Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
  FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

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 has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of the Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
x
 
Accelerated filer
¨
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
¨
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
¨
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x
 
As of October 31, 2018 , 413 million shares of the registrant’s Common Stock (par value $0.01) were outstanding.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.



Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “includes,” “plans,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “will,” “shall” or variations of such words are generally part of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Prudential Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Prudential Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries will be those anticipated by management. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and there are certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates reflected in such forward-looking statements, including, among others: (1) losses on investments or financial contracts due to deterioration in credit quality or value, or counterparty default; (2) losses on insurance products due to mortality experience, morbidity experience or policyholder behavior experience that differs significantly from our expectations when we price our products; (3) changes in interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates that may (a) adversely impact the profitability of our products, the value of separate accounts supporting these products or the value of assets we manage, (b) result in losses on derivatives we use to hedge risk or increase collateral posting requirements and (c) limit opportunities to invest at appropriate returns; (4) guarantees within certain of our products, in particular our variable annuities, which are market sensitive and may decrease our earnings or increase the volatility of our results of operations or financial position; (5) liquidity needs resulting from (a) derivative collateral market exposure, (b) asset/liability mismatches, (c) the lack of available funding in the financial markets or (d) unexpected cash demands due to severe mortality calamity or lapse events; (6) financial or customer losses, or regulatory and legal actions, due to inadequate or failed processes or systems, human error or misconduct, and external events, such as (a) disruption of our systems and data, (b) an information security breach, (c) a failure to protect the privacy of sensitive data or (d) reliance on third-parties, including to distribute our products; (7) changes in the regulatory landscape, including related to (a) changes in tax laws, (b) fiduciary rule developments, (c) U.S. state insurance laws and developments regarding group-wide supervision, capital and reserves, (d) insurer capital standards outside the U.S. and (e) privacy and cybersecurity regulation; (8) technological changes which may adversely impact companies in our investment portfolio or cause insurance experience to deviate from our assumptions; (9) ratings downgrades; (10) market conditions that may adversely affect the sales or persistency of our products; (11) competition; and (12) reputational damage. Prudential Financial, Inc. does not undertake to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this document. See “Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for discussion of certain risks relating to our businesses and investment in our securities.



i

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions, except share amounts)
 
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018-$321,168; 2017-$312,385)(1)
 
$
340,970

 
$
346,780

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: 2018-$2,287; 2017-$2,430)(1)
 
1,957

 
2,049

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018-$3,162; 2017-$3,509)(1)(2)
 
3,083

 
3,507

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value(1)(2)
 
21,083

 
22,097

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2018-$5,149; 2017-$5,154)(1)(2)
 
7,058

 
7,329

Commercial mortgage and other loans (includes $401 and $593 measured at fair value under the fair value option at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)(1)
 
59,336

 
56,045

Policy loans
 
11,928

 
11,891

Other invested assets (includes $5,206 and $3,159 measured at fair value at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)(1)(2)
 
13,790

 
13,373

Short-term investments(2)
 
5,767

 
6,800

Total investments
 
464,972

 
469,871

Cash and cash equivalents(1)
 
12,466

 
14,490

Accrued investment income(1)
 
3,180

 
3,325

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
19,789

 
18,992

Value of business acquired
 
1,962

 
1,591

Other assets(1)
 
16,938

 
17,250

Separate account assets
 
303,441

 
306,617

TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
822,748

 
$
832,136

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
$
260,797

 
$
257,317

Policyholders’ account balances
 
149,130

 
148,189

Policyholders’ dividends
 
4,512

 
6,411

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 
9,176

 
8,400

Cash collateral for loaned securities
 
4,656

 
4,354

Income taxes
 
7,014

 
9,648

Short-term debt
 
2,393

 
1,380

Long-term debt
 
17,421

 
17,172

Other liabilities(1)
 
16,196

 
16,619

Notes issued by consolidated variable interest entities (includes $610 and $1,196 measured at fair value under the fair value option at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)(1)
 
930

 
1,518

Separate account liabilities
 
303,441

 
306,617

Total liabilities
 
775,666

 
777,625

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (See Note 14)
 

 

EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock ($.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued)
 
0

 
0

Common Stock ($.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 660,111,339 shares issued at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)
 
6

 
6

Additional paid-in capital
 
24,810

 
24,769

Common Stock held in treasury, at cost (245,720,188 and 230,537,166 shares at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
 
(17,246
)
 
(16,284
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
9,150

 
17,074

Retained earnings
 
30,005

 
28,671

Total Prudential Financial, Inc. equity
 
46,725

 
54,236

Noncontrolling interests
 
357

 
275

Total equity
 
47,082

 
54,511

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
822,748

 
$
832,136

__________
(1)
See Note 4 for details of balances associated with variable interest entities.
(2)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See “Adoption of ASU 2016-01” in Note 2 for details.


See Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

1

Table of Contents

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
8,810

 
$
7,795

 
$
23,559

 
$
22,602

Policy charges and fee income
1,498

 
1,502

 
4,482

 
3,760

Net investment income
4,046

 
4,076

 
12,140

 
12,226

Asset management and service fees
1,037

 
1,005

 
3,073

 
2,929

Other income (loss)
606

 
327

 
45

 
964

Realized investment gains (losses), net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
(32
)
 
(22
)
 
(129
)
 
(132
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to Other comprehensive income
0

 
0

 
0

 
10

Other realized investment gains (losses), net
183

 
1,630

 
1,390

 
1,065

Total realized investment gains (losses), net
151

 
1,608

 
1,261

 
943

Total revenues
16,148

 
16,313

 
44,560

 
43,424

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholders’ benefits
9,311

 
8,193

 
26,498

 
23,546

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
1,030

 
1,035

 
2,474

 
2,922

Dividends to policyholders
446

 
500

 
1,314

 
1,606

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
563

 
643

 
1,764

 
1,166

General and administrative expenses
2,960

 
2,921

 
8,729

 
8,813

Total benefits and expenses
14,310

 
13,292

 
40,779

 
38,053

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES
1,838

 
3,021

 
3,781

 
5,371

Total income tax expense (benefit)
184

 
800

 
604

 
1,320

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES
1,654

 
2,221

 
3,177

 
4,051

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures, net of taxes
21

 
20

 
62

 
58

NET INCOME (LOSS)
1,675

 
2,241

 
3,239

 
4,109

Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
3

 
3

 
7

 
11

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
$
1,672

 
$
2,238

 
$
3,232

 
$
4,098

EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share-Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.
$
3.97

 
$
5.19

 
$
7.62

 
$
9.46

Diluted earnings per share-Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.
$
3.90

 
$
5.09

 
$
7.51

 
$
9.29






See Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

2

Table of Contents

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
NET INCOME (LOSS)
$
1,675

 
$
2,241

 
$
3,239

 
$
4,109

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments for the period
(274
)
 
122

 
(315
)
 
719

Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
(3,150
)
 
153

 
(11,142
)
 
1,835

Defined benefit pension and postretirement unrecognized periodic benefit (cost)
71

 
62

 
200

 
161

Total
(3,353
)
 
337

 
(11,257
)
 
2,715

Less: Income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income (loss)
(843
)
 
101

 
(2,525
)
 
757

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
(2,510
)
 
236

 
(8,732
)
 
1,958

Comprehensive income (loss)
(835
)
 
2,477

 
(5,493
)
 
6,067

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(2
)
 
3

 
5

 
(8
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.
$
(833
)
 
$
2,474

 
$
(5,498
)
 
$
6,075

 



See Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 

3

Table of Contents

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Equity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions)
 
 
Prudential Financial, Inc. Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Common
Stock
Held In
Treasury
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Prudential
Financial, Inc.
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
6

 
$
24,769

 
$
28,671

 
$
(16,284
)
 
$
17,074

 
$
54,236

 
$
275

 
$
54,511

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01
 
 
 
 
904

 
 
 
(847
)
 
57

 


 
57

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02
 
 
 
 
(1,653
)
 
 
 
1,653

 
0

 
 
 
0

Common Stock acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,125
)
 
 
 
(1,125
)
 
 
 
(1,125
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
102

 
102

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(26
)
 
(26
)
Consolidations (deconsolidations) of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

 
1

Stock-based compensation programs
 
 
41

 
 
 
163

 
 
 
204

 
 
 
204

Dividends declared on Common Stock
 
 
 
 
(1,149
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,149
)
 
 
 
(1,149
)
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
3,232

 
 
 
 
 
3,232

 
7

 
3,239

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,730
)
 
(8,730
)
 
(2
)
 
(8,732
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5,498
)
 
5

 
(5,493
)
Balance, September 30, 2018
$
6


$
24,810


$
30,005


$
(17,246
)
 
$
9,150


$
46,725


$
357


$
47,082

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prudential Financial, Inc. Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Common
Stock
Held In
Treasury
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Prudential
Financial, Inc.
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2016
$
6

 
$
24,606

 
$
21,946

 
$
(15,316
)
 
$
14,621

 
$
45,863

 
$
225

 
$
46,088

Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting changes
 
 
5

 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
0

 

 
0

Elimination of Gibraltar Life reporting lag
 
 
 
 
167

 
 
 
 
 
167

 
 
 
167

Common Stock acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
(937
)
 
 
 
(937
)
 
 
 
(937
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
7

 
7

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(31
)
 
(31
)
Consolidations (deconsolidations) of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Stock-based compensation programs
 
 
110

 
 
 
241

 
 
 
351

 
 
 
351

Dividends declared on Common Stock
 
 
 
 
(979
)
 
 
 
 
 
(979
)
 
 
 
(979
)
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
4,098

 
 
 
 
 
4,098

 
11

 
4,109

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,977

 
1,977

 
(19
)
 
1,958

Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,075

 
(8
)
 
6,067

Balance, September 30, 2017
$
6


$
24,721


$
25,227


$
(16,012
)
 
$
16,598


$
50,540


$
192


$
50,732






See Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Table of Contents

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions)
 
2018
 
2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
3,239

 
$
4,109

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Realized investment (gains) losses, net
(1,261
)
 
(943
)
Policy charges and fee income
(1,642
)
 
(1,880
)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
2,474

 
2,922

Depreciation and amortization
45

 
271

(Gains) losses on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net(1)
586

 
(330
)
Change in:
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
(353
)
 
(966
)
Future policy benefits and other insurance liabilities
9,513

 
6,465

Income taxes
(127
)
 
1,348

Derivatives, net
(2,587
)
 
(2,076
)
Other, net(1)
381

 
(134
)
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities(1)
10,268

 
8,786

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
42,903

 
42,243

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity
76

 
128

Fixed maturities, trading(1)
527

 
1,161

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(1)
20,122

 
29,360

Equity securities(1)
2,913

 
3,298

Commercial mortgage and other loans
4,056

 
3,808

Policy loans
1,730

 
1,830

Other invested assets(1)
1,151

 
945

Short-term investments(1)
25,652

 
21,572

Payments for the purchase/origination of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
(53,071
)
 
(50,140
)
Fixed maturities, trading(1)
(760
)
 
(1,484
)
Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(1)
(19,671
)
 
(29,235
)
Equity securities(1)
(2,543
)
 
(2,440
)
Commercial mortgage and other loans
(7,745
)
 
(6,195
)
Policy loans
(1,487
)
 
(1,392
)
Other invested assets
(1,713
)
 
(1,275
)
Short-term investments(1)
(24,613
)
 
(19,629
)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
0

 
(64
)
Derivatives, net
(182
)
 
(61
)
Other, net(1)
(286
)
 
(652
)
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities(1)
(12,941
)
 
(8,222
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Policyholders’ account deposits
21,319

 
20,399

Policyholders’ account withdrawals
(20,454
)
 
(19,798
)
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and cash collateral for loaned securities
1,078

 
903

Cash dividends paid on Common Stock
(1,147
)
 
(976
)
Net change in financing arrangements (maturities 90 days or less)
189

 
31

Common Stock acquired
(1,112
)
 
(927
)
Common Stock reissued for exercise of stock options
107

 
208

Proceeds from the issuance of debt (maturities longer than 90 days)
2,790

 
1,189

Repayments of debt (maturities longer than 90 days)
(1,705
)
 
(860
)
Other, net
(256
)
 
(472
)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities
809

 
(303
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash balances
(68
)
 
145

NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS RESTRICTED CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH EQUIVALENT(1)
(1,932
)
 
406

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS RESTRICTED CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH EQUIVALENT, BEGINNING OF YEAR(1)
14,536

 
14,181

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS RESTRICTED CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH EQUIVALENT, END OF PERIOD(1)
$
12,604

 
$
14,587

NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS DURING THE PERIOD
 
 
 
Treasury Stock shares issued for stock-based compensation programs
$
134

 
$
102

Significant Pension Risk Transfer transactions:
 
 
 
Assets received, excluding cash and cash equivalents
$
332

 
$
2,124

Liabilities assumed
3,063

 
3,066

                   Net cash received
$
2,731

 
$
942

Acquisition:
 
 
 
Assets acquired, excluding cash and cash equivalents
$
0

 
$
196

Liabilities assumed
0

 
132

                   Net cash paid on acquisition
$
0

 
$
64

RECONCILIATION TO STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
12,466

 
$
14,541

Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (included in “Other assets”)
138

 
46

Total cash, cash equivalents restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
$
12,604

 
$
14,587

__________
(1)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See Note 2 for details.

See Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

5

Table of Contents

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1. BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential Financial”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Prudential” or the “Company”) provide a wide range of insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to both individual and institutional customers throughout the United States and in many other countries. Principal products and services provided include life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management.

The Company’s principal operations are comprised of five divisions, which together encompass seven segments, and its Corporate and Other operations. The PGIM division is comprised of the PGIM segment, the global investment management businesses of the Company (retitled from the “Investment Management division” and the “Investment Management segment” effective in the second quarter of 2018). The U.S. Workplace Solutions division consists of the Retirement and Group Insurance segments. The U.S. Individual Solutions division consists of the Individual Annuities and Individual Life segments. The International Insurance division is comprised of the International Insurance segment, and the Closed Block division is comprised of the Closed Block segment. The Closed Block division is accounted for as a divested business that is reported separately from the divested businesses that are included in the Company’s Corporate and Other operations. The Company’s Corporate and Other operations include corporate items and initiatives that are not allocated to business segments and businesses that have been or will be divested, excluding the Closed Block division.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) on a basis consistent with reporting interim financial information in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Prudential Financial, entities over which the Company exercises control, including majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. See Note 4 for more information on the Company’s consolidated variable interest entities.  

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .

Elimination of Gibraltar Life Reporting Lag

Prior to January 1, 2018, the Company’s Gibraltar Life Insurance Company, Ltd. (“Gibraltar Life”) consolidated operations used a November 30 fiscal year end for purposes of inclusion in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The result of this reporting date difference was a one-month reporting lag for Gibraltar Life. As a result, the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet as of September 30 previously included the assets and liabilities of Gibraltar Life as of August 31, and the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated income statement previously included Gibraltar Life’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 31.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company converted its Gibraltar Life operations to a December 31 fiscal year end. This action eliminated the one-month reporting lag so that the reporting dates and periods of financial balances and results of Gibraltar Life are consistent with those of the Company. The establishment of a new fiscal year end for Gibraltar Life is considered a change in accounting principle to a preferable method and requires retrospective application. The Company believes this change in accounting principle is preferable given that it aligns the reporting dates of Prudential Financial and its subsidiaries which allows for more timely and consistent basis of reporting the financial position and results of Gibraltar Life. In order to effect this elimination, the Company restated prior periods’ equity which increased “Retained Earnings” by approximately $167 million as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The impact to the Statements of Operations, Statements of Cash Flows, Statements of Comprehensive Income and other balance sheet captions, as a result of the elimination of the reporting lag, was not material for any of the periods presented.


6

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
The most significant estimates include those used in determining deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and related amortization; value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and its amortization; amortization of deferred sales inducements (“DSI”); measurement of goodwill and any related impairment; valuation of investments including derivatives and the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”); future policy benefits including guarantees; pension and other postretirement benefits; provision for income taxes and valuation of deferred tax assets; and accruals for contingent liabilities, including estimates for losses in connection with unresolved legal and regulatory matters.

Reclassifications
 
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU. ASU listed below include those that have been adopted during the current fiscal year and/or those that have been issued but not yet adopted as of the date of this filing. ASU not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or not material.

Adoption of ASU 2016-01

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities using a modified retrospective method. Adoption of this ASU impacted the Company’s accounting and presentation related to equity investments. The most significant impact is that the changes in fair value of equity securities previously classified as “available for sale” are to be reported in net income within “Other income” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Prior to this, the changes in fair value on equity securities classified as “available for sale” were reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”

The impacts of this ASU on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements can be categorized as follows: (1) Changes to the presentation within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position; (2) Cumulative-effect Adjustment Upon Adoption; and (3) Changes to Accounting Policies. Each of these components is described below. This section is meant to serve as an update to, and should be read in conjunction with, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

(1) Changes to the presentation within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

Because of the fundamental accounting changes as described in section “—(3) Changes to Accounting Policies” below, the Company determined that changes to the presentation of certain balances in the investment section of the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position were also necessary to maintain clarity and logical presentation. The table below illustrates these changes by presenting the balances as previously reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the reclassifications that were made, along with a footnote explanation of each reclassification.


