ratings of AAA and 10% which have credit ratings of BB.

 

Government Sponsored Entities

 

Our exposure to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac includes investments in short-term and long-term debt securities issued by these government sponsored entities as well as investments in residential mortgage-backed securities supported by guarantees from the government sponsored entities. During the third quarter of 2008 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into U.S. government conservatorship. The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of our investments in short-term and long-term debt securities issued by these government sponsored entities.

 

     September 30, 2008
     Financial Services
Businesses
   Closed Block
Business
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
     (in millions)

Short-term debt securities(1)

   $ 3,852    $ 3,852    $ 248    $ 248

Long-term debt securities(2)

     1,073      1,145      114      115
                           

Total investment in debt securities issued by government sponsored entities

   $ 4,925    $ 4,997    $ 362    $ 363
                           

 

(1) Included in short-term debt securities of the Financial Services Business are investments with amortized cost and fair value of $68 million held outside the general account in other entities and operations, of which $45 million is classified as cash equivalents, as the maturity was three months or less when purchased.
(2) Included in long-term debt securities of the Financial Services Business are investments with amortized cost and fair value of $38 million held outside the general account in other entities and operations.

 

As of September 30, 2008, general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses include $9.292 billion of publicly traded pass-through securities with guarantees from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and AAA credit ratings. An additional $358 million of such securities are included in the trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities portfolio of our Financial Services Businesses, and have credit ratings of

 

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AAA, and an additional $600 million are held outside the general account in other entities and operations, with credit ratings of AAA. As of September 30, 2008, fixed maturity investments of the Closed Block Business include $2.714 billion of publicly traded pass-through securities with guarantees from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, all of which have AAA credit ratings.

 

As part of the commercial mortgage activities of our Asset Management segment, we provide commercial mortgage origination, underwriting and servicing for certain government sponsored entities, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We have agreed to indemnify the government sponsored entities for a portion of the credit risk associated with certain of the mortgages we service through a delegated authority arrangement. Under these arrangements we originate multi-family mortgages for sale to the government sponsored entities based on underwriting standards they specify, and make payments to them for a specified percentage share of losses they incur on certain loans we service. Our percentage share of losses incurred generally varies from 2% to 20% of the loan balance, and is typically based on a first-loss exposure for a stated percentage of the loan balance, plus a shared exposure with the government sponsored entity for any losses in excess of the stated first-loss percentage, subject to a contractually specified maximum percentage. We service $6.572 billion of mortgages subject to these loss-sharing arrangements as of September 30, 2008, all of which are collateralized by first priority liens on the underlying multi-family residential properties. As of September 30, 2008, these mortgages had an average debt service coverage ratio of 1.78 times and an average loan-to-value ratio of 62%. The maximum exposure to loss as of September 30, 2008, assuming no recovery on any of the underlying collateral, is $868 million, with first-loss exposure of $276 million. Over the three years ended December 31, 2007, our total share of losses related to indemnifications that were settled was $5 million, with an additional $2 million settled in the first nine months of 2008. As of September 30, 2008, we have established a liability of $12 million related to these indemnifications.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Prudential Financial

 

The principal sources of funds available to Prudential Financial, the parent holding company and registrant, to meet its obligations, including the payment of shareholder dividends, share repurchases, debt service, operating expenses, capital contributions and obligations to subsidiaries are dividends, returns of capital, interest income from its subsidiaries, and cash and short-term investments. These sources of funds are complemented by Prudential Financial’s access to the capital markets and bank facilities, as well as the “—Alternative Sources of Liquidity” described below.

 

During the latter half of 2007 and continuing through August 2008, dislocations in the credit and capital markets, initially driven by broad market concerns over the impact of sub-prime mortgage holdings of financial institutions, generally resulted in increased cost of credit for financial institutions in the marketplace, including Prudential Financial and its subsidiaries. These dislocations accelerated during September 2008 following the failure, consolidation, or U.S. federal government intervention on behalf of several significant financial institutions. The impact of this further dislocation to our commercial paper programs has been to increase the cost of funding and shorten the maturity profile. In addition, the dislocation resulted in the term credit markets for debt and hybrid securities generally being closed to all financial institutions, including Prudential Financial. The Company continues to operate with significant cash on the balance sheet and has access to alternate sources of liquidity, as discussed in “—Alternative Sources of Liquidity.” However, an extended disruption in the credit and capital markets could adversely affect Prudential Financial and its subsidiaries’ ability to access sources of liquidity.

 

Management monitors the liquidity of Prudential Financial and the Company on a daily basis and projects borrowing and capital needs over a multi-year time horizon through our quarterly planning process. We believe that cash flows from the sources of funds presently available to us are sufficient to satisfy the current liquidity

 

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requirements of Prudential Financial, including reasonably foreseeable contingencies. However, the continued decline in markets may, at some point, necessitate our raising capital from external sources.

 

As of September 30, 2008, Prudential Financial had cash and short-term investments of $3.821 billion, a decrease of $883 million from December 31, 2007. Included in the cash and short-term investments of Prudential Financial is $671 million held in an intercompany liquidity account that is designed to maximize the use of cash by facilitating the lending and borrowing of funds between Prudential Financial and its affiliates on a daily basis. The short-term investments comprise $1.059 billion of Prudential Financial’s total cash and short-term investments and consist primarily of government agency securities and money market funds. Prudential Financial’s principal sources and uses of cash and short-term investments for the first nine months of 2008 were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
 
     (in millions)  

Sources:

  

Dividends and/or returns of capital from subsidiaries(1)

   $ 2,211  

Proceeds from the issuance of retail medium-term notes, net of repayments(2)

     652  

Proceeds from the issuance of junior subordinated debt (hybrid securities)(3)

     1,482  

Proceeds from short term debt, net of repayments

     180  

Proceeds from stock-based compensation and exercise of stock options

     185  

Other, net

     27  
        

Total sources

     4,737  
        

Uses:

  

Capital contributions to subsidiaries(4)

     1,357  

Share repurchases(5)

     2,110  

Shareholder dividends

     86  

Repayment of long-term senior debt, net of issuances(3)

     247  

Purchase of funding agreements from Prudential Insurance, net of maturities(2)

     652  

Net payment under intercompany loan agreements(6)

     1,168  
        

Total uses

     5,620  
        

Net decrease in cash and short-term investments

   $ (883 )
        

 

(1) Includes dividends and/or returns of capital of $1.5 billion from Prudential Insurance, $353 million from international insurance and investments subsidiaries, $258 million from asset management subsidiaries, $77 million from Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, and $23 million from securities subsidiaries.
(2) Proceeds from the issuance of retail medium-term notes are used primarily to purchase funding agreements from Prudential Insurance. See “—Financing Activities” for a discussion of our retail note program.
(3) See “—Financing Activities.”
(4) Includes capital contributions of $575 million to asset management subsidiaries, $568 million to international insurance and investments subsidiaries, $119 million to other insurance businesses, and $95 million to an irrevocable trust, commonly referred to as a “rabbi trust,” which holds assets of the Company to be used to satisfy its obligations with respect to certain non-qualified retirement plans.
(5) See “—Uses of Capital—Share Repurchases.”
(6) Includes a loan of $706 million to an international insurance subsidiary, funded with proceeds from a ¥74 billion borrowing by Prudential Financial in May 2008 under unsecured bridge loan facilities provided by two institutions that expires in February 2009. The remainder primarily represents loans to our asset management subsidiaries and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation.