7

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
As previously reported
 
Reclassifications
 
As currently reported
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Line Items
 
 
(1)
 
(2)
 
(3)
 
(4)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
346,780

 
 
 


 
 
 


 
$
346,780

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
2,049

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,049

* Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value
 
0

 
 
 


 
3,507

 


 
3,507

Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value
 
22,097

 
(22,097
)
 


 
 
 


 
0

* Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value
 
0

 
22,097

 


 


 


 
22,097

Other trading account assets, at fair value
 
5,752

 
 
 
 
 
(5,752
)
 
 
 
0

Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
6,174

 
 
 
(6,174
)
 
 
 
 
 
0

* Equity securities, at fair value
 
0

 
 
 
6,174

 
1,155

 


 
7,329

Commercial mortgage and other loans
 
56,045

 


 


 


 


 
56,045

Policy loans
 
11,891

 
 
 


 
 
 


 
11,891

Other long-term investments
 
12,308

 
 
 


 
 
 
(12,308
)
 
0

* Other invested assets
 
0

 


 


 
1,065

 
12,308

 
13,373

Short-term investments
 
6,775

 
 
 
 
 
25

 
 
 
6,800

Total investments
 
$
469,871

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
469,871

* New line item effective January 1, 2018.
Strikethrough Eliminated line item effective January 1, 2018.
________
(1)
Retitled “Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value” to “Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value” as equity securities are included in this line item, and they can no longer be described as trading.
(2)
Retitled “Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value” to “Equity securities, at fair value” as equity securities can no longer be described as available-for-sale.
(3)
Eliminated the line item “Other trading account assets, at fair value” and reclassified each component to another line item.
(4)
Retitled “Other long-term investments” to “Other invested assets.”

(2) Cumulative-effect Adjustment Upon Adoption

The provisions of ASU 2016-01 require that the Company apply the amendments through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The following table illustrates the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as a result of recording this cumulative-effect adjustment on January 1, 2018.

Summary of ASU 2016-01 Transition Impacts on the Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position upon Adoption on January 1, 2018
(in millions)
 
Increase / (Decrease)
Other invested assets
$
229

Total assets
$
229

Policyholders’ dividends
$
157

Income taxes
15

Total liabilities
172

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(847
)
Retained earnings
904

Total equity
57

Total liabilities and equity
$
229



8

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(3) Changes to Accounting Policies

This section summarizes the changes in our accounting policies resulting from the adoption of ASU 2016-01 as well as an update to the components of the financial statement line items impacted by the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position presentation changes described above.

ASSETS

Fixed maturities, trading is a new financial statement line item comprised of fixed maturities that are carried at fair value. Prior to the adoption of the standard, these fixed maturities were reported in “Other trading account assets, at fair value.” These fixed maturities are primarily related to assets associated with consolidated variable interest entities for which the Company is the investment manager and the realized and unrealized gains and losses activity are generally offset by changes in the corresponding liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these investments are reported in “Other income,” and interest and dividend income from these investments is reported in “Net investment income.”

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value is the new title of the financial statement line item formerly titled “Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, at fair value.” This financial statement line item includes invested assets that consist of fixed maturities, equity securities, and short-term investments and cash equivalents, 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 are expected to ultimately accrue to contractholders. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these investments are reported in “Other income,” and interest and dividend income from these investments is reported in “Net investment income.”

Equity securities, at fair value is the new title of the financial statement line item formerly titled “Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value.” As a result of the adoption of the standard, equity securities previously reported in “Other trading account asset, at fair value” were reclassified to “Equity securities, at fair value.” The retitled financial statement line item is comprised of common stock, mutual fund shares and non-redeemable preferred stock, which are carried at fair value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these investments are reported in “Other income,” and dividend income is reported in “Net investment income” on the ex-dividend date. Prior to the adoption of the standard, for the equity securities reported in the financial statement line item formerly titled “Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value,” the associated net realized gains and losses were included in “Realized investment gains (losses), net” and the associated net unrealized gains and losses were included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”). In addition, with the adoption of the standard, the identification of OTTI for these investments is no longer needed as all of these investments are now measured at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings.

Other invested assets is the new title of the financial statement line item formerly titled “Other long-term investments.” Investments previously reported in “Other long-term investments” were reclassified to “Other invested assets.” The retitled financial statement line item consists of the Company’s non-coupon investments in Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies (“LPs/LLCs”) (other than operating joint ventures), wholly-owned investment real estate, derivative assets and other investments. LPs/LLCs interests are accounted for using either the equity method of accounting, or at fair value with changes in fair value reported in “Other income.” Prior to the adoption of the standard, the Company applied the cost method of accounting for certain LPs/LLCs interests when its partnership interest was considered minor. The standard effectively eliminated the cost method of accounting for these equity investments. The Company’s income from investments in LPs/LLCs accounted for using the equity method, other than the Company’s investments in operating joint ventures, is included in “Net investment income.” The carrying value of these investments is written down, or impaired, to fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary. In applying the equity method (including assessment for OTTI), the Company uses financial information provided by the investee, generally on a one to three-month lag. For the investments reported at fair value with changes in fair value reported in current earnings, the associated realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported in “Other income.” The Company consolidates LPs/LLCs in certain other instances where it is deemed to exercise control, or is considered the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. See Note 4 for additional information about VIEs.

REVENUES AND BENEFITS AND EXPENSES

Other income includes realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments reported as “Fixed maturities, trading,” “Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value,” “Equity securities, at fair value,” and “Other invested assets” that are measured at fair value.


9

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Adoption of ASU 2014-09

This section is meant to serve as an update to, and should be read in conjunction with, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), using a modified retrospective method. The core principle of this ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This core principle is assessed via application of a five-step revenue recognition model that is detailed within the ASU.

There was no material impact to the financial statements at the date of adoption of this ASU. The prospective impact primarily affects revenue recognition policies pertaining to the Company’s investment management business. This revenue is classified within the “Asset management and service fees” line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Adoption of this standard has no impact on revenues related to financial instruments and insurance contracts (some of which may be reflected within “Asset management and service fees”) given that these types of revenues were specifically scoped out of this ASU.

“Asset management and service fees” principally includes asset-based asset management fees (which continue to be recognized in the period in which the services are performed) and performance-based incentive fees. Under the previously existing guidance, the Company recorded performance-based incentive fee revenue when the contractual terms of the asset management fee arrangement were satisfied such that the performance fee was no longer subject to clawback or contingency. Under the new guidance, the Company will record this revenue when the contractual terms of the asset management fee arrangement have been satisfied and it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the fee will not occur. Under this principle the Company will continue to record a deferred performance-based incentive fee liability to the extent it receives cash related to the performance-based incentive fee prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria delineated above.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, asset management and service fee revenues included $876 million and $2,593 million of asset-based management fees, $10 million and $21 million of performance-based incentive fees, and $151 million and $459 million of other fees. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, asset management and service fee revenues included $848 million and $2,460 million of asset-based management fees, $7 million and $19 million of performance-based incentive fees, and $150 million and $450 million of other fees. These fees predominantly relate to investment management activities but also include certain asset-based fees associated with insurance contracts. In accordance with the provisions of the ASU, the comparative information for the prior period was not restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for that period.


10

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Other ASU adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018

Standard
 
Description
 
Effective date and method of adoption
 
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASU 2016-15 ,
Statement of Cash
Flows (Topic 230):
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash
Payments (a
Consensus of the
Emerging Issues
Task Force)
 
This ASU addresses diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The standard provides clarity on the treatment of eight specifically defined types of cash inflows and outflows.

 
January 1, 2018 using the retrospective method (with early adoption permitted provided that all amendments are adopted in the same period).

 
Adoption of the ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


ASU 2016-18 , Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash

 
In November 2016, the FASB issued this ASU to address diversity in practice from entities classifying and presenting transfers between cash and restricted cash as operating, investing, or financing activities, or as a combination of those activities in the Statement of Cash Flows. The ASU requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the Statement of Cash Flows. As a result, transfers between such categories will no longer be presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.
 
January 1, 2018 using the retrospective method (with early adoption permitted).

 
Adoption of the ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 
In February 2018, this ASU was issued following the enactment of the Tax Act of 2017. This ASU allows an entity to elect a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded effects resulting from the Tax Act of 2017.

 
January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The ASU should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act of 2017 is recognized.


 
The Company early adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2018 and elected to apply the ASU in the period of adoption subsequent to recording the adoption impacts of ASU 2016-01 as described above. As a result, the Company reclassified stranded effects resulting from the Tax Act of 2017 by increasing accumulated other comprehensive income and decreasing retained earnings, each by $1,653 million. Stranded effects unrelated to the Tax Act of 2017 are generally released from accumulated other comprehensive income when an entire portfolio of the type of item related to the stranded effect is liquidated, sold or extinguished (i.e., portfolio approach).

ASU issued but not yet adopted as of September 30, 2018 ASU 2018-12

ASU 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts, was issued by the FASB on August 15, 2018 and is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The ASU is effective January 1, 2021 (with early adoption permitted), and will impact, at least to some extent, the accounting and disclosure requirements for all long-duration insurance and investment contracts issued by the Company. Outlined below are four key areas of change, although there are other less significant changes not noted below. In addition to the impacts to the balance sheet upon adoption, the Company also expects an impact to how earnings emerge thereafter.

11

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


ASU 2018-12 Amended Topic
 
Description
 
Method of adoption
 
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional and limited-pay insurance products

 
Requires an entity to review, and if necessary, update the cash flow assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits, for both changes in future assumptions and actual experience, at least annually using a retrospective update method with a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded in a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
An entity may choose one of two adoption methods for the liability for future policy benefits: (1) a modified retrospective transition method whereby the entity will apply the amendments to contracts in force as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the basis of their existing carrying amounts, adjusted for the removal of any related amounts in AOCI or (2) a full retrospective transition method.

 
The options for method of adoption and the impacts of such methods are under assessment.

Discount rate assumption used to measure the liability for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional and limited-pay insurance products

 
Requires discount rate assumptions to be based on an upper-medium grade fixed income instrument yield and will be required to be updated each quarter with the impact recorded through Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”).

 
As noted above, an entity may choose either a modified retrospective transition method or full retrospective transition method for the liability for future policy benefits. Under either method, for balance sheet remeasurement purposes, the liability for future policy benefits will be remeasured using current discount rates as of the beginning of the earliest period presented with the impact recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to AOCI.

 
Upon adoption, under either transition method, there will be an adjustment to AOCI as a result of remeasuring in force contract liabilities using current upper-medium grade fixed income instrument yields. The adjustment upon adoption will largely reflect the difference between the discount rate locked-in at contract inception versus current discount rates at transition. The magnitude of such adjustment is currently being assessed.

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs (DAC) and other balances

 
Requires DAC and other balances, such as unearned revenue reserves and deferred sales inducements, to be amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the related contract, independent of expected profitability.

 
An entity may apply one of two adoption methods: (1) a modified retrospective transition method whereby the entity will apply the amendments to contracts in force as of the beginning of the earliest period presented on the basis of their existing carrying amounts, adjusted for the removal of any related amounts in AOCI or (2) if an entity chooses a full retrospective transition method for its future policy benefits, as described above, it is required to also use a retrospective transition method for DAC and other balances.
 
The options for method of adoption and the impacts of such methods are under assessment. Under the modified retrospective transition method, the Company would not expect a significant impact to the balance sheet, other than the impact of the removal of any related amounts in AOCI.

Market Risk Benefits

 
Requires an entity to measure all market risk benefits (e.g., living benefit and death benefit guarantees associated with variable annuities) at fair value with changes in value attributable to changes in an entity’s non-performance risk (“NPR”) recognized in OCI.

 
An entity will apply a retrospective transition method which will include a cumulative-effect adjustment on the balance sheet as of the earliest period presented.

 
Upon adoption, the Company expects an impact to retained earnings for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of benefits not currently measured at fair value (e.g., guaranteed minimum death benefits on variable annuities) and an impact from reclassifying the cumulative effect of changes in NPR from retained earnings to AOCI. The magnitude of such adjustments is currently being assessed.

12

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Other ASU issued but not yet adopted as of September 30, 2018

Standard
 
Description
 
Effective date and method of adoption
 
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASU 2016-02 ,
Leases (Topic 842)

 
This ASU ensures that assets and liabilities from all outstanding lease contracts are recognized on the balance sheet (with limited exception). The ASU substantially changes a Lessee’s accounting for leases and requires the recording on balance sheet of a “right-of-use” asset and liability to make lease payments for most leases. A Lessee will continue to recognize expense in its income statement in a manner similar to the requirements under the current lease accounting standard. For Lessors, the standard modifies classification criteria and accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases and requires a Lessor to derecognize the carrying value of the leased asset that is considered to have been transferred to a Lessee and record a lease receivable and residual asset (“receivable and residual” approach). The standard also eliminates the real estate specific provisions of the current standard (i.e., sale-leaseback).
 
January 1, 2019 using either the modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the earliest period presented or the optional transition method with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted.


 
The Company is currently assessing the impact of the ASU on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Upon adoption, we expect to apply the optional transition method and record a right-of-use asset and liability on our balance sheet related to existing operating leases. We currently estimate that the amount of the asset and liability recorded upon adoption will be less than $750 million. Any new lease arrangements and/or significant modifications entered into subsequent to the adoption date will be accounted for in accordance with the new standard.
ASU 2016-13 ,
Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic326):
Measurement of
Credit Losses on
Financial
Instruments

 
This ASU provides a new current expected credit loss model to account for credit losses on certain financial assets and off-balance sheet exposures (e.g., loans held for investment, debt securities held to maturity, reinsurance receivables, net investments in leases and loan commitments). The model requires an entity to estimate lifetime credit losses related to such financial assets and exposures based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The standard also modifies the current OTTI standard for available-for-sale debt securities to require the use of an allowance rather than a direct write down of the investment, and replaces the existing standard for purchased credit deteriorated loans and debt securities.
 
January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method which will include a cumulative-effect adjustment on the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. However, prospective application is required for purchased credit deteriorated assets previously accounted for under ASU 310-30 and for debt securities for which an OTTI was recognized prior to the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted beginning January 1, 2019.
 
The Company is currently assessing the impact of the ASU on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

 
This ASU simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test in current U.S. GAAP, which measures a goodwill impairment by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of the goodwill. Under the ASU, a goodwill impairment should be recorded for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value (capped by the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit).
 
January 1, 2020 using the prospective method (with early adoption permitted).

 
The Company does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


13

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


Standard
 
Description
 
Effective date and method of adoption
 
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASU 2017-08 , Receivables -Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
 
This ASU requires certain premiums on callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date.

 
January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method (with early adoption permitted) which will include a cumulative-effect adjustment on the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.
 
The Company does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU 2017-12 , Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

 
This ASU makes targeted changes to the existing hedge accounting model to better portray the economics of an entity’s risk management activities and to simplify the use of hedge accounting.

 
January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method (with early adoption permitted) which will include a cumulative-effect adjustment on the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.
 
The Company does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


3. INVESTMENTS
 
Fixed Maturity Securities
 
The following tables set forth information relating to fixed maturity securities (excluding investments classified as trading), as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
OTTI
in AOCI(4)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
24,078

 
$
2,455

 
$
1,030

 
$
25,503

 
$
0

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
9,784

 
631

 
92

 
10,323

 
0

Foreign government bonds
93,835

 
14,012

 
678

 
107,169

 
0

U.S. corporate public securities
80,894

 
4,444

 
2,054

 
83,284

 
(4
)
U.S. corporate private securities(1)
31,847

 
1,201

 
615

 
32,433

 
(10
)
Foreign corporate public securities
27,357

 
2,188

 
339

 
29,206

 
(3
)
Foreign corporate private securities
24,479

 
595

 
855

 
24,219

 
0

Asset-backed securities(2)
12,850

 
199

 
27

 
13,022

 
(166
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
13,065

 
41

 
323

 
12,783

 
0

Residential mortgage-backed securities(3)
2,979

 
108

 
59

 
3,028

 
(1
)
       Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale(1)
$
321,168

 
$
25,874

 
$
6,072

 
$
340,970

 
$
(184
)
 

14

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
September 30, 2018
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign government bonds
$
856

 
$
242

 
$
0

 
$
1,098

Foreign corporate public securities
647

 
62

 
0

 
709

Foreign corporate private securities(5)
83

 
2

 
0

 
85

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Residential mortgage-backed securities(3)
371

 
24

 
0

 
395

       Total fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(5)
$
1,957

 
$
330

 
$
0

 
$
2,287

__________
(1)
Excludes notes with amortized cost of $3,666 million (fair value, $3,666 million ), which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
(2)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by loan obligations, sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.
(3)
Includes publicly-traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(4)
Represents the amount of unrealized losses remaining in AOCI, from the impairment measurement date. Amount excludes $388 million of net unrealized gains on impaired available-for-sale securities and $1 million of net unrealized gains on impaired held-to-maturity securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
(5)
Excludes notes with amortized cost of $4,753 million (fair value, $4,753 million ), which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
OTTI
in AOCI(4)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
22,837

 
$
3,647

 
$
346

 
$
26,138

 
$
0

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
9,366

 
1,111

 
6

 
10,471

 
0

Foreign government bonds
88,062

 
15,650

 
293

 
103,419

 
0

U.S. corporate public securities
81,967

 
8,671

 
414

 
90,224

 
(10
)
U.S. corporate private securities(1)
31,852

 
2,051

 
169

 
33,734

 
(13
)
Foreign corporate public securities
26,389

 
3,118

 
99

 
29,408

 
(5
)
Foreign corporate private securities
23,322

 
1,242

 
337

 
24,227

 
0

Asset-backed securities(2)
11,965

 
278

 
10

 
12,233

 
(237
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
13,134

 
238

 
91

 
13,281

 
0

Residential mortgage-backed securities(3)
3,491

 
165

 
11

 
3,645

 
(2
)
       Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale(1)
$
312,385

 
$
36,171

 
$
1,776

 
$
346,780

 
$
(267
)
 

15

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign government bonds
$
865

 
$
265

 
$
0

 
$
1,130

Foreign corporate public securities
654

 
82

 
0

 
736

Foreign corporate private securities(5)
84

 
2

 
0

 
86

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Residential mortgage-backed securities(3)
446

 
32

 
0

 
478

       Total fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(5)
$
2,049

 
$
381

 
$
0

 
$
2,430

__________
(1)
Excludes notes with amortized cost of $2,660 million (fair value, $2,660 million ), which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
(2)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by loan obligations, sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.
(3)
Includes publicly-traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(4)
Represents the amount of unrealized losses remaining in AOCI, from the impairment measurement date. Amount excludes $553 million of net unrealized gains on impaired available-for-sale securities and $2 million of net unrealized gains on impaired held-to-maturity securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
(5)
Excludes notes with amortized cost of $4,627 million (fair value, $4,913 million ), which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
 
The following tables set forth the fair value and gross unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual fixed maturity securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Less Than
Twelve Months
 
Twelve Months
or More
 
Total
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities(1):
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
 
$
8,407

 
$
294

 
$
5,907

 
$
736

 
$
14,314

 
$
1,030

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
 
3,221

 
72

 
262

 
20

 
3,483

 
92

Foreign government bonds
 
15,895

 
416

 
2,685

 
262

 
18,580

 
678

U.S. corporate public securities
 
35,457

 
1,395

 
7,371

 
659

 
42,828

 
2,054

U.S. corporate private securities
 
13,490

 
361

 
3,876

 
254

 
17,366

 
615

Foreign corporate public securities
 
7,068

 
218

 
1,543

 
121

 
8,611

 
339

Foreign corporate private securities
 
10,466

 
425

 
3,502

 
430

 
13,968

 
855

Asset-backed securities
 
6,416

 
23

 
314

 
4

 
6,730

 
27

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
6,626

 
150

 
2,711

 
173

 
9,337

 
323

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
886

 
24

 
622

 
35

 
1,508

 
59

Total
 
$
107,932

 
$
3,378

 
$
28,793

 
$
2,694

 
$
136,725

 
$
6,072

__________ 
(1)
Includes $12 million of fair value and less than $1 million of gross unrealized losses, which are not reflected in AOCI, on securities classified as held-to-maturity, as of September 30, 2018 .
 