 

Sources of Capital

 

Prudential Financial is a holding company whose principal asset is its investments in subsidiaries. Prudential Financial’s capitalization and use of financial leverage are consistent with its ratings targets. Our long-term senior debt credit rating targets for Prudential Financial are “A” for Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, or S&P, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings Ltd., or Fitch, and “a” for A.M. Best Company,

 

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or A.M. Best. Our financial strength rating targets for our domestic life insurance companies are “AA/Aa/AA” for S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, respectively, and “A+” for A.M. Best. There have been no changes during 2008 to our ratings, which were disclosed in “Business—Ratings” in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008, except for the assignment of credit ratings on the junior subordinated notes we issued in 2008, as discussed in “—Financing Activities.” We seek to capitalize all of our subsidiaries and businesses in accordance with their credit ratings targets.

 

As discussed in more detail in “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in late September and early October A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P each revised its outlook for the U.S. life insurance sector to negative from stable. We believe that the rating agencies may heighten the level of scrutiny that they apply to such institutions, may increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, may request additional information from the companies that they rate, and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the rating agency models for maintenance of certain ratings levels. In addition, actions we take to access third party financing, as discussed below, may in turn cause rating agencies to reevaluate our ratings.

 

A downgrade in the credit or financial strength (i.e., claims-paying) ratings of Prudential Financial or its rated subsidiaries could result in additional collateral requirements or other required payments under certain agreements, which are eligible to be satisfied in cash or by posting securities held by the subsidiaries subject to the agreements. A ratings downgrade of three ratings levels would result in estimated collateral posting requirements or payments under such agreements of approximately $175 million. In addition, a ratings downgrade by A.M. Best to A- for our domestic life insurance companies would require Prudential Insurance to post a letter of credit in the amount of $1.25 billion that we estimate would result in annual cash outflows of approximately $125 million, or collateral posting in the form of cash or securities to be held in a trust. We believe that the posting of such collateral would not be a material liquidity event for Prudential Insurance.

 

The primary components of capitalization for the Financial Services Businesses consist of the equity we attribute to the Financial Services Businesses (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income related to unrealized gains and losses on investments and pension and postretirement benefits) and outstanding capital debt of the Financial Services Businesses, as discussed below under “—Financing Activities.” Based on these components, the capital position of the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008 was as follows:

 

      September 30, 2008
     (in millions)

Attributed equity (excluding unrealized gains and losses on investments and pension /postretirement benefits)

   $ 21,524

Junior subordinated debt (hybrid securities)(1)

     1,518

Capital debt(1)

     5,313
      

Total capital

   $ 28,355
      

 

(1) Our capital debt to total capital ratio was 20.1% as of September 30, 2008. The ratio assumes that the hybrid securities we issued are attributed 75% equity credit, with the remaining 25% treated as capital debt.

 

As shown in the table above, as of September 30, 2008, the Financial Services Businesses had approximately $28.4 billion in capital, all of which was available to support the aggregate capital requirements of its three divisions and its Corporate and Other operations. Based on our assessments of these businesses and operations, we believe this level of capital was consistent with the AA ratings objectives of our insurance companies as of September 30, 2008.

 

The Risk Based Capital, or RBC, ratio is the primary measure by which we evaluate the capital adequacy of Prudential Insurance, which includes businesses in both the Financial Services Businesses and the Closed Block Business. We manage Prudential Insurance’s RBC ratio to a level consistent with a AA ratings objective. RBC is determined by statutory formulas that consider risks related to the type and quality of the invested assets,

 

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insurance-related risks associated with Prudential Insurance’s products, interest rate risks and general business risks. The RBC ratio calculations are intended to assist insurance regulators in measuring the adequacy of Prudential Insurance’s statutory capitalization. As of September 30, 2008, we estimate that the total adjusted operating capital of our domestic life insurance subsidiaries met the RBC levels required to meet their ratings objectives. However, subsequent to September 30, 2008 market conditions have negatively impacted the level of capital in our domestic life insurance subsidiaries and absent a recovery in markets we will need to take capital management actions to maintain capital consistent with these ratings objectives, which may include redeployment of financial resources from internal sources or, if markets continue to decline, require external sources of capital. Certain of these capital management activities may require regulatory approval.

 

In the second quarter of 2008, Prudential Insurance declared an ordinary dividend of $727 million and an additional extraordinary dividend of $773 million to Prudential Holdings, LLC. These dividends were paid to Prudential Holdings in the second quarter of 2008 and in turn distributed to Prudential Financial. We anticipate that, unless market conditions improve, Prudential Insurance’s dividend capacity will be substantially constrained in 2009 due to the capital constraints referred to in the preceding paragraph.

 

In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets, on October 3, 2008, President Bush signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, or EESA, into law. Pursuant to the EESA, the U.S. Treasury has the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgage-backed and other securities from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets. The U.S. Treasury and the bank regulatory agencies have also announced coordinated programs to invest an aggregate of $250 billion (out of the $700 billion) in capital issued by qualifying U.S. financial institutions and to guarantee senior debt of FDIC insured institutions and their qualifying holding companies, as well as deposits in non-interest bearing transaction accounts. The capital issuance program involves the issuance by qualifying institutions of preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock to the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. federal government has taken or is considering taking other actions in order to address the financial crisis. We are currently evaluating the Company’s participation in the asset purchase programs, capital issuance programs and the debt guaranty programs.

 

Uses of Capital

 

Share Repurchases

 

In November 2007, Prudential Financial’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase at management’s discretion up to $3.5 billion of its outstanding Common Stock in calendar year 2008. In light of recent market volatility and extraordinary events and developments affecting financial markets generally, including market conditions for issuance of certain capital instruments such as hybrid securities, we have suspended all purchases of our Common Stock under the 2008 stock repurchase program effective October 10, 2008. During the first nine months of 2008, we repurchased 28.6 million shares of our Common Stock at a total cost of $2.125 billion. From January 1, 2008 through October 9, 2008, we repurchased 29.3 million shares of our Common Stock at a total cost of $2.161 billion.

 

Our share repurchase program, and any reinstatement thereof, is reviewed quarterly by the Finance Committee of Prudential Financial’s Board of Directors. Numerous factors could impact our decision to reinstate our share repurchase program, including increased capital needs of our businesses due to opportunities for organic growth, acquisitions, adverse market conditions impacting the earnings of our businesses or factors affecting our ability to access the capital markets in a cost effective manner. Our participation in certain EESA programs noted above could preclude reinstitution of our share repurchase program and, in any event, we presently do not foresee reinstitution this year.

 

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Restrictions on Dividends and Returns of Capital from Subsidiaries

 

Our insurance and various other companies are subject to regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends and other transfers of funds to affiliates. With respect to Prudential Insurance, New Jersey insurance law provides that, except in the case of extraordinary dividends or distributions, all dividends or distributions paid by Prudential Insurance may be declared or paid only from unassigned surplus, as determined pursuant to statutory accounting principles, less unrealized investment gains and losses and revaluation of assets. Prudential Insurance must also notify the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance of its intent to pay a dividend or distribution. If the dividend or distribution, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds a specified statutory limit it is considered an extraordinary dividend or distribution and Prudential Insurance must obtain the prior non-disapproval of the Department. The current statutory limitation applicable to New Jersey life insurers generally is the greater of 10% of the prior calendar year’s statutory surplus or the prior calendar year’s statutory net gain from operations excluding realized investment gains and losses. In addition to these regulatory limitations, the terms of the IHC debt contain restrictions potentially limiting dividends by Prudential Insurance applicable to the Financial Services Businesses in the event the Closed Block Business is in financial distress and under certain other circumstances.

 

The laws regulating dividends of the other states and foreign jurisdictions where our other insurance companies are domiciled are similar, but not identical, to New Jersey’s. Pursuant to Gibraltar Life’s reorganization, in addition to regulatory restrictions, there are certain restrictions on Gibraltar Life’s ability to pay dividends to Prudential Financial. We anticipate that it will be several years before these restrictions will allow Gibraltar Life to pay such dividends. There are also regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by The Prudential Life Insurance Company, Ltd., or Prudential of Japan, which began paying dividends in 2006. Further, current market conditions have impacted capital positions of our international insurance companies, which could further restrict their ability to pay dividends. The ability of our asset management subsidiaries, and the majority of our other operating subsidiaries, to pay dividends is largely unrestricted.

 

Alternative Sources of Liquidity

 

Prudential Financial, the parent holding company, maintains an intercompany liquidity account that is designed to maximize the use of cash by facilitating the lending and borrowing of funds between the parent holding company and its affiliates on a daily basis. Depending on the overall availability of cash, the parent holding company invests excess cash on a short-term basis or borrows funds in the capital markets. Additional longer term liquidity is available through inter-affiliate borrowing arrangements. Prudential Financial and certain of its subsidiaries also have access to bank facilities, as discussed under “—Lines of Credit and Other Credit Facilities,” as well as the other alternative sources of liquidity described below.

 

Commercial Paper Programs

 

Prudential Financial has a commercial paper program rated A-1 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s and F1 by Fitch with a current authorized capacity of $5.0 billion. Prudential Financial commercial paper borrowings are generally used to fund the working capital needs of Prudential Financial’s subsidiaries and provide short-term liquidity at Prudential Financial. Prudential Financial’s outstanding commercial paper borrowings were $761 million as of September 30, 2008, a decrease of $532 million from December 31, 2007, as a result of commercial paper being replaced by the proceeds from the floating rate convertible senior notes. As of September 30, 2008, $311 million of this outstanding commercial paper was funding working capital needs and the remaining $450 million was invested in short-term financial instruments. The weighted average interest rate on these borrowings were 3.27% and 5.38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Prudential Funding, LLC, or Prudential Funding, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Insurance, has a commercial paper program, rated A-1+ by Standard & Poor’s, P-1 by Moody’s and F1+ by Fitch with a current authorized capacity of $12.0 billion. Prudential Funding’s outstanding commercial paper, and master note borrowings, were $7.0 billion as of September 30, 2008, relatively unchanged from the $7.3 billion outstanding

 

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as of December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2008, $3.5 billion of this outstanding commercial paper was funding short-term financial instruments, including a portion of our enhanced short-term portfolio which is discussed in more detail below under “—Asset-based Financing,” and the remainder was primarily utilized to fund short term cash flow timing mismatches, and fund working capital needs of our affiliates. The weighted average interest rates on these borrowings were 2.67% and 5.24% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Prudential Financial has issued a subordinated guarantee covering Prudential Funding’s domestic commercial paper program.

 

During the latter half of 2007 and continuing through 2008, the credit markets, and specifically the commercial paper market, were adversely impacted by concerns over the sub-prime mortgage exposure of certain financial institutions and asset-backed commercial paper programs. As a result, the financing cost of Prudential Financial commercial paper increased versus its historical cost basis relative to the target federal funds rate as investors demanded a premium for such “top-tier split” rated commercial paper. While the financing cost of Prudential Funding commercial paper remained relatively unchanged versus its historical cost basis relative to target federal funds rate over the same period, we saw a modest increase in cost towards the end of September. Changes in investor demand have resulted in the weighted average maturity of Prudential Financial commercial paper to decline from 28 days at June 30, 2008, to 16 days at September 30, 2008, and the weighted average maturity of Prudential Funding commercial paper to decline from 19 days at June 30, 2008, to 15 days at September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008 approximately 29% and 28%, respectively, of the outstanding commercial paper of Prudential Financial and Prudential Funding was overnight.

 

Based on current Prudential Financial and Prudential Funding commercial paper ratings, both of our commercial paper programs are eligible to participate in the Commercial Paper Funding Facility, or CPFF, sponsored by the Federal Government. The Federal Reserve has announced that CPFF will purchase eligible three-month unsecured and asset-backed U.S. dollar denominated commercial paper from eligible issuers. The maximum amount of commercial paper an issuer can sell to the CPFF is equivalent to the greatest amount of U.S. dollar denominated commercial paper the issuer had outstanding during any single day between January 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008. The greatest amount of commercial paper Prudential Financial and Prudential Funding had outstanding during such period was $1.297 billion on January 1, 2008, and $9.815 billion, on March 18, 2008, respectively. Unsecured commercial paper purchased by the CPFF will be discounted based on a rate equal to a spread (200 basis points) over the three-month overnight index swap rate on the day of purchase. As of October 28, 2008, Prudential Financial has been granted approval to participate in the CPFF. We are currently evaluating whether we will apply for participation in the CPFF on behalf of Prudential Funding. Access to the CPFF is scheduled to terminate on April 30, 2009, unless such date is extended by the Federal Reserve.

 

We continue to monitor market conditions and believe we have sufficient flexibility to reduce our borrowings under the Prudential Financial and Prudential Funding commercial paper programs, if needed, through our alternative sources of liquidity, as discussed in this section.

 

Both commercial paper programs are backed by our unsecured committed lines of credit. As of September 30, 2008, Prudential Financial, Prudential Insurance and Prudential Funding had unsecured committed lines of credit totaling $5.0 billion. There were no outstanding borrowings under these facilities as of September 30, 2008. For a further discussion of lines of credit, see “—Lines of Credit and Other Credit Facilities.”

 

Asset-based Financing

 

We conduct asset-based or secured financing, including transactions such as securities lending and repurchase agreements, in order to earn spread income, to borrow funds, or to facilitate trading activity. These programs are driven by portfolio holdings in securities that are lendable based on counterparty demand for these securities in the marketplace. The collateral received in connection with these programs are primarily used to purchase securities in the short-term spread portfolios for our domestic insurance entities. Investments held in the short term spread

 

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portfolios include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and fixed maturities, including mortgage- and asset-backed securities, with a weighted average life at time of purchase of two years or less. A portion of the asset-backed securities held in our short-term spread portfolios, including our enhanced short-term portfolio, are collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. See “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—General Account Investments—Fixed Maturity Securities” for a further discussion of our asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime holdings, including details regarding those securities held in our enhanced short-term portfolio. These short-term portfolios are subject to specific investment policy statements, which among other things, do not allow for significant asset/liability interest rate duration mismatch.

 

As of September 30, 2008, our Financial Services Businesses had liabilities totaling $6.938 billion under such programs, including $4.209 billion representing securities sold under agreements to repurchase, $2.231 billion representing cash collateral for loaned securities and $498 million representing securities sold but not yet purchased. Of the $6.938 billion for the Financial Services Businesses as of September 30, 2008, $3.126 billion represents securities that may be returned to the company overnight requiring immediate return of the cash collateral, and the remainder has maturities ranging from 2 days to 3 months with a weighted average maturity of 12 days.

 

As of September 30, 2008, our Closed Block Business had liabilities totaling $5.466 billion under such programs, including $4.217 billion representing securities sold under agreements to repurchase and $1.249 billion representing cash collateral for loaned securities. Of the $5.466 billion for the Closed Block Business as of September 30, 2008, $2.784 billion represents securities that may be returned to the company overnight requiring immediate return of the cash collateral, and the remainder has maturities ranging from 2 days to 3 months with a weighted average maturity of 13 days.

 

As of September 30, 2008, our domestic insurance entities had assets eligible for the lending program of $72.5 billion, of which $11.1 billion were on loan. Taking into account market conditions and outstanding loan balances as of September 30, 2008, we believe approximately $14 billion of the remaining eligible assets are readily lendable. Further deterioration in the market could reduce the lendability of available assets.