16

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Less Than
Twelve Months
 
Twelve Months
or More
 
Total
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities(1):
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
 
$
3,450

 
$
28

 
$
6,391

 
$
318

 
$
9,841

 
$
346

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
 
44

 
0

 
287

 
6

 
331

 
6

Foreign government bonds
 
4,417

 
55

 
2,937

 
238

 
7,354

 
293

U.S. corporate public securities
 
7,914

 
110

 
6,831

 
304

 
14,745

 
414

U.S. corporate private securities
 
4,596

 
76

 
2,009

 
93

 
6,605

 
169

Foreign corporate public securities
 
2,260

 
21

 
1,678

 
78

 
3,938

 
99

Foreign corporate private securities
 
1,213

 
20

 
5,339

 
317

 
6,552

 
337

Asset-backed securities
 
564

 
2

 
366

 
8

 
930

 
10

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
2,593

 
17

 
2,212

 
74

 
4,805

 
91

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
584

 
4

 
286

 
7

 
870

 
11

Total
 
$
27,635

 
$
333

 
$
28,336

 
$
1,443

 
$
55,971

 
$
1,776

__________ 
(1)
Includes $12 million of fair value and less than $1 million of gross unrealized losses, which are not reflected in AOCI, on securities classified as held-to-maturity, as of December 31, 2017 .

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities were composed of $5,662 million and $1,470 million , respectively, related to “1” highest quality or “2” high quality securities based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) or equivalent rating and $410 million and $306 million , respectively, related to other than high or highest quality securities based on NAIC or equivalent rating. As of September 30, 2018 , the $2,694 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities of twelve months or more were concentrated in U.S. and foreign government bonds and in the Company’s corporate securities within the utility, consumer non-cyclical and energy sectors. As of December 31, 2017 , the $1,443 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities of twelve months or more were concentrated in U.S. government bonds, foreign government bonds and in the Company’s corporate securities within the energy, utility and consumer non-cyclical sectors. In accordance with its policy described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company concluded that an adjustment to earnings for OTTI for these fixed maturity securities was not warranted at either September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 . These conclusions were based on a detailed analysis of the underlying credit and cash flows on each security. Gross unrealized losses are primarily attributable to general credit spread widening, increases in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rate movements. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company did not intend to sell these securities, and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell these securities before the anticipated recovery of the remaining amortized cost basis.

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities by contractual maturities, as of the date indicated:

17

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
 
September 30, 2018
 
Available-for-Sale
 
Held-to-Maturity
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
$
10,146

 
$
10,588

 
$
25

 
$
25

Due after one year through five years
51,010

 
53,830

 
149

 
153

Due after five years through ten years
63,461

 
66,596

 
560

 
620

Due after ten years(1)
167,657

 
181,123

 
852

 
1,094

Asset-backed securities
12,850

 
13,022

 
0

 
0

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
13,065

 
12,783

 
0

 
0

Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,979

 
3,028

 
371

 
395

Total
$
321,168

 
$
340,970

 
$
1,957

 
$
2,287

__________ 
(1)
Excludes available-for-sale notes with amortized cost of $3,666 million (fair value, $3,666 million ) and held-to-maturity notes with amortized cost of $4,753 million (fair value, $4,753 million ), which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Asset-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and residential mortgage-backed securities are shown separately in the table above, as they do not have a single maturity date.
 
The following table sets forth the sources of fixed maturity proceeds and related investment gains (losses), as well as losses on impairments of fixed maturities, for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales(1)
$
7,135

 
$
7,973

 
$
26,209

 
$
23,860

Proceeds from maturities/prepayments
4,941

 
5,068

 
16,720

 
18,488

Gross investment gains from sales and maturities
254

 
359

 
1,038

 
1,160

Gross investment losses from sales and maturities
(146
)
 
(109
)
 
(590
)
 
(407
)
OTTI recognized in earnings(2)
(32
)
 
(22
)
 
(129
)
 
(122
)
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities/prepayments(3)
$
17

 
$
39

 
$
76

 
$
128

__________ 
(1)
Includes $26 million and $105 million of non-cash related proceeds due to the timing of trade settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
(2)
Excludes the portion of OTTI amounts remaining in “Other comprehensive income (loss)” (“OCI”), representing any difference between the fair value of the impaired debt security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows at the time of impairment.
(3)
Includes less than $1 million and $(1) million of non-cash related proceeds due to the timing of trade settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

The following table sets forth a rollforward of pre-tax amounts remaining in OCI related to fixed maturity securities with credit loss impairments recognized in earnings, for the periods indicated:  

18

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
(in millions)
Credit loss impairments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
163

 
$
319

 
$
341

 
$
359

New credit loss impairments
1

 
1

 
3

 
10

Additional credit loss impairments on securities previously impaired
0

 
0

 
0

 
1

Increases due to the passage of time on previously recorded credit losses
2

 
8

 
4

 
11

Reductions for securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
(5
)
 
(160
)
 
(33
)
 
(49
)
Reductions for securities impaired to fair value during the period(1)
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
0

 
(14
)
Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected
0

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
       Balance, end of period
$
160

 
$
160

 
$
314

 
$
314

__________ 
(1)
Represents circumstances where the Company determined in the current period that it intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost.

Assets Supporting Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities
 
The following table sets forth the composition of “Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities,” as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
Cost or Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost or Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Short-term investments and cash equivalents
 
$
194

 
$
194

 
$
245

 
$
245

Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate securities
 
13,021

 
12,892

 
13,816

 
14,073

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
2,319

 
2,274

 
2,294

 
2,311

Residential mortgage-backed securities(1)
 
854

 
826

 
961

 
966

Asset-backed securities(2)
 
1,315

 
1,336

 
1,363

 
1,392

Foreign government bonds
 
1,030

 
1,018

 
1,050

 
1,057

U.S. government authorities and agencies and obligations of U.S. states
 
824

 
858

 
357

 
410

Total fixed maturities
 
19,363

 
19,204

 
19,841

 
20,209

Equity securities
 
1,355

 
1,685

 
1,278

 
1,643

Total assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
 
$
20,912

 
$
21,083

 
$
21,364

 
$
22,097

__________ 
(1)
Includes publicly-traded agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(2)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.

The net change in unrealized gains (losses) from assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities still held at period end, recorded within “Other income,” was $34 million and $66 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $(562) million and $295 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.


19

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Equity Securities
 
The net change in unrealized gains (losses) from equity securities still held at period end, recorded within “Other income,” was $92 million and $16 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The net change in unrealized gains (losses) from equity securities still held at period end, recorded within “Other income,” was $(266) million and $74 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
Concentrations of Financial Instruments
 
The Company monitors its concentrations of financial instruments and mitigates credit risk by maintaining a diversified investment portfolio which limits exposure to any one issuer.
 
As of the dates indicated, the Company’s exposure to concentrations of credit risk of single issuers greater than 10% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity included securities of the U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies and securities guaranteed by the U.S. government, as well as the securities disclosed below:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Investments in Japanese government and government agency securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
 
$
69,098

 
$
79,207

 
$
64,628

 
$
76,311

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity
 
834

 
1,071

 
844

 
1,103

Fixed maturities, trading
 
22

 
21

 
23

 
23

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
 
634

 
635

 
657

 
667

Total
 
$
70,588

 
$
80,934

 
$
66,152

 
$
78,104

 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Investments in South Korean government and government agency securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
 
$
10,053

 
$
11,726

 
$
9,425

 
$
10,989

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Fixed maturities, trading
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
 
15

 
15

 
15

 
15

Total
 
$
10,068

 
$
11,741

 
$
9,440

 
$
11,004

 

20

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans
 
The following table sets forth the composition of “Commercial mortgage and other loans,” as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amount
(in millions)
 
% of
Total
 
Amount
(in millions)
 
% of
Total
Commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans by property type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
 
$
13,309

 
22.7
%
 
$
12,670

 
22.9
%
Retail
 
8,851

 
15.1

 
8,543

 
15.5

Apartments/Multi-Family
 
16,370

 
27.9

 
15,465

 
28.0

Industrial
 
11,151

 
19.0

 
9,451

 
17.1

Hospitality
 
1,948

 
3.3

 
2,067

 
3.7

Other
 
3,729

 
6.4

 
3,888

 
7.0

Total commercial mortgage loans
 
55,358

 
94.4

 
52,084

 
94.2

Agricultural property loans
 
3,289

 
5.6

 
3,203

 
5.8

Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans by property type
 
58,647

 
100.0
%
 
55,287

 
100.0
%
Valuation allowance
 
(117
)
 
 
 
(100
)
 
 
Total net commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans by property type
 
58,530

 
 
 
55,187

 
 
Other loans:
 
 
 

 
 
 

Uncollateralized loans
 
647

 

 
663

 

Residential property loans
 
161

 

 
196

 

Other collateralized loans
 
3

 

 
5

 

Total other loans
 
811

 

 
864

 

Valuation allowance
 
(5
)
 

 
(6
)
 

Total net other loans
 
806

 

 
858

 

Total commercial mortgage and other loans(1)
 
$
59,336

 

 
$
56,045

 

__________ 
(1)
Includes loans held for sale which are carried at fair value and are collateralized primarily by apartment complexes. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the net carrying value of these loans was $401 million and $593 million , respectively.

As of September 30, 2018 , the commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans were secured by properties geographically dispersed throughout the United States (with the largest concentrations in California (27%) , Texas (10%) and New York (8%) and included loans secured by properties in Europe (6%) , Australia (1%) and Asia (1%) ).


21

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

The following tables set forth the activity in the allowance for credit losses for commercial mortgage and other loans, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Commercial
Mortgage
Loans
 
Agricultural
Property
Loans
 
Residential
Property
Loans
 
Other
Collateralized
Loans
 
Uncollateralized
Loans
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
97

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
0

 
$
5

 
$
106

Addition to (release of) allowance for losses
 
17

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(1
)
 
16

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Change in foreign exchange
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

       Total ending balance
 
$
114

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
0

 
$
4

 
$
122

 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Commercial
Mortgage
Loans
 
Agricultural
Property
Loans
 
Residential
Property
Loans
 
Other
Collateralized
Loans
 
Uncollateralized
Loans
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
96

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
0

 
$
6


$
106

Addition to (release of) allowance for losses
 
2

 
1

 
(1
)
 
0

 
(1
)
 
1

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
 
(1
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(1
)
Change in foreign exchange
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

       Total ending balance
 
$
97

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
0

 
$
5

 
$
106

 
The following tables set forth the allowance for credit losses and the recorded investment in commercial mortgage and other loans, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Commercial
Mortgage
Loans
 
Agricultural
Property
Loans
 
Residential
Property
Loans
 
Other
Collateralized
Loans
 
Uncollateralized
Loans
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
17

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
17

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
97

 
3

 
1

 
0

 
4

 
105

       Total ending balance(1)
 
$
114

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
0

 
$
4

 
$
122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
67

 
$
59

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
2

 
$
128

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
55,291

 
3,230

 
161

 
3

 
645

 
59,330

       Total ending balance(1)
 
$
55,358

 
$
3,289

 
$
161

 
$
3

 
$
647

 
$
59,458

__________ 
(1)
As of September 30, 2018 , there were no loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.
(2)
Recorded investment reflects the carrying value gross of related allowance.
 

22

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Commercial
Mortgage
Loans
 
Agricultural
Property
Loans
 
Residential
Property
Loans
 
Other
Collateralized
Loans
 
Uncollateralized
Loans
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
7

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
7

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
90

 
3

 
1

 
0

 
5

 
99

       Total ending balance(1)
 
$
97

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
0

 
$
5

 
$
106

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
75

 
$
39

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
2

 
$
116

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
52,009

 
3,164

 
196

 
5

 
661

 
56,035

       Total ending balance(1)
 
$
52,084

 
$
3,203

 
$
196

 
$
5

 
$
663

 
$
56,151

__________
(1)
As of December 31, 2017 , there were no loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.
(2)
Recorded investment reflects the carrying value gross of related allowance.

The following tables set forth certain key credit quality indicators based upon the recorded investment gross of allowance for credit losses, as of the date indicated:
 
Commercial mortgage loans  
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
> 1.2X
 
1.0X to <1.2X
 
< 1.0X
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%-59.99%
 
$
29,364

 
$
493

 
$
286

 
$
30,143

60%-69.99%
 
17,259

 
498

 
4

 
17,761

70%-79.99%
 
6,084

 
868

 
41

 
6,993

80% or greater
 
288

 
148

 
25

 
461

       Total commercial mortgage loans
 
$
52,995

 
$
2,007

 
$
356

 
$
55,358

 
Agricultural property loans  
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
> 1.2X
 
1.0X to <1.2X
 
< 1.0X
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%-59.99%
 
$
3,090

 
$
135

 
$
0

 
$
3,225

60%-69.99%
 
64

 
0

 
0

 
64

70%-79.99%
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

80% or greater
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

       Total agricultural property loans
 
$
3,154

 
$
135

 
$
0

 
$
3,289

 

23

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans

 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
> 1.2X
 
1.0X to <1.2X
 
< 1.0X
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%-59.99%
 
$
32,454

 
$
628

 
$
286

 
$
33,368

60%-69.99%
 
17,323

 
498

 
4

 
17,825

70%-79.99%
 
6,084

 
868

 
41

 
6,993

80% or greater
 
288

 
148

 
25

 
461

       Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
56,149

 
$
2,142

 
$
356

 
$
58,647

 
The following tables set forth certain key credit quality indicators based upon the recorded investment gross of allowance for credit losses, as of the date indicated:

Commercial mortgage loans  
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
> 1.2X
 
1.0X to <1.2X
 
< 1.0X
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%-59.99%
 
$
30,082

 
$
639

 
$
251

 
$
30,972

60%-69.99%
 
13,658

 
530

 
121

 
14,309

70%-79.99%
 
5,994

 
514

 
29

 
6,537

80% or greater
 
93

 
54

 
119

 
266

       Total commercial mortgage loans
 
$
49,827

 
$
1,737

 
$
520

 
$
52,084

 
Agricultural property loans
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
> 1.2X
 
1.0X to <1.2X
 
< 1.0X
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%-59.99%
 
$
2,988

 
$
170

 
$
5

 
$
3,163

60%-69.99%
 
40

 
0

 
0

 
40

70%-79.99%
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

80% or greater
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

       Total agricultural property loans
 
$
3,028

 
$
170

 
$
5

 
$
3,203

 
Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
> 1.2X
 
1.0X to <1.2X
 
< 1.0X
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%-59.99%
 
$
33,070

 
$
809

 
$
256

 
$
34,135

60%-69.99%
 
13,698

 
530

 
121

 
14,349

70%-79.99%
 
5,994

 
514

 
29

 
6,537

80% or greater
 
93

 
54

 
119

 
266

       Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
52,855

 
$
1,907

 
$
525

 
$
55,287


24

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
The following tables set forth an aging of past due commercial mortgage and other loans based upon the recorded investment gross of allowance for credit losses, as well as the amount of commercial mortgage and other loans on non-accrual status, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Current
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More Past Due(1)
 
Total Past
Due
 
Total
Loans
 
Non-Accrual
Status(2)
 
 
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
 
$
55,358

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
55,358

 
$
67

Agricultural property loans
 
3,269

 
0

 
5

 
15

 
20

 
3,289

 
22

Residential property loans
 
158

 
1

 
0

 
2

 
3

 
161

 
2

Other collateralized loans
 
3

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
3

 
0

Uncollateralized loans
 
647

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
647

 
0

Total
 
$
59,435

 
$
1

 
$
5

 
$
17

 
$
23

 
$
59,458

 
$
91

  __________
(1)
As of September 30, 2018 , there were no loans in this category accruing interest.
(2)
For additional information regarding the Company’s policies for accruing interest on loans, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Current
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More Past Due(1)
 
Total Past
Due
 
Total
Loans
 
Non-Accrual
Status(2)
 
 
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
 
$
52,084

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
52,084

 
$
71

Agricultural property loans
 
3,201

 
0

 
0

 
2

 
2

 
3,203

 
23

Residential property loans
 
191

 
3

 
0

 
2

 
5

 
196

 
2

Other collateralized loans
 
5

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
5

 
0

Uncollateralized loans
 
663

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
663

 
0

Total
 
$
56,144

 
$
3

 
$
0

 
$
4

 
$
7

 
$
56,151

 
$
96

__________
(1)
As of December 31, 2017 , there were no loans in this category accruing interest.
(2)
For additional information regarding the Company’s policies for accruing interest on loans, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 



25

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


Other Invested Assets
 
The following table sets forth the composition of “Other invested assets,” as of the dates indicated:

 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
(in millions)
LPs/LLCs:
 
 
 
 
Equity method:
 
 
 
 
Private equity
 
$
2,999

 
$
2,954

Hedge funds
 
1,199

 
803

Real estate-related
 
1,179

 
972

Subtotal equity method
 
5,377

 
4,729

Fair value:
 
 
 
 
Private equity
 
1,693

 
1,325

Hedge funds
 
2,306

 
2,419

Real estate-related
 
286
 
247
Subtotal fair value(1)
 
4,285

 
3,991

Total LPs/LLCs
 
9,662

 
8,720

Real estate held through direct ownership(2)
 
2,265

 
2,409

Derivative instruments
 
813

 
1,214
Other(3)
 
1,050

 
1,030

Total other invested assets(4)
 
$
13,790

 
$
13,373

_________ 
(1)
As of December 31, 2017 , $ 1,572 million was accounted for using the cost method.
(2)
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , real estate held through direct ownership had mortgage debt of $759 million and $799 million , respectively.
(3)
Primarily includes strategic investments made by investment management operations, leveraged leases and member and activity stock held in the Federal Home Loan Banks of New York and Boston. For additional information regarding the Company’s holdings in the Federal Home Loan Banks of New York and Boston, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
(4)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. For additional information, see Note 2.