 

As referenced above, these programs are typically limited to securities in demand that can be loaned at relatively low financing rates. As such, we believe there is unused capacity available through these programs. Holdings of cash and cash equivalent investments in these short-term spread portfolios allow for further flexibility in sizing the portfolio to better match available financing. Current conditions in both the financing and investment markets are continuously monitored in order to appropriately manage the cost of funds, investment spreads, asset/liability duration matching and liquidity.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

 

In June 2008, Prudential Insurance became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, or FHLBNY. Membership allows Prudential Insurance to participate in FHLBNY’s product line of financial services, including funding agreements, general asset/liability management, and collateralized advances that can be used for liquidity management. Our membership in FHLBNY requires us to maintain ownership of member stock and any borrowings from FHLBNY will require us to purchase FHLBNY activity based stock in an amount equal to 4.5% of the borrowings.

 

Under guidance of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, the total amount of securities that can be pledged as collateral by Prudential Insurance to FHLBNY is limited to 5% of the prior year’s admitted assets of Prudential Insurance exclusive of separate account assets, which equates to $7.7 billion based on admitted assets as of December 31, 2007. Based on this permitted amount, the eligible securities available at Prudential Insurance, and net of the 4.5% activity based stock we would be obligated to purchase from FHLBNY based on maximum borrowings, the estimated total borrowing capacity with the FHLBNY is $6.7 billion, as of September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, outstanding borrowings with FHLBNY amounted to $100 million. These borrowings matured on October 29, 2008.

 

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Subsequent to September 30, 2008, we have borrowed an additional aggregate amount of $1.0 billion from the FHLBNY, with maturities ranging from April 7, 2009 to April 30, 2009. The proceeds from these borrowings are currently being invested in securities maintained in our enhanced short-term portfolio at Prudential Insurance. These proceeds are available as further sources of liquidity to Prudential Insurance. We may, from time to time, borrow additional funds from FHLBNY for purposes of managing our liquidity, asset/liability management, or issuance of funding agreements.

 

Economic Capital

 

We are in the process of developing an economic capital framework, and have begun using economic capital as an additional source of information for our business decisions. As we continue developing the framework, we will be assessing our overall capital position using both economic capital and our current framework, which is primarily based on risk based capital measures.

 

Liquidity of Subsidiaries

 

Domestic Insurance Subsidiaries

 

General Liquidity

 

Liquidity refers to a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the needs of its operations. We manage the liquidity of our domestic insurance operations to ensure stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of cash flows to meet all of our obligations. Liquidity is provided by a variety of sources, as described more fully below, including portfolios of liquid assets. The investment portfolios of our domestic operations are integral to the overall liquidity of those operations. We segment our investment portfolios and employ an asset/liability management approach specific to the requirements of our product lines. This enhances the discipline applied in managing the liquidity, as well as the interest rate and credit risk profiles, of each portfolio in a manner consistent with the unique characteristics of the product liabilities. We use a projection process for cash flows from operations to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet projected cash outflows, including claims.

 

Liquidity is measured against internally developed benchmarks that take into account the characteristics of both the asset portfolio and the liabilities that they support. The results are affected substantially by the overall asset type and quality of our investments.

 

Cash Flow

 

The principal sources of liquidity for Prudential Insurance and our other domestic insurance subsidiaries are premiums and annuity considerations, investment and fee income and investment maturities and sales associated with our insurance and annuity operations. The principal uses of that liquidity include benefits, claims, dividends paid to policyholders, and payments to policyholders and contractholders in connection with surrenders, withdrawals and net policy loan activity. Other uses of liquidity include commissions, general and administrative expenses, purchases of investments, and payments in connection with financing activities.

 

We believe that the cash flows from our insurance and annuity operations are adequate to satisfy the current liquidity requirements of these operations, including under reasonably foreseeable stress scenarios. The continued adequacy of this liquidity will depend upon factors such as future securities market conditions, changes in interest rate levels, policyholder perceptions of our financial strength, and the relative safety of competing products (including those with enhancements under EESA), each of which could lead to reduced cash inflows or increased cash outflows. In addition, market volatility can impact the level of capital required to support our businesses, particularly in our annuity business. As discussed above, subsequent to September 30, 2008 market conditions have negatively impacted the level of capital in our domestic life insurance subsidiaries and absent a recovery in markets we will need to take capital management actions to maintain capital consistent with their ratings objectives, which may include redeployment of financial resources from internal sources or, if markets continue to decline, require external sources of capital. Certain of these capital management activities may require regulatory approval.

 

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Our domestic insurance operations’ cash flows from investment activities result from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of invested assets and investment income, net of amounts reinvested. The primary liquidity risks with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors or bond insurers, our counterparties’ willingness to extend repurchase and/or securities lending arrangements and market volatility. We closely manage these risks through our credit risk management process and regular monitoring of our liquidity position.

 

In managing the liquidity of our domestic insurance operations, we also consider the risk of policyholder and contractholder withdrawals of funds earlier than our assumptions when selecting assets to support these contractual obligations. We use surrender charges and other contract provisions to mitigate the extent, timing and profitability impact of withdrawals of funds by customers from annuity contracts and deposit liabilities. The following table sets forth withdrawal characteristics of our general account annuity reserves and deposit liabilities (based on statutory liability values) as of the dates indicated.

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31,
2007
 
     Amount    % of
Total
    Amount    % of
Total
 
     ($ in millions)  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provisions

   $ 37,425    48 %   $ 35,847    49 %

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, with adjustment:

          

With market value adjustment

     20,185    26       18,786    26  

At market value

     1,288    2       1,162    2  

At contract value, less surrender charge of 5% or more

     3,602    4       1,594    2  
                          

Subtotal

     62,500    80       57,389    79  

Subject to discretionary withdrawal at contract value with no surrender charge or surrender charge of less than 5%

     15,790    20       15,346    21  
                          

Total annuity reserves and deposit liabilities

   $ 78,290    100 %   $ 72,735    100 %
                          

 

Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than our annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur surrender charges and be subject to a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy. Our annuity reserves with guarantee features may be less susceptible to withdrawal than historical experience indicates, due to the current value of these guarantee features to policyholders as a result of recent market declines. Annuity benefits under group annuity contracts are generally not subject to early withdrawal.

 

Gross account withdrawals for our domestic insurance operations’ products amounted to approximately $16.0 billion and $14.4 billion for the first nine months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Because these withdrawals were consistent with our assumptions in asset/liability management, the associated cash outflows did not have a material adverse impact on our overall liquidity.

 

Liquid Assets

 

Liquid assets include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturities that are not designated as held to maturity and public equity securities. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our domestic insurance operations had liquid assets of $129.6 billion and $137.0 billion, respectively, which includes a portion financed with asset-based financing . The portion of liquid assets comprised of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments was $10.7 billion and $7.1 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, $102.3 billion, or 89%, of the fixed maturity investments that are not designated as held to maturity within our domestic insurance company general account portfolios were rated investment grade. The remaining $13.2 billion, or 11%, of these fixed maturity investments were rated non-investment grade. We consider attributes of the various categories of liquid assets (for example, type of asset

 

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and credit quality) in calculating internal liquidity measures in order to evaluate the adequacy of our domestic insurance operations’ liquidity under a variety of stress scenarios. We believe that the liquidity profile of our assets is sufficient to satisfy current liquidity requirements, including under foreseeable stress scenarios.

 

Given the size and liquidity profile of our investment portfolios, we believe that claim experience varying from our projections does not constitute a significant liquidity risk. Our asset/liability management process takes into account the expected maturity of investments and expected claim payments as well as the specific nature and risk profile of the liabilities. Historically, there has been no significant variation between the expected maturities of our investments and the payment of claims.