26

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


Net Investment Income
 
The following table sets forth “Net investment income” by investment type, for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale(1)
$
2,981

 
$
2,873

 
$
8,936

 
$
8,524

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(1)
57

 
55

 
169

 
163

Fixed maturities, trading
44

 
38

 
105

 
125

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value
181

 
186

 
553

 
558

Equity securities, at fair value
29

 
104

 
123

 
308

Commercial mortgage and other loans
586

 
571

 
1,749

 
1,691

Policy loans
154

 
153

 
462

 
460

Other invested assets
152

 
245

 
456

 
825

Short-term investments and cash equivalents
91

 
51

 
245

 
141

Gross investment income
4,275

 
4,276

 
12,798

 
12,795

Less: investment expenses
(229
)
 
(200
)
 
(658
)
 
(569
)
Net investment income(2)
$
4,046

 
$
4,076

 
$
12,140

 
$
12,226

__________ 
(1)
Includes income on credit-linked notes which are reported on the same financial statement line item as related surplus notes, as conditions are met for right to offset.
(2)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net
 
The following table sets forth “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” by investment type, for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities(1)
$
76

 
$
228

 
$
319

 
$
631

Equity securities(2)
0

 
316

 
0

 
736

Commercial mortgage and other loans
16

 
21

 
33

 
49

Investment real estate
(1
)
 
0

 
61

 
12

LPs/LLCs
0

 
(1
)
 
16

 
(22
)
Derivatives(3)
62

 
1,044

 
835

 
(463
)
Other
(2
)
 
0

 
(3
)
 
0

Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
151

 
$
1,608

 
$
1,261

 
$
943

__________ 
(1)
Includes fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity and excludes fixed maturity securities classified as trading.
(2)
Effective January 1, 2018, realized gains (losses) on equity securities are recorded within “Other income.”
(3)
Includes the hedged items offset in qualifying fair value hedge accounting relationships.
 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments within AOCI

The following table sets forth net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, as of the dates indicated:

27

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale—with OTTI
$
204

 
$
286

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale—all other
19,598

 
34,109

Equity securities, available-for-sale(1)
0

 
2,027

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges(2)
139

 
(39
)
Other investments(3)
4

 
15

       Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
$
19,945

 
$
36,398

__________ 
(1)
Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities are recorded within “Other income.”
(2)
For more information on cash flow hedges, see Note 5.
(3)
As of September 30, 2018 , there were no net unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities that were previously transferred from available-for-sale. Includes net unrealized gains on certain joint ventures that are strategic in nature and are included in “Other assets.”


Repurchase Agreements and Securities Lending

In the normal course of business, the Company sells securities under agreements to repurchase and enters into securities lending transactions. The following table sets forth the composition of “Securities sold under agreements to repurchase,” as of the dates indicated:

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Remaining Contractual Maturities of the Agreements
 
 
 
Remaining Contractual Maturities of the Agreements
 
 
 
 Overnight & Continuous
 
Up to 30 Days
 
30 to 90 Days
 
Total
 
 Overnight & Continuous
 
Up to 30 Days
 
30 to 90 Days
 
Total
 
(in millions)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
8,636

 
$
0

 
$
165

 
$
8,801

 
$
911

 
$
7,349

 
$
0

 
$
8,260

U.S. corporate public securities
20

 
0

 
0

 
20

 
1

 
0

 
0

 
1

Foreign corporate public securities
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Residential mortgage-backed securities
355

 
0

 
0

 
355

 
0

 
139

 
0

 
139

Equity securities
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total securities sold under agreements to repurchase
$
9,011

 
$
0

 
$
165

 
$
9,176

 
$
912

 
$
7,488

 
$
0

 
$
8,400




28

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

The following table sets forth the composition of “Cash collateral for loaned securities” which represents the liability to return cash collateral received for the following types of securities loaned, as of the dates indicated:

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Remaining Contractual Maturities of the Agreements
 
 
 
Remaining Contractual Maturities of the Agreements
 
 
 
 Overnight & Continuous
 
Up to 30 Days
 
Total
 
 Overnight & Continuous
 
Up to 30 Days
 
Total
 
(in millions)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
122

 
$
50

 
$
172

 
$
87

 
$
35

 
$
122

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
113

 
0

 
113

 
103

 
0

 
103

Foreign government bonds
511

 
0

 
511

 
335

 
0

 
335

U.S. corporate public securities
2,858

 
0

 
2,858

 
2,961

 
0

 
2,961

Foreign corporate public securities
830

 
0

 
830

 
655

 
0

 
655

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Equity securities
172

 
0

 
172

 
178

 
0

 
178

       Total cash collateral for loaned securities(1)
$
4,606

 
$
50

 
$
4,656

 
$
4,319

 
$
35

 
$
4,354

__________ 
(1)
The Company did not have any agreements with remaining contractual maturities of thirty days or greater, as of the dates indicated.

4. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
 
In the normal course of its activities, the Company enters into relationships with various special-purpose entities and other entities that are deemed to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”). For additional information, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
 
The table below reflects the carrying amount and balance sheet caption in which the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs are reported. The liabilities primarily comprise obligations under debt instruments issued by the VIEs. The creditors of these VIEs do not have recourse to the Company in excess of the assets contained within the VIEs.
 
Consolidated VIEs for which the
Company is the Investment
Manager(1)(2)
 
Other Consolidated VIEs(1)
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
70

 
$
69

 
$
269

 
$
275

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity
83

 
83

 
803

 
810

Fixed maturities, trading
1,078

 
1,623

 
0

 
0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
0

 
0

 
9

 
9

Equity securities
39

 
28

 
0

 
0

Commercial mortgage and other loans
627

 
617

 
0

 
0

Other invested assets
1,409

 
1,390

 
90

 
97

Cash and cash equivalents
163

 
164

 
0

 
0

Accrued investment income
5

 
7

 
3

 
4

Other assets
419

 
440

 
171

 
150

Total assets of consolidated VIEs
$
3,893

 
$
4,421

 
$
1,345

 
$
1,345

Other liabilities
$
310

 
$
433

 
$
7

 
$
0

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs(3)
930

 
1,518

 
0

 
0

Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs
$
1,240

 
$
1,951

 
$
7

 
$
0


29

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

  __________
(1)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See “Adoption of ASU 2016-01” in Note 2 for details.
(2)
Total assets of consolidated VIEs reflect $1,843 million and $1,716 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, related to VIEs whose beneficial interests are wholly-owned by consolidated subsidiaries.
(3)
Recourse is limited to the assets of the respective VIE and does not extend to the general credit of the Company . As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the maturities of these obligations were greater than five years.
 
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
 
The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of certain VIEs for which it is the investment manager. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss resulting from its relationship with unconsolidated VIEs for which it is the investment manager is limited to its investment in the VIEs, which was $798 million and $1,013 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. These investments are reflected in “Fixed maturities, available-for-sale,” “Fixed maturities, trading,” “Equity securities” and “Other invested assets.” There are no liabilities associated with these unconsolidated VIEs on the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
 
In the normal course of its activities, the Company will invest in LPs/LLCs, which include hedge funds, private equity funds and real estate-related funds and may or may not be VIEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments, both VIEs and non-VIEs, is limited to the amount of its investment. The Company classifies these investments as “Other invested assets” and its maximum exposure to loss associated with these entities was $9,662 million and $8,720 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
 
In addition, in the normal course of its activities, the Company will invest in structured investments including VIEs for which it is not the investment manager. These structured investments typically invest in fixed income investments and are managed by third-parties and include asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these structured investments, both VIEs and non-VIEs, is limited to the amount of its investment. See Note 3 for details regarding the carrying amounts and classification of these assets. The Company has not provided material financial or other support that was not contractually required to these structures. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these structures due to the fact that it does not control these entities.

5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 
Types of Derivative Instruments and Derivative Strategies

The Company utilizes various derivatives instruments and strategies to manage its risk. Commonly used derivative instruments include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Interest rate contracts: futures, swaps, forwards, options, swaptions, caps and floors
Equity contracts: futures, options and total return swaps
Foreign exchange contracts: futures, options, forwards and swaps
Credit contracts: single and index reference credit default swaps
Other contracts: to-be-announced (“TBA”) forward contracts, loan commitments, embedded derivatives and synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”).

For detailed information on these contracts and the related strategies, see Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .

Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives
 
The table below provides a summary of the gross notional amount and fair value of derivatives contracts by the primary underlying risks, excluding embedded derivatives and associated reinsurance recoverables. Many derivative instruments contain multiple underlying risks. The fair value amounts below represent the gross fair value of derivative contracts prior to taking into account the netting effects of master netting agreements, cash collateral and non-performance risk (“NPR”). This netting impact results in total derivative assets of $806 million and $1,205 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, and total derivative liabilities of $686 million and $643 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, reflected in the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.


30

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Primary Underlying Risk /Instrument Type
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Gross Fair Value
 
 
 
Gross Fair Value
Notional
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Notional
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
(in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
$
2,854

 
$
112

 
$
(75
)
 
$
3,204

 
$
271

 
$
(88
)
Interest Rate Forwards
476

 
4

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Foreign Currency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Forwards
740

 
12

 
(2
)
 
545

 
0

 
(8
)
Currency/Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Swaps
19,768

 
951

 
(591
)
 
17,732

 
766

 
(735
)
Total Qualifying Hedges
$
23,838

 
$
1,079

 
$
(668
)
 
$
21,481

 
$
1,037

 
$
(831
)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
$
145,055

 
$
5,605

 
$
(4,444
)
 
$
158,552

 
$
7,958

 
$
(3,509
)
Interest Rate Futures
18,732

 
28

 
(15
)
 
23,792

 
25

 
(1
)
Interest Rate Options
21,952

 
162

 
(347
)
 
18,456

 
167

 
(203
)
Interest Rate Forwards
3,902

 
11

 
(25
)
 
1,498

 
6

 
(2
)
Foreign Currency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Forwards
22,949

 
319

 
(369
)
 
23,905

 
164

 
(254
)
Foreign Currency Options
4

 
0

 
0

 
59

 
0

 
0

Currency/Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Swaps
13,509

 
764

 
(409
)
 
13,777

 
822

 
(414
)
Credit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Default Swaps
3,784

 
72

 
(4
)
 
1,314

 
21

 
(5
)
Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Futures
454

 
0

 
0

 
710

 
2

 
(2
)
Equity Options
55,369

 
845

 
(750
)
 
36,007

 
588

 
(364
)
Total Return Swaps
17,800

 
41

 
(309
)
 
15,558

 
17

 
(369
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other(1)
515

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Synthetic GICs
78,512

 
2

 
0

 
77,290

 
0

 
(1
)
Total Non-Qualifying Derivatives
$
382,537

 
$
7,849

 
$
(6,672
)
 
$
370,918

 
$
9,770

 
$
(5,124
)
Total Derivatives(2)
$
406,375

 
$
8,928

 
$
(7,340
)
 
$
392,399

 
$
10,807

 
$
(5,955
)
__________
(1)
“Other” primarily includes derivative contracts used to improve the balance of the Company’s tail longevity and mortality risk. Under these contracts, the Company’s gain/loss is capped at the notional amount.
(2)
Excludes embedded derivatives and associated reinsurance recoverables which contain multiple underlying risks. The fair value of these embedded derivatives was a net liability of $5,360 million and $8,748 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, primarily included in “Future policy benefits.”

Most of the Company’s derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting for various reasons. For example: (i) derivatives that economically hedge embedded derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting because changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are already recorded in net income; (ii) derivatives that are utilized as macro hedges of the Company’s exposure to various risks typically do not qualify for hedge accounting because they do not meet the criteria required under portfolio hedge accounting rules; and (iii) synthetic GIC, which are product standalone derivatives, do not qualify as hedging instruments under hedge accounting rules.


31

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
 
The following table presents recognized derivative instruments (excluding embedded derivatives and associated reinsurance recoverables), and repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are offset in the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and/or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Financial
Instruments
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statements
of Financial
Position
 
Net
Amounts
Presented in
the Statements
of Financial
Position
 
Financial
Instruments/
Collateral(1)
 
Net
Amount
 
(in millions)
Offsetting of Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives(1)
$
8,845

 
$
(8,121
)
 
$
724

 
$
(222
)
 
$
502

Securities purchased under agreement to resell
2,101

 
0

 
2,101

 
(2,101
)
 
0

Total assets
$
10,946

 
$
(8,121
)
 
$
2,825

 
$
(2,323
)
 
$
502

Offsetting of Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives(1)
$
7,331

 
$
(6,654
)
 
$
677

 
$
(640
)
 
$
37

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
9,176

 
0

 
9,176

 
(9,176
)
 
0

Total liabilities
$
16,507

 
$
(6,654
)
 
$
9,853

 
$
(9,816
)
 
$
37

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Financial
Instruments
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statements
of Financial
Position
 
Net
Amounts
Presented in
the Statements
of Financial
Position
 
Financial
Instruments/
Collateral(1)
 
Net
Amount
 
(in millions)
Offsetting of Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives(1)
$
10,710

 
$
(9,600
)
 
$
1,110

 
$
(625
)
 
$
485

Securities purchased under agreement to resell
240

 
0

 
240

 
(240
)
 
0

Total assets
$
10,950

 
$
(9,600
)
 
$
1,350

 
$
(865
)
 
$
485

Offsetting of Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives(1)
$
5,948

 
$
(5,312
)
 
$
636

 
$
(588
)
 
$
48

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
8,400

 
0

 
8,400

 
(8,400
)
 
0

Total liabilities
$
14,348

 
$
(5,312
)
 
$
9,036

 
$
(8,988
)
 
$
48

__________
(1)
Amounts exclude the excess of collateral received/pledged from/to the counterparty.

For information regarding the rights of offset associated with the derivative assets and liabilities in the table above, see “—Counterparty Credit Risk” below. For securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the Company monitors the value of the securities and maintains collateral, as appropriate, to protect against credit exposure. Where the Company has entered into repurchase and resale agreements with the same counterparty, in the event of default, the Company would generally be permitted to exercise rights of offset. For additional information on the Company’s accounting policy for securities repurchase and resale agreements, see Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 

32

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Cash Flow, Fair Value and Net Investment Hedges
 
The primary derivative instruments used by the Company in its fair value, cash flow and net investment hedge accounting relationships are interest rate swaps, currency swaps and currency forwards. These instruments are only designated for hedge accounting in instances where the appropriate criteria are met. The Company does not use futures, options, credit, equity or embedded derivatives in any of its fair value, cash flow or net investment hedge accounting relationships.
 