 

Our domestic insurance companies’ liquidity is managed through access to substantial investment portfolios as well as a variety of instruments available for funding and/or managing short-term cash flow mismatches, including from time to time those arising from claim levels in excess of projections. To the extent we need to pay claims in excess of projections, we may borrow temporarily or sell investments sooner than anticipated to pay these claims, which may result in increased borrowing costs or realized investment gains or losses affecting results of operations. For a further discussion of realized investment gains or losses, see “—Realized Investment Gains and Losses and General Account Investments—Realized Investment Gains and Losses.” We believe that borrowing temporarily or selling investments earlier than anticipated will not have a material impact on the liquidity of our domestic insurance companies. Payment of claims and sale of investments earlier than anticipated would have an impact on the reported level of cash flow from operating and investing activities, respectively, in our financial statements.

 

Prudential Funding, LLC

 

Prudential Funding, LLC, or Prudential Funding, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Insurance, serves as an additional source of financing to meet the working capital needs of Prudential Insurance and its subsidiaries. Prudential Funding also lends to other subsidiaries of Prudential Financial up to limits established with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. To the extent that other subsidiaries of Prudential Financial have financing needs in excess of these limits, these needs are met through financing from Prudential Financial directly or from third parties. Prudential Funding operates under a support agreement with Prudential Insurance whereby Prudential Insurance has agreed to maintain Prudential Funding’s positive tangible net worth at all times. Prudential Funding borrows funds primarily through the direct issuance of commercial paper. Prudential Funding’s commercial paper, including master note borrowings, were $7.0 billion as of September 30, 2008 and $7.3 billion as of December 31, 2007, and are more fully discussed in “—Alternate Sources of Liquidity.” The impact of Prudential Funding’s financing capacity on liquidity is considered in the internal liquidity measures of the domestic insurance operations.

 

The total principal amount of debt outstanding under Prudential Funding’s domestic medium-term note programs was $172 million and $772 million, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, of which $600 million was reflected in the general obligation short-term debt as of December 31, 2007. The weighted average interest rates on Prudential Funding’s long-term debt, including the effect of interest rate hedging activity, were 4.23%, and 6.24% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

International Insurance Subsidiaries

 

In our international insurance operations, liquidity is provided through ongoing operations as well as portfolios of liquid assets. In managing the liquidity and the interest and credit risk profiles of our international insurance portfolios, we employ a discipline similar to the discipline employed for domestic insurance subsidiaries. We monitor liquidity through the use of internal liquidity measures, taking into account the liquidity of the asset portfolios.

 

As with our domestic operations, in managing the liquidity of these operations, we consider the risk of policyholder and contractholder withdrawals of funds earlier than our assumptions in selecting assets to support

 

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these contractual obligations. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our international insurance subsidiaries had total general account insurance related liabilities (other than dividends payable to policyholders) of $57.7 billion and $54.4 billion, respectively. Of those amounts, $31.0 billion and $29.5 billion, respectively, were associated with Gibraltar Life.

 

Concurrent with our acquisition of Gibraltar Life in April 2001, substantially all of its insurance liabilities were restructured under a plan of reorganization to include special surrender penalties on existing policies. These charges, initially 15%, declining to their current 2% level, and reducing to 0% in April 2009, were designed to mitigate the extent, timing, and profitability impact of withdrawals of funds by customers. The charges apply to $20.7 billion and $21.1 billion of Gibraltar Life’s insurance related reserves as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

Policies issued by Gibraltar Life post-acquisition are not subject to the above restructured policy surrender charge schedule. Policies issued post-acquisition are generally subject to discretionary withdrawal at contract value, less applicable surrender charges, which currently start at 5% or more.

 

A special dividend to certain Gibraltar Life policyholders was payable in 2005 and will again be payable in 2009. The special dividend is based on 70% of the net increase in the fair value, through March 2009, of certain real estate and loans, net of transaction costs and taxes, included in the Gibraltar Life reorganization plan. As of September 30, 2008, a liability of $461 million related to the special dividend is included in “Policyholders’ dividends.” The special dividend will take the form of additional policy values, and to a lesser extent, cash. Gibraltar Life’s investment portfolio is structured to provide adequate liquidity for the special dividend.

 

Prudential of Japan had $21.3 billion and $19.2 billion of general account insurance related liabilities, other than dividends to policyholders, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Prudential of Japan did not have a material amount of general account annuity reserves or deposit liabilities subject to discretionary withdrawal as of September 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007. Additionally, we believe that the individual life insurance policies sold by Prudential of Japan do not have significant withdrawal risk because policyholders may incur surrender charges and must undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy.

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our international insurance subsidiaries had cash and short-term investments of approximately $1.5 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, and fixed maturity investments, other than those designated as held to maturity, with fair values of $43.7 billion and $42.1 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, $42.5 billion, or 97%, of the fixed maturity investments that are not designated as held to maturity within our international insurance subsidiaries were rated investment grade. The remaining $1.2 billion, or 3%, of these fixed maturity investments were rated non-investment grade. Of those amounts, $23.4 billion of the investment grade fixed maturity investments and $0.8 billion of the non-investment grade fixed maturity investments were associated with Gibraltar Life. We consider attributes of the various categories of liquid assets (for example, type of asset and credit quality) in calculating internal liquidity measures to evaluate the adequacy of our international insurance operations’ liquidity under stress scenarios. We believe that ongoing operations and the liquidity profile of our international insurance assets provide sufficient liquidity under reasonably foreseeable stress scenarios.

 

We employ various hedging strategies to manage potential exposure to foreign currency exchange rate movements as discussed in “—Results of Operations for Financial Services Businesses by Segment—International Insurance and Investments Division.” Cash settlements from this hedging activity result in cash flows to or from Prudential Financial and are dependent on changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the notional amount of the exposures hedged. The cash settlements include those for internal hedges related to the U.S. dollar denominated investments held on the books of the yen-based entities as well as for external hedges. A significant yen appreciation over an extended period would result in net cash outflows from Prudential Financial in excess of our historical experience.

 

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Asset Management Subsidiaries

 

Our fee-based asset management businesses, which include real estate, public and private fixed income and public equity asset management, as well as commercial mortgage origination and servicing, and retail investment products, such as mutual funds and other retail services, are largely unregulated from the standpoint of dividends and distributions. Our asset management subsidiaries through which we conduct these businesses generally do not have restrictions on the amount of distributions they can make, and provide a relatively stable source of significant cash flow to Prudential Financial.

 

The principal sources of liquidity for our fee-based asset management businesses include asset management fees, and commercial mortgage servicing fees. The principal uses of liquidity include general and administrative expenses, and distribution of dividends and returns of capital to Prudential Financial. The primary liquidity risks for our fee based asset management businesses relate to their profitability, which is impacted by market conditions and our investment management performance. We believe the cash flows from our fee based asset management businesses are adequate to satisfy the current liquidity requirements of their operations, as well as requirements that could arise under foreseeable stress scenarios, which are monitored through the use of internal measures.

 

The principal sources of liquidity for our proprietary investments are cash flows from investments, the ability to liquidate certain investments, and available borrowing lines from internal sources, including Prudential Funding and Prudential Financial, and external sources. The primary liquidity risks include the inability to sell assets in a timely manner, declines in the value of assets and credit defaults. The current adverse market conditions have increased the liquidity risks associated with our proprietary investments. The markets for certain investments, such as commercial mortgages and real estate, have become less liquid. If we needed to sell these investments, we may have difficulty doing so in a timely manner at a price that we could otherwise realize. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, the Asset Management business gave notice of its intention to withdraw its investment from a proprietary fixed income fund, which was $286 million as of September 30, 2008, with the timing of the withdrawal and amount to be received depending on market conditions. We also anticipate making further reductions in certain proprietary equity investments.

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our asset management subsidiaries had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.751 billion and $1.153 billion, respectively, which include $977 million and $387 million of short term loans to real estate funds, respectively.