The following table provides the financial statement classification and impact of derivatives used in qualifying and non-qualifying hedge relationships, excluding the offset of the hedged item in an effective hedge relationship. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Realized
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
 
Net
Investment
Income
 
Other
Income
 
Interest
Expense
 
Interest
Credited To
Policyholders’
Account
Balances
 
AOCI(1)
 
(in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
6

 
$
(2
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
(39
)
 
$
0

Currency
(1
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total fair value hedges
5

 
(2
)
 
0

 
0

 
(39
)
 
0

Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
7

Currency
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
4

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
56

 
42

 
0

 
0

 
29

Total cash flow hedges
0

 
56

 
42

 
0

 
0

 
40

Net investment hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total net investment hedges
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
(960
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency
(139
)
 
0

 
(1
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency/Interest Rate
226

 
0

 
1

 
0

 
0

 
0

Credit
15

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Equity
(674
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other
1

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Embedded Derivatives
1,596

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total non-qualifying hedges
65

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total
$
70

 
$
54

 
$
42

 
$
0

 
$
(39
)
 
$
40

 

33

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Realized
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
 
Net
Investment
Income
 
Other
Income
 
Interest
Expense
 
Interest
Credited to
Policyholders’
Account
Balances
 
AOCI(1)
 
(in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
28

 
$
(8
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
(150
)
 
$
0

Currency
1

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total fair value hedges
29

 
(8
)
 
0

 
0

 
(150
)
 
0

Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
(1
)
 
0

 
13

Currency
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
13

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
156

 
159

 
0

 
0

 
152

Total cash flow hedges
0

 
156

 
159

 
(1
)
 
0

 
178

Net investment hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
3

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total net investment hedges
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
3

Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
(2,906
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency
141

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency/Interest Rate
278

 
0

 
2

 
0

 
0

 
0

Credit
10

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Equity
(923
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Embedded Derivatives
4,233

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total non-qualifying hedges
833

 
0

 
2

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total
$
862

 
$
148

 
$
161

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(150
)
 
$
181



34

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Realized
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
 
Net
Investment
Income
 
Other
Income
 
Interest
Expense
 
Interest
Credited To
Policyholders’
Account
Balances
 
AOCI(1)
 
(in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
3

 
$
(4
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Currency
(2
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total fair value hedges
1

 
(4
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
(1
)
 
0

 
1

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
50

 
(108
)
 
0

 
0

 
(447
)
Total cash flow hedges
0

 
50

 
(108
)
 
(1
)
 
0

 
(446
)
Net investment hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2
)
Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total net investment hedges
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2
)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
137

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency
(113
)
 
0

 
1

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency/Interest Rate
(93
)
 
0

 
(2
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Credit
(8
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Equity
(604
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Embedded Derivatives
1,726

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total non-qualifying hedges
1,045

 
0

 
(1
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Total
$
1,046

 
$
46

 
$
(109
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
0

 
$
(448
)

35

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

_
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Realized
Investment
Gains
(Losses)
 
Net
Investment
Income
 
Other
Income
 
Interest
Expense
 
Interest
Credited to
Policyholders’
Account
Balances
 
AOCI(1)
 
(in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
11

 
$
(15
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Currency
(4
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total fair value hedges
7

 
(15
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2
)
 
0

 
5

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
142

 
(272
)
 
0

 
0

 
(988
)
Total cash flow hedges
0

 
142

 
(272
)
 
(2
)
 
0

 
(983
)
Net investment hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(9
)
Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total net investment hedges
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(9
)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
1,101

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency
(121
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Currency/Interest Rate
(233
)
 
0

 
(4
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Credit
8

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Equity
(1,761
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Embedded Derivatives
544

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total non-qualifying hedges
(462
)
 
0

 
(4
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Total
$
(455
)
 
$
127

 
$
(276
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
0

 
$
(992
)
_________
(1)
Amounts deferred in AOCI.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the ineffective portion of derivatives accounted for using hedge accounting was a loss of $13 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the ineffective portion of derivatives accounted for using hedge accounting was de minimis to the Company’s results of operations. Also, there were no material amounts reclassified into earnings relating to instances in which the Company discontinued cash flow hedge accounting because the forecasted transaction did not occur by the anticipated date or within the additional time period permitted by the authoritative guidance for the accounting for derivatives and hedging. In addition, there were no instances in which the Company discontinued fair value hedge accounting due to a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge.
 
Presented below is a rollforward of current period cash flow hedges in AOCI before taxes:  
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
(39
)
Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges from January 1 to September 30, 2018
549

Amount reclassified into current period earnings
(371
)
Balance, September 30, 2018
$
139

 

36

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


The changes in fair value of cash flow hedges are deferred in AOCI and are included in “Net unrealized investment gains (losses)” in the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; these amounts are then reclassified to earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Using September 30, 2018 values, it is estimated that a pre-tax gain of approximately $218 million will be reclassified from AOCI to earnings during the subsequent twelve months ending September 30, 2019 , offset by amounts pertaining to the hedged items.

The exposures the Company is hedging with these qualifying cash flow hedges include the variability of future cash flows from forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies, the purchases of invested assets, and the receipt or payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments. The maximum length of time over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions is 5 years .  

For effective net investment hedges, the amounts, before applicable taxes, recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account within AOCI were $529 million and $526 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.  

Credit Derivatives
 
Credit derivatives, where the Company has written credit protection on a single name reference, had outstanding notional amounts of $109 million and $ 114 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. These credit derivatives are reported at fair value as an asset of $1 million and $2 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , the notional amount of these credit derivatives had the following NAIC ratings: $ 36 million in NAIC 1; $ 62 million in NAIC 2; $6 million in NAIC 3; $1 million in NAIC 4; $1 million in NAIC 5; and $3 million in NAIC 6. The Company has also written credit protection on certain index references with notional amounts of $3,555 million and $1,022 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. These credit derivatives are reported at fair value as an asset of $68 million and $ 18 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , the notional amount of these credit derivatives had the following NAIC ratings: $ 50 million in NAIC 1; $3,305 million in NAIC 3; and $200 million NAIC 6. NAIC designations are based on the lowest rated single name reference included in the index.
 
The Company’s maximum amount at risk under these credit derivatives equals the aforementioned notional amounts and assumes the value of the underlying referenced securities become worthless. These single name credit derivatives have maturities of less than 5 years , while the credit protection on the index references have maturities of less than 29 years .
 
In addition to writing credit protection, the Company has purchased credit protection using credit derivatives in order to hedge specific credit exposures in the Company’s investment portfolio. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had $120 million and $178 million of outstanding notional amounts reported at fair value as a liability of $2 million and $5 million , respectively. 

Counterparty Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to financial derivative transactions with a positive fair value. The Company manages credit risk by: (i) entering into derivative transactions with highly rated major international financial institutions and other creditworthy counterparties governed by master netting agreements, as applicable; (ii) trading through central clearing and over-the-counter (“OTC”) parties; (iii) obtaining collateral, such as cash and securities, when appropriate; and (iv) setting limits on single party credit exposures which are subject to periodic management review.

Substantially all of the Company’s derivative agreements have zero thresholds which require daily full collateralization by the party in a liability position. In addition, certain of the Company’s derivative agreements contain credit-risk related contingent features; if the credit rating of one of the parties to the derivative agreement is to fall below a certain level, the party with positive fair value could request termination at the then fair value or demand immediate full collateralization from the party whose credit rating fell and is in a net liability position.

As of September 30, 2018, there were no net liability derivative positions with counterparties with credit risk-related contingent features; as such, all derivatives have been appropriately collateralized by the Company or the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the derivative agreements.


37

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

6. FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
Fair Value Measurement —Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The authoritative fair value guidance establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. 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 the Company for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, 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.
 
 Level 3—Fair value is based on at least one significant unobservable input for the asset or liability. The assets and liabilities in this category may require significant judgment or estimation in determining the fair value.

For a discussion of Company’s valuation methodologies for assets and liabilities measured at fair value and the fair value hierarchy, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .

  Assets and Liabilities by Hierarchy Level —The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the dates indicated.

38

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
As of September 30, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
0

 
$
25,434

 
$
69

 
$
 
$
25,503

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
10,318

 
5

 
 
 
10,323

Foreign government bonds
0

 
107,041

 
128

 
 
 
107,169

U.S. corporate public securities
0

 
83,125

 
159

 
 
 
83,284

U.S. corporate private securities(2)
0

 
30,990

 
1,443

 
 
 
32,433

Foreign corporate public securities
0

 
29,134

 
72

 
 
 
29,206

Foreign corporate private securities
0

 
23,570

 
649

 
 
 
24,219

Asset-backed securities(3)
0

 
12,049

 
973

 
 
 
13,022

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
12,440

 
343

 
 
 
12,783

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
2,936

 
92

 
 
 
3,028

Subtotal
0

 
337,037

 
3,933

 
 
 
340,970

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
0

 
663

 
0

 
 
 
663

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
195

 
0

 
 
 
195

Foreign government bonds
0

 
797

 
221

 
 
 
1,018

Corporate securities
0

 
12,484

 
408

 
 
 
12,892

Asset-backed securities(3)
0

 
1,262

 
74

 
 
 
1,336

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
2,274

 
0

 
 
 
2,274

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
826

 
0

 
 
 
826

Equity securities
1,397

 
286

 
2

 
 
 
1,685

All other(5)
0

 
57

 
3

 
 
 
60

Subtotal
1,397

 
18,844

 
708

 
 
 
20,949

Fixed maturities, trading
0

 
2,897

 
186

 
 
 
3,083

Equity securities
5,505

 
705

 
711

 
 
 
6,921

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
401

 
0

 
 
 
401

Other invested assets(6)
28

 
8,897

 
117

 
(8,121
)
 
921

Short-term investments
3,860

 
1,099

 
6

 
 
 
4,965

Cash equivalents
646

 
4,103

 
0

 
 
 
4,749

Other assets
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Separate account assets(7)(8)
45,276

 
230,933

 
1,637

 
 
 
277,846

Total assets
$
56,712

 
$
604,916

 
$
7,298

 
$
(8,121
)
 
$
660,805

Future policy benefits(9)
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
5,231

 
$
 
$
5,231

Other liabilities
18

 
7,325

 
136

 
(6,654
)
 
825

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
0

 
610

 
 
 
610

Total liabilities
$
18

 
$
7,325

 
$
5,977

 
$
(6,654
)
 
$
6,666

 

39

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
0

 
$
26,086

 
$
52

 
$
 
$
26,138

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
10,466

 
5

 
 
 
10,471

Foreign government bonds
0

 
103,271

 
148

 
 
 
103,419

U.S. corporate public securities
0

 
90,115

 
109

 
 
 
90,224

U.S. corporate private securities(2)
0

 
31,845

 
1,889

 
 
 
33,734

Foreign corporate public securities
0

 
29,329

 
79

 
 
 
29,408

Foreign corporate private securities
0

 
23,528

 
699

 
 
 
24,227

Asset-backed securities(3)
0

 
5,629

 
6,604

 
 
 
12,233

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
13,268

 
13

 
 
 
13,281

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
3,547

 
98

 
 
 
3,645

Subtotal
0

 
337,084

 
9,696

 
 
 
346,780

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(4):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
0

 
201

 
0

 
 
 
201

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
208

 
0

 
 
 
208

Foreign government bonds
0

 
834

 
223

 
 
 
1,057

Corporate securities
0

 
13,611

 
462

 
 
 
14,073

Asset-backed securities(3)
0

 
670

 
722

 
 
 
1,392

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
2,311

 
0

 
 
 
2,311

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
965

 
1

 
 
 
966

Equity securities
1,381

 
258

 
4

 
 
 
1,643

All other(5)
25

 
105

 
7

 
 
 
137

Subtotal
1,406

 
19,163

 
1,419

 
 
 
21,988

Fixed maturities, trading(4)
0

 
3,351

 
156

 
 
 
3,507

Equity securities(4)
5,978

 
556

 
795

 
 
 
7,329

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
593

 
0

 
 
 
593

Other invested assets(4)(6)
32

 
10,768

 
137

 
(9,600
)
 
1,337

Short-term investments(4)
3,931

 
1,850

 
8

 
 
 
5,789

Cash equivalents(4)
1,900

 
6,398

 
0

 
 
 
8,298

Other assets
0

 
1

 
13

 
 
 
14

Separate account assets(7)(8)
45,397

 
232,874

 
2,122

 
 
 
280,393

Total assets
$
58,644

 
$
612,638

 
$
14,346

 
$
(9,600
)
 
$
676,028

Future policy benefits(9)
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
8,720

 
$
 
$
8,720

Other liabilities
4

 
5,946

 
50

 
(5,312
)
 
688

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
0

 
1,196

 
 
 
1,196

Total liabilities
$
4

 
$
5,946

 
$
9,966

 
$
(5,312
)
 
$
10,604

__________
(1)
“Netting” amounts represent cash collateral of $1,467 million and $4,288 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, and the impact of offsetting asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty, subject to master netting arrangements.
(2)
Excludes notes with both fair value and carrying amount of $3,666 million and $2,660 million , as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
(3)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by syndicated bank loans, sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.
(4)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See Note 2 for details.
(5)
All other represents cash equivalents and short-term investments.

40

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(6)
Other invested assets excluded from the fair value hierarchy include certain hedge funds, private equity funds and other funds for which fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the fair values of such investments were $4,285 million and $1,969 million respectively.
(7)
Separate account assets included in the fair value hierarchy exclude investments in entities that calculate NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. Such investments excluded from the fair value hierarchy include investments in real estate, hedge funds and other invested assets. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the fair value of such investments was $25,595 million and $26,224 million , respectively.
(8)
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 the Company with respect to certain accounts. Separate account liabilities are not included in the above table as they are reported at contract value and not fair value in the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(9)
As of September 30, 2018 , the net embedded derivative liability position of $5.2 billion includes $1.2 billion of embedded derivatives in an asset position and $6.4 billion of embedded derivatives in a liability position. As of December 31, 2017 , the net embedded derivative liability position of $8.7 billion includes $0.9 billion of embedded derivatives in an asset position and $9.6 billion of embedded derivatives in a liability position.

Transfers between Levels 1 and 2 —Transfers between levels are made to reflect changes in observability of inputs and market activity. Transfers into or out of any level are generally reported at the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur for any such assets still held at the end of the quarter. Periodically there are transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for assets held in the Company’s Separate account. The fair value of foreign common stock held in the Company’s Separate account may reflect differences in market levels between the close of foreign trading markets and the close of U.S. trading markets for the respective day. Dependent on the existence of such a timing difference, the assets may move between Level 1 and Level 2. The following table presents the transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for dates indicated below:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Transferred from Level 1 to Level 2
$
5

 
$
35

 
$
185

 
$
98

Transferred from Level 2 to Level 1
$
5

 
$
11

 
$
16

 
$
94


Quantitative Information Regarding Internally-Priced Level 3 Assets and Liabilities —The tables below present quantitative information on significant internally-priced Level 3 assets and liabilities.
 
 
As of September 30, 2018
   
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
Techniques
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Weighted
Average
 
Impact of
Increase in
Input on
Fair
Value(1)
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate securities(2)
 
$
1,108

 
Discounted 
cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
0.64%
-
22.52%
 
7.59%
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
Market comparables
 
EBITDA multiples(3)
 
4.5X
 
8.5X
 
8.2X
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
Liquidation
 
Liquidation value
 
5.54%
-
57.12%
 
43.27%
 
Increase
Separate account assets-commercial mortgage loans(4)
 
$
790

 
Discounted
cash flow
 
Spread
 
1.05%
-
2.39%
 
1.16%
 
Decrease
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits(5)
 
$
5,231

 
Discounted
cash flow
 
Lapse rate(6)
 
1%
-
13%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spread over LIBOR(7)
 
0.16%
-
1.21%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilization rate(8)
 
50%
-
97%
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal rate
 
See table footnote (9) below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortality rate(10)
 
0%
-
15%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity volatility curve
 
14%
-
22%
 
 
 
Increase
 

41

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
 
As of December 31, 2017
   
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
Techniques
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Weighted
Average
 
Impact of
Increase in
Input on
Fair
Value(1)
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate securities(2)
 
$
1,352

 
Discounted 
cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
0.65%
-
22%
 
7.20%
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
Market comparables
 
EBITDA multiples(3)
 
7.4X
-
7.4X
 
7.4X
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
Liquidation
 
Liquidation value
 
13.10%
-
25.00%
 
14.68%
 
Increase
Separate account assets-commercial mortgage loans(4)
 
$
821

 
Discounted
cash flow
 
Spread
 
1.08%
-
2.78%
 
1.20%
 
Decrease
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits(5)
 
$
8,720

 
Discounted
cash flow
 
Lapse rate(6)
 
1%
-
12%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spread over LIBOR(7)
 
0.12%
-
1.10%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilization rate(8)
 
52%
-
97%
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal rate
 
See table footnote (9) below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortality rate(10)
 
0%
-
14%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity volatility curve
 
13%
-
24%
 
 
 
Increase
__________ 
(1)
Conversely, the impact of a decrease in input would have the opposite impact on fair value as that presented in the table.
(2)
Includes assets classified as fixed maturities available-for-sale, assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities and fixed maturities trading.
(3)
Represents multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and are amounts used when the Company has determined that market participants would use such multiples when valuing the investments.
(4)
Changes in the fair value of separate account assets are borne by customers and thus are offset by changes in separate account liabilities on the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As a result, changes in value associated with these investments are not reflected in the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5)
Future policy benefits primarily represent general account liabilities for the living benefit features of the Company’s variable annuity contracts which are accounted for as embedded derivatives. Since the valuation methodology for these liabilities uses a range of inputs that vary at the contract level over the cash flow projection period, presenting a range, rather than weighted average, is a more meaningful representation of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation.
(6)
Lapse rates are adjusted at the contract level based on the in-the-moneyness of the living benefit and reflect other factors, such as the applicability of any surrender charges. Lapse rates are reduced when contracts are more in-the-money. Lapse rates are also generally assumed to be lower for the period where surrender charges apply.
(7)
The spread over the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) swap curve represents the premium added to the proxy for the risk-free rate (LIBOR) to reflect our estimates of rates that a market participant would use to value the living benefit contracts in both the accumulation and payout phases. This spread includes an estimate of NPR, which is the risk that the obligation will not be fulfilled by the Company. NPR is primarily estimated by utilizing the credit spreads associated with issuing funding agreements, adjusted for any illiquidity risk premium. In order to reflect the financial strength ratings of the Company, credit spreads associated with funding agreements, as opposed to credit spread associated with debt, are utilized in developing this estimate because both funding agreements and living benefit contracts are insurance liabilities and are therefore senior to debt.
(8)
The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contracts that will utilize the benefit during the contract duration, and begin lifetime withdrawals at various time intervals from contract inception. The remaining contractholders are assumed to either begin lifetime withdrawals immediately or never utilize the benefit. Utilization assumptions may vary by product type, tax status and age. The impact of changes in these assumptions is highly dependent on the product type, the age of the contractholder at the time of the sale and the timing of the first lifetime income withdrawal. Range reflects the utilization rate for the vast majority of business with living benefits.
(9)
The withdrawal rate assumption estimates the magnitude of annual contractholder withdrawals relative to the maximum allowable amount under the contract. These assumptions vary based on the age of the contractholder, the tax status of the contract and the duration since the contractholder began lifetime withdrawals. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the minimum withdrawal rate assumption is 78% and the maximum withdrawal rate assumption may be greater than 100% . The fair value of the liability will generally increase the closer the withdrawal rate is to 100% and decrease as the withdrawal rate moves further away from 100%.
(10)
Range reflects the mortality rate for the vast majority of business with living benefits, with policyholders ranging from 50 to 90 years old. While the majority of living benefits have a minimum age requirement, certain benefits do not have an age restriction. This results in contractholders for certain benefits with mortality rates approaching 0% . Based on historical experience, the Company applies a set of age and duration specific mortality rate adjustments compared to standard industry tables. A mortality improvement assumption is also incorporated into the overall mortality table.


42

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Interrelationships Between Unobservable Inputs In addition to the sensitivities of fair value measurements to changes in each unobservable input in isolation, as reflected in the table above, interrelationships between these inputs may also exist, such that a change in one unobservable input may give rise to a change in another or multiple inputs. For the discussion of the relationships between unobservable inputs as well as market factors that may affect the range of inputs used in the valuation of Level 3 assets and liabilities, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities —The following tables describe changes in fair values of Level 3 assets and liabilities as of the dates indicated, as well as the portion of gains or losses included in income attributable to unrealized gains or losses related to those assets and liabilities still held at the end of their respective periods. When a determination is made to classify assets and liabilities within Level 3, the determination is based on significance of the unobservable inputs in the overall fair value measurement. All transfers are based on changes in the observability of the valuation inputs, including the availability of pricing service information that the Company can validate. All transfers are generally reported at the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which transfers occur for any such assets still held at the end of the quarter. During the second quarter of 2018, $5,078 million of investments in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) reported as “Asset-backed securities” were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 as market activity, liquidity and overall observability of valuation inputs of CLOs have increased. For further information on valuation processes, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .

43

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(6)
Transfers into Level 3(7)
Transfers out of Level 3(7)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government
$
67

$
0

$
2

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
69

$
0

U.S. states
5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

0

Foreign government
137

0

0

0

0

0

(3
)
0

(6
)
128

0

Corporate securities(2)
2,691

(17
)
118

(13
)
0

(323
)
(6
)
60

(187
)
2,323

(17
)
Structured securities(3)
1,664

(10
)
520

(226
)
0

(221
)
(4
)
0

(315
)
1,408

0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign government
221

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

221

(1
)
Corporate securities(2)
488

(12
)
26

0

0

(75
)
0

3

(22
)
408

(13
)
Structured securities(3)
107

0

3

0

0

(21
)
0

0

(15
)
74

(1
)
Equity securities
4

0

0

(2
)
0

0

0

0

0

2

0

All other activity
5

0

31

0

0

(33
)
0

0

0

3

0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading
173

4

18

(9
)
0

0

1

0

(1
)
186

4

Equity securities
783

3

19

(46
)
0

(40
)
(8
)
2

(2
)
711

(1
)
Other invested assets
122

1

0

(3
)
0

0

(3
)
0

0

117

0

Short-term investments
1

0

22

0

0

(17
)
0

0

0

6

0

Cash equivalents
2

0

0

0

0

(2
)
0

0

0

0

0

Other assets
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Separate account assets(4)
1,816

26

67

(6
)
0

(66
)
0

12

(212
)
1,637

24

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
(6,585
)
1,645

0

0

(291
)
0

0

0

0

(5,231
)
1,585

Other liabilities
(60
)
(55
)
9

0

(33
)
3

0

0

0

(136
)
(56
)
Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(609
)
(1
)
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(610
)
(2
)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
Included in other comprehensive income (losses)
Net investment income
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
(6
)
$
0

$
0

$
(26
)
$
5

 
$
(17
)
$
0

$
0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
0

(15
)
0

0

3

 
0

(15
)
0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading
0

3

0

0

1

 
0

4

0

Equity securities
0

3

0

0

0

 
0

(1
)
0

Other invested assets
0

1

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Short-term investments
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Cash equivalents
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Other assets
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Separate account assets(4)
0

0

25

0

1

 
0

0

24

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
1,645

0

0

0

0

 
1,585

0

0

Other liabilities
(55
)
0

0

0

0

 
(56
)
0

0

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(1
)
0

0

0

0

 
(2
)
0

0



44

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018(1)
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(6)
Transfers into Level 3(7)
Transfers out of Level 3(7)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government
$
52

$
0

$
17

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
69

$
0

U.S. states
5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

0

Foreign government
148

(2
)
0

0

0

0

(6
)
20

(32
)
128

0

Corporate securities(2)
2,776

(35
)
493

(17
)
0

(778
)
(25
)
189

(280
)
2,323

(47
)
Structured securities(3)
6,716

(34
)
2,508

(570
)
0

(1,538
)
2

1,133

(6,809
)
1,408

0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign government
223

1

0

0

0

(3
)
0

0

0

221

(3
)
Corporate securities(2)
462

(21
)
91

0

0

(144
)
0

43

(23
)
408

(23
)
Structured securities(3)
722

(2
)
22

0

0

(163
)
0

33

(538
)
74

(2
)
Equity securities
4

1

0

(3
)
0

0

0

0

0

2

1

All other activity
7

0

74

0

0

(78
)
0

0

0

3

0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading
156

7

67

(51
)
0

(3
)
4

12

(6
)
186

7

Equity securities
795

5

61

(78
)
0

(79
)
7

5

(5
)
711

(1
)
Other invested assets
137

5

1

(15
)
0

0

(11
)
0

0

117

3

Short-term investments
8

(1
)
44

0

0

(43
)
(2
)
0

0

6

(1
)
Cash equivalents
0

0

9

0

0

(9
)
0

0

0

0

0

Other assets
13

(13
)
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(13
)
Separate account assets(4)
2,122

15

557

(28
)
0

(327
)
0

236

(938
)
1,637

20

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
(8,720
)
4,354

0

0

(865
)
0

0

0

0

(5,231
)
4,088

Other liabilities
(50
)
(92
)
27

0

(33
)
11

1

0

0

(136
)
(91
)
Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(1,196
)
(1
)
0

0

0

0

587

0

0

(610
)
(1
)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018(1)
 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
Included in other comprehensive income (losses)
Net investment income
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
(19
)
$
0

$
0

$
(65
)
$
13

 
$
(47
)
$
0

$
0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
0

(28
)
0

0

7

 
0

(27
)
0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading
1

5

0

0

1

 
0

7

0

Equity securities
0

5

0

0

0

 
0

(1
)
0

Other invested assets
4

1

0

0

0

 
2

1

0

Short-term investments
(1
)
0

0

0

0

 
(1
)
0

0

Cash equivalents
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Other assets
(13
)
0

0

0

0

 
(13
)
0

0

Separate account assets(4)
0

0

14

0

1

 
0

0

20

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
4,354

0

0

0

0

 
4,088

0

0

Other liabilities
(92
)
0

0

0

0

 
(91
)
0

0

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(1
)
0

0

0

0

 
(1
)
0

0



45

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017(9)
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(6)
Transfers into Level 3(7)
Transfers out of Level 3(7)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government
$
32

$
0

$
9

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
41

$
0

U.S. states
5

0

7

0

0

0

0

0

0

12

0

Foreign government
143

(1
)
0

0

0

0

8

3

0

153

0

Corporate securities(2)
1,662

(23
)
36

(1
)
0

(51
)
(44
)
223

(51
)
1,751

(10
)
Structured securities(3)
6,744

16

1,131

(207
)
0

(605
)
7

698

(684
)
7,100

0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(5):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign government
228

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

229

0

Corporate securities(2)
148

(11
)
10

0

0

(14
)
(3
)
43

(2
)
171

(10
)
Structured securities(3)
621

0

156

0

0

(122
)
0

114

(42
)
727

1

Equity securities
0

1

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

4

1

All other activity
0

0

18

0

0

(13
)
0

0

0

5

0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading(5)
97

0

12

(1
)
0

(1
)
1

53

(2
)
159

(2
)
Equity securities(5)
816

6

12

(10
)
0

(37
)
31

2

0

820

2

Other invested assets(5)
77

(1
)
0

0

0

(1
)
11

10

0

96

(2
)
Short-term investments
2

0

12

0

0

(8
)
(1
)
0

0

5

0

Cash equivalents
0

0

93

0

0

0

0

0

0

93

0

Other assets
39

(47
)
8

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(47
)
Separate account assets(4)
2,107

11

465

(12
)
0

(174
)
0

48

(162
)
2,283

13

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
(10,031
)
1,777

0

0

(283
)
0

0

0

0

(8,537
)
1,698

Other liabilities
(34
)
13

0

0

0

(18
)
0

0

0

(39
)
1

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(1,853
)
12

0

0

0

0

647

0

0

(1,194
)
12


 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017(9)
 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
Included in other comprehensive income (losses)
Net investment income
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
(8
)
$
0

$
0

$
(5
)
$
5

 
$
(10
)
$
0

$
0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(5)
0

(10
)
0

0

1

 
0

(8
)
0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading(5)
0

(1
)
0

0

1

 
0

(2
)
0

Equity securities(5)
(2
)
4

0

4

0

 
(2
)
4

0

Other invested assets(5)
(1
)
0

0

0

0

 
(2
)
0

0

Short-term investments
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Cash equivalents
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Other assets
(47
)
0

0

0

0

 
(47
)
0

0

Separate account assets(4)
0

0

11

0

0

 
0

0

13

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
1,777

0

0

0

0

 
1,698

0

0

Other liabilities
(6
)
0

19

0

0

 
(6
)
0

7

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
12

0

0

0

0

 
12

0

0



46

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017(9)
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(6)
Transfers into Level 3(7)
Transfers out of Level 3(7)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government
$
0

$
0

$
31

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
10

$
0

$
0

$
41

$
0

U.S. states
5

0

7

0

0

0

0

0

0

12

0

Foreign government
124

1

0

0

0

0

9

21

(2
)
153

0

Corporate securities(2)
2,173

12

158

(145
)
0

(498
)
(45
)
349

(253
)
1,751

(50
)
Structured securities(3)
4,555

67

3,572

(602
)
0

(2,019
)
31

3,343

(1,847
)
7,100

0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(5):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign government
227

4

0

0

0

(2
)
0

0

0

229

0

Corporate securities(2)
154

(7
)
69

(2
)
0

(99
)
(3
)
65

(6
)
171

(10
)
Structured securities(3)
290

3

374

(9
)
0

(243
)
0

512

(200
)
727

3

Equity securities
0

1

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

4

1

All other activity
0

0

18

0

0

(13
)
0

0

0

5

0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading(5)
76

4

43

(9
)
0

(13
)
8

80

(30
)
159

5

Equity securities(5)
752

39

44

(44
)
0

(44
)
41

33

(1
)
820

35

Other invested assets(5)
8

(2
)
0

0

0

(1
)
81

10

0

96

(3
)
Short-term investments
1

0

12

0

0

(8
)
(1
)
1

0

5

0

Cash equivalents
0

2

93

0

0

(6
)
0

4

0

93

0

Other assets
0

(25
)
25

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(25
)
Separate account assets(4)
1,849

58

1,003

(84
)
0

(555
)
0

302

(290
)
2,283

53

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
(8,238
)
540

0

0

(837
)
0

(2
)
0

0

(8,537
)
345

Other liabilities
(22
)
1

0

0

0

(18
)
0

0

0

(39
)
1

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(1,839
)
(2
)
0

0

0

0

647

0

0

(1,194
)
(2
)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017(9)
 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(8)
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
Included in other comprehensive income (losses)
Net investment income
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Other income
Interest credited to policyholders’
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
78

$
0

$
0

$
(19
)
$
21

 
$
(50
)
$
0

$
0

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(5)
0

(5
)
0

0

6

 
0

(6
)
0

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading(5)
0

3

0

0

1

 
0

5

0

Equity securities(5)
2

24

0

13

0

 
(3
)
38

0

Other invested assets(5)
(2
)
0

0

0

0

 
(3
)
0

0

Short-term investments
0

0

0

0

0

 
0

0

0

Cash equivalents
0

0

0

0

2

 
0

0

0

Other assets
(25
)
0

0

0

0

 
(25
)
0

0

Separate account assets
0

0

57

0

1

 
0

0

53

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
540

0

0

0

0

 
345

0

0

Other liabilities
(18
)
0

19

0

0

 
(18
)
0

19

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
(2
)
0

0

0

0

 
(2
)
0

0

__________
(1)
Current period amounts include one additional month of activity related to the elimination of Gibraltar Life’s reporting lag.
(2)
Includes U.S. corporate public, U.S. corporate private, foreign corporate public and foreign corporate private securities.
(3)
Includes asset-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and residential mortgage-backed securities.

47

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(4)
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 the Company with respect to certain accounts. Separate account liabilities are not included in the above table as they are reported at contract value and not fair value in the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(5)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See Note 2 for details.
(6)
Other, for the period ended September 30, 2018 , primarily represents deconsolidation of a VIE and reclassifications of certain assets between reporting categories and foreign currency translation. Other, for the period ended September 30, 2017 , primarily represents consolidations of VIE, reclassifications of certain assets between reporting categories and foreign currency translation.
(7)
Transfers into or out of Level 3 are generally reported at the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur for any such assets still held at the end of the quarter.
(8)
Unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at the end of the period do not include amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts.
(9)
Prior period amounts have been updated to conform to current period presentation.

Derivative Fair Value Information
 
The following tables present the balances of derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the date indicated, by primary underlying risk. These tables include NPR and exclude embedded derivatives and associated reinsurance recoverables. The derivative assets and liabilities shown below are included in “Other invested assets” or “Other liabilities” in the tables contained within the sections “—Assets and Liabilities by Hierarchy Level” and “—Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities,” above.
 
As of September 30, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
28

 
$
5,893

 
$
2

 
$
 
$
5,923

Currency
0

 
331

 
0

 
 
 
331

Credit
0

 
72

 
0

 
 
 
72

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
1,715

 
0

 
 
 
1,715

Equity
0

 
886

 
0

 
 
 
886

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,121
)
 
(8,121
)
Total derivative assets
$
28

 
$
8,897

 
$
2

 
$
(8,121
)
 
$
806

Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
15

 
$
4,891

 
$
0

 
$
 
$
4,906

Currency
0

 
371

 
0

 
 
 
371

Credit
0

 
4

 
0

 
 
 
4

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
1,000

 
0

 
 
 
1,000

Equity
0

 
1,059

 
0

 
 
 
1,059

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(6,654
)
 
(6,654
)
Total derivative liabilities
$
15

 
$
7,325

 
$
0

 
$
(6,654
)
 
$
686



48

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
25

 
$
8,399

 
$
0

 
$
 
$
8,424

Currency
0

 
165

 
0

 
 
 
165

Credit
0

 
21

 
0

 
 
 
21

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
1,588

 
0

 
 
 
1,588

Equity
2

 
595

 
10

 
 
 
607

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)


 


 


 
(9,600
)
 
(9,600
)
Total derivative assets
$
27

 
$
10,768

 
$
10

 
$
(9,600
)
 
$
1,205

Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
$
1

 
$
3,800

 
$
3

 
$
 
$
3,804

Currency
0

 
262

 
0

 
 
 
262

Credit
0

 
5

 
0

 
 
 
5

Currency/Interest Rate
0

 
1,149

 
0

 
 
 
1,149

Equity
2

 
733

 
0

 
 
 
735

Other
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)


 


 


 
(5,312
)
 
(5,312
)
Total derivative liabilities
$
3

 
$
5,949

 
$
3

 
$
(5,312
)
 
$
643

__________ 
(1)
“Netting” amounts represent cash collateral and the impact of offsetting asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty, subject to master netting agreement.

Changes in Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities —The following tables provide a summary of the changes in fair value of Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities as of the dates indicated, as well as the portion of gains or losses included in income, attributable to unrealized gains or losses related to those assets and liabilities still held at the end of their respective periods.