 

In reporting results for the three months ended March 31, 2008, we have classified our commercial mortgage securitization operations as a divested business for all periods reported, reflecting our decision to exit this business. We retained and continue the remainder of our commercial mortgage origination, servicing and other commercial mortgage related activities, which remain a part of our Asset Management segment. We do not expect this decision to have a material impact on the liquidity of our Asset Management subsidiaries. For further details, see “—Divested Businesses.”

 

Prudential Securities Group

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, Prudential Securities Group’s assets totaled $11.9 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. Prudential Securities Group owns our investment in Wachovia Securities, which we account for under the equity method, as well as other wholly owned businesses. On October 1, 2007, Wachovia completed the acquisition of A.G. Edwards, Inc., or A.G. Edwards, for $6.8 billion and on January 1, 2008 combined the retail securities brokerage business of A.G. Edwards with Wachovia Securities. On October 3, 2008, Wachovia and Wells Fargo announced that they had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which Wells Fargo will acquire all of Wachovia Corporation and all its businesses and obligations. Wachovia has notified us that Wells Fargo’s brokerage business will be contributed to the joint venture in accordance with the terms of the existing joint venture agreements. See Note 11 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning this acquisition and its effect on

 

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our investment in Wachovia Securities. Distributions from our investment in Wachovia Securities to Prudential Securities Group totaled $104 million and $275 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The other wholly owned businesses in Prudential Securities Group continue to maintain sufficiently liquid balance sheets, consisting mostly of cash and cash equivalents, segregated client assets, and short-term receivables from clients, broker-dealers, and exchanges. As registered broker-dealers and members of various self-regulatory organizations, our U.S. registered broker-dealer subsidiaries and Wachovia Securities are subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule, as well as the net capital requirements of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the various securities and commodities exchanges of which they are members. Compliance with these capital requirements could limit the ability of these operations to pay dividends.

 

Financing Activities

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, total short- and long-term debt of the Company on a consolidated basis was $32.4 billion and $29.8 billion, respectively, which includes $18.8 billion and $16.7 billion, respectively, related to the parent company, Prudential Financial. As of September 30, 2008 we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

 

Prudential Financial is authorized to borrow funds from various sources to meet its capital and other funding needs, as well as the capital and other funding needs of its subsidiaries. The following table sets forth the outstanding short- and long-term debt of Prudential Financial, other than debt to consolidated subsidiaries, as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (in millions)

Borrowings:

     

General obligation short-term debt:

     

Commercial paper

   $ 761    $ 1,293

Floating rate convertible senior notes

     4,883      4,883

Foreign denominated bridge loan facility

     697      —  

Current portion of long-term debt

     278      973

General obligation long-term debt:

     

Senior debt

     7,251      6,875

Junior subordinated debt (hybrid securities)

     1,518      —  

Retail medium-term notes

     3,434      2,688
             

Total general obligations

   $ 18,822    $ 16,712
             

 

The following table presents, as of September 30, 2008, Prudential Financial’s contractual maturities of its general obligation long-term debt:

 

Calendar Year

   Senior
Debt
   Junior
Subordinated
Debt
   Retail
Medium-term
Notes
     (in millions)

2009

   $ —      $ —      $ 7

2010

     25      —        30

2011

     350      —        135

2012

     250      —        147

2013

     1,100      —        234

2014 and thereafter

     5,526      1,518      2,881
                    

Total

   $ 7,251    $ 1,518    $ 3,434
                    

 

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Prudential Financial’s short-term debt includes commercial paper in the amount of $761 million, foreign currency denominated bridge loan facilities totaling $697 million, our convertible senior notes issued in December 2006 in the amount of $1.883 billion, and our convertible senior notes issued in December 2007 in the amount of $3.0 billion. Prudential Financial’s commercial paper program is more fully discussed in “—Alternate Sources of Liquidity” and the foreign currency denominated bridge loan facilities are more fully discussed below.

 

As described more fully later in this section, holders of our senior convertible notes issued in December 2006 may require us to repurchase the notes at par, plus accrued interest, on December 12, 2008. We have sufficient cash on our balance sheet to defease our obligation. The proceeds from our senior convertible notes issued in December 2007 are currently funding working capital needs of our subsidiaries. Holders of the December 2007 notes may require us to repurchase the notes at par, plus accrued interest, on June 15, 2009. If market conditions improve and so permit, we intend to refinance these notes in the capital markets. In the event we remain unable to issue debt in the capital markets in the remainder of 2008 through June 2009, and the investors elect to sell the notes to us, we intend to defease our obligation through a combination of alternate sources of funds, such as commercial paper, internal sources of funds, and reduction in working capital needs of our businesses.

 

In March 2006, Prudential Financial filed an updated shelf registration statement with the SEC, superseding its previous shelf registration statement, which permits the issuance of public debt, equity and hybrid securities. The updated shelf registration statement was established under the SEC rules adopted in 2005 that allow for automatic effectiveness upon filing, pay-as-you-go fees and the ability to add securities by filing automatically effective amendments for companies qualifying as “Well-Known Seasoned Issuers.” As a result, this new shelf registration statement has no stated issuance capacity.

 

In March 2006, Prudential Financial filed a prospectus supplement for a new Medium-Term Notes, Series D program under the shelf registration statement, which superseded its Medium-Term Notes, Series C program. In January 2008, the authorized issuance capacity of the Series D program was increased by $5 billion to $10 billion, and as of September 30, 2008 approximately $4.9 billion remained available under the program. In January 2008, Prudential Financial issued $600 million of 5-year medium term notes under this program. The net proceeds from the sale of these notes were used to fund operating needs of our subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes. The weighted average interest rates on Prudential Financial’s medium-term and senior notes, including the effect of interest rate hedging activity, were 5.43% and 5.40% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, excluding the effect of debt issued to consolidated subsidiaries. Given the current disruptions in the credit markets, it is uncertain whether we can issue debt under our MTN program at this time.

 

In March 2006, Prudential Financial filed a prospectus supplement under the shelf registration statement for its retail medium-term notes, including the InterNotes® program, which superseded the 2005 retail medium-term notes program. In March 2008, the authorized issuance capacity of the retail medium-term notes program was increased by $2.5 billion to $5 billion, and as of September 30, 2008 approximately $2.3 billion remained available under the program. This retail medium-term notes program serves as a funding source for a spread product of our Retirement segment that is economically similar to funding agreement-backed medium-term notes issued to institutional investors, except that the retail notes are senior obligations of Prudential Financial and are purchased by retail investors. The weighted average interest rates on Prudential Financial’s retail medium-term notes were 5.97% and 5.59% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, excluding the effect of debt issued to consolidated subsidiaries.

 

In May, 2008, Prudential Financial borrowed Y74 billion under unsecured bridge loan facilities provided by two institutions that expires on February 13, 2009. The net proceeds were used to repay maturing debt that was issued concurrently with our acquisition of Gibraltar Life in April 2001, which serves to fund capital requirements of Gibraltar Life. The carrying value of these loans were $697 million as of September 30, 2008,

 

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and they serve as a net investment hedge of our Japanese insurance operations. Upon expiration of these facilities, we intend to refinance these loans in the domestic or international capital markets, market conditions permitting, or use available internal sources of funds to repay the loans.