 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) (4)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(1)
Transfers into
Level 3 (2)
Transfers out of Level 3 (2)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held (4)
 
(in millions)
Net Derivative - Equity
$
2

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
(2
)
$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

Net Derivative - Interest Rate
2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

4


 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) (4)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(1)
Transfers into
Level 3 (2)
Transfers out of Level 3 (2)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held (4)
 
(in millions)
Net Derivative - Equity
$
10

$
1

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
(11
)
$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

Net Derivative - Interest Rate
(3
)
5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

5



49

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017(5)
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) (4)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(3)
Transfers into
Level 3 (2)
Transfers out of Level 3 (2)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held (4)
 
(in millions)
Net Derivative - Equity
$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
10

$
0

$
0

$
10

$
0

Net Derivative - Interest Rate
3

(2
)
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

(3
)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017(5)
 
Fair Value, beginning of period
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) (4)
Purchases
Sales
Issuances
Settlements
Other(3)
Transfers into
Level 3 (2)
Transfers out of Level 3 (2)
Fair Value, end of period
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held (4)
 
(in millions)
Net Derivative - Equity
$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
0

$
10

$
0

$
0

$
10

$
0

Net Derivative - Interest Rate
4

(3
)
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

(3
)

__________ 
(1)
Represents conversion of warrants to equity shares.
(2)
Transfers into or out of Level 3 are generally reported at the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur for any such positions still held at the end of the quarter.
(3)
Related to warrants received in restructuring a certain asset that resulted in reclassification of reporting category.
(4)
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) as well as unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held at the end of the period are recorded in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.”
(5)
Prior period amounts have been updated to conform to current period presentation.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements —The following tables represent information for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The fair value measurement is nonrecurring as these assets are measured at fair value only when there is a triggering event (e.g., an evidence of impairment). Assets included in the table are those that were impaired during the respective reporting periods and that are still held as of the reporting date. The estimated fair values for these amounts were determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Realized investment gains (losses) net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans(1)
$
3

 
$
0

 
$
(10
)
 
$
0

Mortgage servicing rights(2)
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
8

Cost method investments(3)
$
0

 
$
(7
)
 
$
0

 
$
(24
)

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in millions)
Carrying value after measurement as of period end:
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans(1)
$
50

 
$
64

Mortgage servicing rights(2)
$
68

 
$
60

Cost method investments(3)
$
0

 
$
150

__________ 
(1)
Commercial mortgage loans are valued based on discounted cash flows utilizing market rates or the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral.

50

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(2)
Mortgage servicing rights are valued using a discounted cash flow model. The model incorporates assumptions for servicing revenues, which are adjusted for expected prepayments, delinquency rates, escrow deposit income and estimated loan servicing expenses. The discount rates incorporated into the model are determined based on the estimated returns a market participant would require for this business plus a liquidity and risk premium. This estimate includes available relevant data from any active market sales of mortgage servicing rights.
(3)
Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018, LPs/LLCs (formerly accounted for under the cost method) are carried at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value reported in “Other income.” Therefore, these assets are no longer reported in this table because they are no longer carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

Fair Value Option
 
The fair value option allows the Company to elect fair value as an alternative measurement for selected financial assets and financial liabilities not otherwise reported at fair value. Such elections have been made by the Company to help mitigate volatility in earnings that result from different measurement attributes. Electing the fair value option also allows the Company to achieve consistent accounting for certain assets and liabilities. Changes in fair value are reflected in “Realized investment gains (losses), net” for commercial mortgage and other loans and “Other income” for other invested assets and notes issued by consolidated VIEs. Changes in fair value due to instrument-specific credit risk are estimated using changes in credit spreads and quality ratings for the period reported. Interest income on commercial mortgage and other loans is included in “Net investment income.” Interest income on these loans is recorded based on the effective interest rates as determined at the closing of the loan.
 
The following tables present information regarding assets and liabilities where the fair value option has been elected.

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other invested assets(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in fair value
$
0

 
$
33

 
$
0

 
$
110

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes issued by consolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in fair value
$
1

 
$
(12
)
 
$
1

 
$
2

 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
4

 
$
5

 
$
10

 
$
10

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$
9

 
$
16

 
$
27

 
$
60



51

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage and other loans(1):
 
 
 
Fair value as of period end
$
401

 
$
593

Aggregate contractual principal as of period end
$
396

 
$
582

Other invested assets(2):
 
 
 
Fair value as of period end
$
0

 
$
1,945

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
Fair value as of period end
$
610

 
$
1,196

Aggregate contractual principal as of period end
$
632

 
$
1,233

__________ 
(1)
As of September 30, 2018 , for loans for which the fair value option has been elected, there were no loans in non-accrual status and none of the loans were more than 90 days past due and still accruing.
(2)
Effective January 1, 2018, LPs/LLCs are reported at fair value due to adoption of ASU 2016-01, which in prior period were reported at fair value option. See Note 2 for details.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The table below presents the carrying amount and fair value by fair value hierarchy level of certain financial instruments that are not reported at fair value. The financial instruments presented below are reported at carrying value on the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. In some cases, as described below, the carrying amount equals or approximates fair value.

52

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
 
September 30, 2018(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount(2)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(3)
$
0

 
$
1,413

 
$
874

 
$
2,287

 
$
1,957

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholders liabilities
16

 
118

 
0

 
134

 
134

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
121

 
58,427

 
58,548

 
58,935

Policy loans
0

 
0

 
11,928

 
11,928

 
11,928

Other invested assets
0

 
43

 
0

 
43

 
43

Short-term investments
780

 
22

 
0

 
802

 
802

Cash and cash equivalents
5,719

 
1,998

 
0

 
7,717

 
7,717

Accrued investment income
0

 
3,180

 
0

 
3,180

 
3,180

Other assets
138

 
2,609

 
499

 
3,246

 
3,246

Total assets
$
6,653

 
$
9,504

 
$
71,728

 
$
87,885

 
$
87,942

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholders’ account balances—investment contracts
$
0

 
$
31,513

 
$
66,540

 
$
98,053

 
$
99,314

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
0

 
9,176

 
0

 
9,176

 
9,176

Cash collateral for loaned securities
0

 
4,656

 
0

 
4,656

 
4,656

Short-term debt
0

 
1,866

 
669

 
2,535

 
2,393

Long-term debt(5)
1,848

 
15,441

 
1,223

 
18,512

 
17,421

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
0

 
320

 
320

 
320

Other liabilities
0

 
6,139

 
525

 
6,664

 
6,664

Separate account liabilities—investment contracts
0

 
73,624

 
26,433

 
100,057

 
100,057

Total liabilities
$
1,848

 
$
142,415

 
$
95,710

 
$
239,973

 
$
240,001

 

53

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
December 31, 2017(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount(2)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(3)
$
0

 
$
1,484

 
$
946

 
$
2,430

 
$
2,049

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholders liabilities(4)
58

 
51

 
0

 
109

 
109

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
129

 
56,619

 
56,748

 
55,452

Policy loans
1

 
0

 
11,890

 
11,891

 
11,891

Short-term investments
989

 
22

 
0

 
1,011

 
1,011

Cash and cash equivalents
5,997

 
195

 
0

 
6,192

 
6,192

Accrued investment income
0

 
3,325

 
0

 
3,325

 
3,325

Other assets
45

 
2,385

 
685

 
3,115

 
3,115

Total assets
$
7,090

 
$
7,591

 
$
70,140

 
$
84,821

 
$
83,144

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholders’ account balances—investment contracts
$
0

 
$
33,045

 
$
67,141

 
$
100,186

 
$
99,948

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
0

 
8,400

 
0

 
8,400

 
8,400

Cash collateral for loaned securities
0

 
4,354

 
0

 
4,354

 
4,354

Short-term debt
0

 
1,384

 
0

 
1,384

 
1,380

Long-term debt(5)
1,296

 
16,369

 
2,095

 
19,760

 
17,172

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
0

 
322

 
322

 
322

Other liabilities
0

 
6,002

 
715

 
6,717

 
6,717

Separate account liabilities—investment contracts
0

 
71,336

 
30,490

 
101,826

 
101,826

Total liabilities
$
1,296

 
$
140,890

 
$
100,763

 
$
242,949

 
$
240,119

__________ 
(1)
The information presented as of December 31, 2017 , excludes certain hedge funds, private equity funds and other funds that were accounted for using the cost method and for which the fair value was measured at NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The fair value and the carrying value of these cost method investments were $1,795 million and $1,571 million , respectively. Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018, these assets are carried at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value reported in “Other income.” Therefore, as of September 30, 2018 , these assets are excluded from this table but are reported in the fair value recurring measurement table.
(2)
Carrying values presented herein differ from those in the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position because certain items within the respective financial statement captions are not considered financial instruments or are out of scope under authoritative guidance relating to disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments.
(3)
As of September 30, 2018 , excludes notes with fair value and carrying amount of $4,753 million and $4,753 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2017 , excludes notes with fair value and carrying amount of $4,913 million and $4,627 million , respectively. These amounts have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
(4)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See Note 2 for details.
(5)
As of September 30, 2018 , includes notes with fair value and carrying amount of $8,419 million and $8,419 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2017 , includes notes with fair value and carrying amount of $7,577 million and $7,287 million , respectively. These amounts have been offset with the associated receivables under a netting agreement.

7. CLOSED BLOCK
 
On December 18, 2001, the date of demutualization, Prudential Insurance established a closed block for certain in force participating insurance policies and annuity products, along with corresponding assets used for the payment of benefits and policyholders’ dividends on these products, (collectively the “Closed Block”), and ceased offering these participating products. The recorded assets and liabilities were allocated to the Closed Block at their historical carrying amounts. The Closed Block forms the principal component of the Closed Block division. For more information on the Closed Block, see Note 12 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 

54

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company recognized a policyholder dividend obligation of $2,676 million and $1,790 million , respectively, to Closed Block policyholders for the excess of actual cumulative earnings over expected cumulative earnings. Additionally, accumulated net unrealized investment gains that have arisen subsequent to the establishment of the Closed Block have been reflected as a policyholder dividend obligation of $829 million and $3,656 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, to be paid to Closed Block policyholders unless offset by future experience, with a corresponding amount reported in AOCI.
 
Closed Block liabilities and assets designated to the Closed Block, as well as maximum future earnings to be recognized from these liabilities and assets, are as follows:
 
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
(in millions)
Closed Block liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits
 
$
48,349

 
$
48,870

Policyholders’ dividends payable
 
874

 
829

Policyholders’ dividend obligation
 
3,505

 
5,446

Policyholders’ account balances
 
5,078

 
5,146

Other Closed Block liabilities
 
4,383

 
5,070

Total Closed Block liabilities
 
62,189

 
65,361

Closed Block assets
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
39,005

 
41,043

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value(1)
 
201

 
339

Equity securities, at fair value(1)
 
2,146

 
2,340

Commercial mortgage and other loans
 
8,915

 
9,017

Policy loans
 
4,438

 
4,543

Other invested assets(1)
 
3,345

 
3,159

Short-term investments
 
107

 
632

Total investments
 
58,157

 
61,073

Cash and cash equivalents
 
435

 
789

Accrued investment income
 
487

 
474

Other Closed Block assets
 
378

 
249

Total Closed Block assets
 
59,457

 
62,585

Excess of reported Closed Block liabilities over Closed Block assets
 
2,732

 
2,776

Portion of above representing accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
 
790

 
3,627

Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation
 
(829
)
 
(3,656
)
Future earnings to be recognized from Closed Block assets and Closed Block liabilities
 
$
2,693

 
$
2,747

__________
(1)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See Note 2 for details.

Information regarding the policyholder dividend obligation is as follows:
   
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2017
 
$
5,446

Cumulative-effect adjustment from the adoption of ASU 2016-01(1)
 
157

Impact from earnings allocable to policyholder dividend obligation
 
(84
)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) allocated to policyholder dividend obligation
 
(2,014
)
Balance, September 30, 2018
 
$
3,505

__________
(1)
See Note 2 for details.


55

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Closed Block revenues and benefits and expenses are as follows for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
528

 
$
577

 
$
1,680

 
$
1,852

Net investment income
 
562

 
671

 
1,752

 
1,997

Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
(4
)
 
107

 
104

 
461

Other income (loss)
 
166

 
25

 
273

 
85

Total Closed Block revenues
 
1,252

 
1,380

 
3,809

 
4,395

Benefits and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholders’ benefits
 
676

 
727

 
2,182

 
2,371

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
 
33

 
35

 
99

 
100

Dividends to policyholders
 
424

 
478

 
1,240

 
1,544

General and administrative expenses
 
91

 
95

 
275

 
289

Total Closed Block benefits and expenses
 
1,224

 
1,335

 
3,796

 
4,304

Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block benefits and expenses, before income taxes
 
28

 
45

 
13

 
91

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
12

 
30

 
(33
)
 
50

Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block benefits and expenses and income taxes
 
$
16

 
$
15

 
$
46

 
$
41

 
8. INCOME TAXES
 
The Company uses a full year projected effective tax rate approach to calculate year-to-date taxes. In addition, certain items impacting total income tax expense are recorded in the periods in which they occur. The projected effective tax rate is the ratio of projected “Total income tax expense” divided by projected “Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures.” Taxes attributable to operating joint ventures are recorded within “Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures, net of taxes.” The interim period tax expense (or benefit) is the difference between the year-to-date income tax provision and the amounts reported for the previous interim periods of the fiscal year.

The Company’s income tax provision, on a consolidated basis, amounted to an income tax expense of $604 million , or 16.0% of income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures, in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $1,320 million , or 24.6% , in the first nine months of 2017. The Company’s 2018 effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits and foreign earnings taxed at higher rates than the U.S. statutory rate and unique items described below that were recorded in the periods in which they occurred. The Company’s 2017 effective tax rate differed from the U.S statutory rate of 35% primarily due to non-taxable investment income, tax credits and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the U.S. statutory rate.

2018 Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) - In August 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released an IIR to provide guidance on the tax reserving for guaranteed benefits within variable annuity contracts and principle-based reserves on certain life insurance contracts. Adopting the IIR methodology resulted in an accelerated deduction for the Company’s 2017 tax return, that would have otherwise been deductible in future years. Prior to the adoption of this IIR, the Company accounted for these future deductions as deferred tax assets measured using the current 21% corporate income tax rate. Upon adoption of the IIR, the tax benefits were revalued using the 35% tax rate applicable for the 2017 tax year in which they will now be recognized resulting in a reduction in income tax expense of $198 million for the first nine months of 2018.

Resolution of tax audit issues - During the third quarter of 2018, the Company reached an agreement with the IRS to resolve outstanding tax audit issues for tax years 2015 and 2016 and partially for 2017 which resulted in a $40 million increase to our income tax expense for the first nine months of 2018.

Brazil Full Inclusion - During the third quarter of 2018, the Company made a tax election, effective for the 2017 tax year, to subject earnings from its insurance operations in Brazil to tax in the U.S. in the tax year earned, net of related tax credits. This election will have the effect of reducing the rate at which the Company will incur taxes on these earnings from the 45% tax rate in Brazil to the 21% tax rate in the U.S., which in turn will reduce the amount of associated income tax expense in 2018 and

56

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

thereafter. In conjunction with this election, the Company remeasured its related deferred tax assets from the previous 45% rate in Brazil to the new rate of 21% in the U.S., which resulted in additional income tax expense in the current quarter. The net effect of the lower tax rate and the remeasurement of the deferred tax assets was a net increase in income tax expense of $51 million for the first nine months of 2018.

U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act of 2017”) - On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act of 2017 was enacted into U.S. law. As a result, the Company recognized a $2,880 million tax benefit in “Total income tax expense (benefit)” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, the Company recorded the effects of the Tax Act of 2017 using reasonable estimates due to the need for further analysis of the provisions within the Tax Act of 2017 and collection, preparation and analysis of relevant data necessary to complete the accounting. The Company has not fully completed its accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act of 2017. As the Company completes the collection, preparation and analysis of data relevant to the Tax Act of 2017, and interprets any additional guidance issued by the IRS, U.S. Department of the Treasury, or other standard-setting organizations, the Company may make adjustments to these provisional amounts. These adjustments may materially impact the Company’s provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are made. During the first nine months of 2018, the Company recognized a $144 million reduction in income tax expense primarily related to refinements of our provisional estimates of earnings of affiliated foreign companies subject to the one-time toll charge.

The financial statement impact related to the adoption of Tax Act of 2017 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows:

 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Deferred tax revaluation from tax law change
 
$
(1,592
)
 
$
16

 
$
(1,576
)
Adoption of modified territorial system
 
(1,785
)
 
(24
)
 
(1,809
)
Deemed repatriation
 
497

 
(136
)
 
361

Total provision for income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
(2,880
)
 
$
(144
)
 
$
(3,024
)

9. SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Short-term Debt
 
The table below presents the Company’s short-term debt as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
($ in millions)
Commercial paper:
 
 
 
Prudential Financial
$
25

 
$
50

Prudential Funding, LLC
719

 
500

Subtotal commercial paper
744

 
550

Current portion of long-term debt(1)
1,649

 
830

Total short-term debt(2)
$
2,393

 
$
1,380

Supplemental short-term debt information:
 
 
 
Portion of commercial paper borrowings due overnight
$
207

 
$
277

Daily average commercial paper outstanding
$
1,396

 
$
1,110

Weighted average maturity of outstanding commercial paper, in days
11

 
22

Weighted average interest rate on outstanding short-term debt(3)
1.76
%
 
0.99
%
__________
(1) Includes $49 million and $0 million that has recourse only to real estate investment property at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(2) Includes Prudential Financial debt of $1,124 million and $880 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
(3) Excludes the current portion of long-term debt.