 

In June 2008, Prudential Financial issued $600 million of 8.875% fixed-to-floating rate junior subordinated notes to institutional investors. Also in June 2008, Prudential Financial issued $800 million of junior subordinated notes to retail investors with a fixed interest rate of 9.0% paid quarterly. In July 2008, Prudential Financial issued an additional $120 million of retail junior subordinated notes following the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option. Both issuances are considered hybrid capital securities, which receive enhanced equity treatment from the rating agencies. Both series of notes have a scheduled maturity of June 15, 2038 and a final maturity of June 15, 2068. Prudential Financial is required to use commercially reasonable efforts, subject to market disruption events, to raise sufficient proceeds from the issuance of specified qualifying capital securities, which include hybrid capital securities, to repay the principal of the notes at their scheduled maturity. For the institutional notes, interest is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 8.875% until June 15, 2018, from which date interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 5.00%. Prudential Financial may redeem the institutional notes, subject to the terms of the replacement capital covenant, or RCC, as discussed below, in whole or in part, on or after June 15, 2018 at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or prior to June 15, 2018 at a make-whole price. Prudential Financial may redeem the retail notes subject to the terms of the RCC as discussed below, on or after June 15, 2013, in whole or in part, at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, or prior to June 15, 2013, in whole, at a make-whole price. Both series of notes may also be redeemed in whole upon the occurrence of certain defined events. Prudential Financial has the right to defer interest payments on either or both series of notes for a period up to ten years, during which time interest will be compounded. If Prudential Financial were to exercise its right to defer interest it will be required, commencing on the earlier of (i) the first interest payment date on which current interest is paid after the deferral period or (ii) the fifth anniversary of the deferral period, to issue specified alternative payment securities, which include but are not limited to Common Stock, to satisfy its obligation with respect to the deferred interest. In connection with the issuance of both series of notes, Prudential Financial entered into a RCC for the benefit of holders of debt that is senior to the junior subordinated notes. Under the RCC, Prudential Financial agreed that it will not repay, redeem, defease, or purchase the notes prior to June 15, 2048, unless it has received proceeds from the issuance of specified replacement capital securities, which include but are not limited to hybrid capital securities as well as Common Stock. The RCC will terminate upon the occurrence of certain events, including acceleration due to an event of default. Prudential Financial used the proceeds from the issuance of these notes for general corporate purposes and to repurchase shares of its Common Stock under the existing 2008 share repurchase authorization. Both series of notes were assigned credit ratings of “A-” by S&P, “Baa1” by Moody’s, and “bbb” by A.M. Best.

 

In January 2008, Prudential Financial filed a prospectus supplement to register under the shelf registration statement resales of the floating rate convertible senior notes that were issued in a private placement in December 2006 ($2.0 billion). These convertible senior notes are convertible by the holders at any time after issuance into cash and shares of Prudential Financials Common Stock. The conversion price, $104.21 per share, is subject to adjustment upon certain corporate events. The conversion feature requires net settlement in shares; therefore, upon conversion, a holder would receive cash equal to the par amount of the convertible notes surrendered for conversion and shares of Prudential Financial Common Stock only for the portion of the settlement amount in excess of the par amount, if any. The interest rate on these convertible senior notes is a floating rate equal to 3-month LIBOR minus 2.4%, to be reset quarterly. These convertible senior notes are redeemable by Prudential Financial, at par plus accrued interest, any time on or after December 13, 2007. Holders of the notes may also require Prudential Financial to repurchase the notes, at par plus accrued interest, on contractually specified dates, of which the first such date was December 12, 2007. On December 12, 2007, $117 million of senior notes were repurchased by Prudential Financial at the request of the holders. The next date on which holders of the notes may require Prudential Financial to repurchase the notes is December 12, 2008. Prior to such repurchase date, we may, from time to time, depending on economic considerations choose to redeem portions of the outstanding notes from certain qualified institutional buyers A majority of the proceeds from the original issuance of these

 

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notes was initially invested in an investment grade fixed income portfolio, while the remainder of the proceeds was used for general corporate purposes. Prior to the first date that holders of the notes could require us to repurchase the notes, December 12, 2007, we liquidated the investment portfolio. Currently, the remaining proceeds are invested in short-term instruments and may be used to fund operations or short-term capital needs in lieu of other short-term borrowings in future periods. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008 for additional information concerning these convertible senior notes. Prudential Financial is obligated to file once per quarter a prospectus supplement to register any resales of these convertible senior notes and shares of Prudential Financial Common Stock, if any, issued to holders of these convertible senior notes.

 

In April and July 2008, Prudential Financial filed prospectus supplements to register under the shelf registration statement resales of the floating rate convertible senior notes that were issued in a private placement in December 2007 ($3.0 billion). These convertible senior notes are convertible by the holders at any time after issuance into cash and shares of Prudential Financial’s Common Stock. The conversion price, $132.39 per share, is subject to adjustment upon certain corporate events. The conversion feature requires net settlement in shares; therefore, upon conversion, a holder would receive cash equal to the par amount of the convertible notes surrendered for conversion and shares of Prudential Financial Common Stock only for the portion of the settlement amount in excess of the par amount, if any. Prudential Financial used the majority of the offering proceeds to fund operating needs of our subsidiaries, purchase short-term investment grade fixed income investments, and general corporate purposes, as well as to repurchase shares of its Common Stock under the 2007 share repurchase authorization. A portion of the offering proceeds used to fund the operating needs of subsidiaries were used to reduce Prudential Financial’s commercial paper borrowings and to extend the duration of our borrowings to better match the duration of the subsidiaries’ related assets. These convertible senior notes are redeemable by Prudential Financial, at par plus accrued interest, on or after June 16, 2009. Holders of the notes may also require Prudential Financial to repurchase the notes, at par plus accrued interest, on contractually specified dates, of which the first such date is June 15, 2009. The interest rate on these convertible senior notes is a floating rate equal to 3-month LIBOR minus 1.63%, to be reset quarterly. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008 for additional information concerning these convertible senior notes. Prudential Financial is obligated to file once per quarter a prospectus supplement under the shelf registration statement to register any resales of these convertible senior notes and shares of Prudential Financial Common Stock, if any, issued to holders of these convertible senior notes.

 

We will be required beginning on January 1, 2009 to retrospectively adopt the requirements of Financial Statement Position APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).” This guidance will impact the accounting for our convertible debt instruments as discussed in Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In March 2008, Prudential Financial updated its European medium-term notes program under a shelf registration statement. The Company is authorized to issue up to $1.5 billion of notes under the program. As of September 30, 2008, there was no debt outstanding under this program.

 

Current capital markets activities for the Company on a consolidated basis principally consist of unsecured short-term and long-term debt borrowings issued by Prudential Funding and Prudential Financial, unsecured third party bank borrowings, and asset-based or secured financing.

 

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The following table sets forth total consolidated borrowings of the Company as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (in millions)

Borrowings:

     

General obligation short-term debt

   $ 14,028    $ 15,349
             

General obligation long-term debt:

     

Senior debt

     11,128      10,103

Junior subordinated debt (hybrid securities)

     1,518      —  

Surplus notes(1)

     3,194      2,044
             

Total general obligation long-term debt

     15,840      12,147
             

Total general obligations

     29,868      27,496
             

Limited and non-recourse borrowing:

     

Limited and non-recourse short-term debt

     511      308

Limited and non-recourse long-term debt(2)

     2,030      1,954
             

Total limited and non-recourse borrowing

     2,541      2,262
             

Total borrowings(3)

     32,409      29,758
             

Total asset-based financing

     12,404      18,236
             

Total borrowings and asset-based financings

   $ 44,813    $ 47,994
             

 

(1) As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, includes $2.750 billion and $1.600 billion, respectively, of floating rate surplus notes issued by subsidiaries of Prudential Insurance to fund regulatory reserves, as well as $444 million of fixed rate surplus notes issued by Prudential Insurance.
(2) As of both September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $1.750 billion, of limited and non-recourse debt outstanding was attributable to the Closed Block Business.
(3) Does not include $7.7 billion and $8.5 billion of medium-term notes of consolidated trust entities secured by funding agreements purchased with the proceeds of such notes as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. These notes are included in “Policyholders’ account balances.” For additional information see “—Funding Agreement Notes Issuance Program.”

 

Total general debt obligations increased by $2.372 billion from December 31, 2007 to September 30, 2008, reflecting a $3.693 billion increase in long-term debt and a $1.321 billion net decrease in short-term debt. The net increase in long-term debt was primarily driven by the issuance of junior subordinated debt in the second quarter of 2008, as well as the net issuance of medium-term notes, retail medium-term notes, and surplus notes, partially offset by the reclassification of long-term debt to short-term debt, in the first quarter of 2008. The net decrease in short-term debt was primarily due to a decrease in outstanding commercial paper supporting our operating businesses at Prudential Funding and Prudential Financial, and the maturity of medium term notes.

 

During 2006, a subsidiary of Prudential Insurance entered into a surplus note purchase agreement with an unaffiliated financial institution that provides for the issuance of up to $3 billion of ten-year floating rate surplus notes for the purpose of financing certain regulatory reserves required to be held by subsidiary life insurers in connection with the intercompany reinsurance of certain term life insurance policies. Concurrent with the issuance of each surplus note, Prudential Financial enters into arrangements with the buyer, which are accounted for as derivative instruments, that may result in payments by, or to, Prudential Financial over the term of the surplus notes, to the extent there are significant changes in the value of the surplus notes. Principal factors that impact the value of the surplus notes are mortality experience and interest rates. As of September 30, 2008, there have been no payments made under the derivative instrument. Surplus notes issued under this facility are subordinated to policyholder obligations and are subject to regulatory approvals for principal and interest payments. In the first nine months of 2008, the subsidiary issued an additional $1.150 billion of surplus notes, resulting in total outstanding notes under this facility of $2.250 billion and $1.100 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008 for additional information.

 

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During 2007, a subsidiary of Prudential Insurance issued $500 million of 45-year floating rate surplus notes to an unaffiliated financial institution for the purpose of financing certain regulatory reserves required to be held by subsidiary life insurers in connection with the intercompany reinsurance of certain universal life insurance policies. Surplus notes issued under this facility are subordinated to policyholder obligations and are subject to regulatory approvals for principal and interest payments. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008 for additional information. Concurrent with the issuance of these surplus notes, Prudential Financial entered into a credit derivative that will require Prudential Financial to make certain payments in the event of deterioration in the value of the surplus note. Under this credit derivative, we are required to post cash collateral based on tests that consider the level of 10-year credit default swap spreads on Prudential Financial’s senior debt. We estimate that the collateral posting requirements would range from $100 million to $200 million at effective 10-year credit default swap spreads of 700 to 2,000 basis points.

 

Our total borrowings consist of capital debt, investment related debt, securities business related debt and debt related to specified other businesses. Capital debt is borrowing that is used or will be used to meet the capital requirements of Prudential Financial as well as borrowings invested in equity or debt securities of direct or indirect subsidiaries of Prudential Financial and subsidiary borrowings utilized for capital requirements. Investment related borrowings consist of debt issued to finance specific investment assets or portfolios of investment assets, including institutional spread lending investment portfolios, real estate and real estate related investments held in consolidated joint ventures, as well as institutional and insurance company portfolio cash flow timing differences. Securities business related debt consists of debt issued to finance primarily the liquidity of our broker-dealers and our capital markets and other securities business related operations. Debt related to specified other businesses consists of borrowings associated with our individual annuity business, real estate franchises and relocation services. Borrowings under which either the holder is entitled to collect only against the assets pledged to the debt as collateral, or has only very limited rights to collect against other assets, have been classified as limited and non-recourse debt. Consolidated borrowings as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 included $1.750 billion of limited and non-recourse debt attributable to the Closed Block Business.

 

The following table summarizes our borrowings, categorized by use of proceeds, as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (in millions)

General obligations:

     

Capital debt

   $ 6,831    $ 4,781

Investment related

     16,557      16,379

Securities business related

     4,753      4,776

Specified other businesses

     1,727      1,560
             

Total general obligations

     29,868      27,496

Limited and non-recourse debt

     2,541      2,262
             

Total borrowings

   $ 32,409    $ 29,758
             

Short-term debt

   $ 14,539    $ 15,657

Long-term debt

     17,870      14,101
             

Total borrowings

   $ 32,409    $ 29,758
             

Borrowings of Financial Services Businesses

   $ 29,908    $ 26,865

Borrowings of Closed Block Business

     2,501      2,893
             

Total borrowings

   $ 32,409    $ 29,758
             

 

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Funding Agreement Notes Issuance Program

 

In 2003, Prudential Insurance established a Funding Agreement Notes Issuance Program pursuant to which a Delaware statutory trust issues medium-term notes (which are included in our statements of financial position in “Policyholders’ account balances” and not included in the foregoing table) secured by funding agreements issued to the trust by Prudential Insurance and included in our Retirement segment. The funding agreements provide cash flow sufficient for the debt service on the related medium-term notes. The medium-term notes are sold in transactions not requiring registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes have fixed or floating interest rates and original maturities ranging from two to seven years. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of such notes totaled approximately $7.7 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively, out of a total authorized amount of up to $15 billion. The decrease in outstanding aggregate principal amount of such notes is reflective of maturities outpacing new issuances during 2008. The aggregate maturities of these notes over the next 12 months is approximately $2.5 billion. In the event we are unable to sell new issuances of theses notes, we intend to repay the maturing notes through a combination of cash flows from asset maturities, asset sales, and internal sources of funds such as Prudential Funding.

 

Lines of Credit and Other Credit Facilities

 

As of September 30, 2008, Prudential Financial, Prudential Insurance and Prudential Funding had unsecured committed lines of credit totaling $5.0 billion. These facilities are available to each of the borrowers, up to the aggregate committed credit, to be used for general corporate purposes. This amount includes a $500 million 364-day credit facility that expires in December 2008, which includes eight financial institutions, a $2.0 billion 5-year credit facility that expires in May 2012, which includes 22 financial institutions, and an additional $2.5 billion credit facility, of which $200 million expires in December 2011 and $2.3 billion expires in December 2012, which includes 20 financial institutions. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., a lender in the $2.0 billion facility for a total of $60 million, filed for bankruptcy bringing the current total of unsecured committed credit lines available to $4.94 billion. Within each facility, no single financial institution has more than 15% of the total committed credit. Borrowings under the outstanding facilities will mature no later than the respective expiration dates of the facilities and will bear interest at the rates set forth in each facility agreement. We maintain these facilities primarily as back-up liquidity lines for our commercial paper programs, and there were no outstanding borrowings under any of these facilities as of September 30, 2008.

 

Our ability to borrow under these facilities is conditioned on the continued satisfaction of customary conditions, including maintenance at all times by Prudential Insurance of total adjusted capital of at least $5.5 billion based on statutory accounting principles prescribed under New Jersey law and Prudential Financial’s maintenance of consolidated net worth of at least $12.5 billion, calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our ability to borrow under these facilities is not contingent on our credit ratings or subject to material adverse change clauses. Prudential Insurance’s total adjusted capital was $8.5 billion and $11.0 billion as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and we expect this amount to be $7.3 billion as of September 30, 2008. Prudential Financial’s net worth on a consolidated basis totaled $18.7 billion and $23.5 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. We also use uncommitted lines of credit from banks and other financial institutions.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1 Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

31.2 Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

32.1 Section 906 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

32.2 Section 906 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Prudential Financial, Inc. will furnish upon request a copy of any exhibit listed above upon the payment of a reasonable fee covering the expense of furnishing the copy. Requests should be directed to:

 

Shareholder Services

Prudential Financial, Inc.

751 Broad Street, 6th Floor

Newark, NJ 07102

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.

By:

 

/s/    RICHARD J. CARBONE        

 

Richard J. Carbone

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Authorized signatory and principal financial officer)

 

Date: November 7, 2008

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number and Description

 

31.1    Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Section 906 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Section 906 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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