57

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Prudential Financial and certain subsidiaries have access to other sources of liquidity, including: membership in the Federal Home Loan Banks, commercial paper programs and a contingent financing facility in the form of a put option agreement. The Company also maintains syndicated, unsecured committed credit facilities as an alternative source of liquidity. At September 30, 2018 , no amounts were drawn on the credit facilities. For additional information on these alternative sources of liquidity, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Long-term Debt

The table below presents the Company’s long-term debt as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Fixed-rate notes:
 
 
 
 
Surplus notes
$
341

 
$
840

 
Surplus notes subject to set-off arrangements(1)
6,319

 
5,187

 
Senior notes
8,777

 
8,882

 
Mortgage debt(2)
239

 
226

 
Floating-rate notes:
 
 
 
 
Surplus notes subject to set-off arrangements(1)
2,100

 
2,100

 
Senior notes
29

 
29

 
Mortgage debt(3)
471

 
573

 
Junior subordinated notes(4)
7,564

 
6,622

 
Subtotal
25,840

 
24,459

 
Less: assets under set-off arrangements(1)
8,419

 
7,287

 
       Total long-term debt(5)
$
17,421

 
$
17,172

 __________    
(1)
The surplus notes have corresponding assets where rights to set-off exist, thereby reducing the amount of surplus notes included in long-term debt.
(2)
Includes $103 million and $107 million of debt denominated in foreign currency at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
(3)
Includes $211 million and $245 million of debt denominated in foreign currency at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
(4)
Includes Prudential Financial debt of $7,509 million and subsidiary debt of $55 million denominated in foreign currency at September 30, 2018.
(5)
Includes Prudential Financial debt of $16,142 million and $15,304 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to the borrowings in the table above.

Surplus Notes
 
During the first quarter of 2018 , the Company established a new $1.6 billion captive financing facility to finance non-economic reserves required under Regulation XXX. Similar to the Company’s other captive financing facilities, a captive reinsurance subsidiary issues surplus notes under the facility in exchange for credit-linked notes issued by a special-purpose affiliate that are held to support non-economic reserves. The credit-linked notes are redeemable for cash upon the occurrence of a liquidity stress event affecting the captive and external counterparties have agreed to fund these payments. As of September 30, 2018 , $100 million of surplus notes were outstanding under the facility and no credit-linked note payments have been required.

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company amended its captive financing facility initially established in March 2017 for the financing of non-economic reserves required under Guideline AXXX to increase the maximum potential size of the facility to $2 billion . The Company also increased the principal amount of surplus notes outstanding under the facility by $820 million . As of September 30, 2018, an aggregate of $1.5 billion of surplus notes were outstanding under this facility and no credit-linked note payments have been required.

Under each of the above transactions, because valid rights of set-off exist, interest and principal payments on the surplus notes and on the credit-linked notes are settled on a net basis, and the surplus notes are reflected in the Company’s total consolidated borrowings on a net basis.

58

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


Senior Notes  

Medium-Term Notes. Prudential Financial maintains a medium-term notes program under its shelf registration statement with an authorized issuance capacity of $20.0 billion . As of September 30, 2018 , the outstanding balance of the Company’s medium-term notes was $7.9 billion , an increase of $300 million from December 31, 2017 . The increase was due to the issuance in the first quarter of $600 million of notes with an interest rate of 3.878% maturing in March 2028 and $400 million of notes with an interest rate of 4.418% maturing in March 2048, offset by $700 million of maturities in August 2018.
 
Mortgage Debt. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company’s subsidiaries had mortgage debt of $759 million that has recourse only to real estate property held for investment by those subsidiaries. This represents a decrease of $40 million from December 31, 2017 , due to $77 million of prepayment activity and $10 million from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, partially offset by new borrowings of $46 million .

Junior Subordinated Notes . In April 2018, the Company redeemed all of its $600 million 8.875% junior subordinated notes due 2068 and incurred a make-whole fee of $6 million .

In August 2018, Prudential Financial issued $565 million of 5.625% fixed rate junior subordinated notes in a public offering. The notes are considered hybrid capital securities that receive enhanced equity treatment from certain of the rating agencies. The notes have a maturity date of August 15, 2058. Interest is payable quarterly at a fixed rate of 5.625% . Prudential Financial may redeem the notes in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to August 15, 2023, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “tax event,” a “regulatory capital event” or a “rating agency event,” as these terms are defined in the indenture agreement, at a redemption price equal to (i) in the case of a “tax event” or a “regulatory capital event,” their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest or (ii) in the case of a “rating agency event,” 102% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after August 15, 2023, Prudential Financial may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

In September 2018, Prudential Financial issued $1 billion of 5.7% fixed-to-floating rate junior subordinated notes in a public offering. The notes are considered hybrid capital securities that receive enhanced equity treatment from certain of the rating agencies. The notes have a maturity date of September 15, 2048. Interest is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 5.7% until September 15, 2028, from which date interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate of 3 -month LIBOR plus 2.665% . Prudential Financial may redeem the notes in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to September 15, 2028, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “tax event,” a “regulatory capital event” or a “rating agency event,” as these terms are defined in the indenture agreement, at a redemption price equal to (i) in the case of a “tax event” or a “regulatory capital event,” their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest or (ii) in the case of a “rating agency event,” 102% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after September 15, 2028, Prudential Financial may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.


10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
 
The Company has funded and non-funded non-contributory defined benefit pension plans (“Pension Benefits”), which cover substantially all of its employees. For some employees, benefits are based on final average earnings and length of service, while benefits for other employees are based on an account balance that takes into consideration age, service and earnings during their career.
 
The Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for its retired employees, their beneficiaries and covered dependents (“Other Postretirement Benefits”). The health care plan is contributory; the life insurance plan is non-contributory. Substantially all of the Company’s U.S. employees may become eligible to receive Other Postretirement Benefits if they retire after age  55 with at least 10 years of service or under certain circumstances after age 50 with at least 20 years of continuous service.
 

59

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Net periodic (benefit) cost included in “General and administrative expenses” includes the following components:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Components of net periodic (benefit) cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
78

 
$
71

 
$
6

 
$
5

Interest cost
112

 
119

 
17

 
20

Expected return on plan assets
(204
)
 
(195
)
 
(27
)
 
(25
)
Amortization of prior service cost
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
0

 
0

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss, net
53

 
48

 
4

 
9

Settlements
5

 
7

 
0

 
0

Special termination benefits
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Net periodic (benefit) cost
$
43

 
$
49

 
$
0

 
$
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Components of net periodic (benefit) cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
236

 
$
213

 
$
18

 
$
15

Interest cost
336

 
357

 
52

 
61

Expected return on plan assets
(613
)
 
(585
)
 
(81
)
 
(76
)
Amortization of prior service cost
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
0

 
0

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss, net
160

 
144

 
13

 
27

Settlements
5

 
7

 
0

 
0

Special termination benefits
1

 
3

 
0

 
0

Net periodic (benefit) cost
$
122

 
$
136

 
$
2

 
$
27

 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company made cash contributions of $45 million to its postretirement plans and anticipates making an additional $5 million of cash contributions during the remainder of 2018.

11. EQUITY
 
The changes in the number of shares of Common Stock issued, held in treasury and outstanding, are as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Common Stock
 
Issued
 
Held In
Treasury
 
Outstanding
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2017
660.1

 
237.5

 
422.6

Common Stock issued
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

Common Stock acquired
0.0

 
10.8

 
(10.8
)
Stock-based compensation programs(1)
0.0

 
(2.6
)
 
2.6

Balance, September 30, 2018
660.1

 
245.7

 
414.4

__________ 
(1)
Represents net shares issued from treasury pursuant to the Company’s stock-based compensation programs.


60

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

In December 2017 , Prudential Financial’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase at management’s discretion up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding Common Stock during the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. As of September 30, 2018 , 10.8 million shares of the Company’s Common Stock were repurchased under this authorization at a total cost of $1.125 billion .

The timing and amount of share repurchases are determined by management based upon market conditions and other considerations, and repurchases may be effected in the open market, through derivative, accelerated repurchase and other negotiated transactions and through prearranged trading plans complying with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Numerous factors could affect the timing and amount of any future repurchases under the share repurchase authorization, including increased capital needs of the Company due to changes in regulatory capital requirements, opportunities for growth and acquisitions, and the effect of adverse market conditions on the segments.

Dividends declared per share of Common Stock are as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Dividends declared per share of Common Stock
$
0.90

 
$
0.75

 
$
2.70

 
$
2.25


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The balance of and changes in each component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.” for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , are as follows:

 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to
Prudential Financial, Inc.
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
 
Net Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses)(1)
 
Pension and
Postretirement
Unrecognized Net
Periodic Benefit
(Cost)
 
Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
(269
)
 
$
19,968

 
$
(2,625
)
 
$
17,074

Change in OCI before reclassifications
(314
)
 
(10,452
)
 
30

 
(10,736
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
1

 
(690
)
 
170

 
(519
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
15

 
2,555

 
(45
)
 
2,525

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01
0

 
(847
)
 
0

 
(847
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02
(231
)
 
2,282

 
(398
)
 
1,653

Balance, September 30, 2018
$
(798
)
 
$
12,816

 
$
(2,868
)
 
$
9,150


 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to
Prudential Financial, Inc.
 
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
 
Net Unrealized
Investment Gains
(Losses)(1)
 
Pension and
Postretirement
Unrecognized Net
Periodic Benefit
(Cost)
 
Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2016
$
(973
)
 
$
18,171

 
$
(2,577
)
 
$
14,621

Change in OCI before reclassifications
735

 
3,164

 
(7
)
 
3,892

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
3

 
(1,329
)
 
168

 
(1,158
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(95
)
 
(606
)
 
(56
)
 
(757
)
Balance, September 30, 2017
$
(330
)
 
$
19,400

 
$
(2,472
)
 
$
16,598

__________
(1)
Includes cash flow hedges of $139 million and $(39) million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, and $333 million and $1,316 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively.
 

61

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Affected line item in Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(1)(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(4
)
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
Foreign currency translation adjustments
0

 
0

 
0

 
1

 
Other income
Total foreign currency translation adjustment
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges—Interest rate
0

 
0

 
2

 
(2
)
 
(3)
Cash flow hedges—Currency
2

 
0

 
2

 
0

 
(3)
Cash flow hedges—Currency/Interest rate
122

 
(35
)
 
367

 
(36
)
 
(3)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
76

 
544

 
319

 
1,367

 
 
Total net unrealized investment gains (losses)
200

 
509

 
690

 
1,329

 
(4)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

 
(5)
Actuarial gain (loss)
(57
)
 
(57
)
 
(173
)
 
(171
)
 
(5)
Total amortization of defined benefit pension items
(56
)
 
(56
)
 
(170
)
 
(168
)
 
 
Total reclassifications for the period
$
143

 
$
452

 
$
519

 
$
1,158

 
 
__________
(1)
All amounts are shown before tax.
(2)
Positive amounts indicate gains/benefits reclassified out of AOCI. Negative amounts indicate losses/costs reclassified out of AOCI.
(3)
See Note 5 for additional information on cash flow hedges.
(4)
See table below for additional information on unrealized investment gains (losses), including the impact on deferred policy acquisition and other costs, future policy benefits and policyholders’ dividends.
(5)
See Note 10 for information on employee benefit plans.
 
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on securities classified as available-for-sale and certain other invested assets and other assets are included in the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as a component of AOCI. Changes in these amounts include reclassification adjustments to exclude from “Other comprehensive income (loss)” those items that are included as part of “Net income” for a period that had been part of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” in earlier periods. The amounts for the periods indicated below, split between amounts related to fixed maturity securities on which an OTTI loss has been recognized, and all other net unrealized investment gains (losses), are as follows:
 

62

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Fixed Maturity Securities on which an OTTI loss has been recognized

 
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
 
DAC, DSI, VOBA and Reinsurance Recoverables
 
Future Policy
Benefits,
Policyholders’
Account
Balances and
Reinsurance Payables
 
Policyholders’
Dividends
 
Deferred
Income
Tax
(Liability)
Benefit
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Related to Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
286

 
$
(2
)
 
$
3

 
$
(46
)
 
$
(94
)
 
$
147

Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period
(12
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5

 
(7
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
(68
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

 
(40
)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses excluded from net income(1)
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

 
(1
)
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on DAC, DSI, VOBA and reinsurance recoverables
 
 
3

 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
 
2

Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on future policy benefits and policyholders’ account balances and reinsurance payables
 
 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
0

Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders’ dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
27

 
(10
)
 
17

Balance, September 30, 2018
$
204

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
(19
)
 
$
(71
)
 
$
118

__________
(1)
Represents “transfers in” related to the portion of OTTI losses recognized during the period that were not recognized in earnings for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

  All Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) in AOCI
 
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments(1)
 
DAC, DSI, VOBA and Reinsurance Recoverables
 
Future Policy
Benefits,
Policyholders’
Account
Balances and
Reinsurance Payables
 
Policyholders’
Dividends
 
Deferred
Income
Tax
(Liability)
Benefit
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Related to Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
 
(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
36,112

 
$
(1,580
)
 
$
(1,243
)
 
$
(3,631
)
 
$
(9,837
)
 
$
19,821

Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period
(13,709
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,782

 
(9,927
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
(622
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
255

 
(367
)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses excluded from net income(2)
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
 
1

Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on DAC, DSI, VOBA and reinsurance recoverables
 
 
937

 
 
 
 
 
(270
)
 
667

Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on future policy benefits and policyholders’ account balances and reinsurance payables
 
 
 
 
313

 
 
 
(177
)
 
136

Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders’ dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,989

 
(887
)
 
1,102

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01
(2,042
)
 
 
 
 
 
813

 
212

 
(1,017
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,282

 
2,282

Balance, September 30, 2018
$
19,741

 
$
(643
)
 
$
(930
)
 
$
(829
)
 
$
(4,641
)
 
$
12,698

__________
(1)
Includes cash flow hedges. See Note 5 for information on cash flow hedges.
(2)
Represents “transfers out” related to the portion of OTTI losses recognized during the period that were not recognized in earnings for securities with no prior OTTI loss.

63

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations of Common Stock based on the consolidated earnings of Prudential Financial for the periods indicated, is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Income
 
Weighted
Average
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Income
 
Weighted
Average
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
1,675

 
 
 
 
 
$
2,241

 
 
 
 
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
3

 
 
 
 
 
3

 
 
 
 
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards
19

 
 
 
 
 
27

 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock
$
1,653

 
416.2

 
$
3.97

 
$
2,211

 
426.2

 
$
5.19

Effect of dilutive securities and compensation programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards—Basic
$
19

 
 
 
 
 
$
27

 
 
 
 
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards—Diluted
19

 
 
 
 
 
27

 
 
 
 
Stock options
 
 
1.4

 
 
 
 
 
1.9

 
 
Deferred and long-term compensation programs
 
 
1.2

 
 
 
 
 
1.1

 
 
Exchangeable Surplus Notes
5

 
5.9

 
 
 
4

 
5.8

 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock
$
1,658

 
424.7

 
$
3.90

 
$
2,215

 
435.0

 
$
5.09



64

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Income
 
Weighted
Average
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Income
 
Weighted
Average
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
3,239

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,109

 
 
 
 
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
7

 
 
 
 
 
11

 
 
 
 
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards
37

 
 
 
 
 
50

 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock
$
3,195

 
419.2

 
$
7.62

 
$
4,048

 
428.1

 
$
9.46

Effect of dilutive securities and compensation programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards—Basic
$
37

 
 
 
 
 
$
50

 
 
 
 
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards—Diluted
37

 
 
 
 
 
50

 
 
 
 
Stock options
 
 
1.6

 
 
 
 
 
2.2

 
 
Deferred and long-term compensation programs
 
 
1.1

 
 
 
 
 
1.0

 
 
Exchangeable Surplus Notes
16

 
5.9

 
 
 
13

 
5.8

 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock
$
3,211

 
427.8

 
$
7.51

 
$
4,061

 
437.1

 
$
9.29


Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under this method, earnings attributable to Prudential Financial are allocated between Common Stock and the participating awards, as if the awards were a second class of stock. During periods of net income available to holders of Common Stock, the calculation of earnings per share excludes the income attributable to participating securities in the numerator and the dilutive impact of these securities from the denominator. In the event of a net loss available to holders of Common Stock, undistributed earnings are not allocated to participating securities and the denominator excludes the dilutive impact of these securities as they do not share in the losses of the Company. Undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , as applicable, were based on 4.8 million and 5.2 million of such awards, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , as applicable, were based on 4.9 million and 5.3 million of such awards, respectively, weighted for the period they were outstanding.
 
Stock options and shares related to deferred and long-term compensation programs that are considered antidilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. Stock options are considered antidilutive based on application of the treasury stock method or in the event of a net loss available to holders of Common Stock. Shares related to deferred and long-term compensation programs are considered antidilutive in the event of a net loss available to holders of Common Stock. For the periods indicated, the number of stock options and shares related to deferred and long-term compensation programs that were considered antidilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, weighted for the portion of the period they were outstanding, are as follows:


65

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share amounts, based on weighted average)
Antidilutive stock options based on application of the treasury stock method
0.8

 
$
108.60

 
0.4

 
$
110.20

Antidilutive stock options due to net loss available to holders of Common Stock
0.0

 
 
 
0.0

 
 
Antidilutive shares based on application of the treasury stock method
0.0

 
 
 
0.0

 
 
Antidilutive shares due to net loss available to holders of Common Stock
0.0

 
 
 
0.0

 
 
Total antidilutive stock options and shares
0.8

 
 
 
0.4

 
 

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share amounts, based on weighted average)
Antidilutive stock options based on application of the treasury stock method
0.6

 
$
108.46

 
0.3

 
$
110.27

Antidilutive stock options due to net loss available to holders of Common Stock
0.0

 
 
 
0.0

 
 
Antidilutive shares based on application of the treasury stock method
0.0

 
 
 
0.2

 
 
Antidilutive shares due to net loss available to holders of Common Stock
0.0

 
 
 
0.0

 
 
Total antidilutive stock options and shares
0.6

 
 
 
0.5

 
 

In September 2009, the Company issued $500 million of surplus notes with an interest rate of 5.36%  per annum which are exchangeable at the option of the note holders for shares of Common Stock. The initial exchange rate for the surplus notes was 10.1235 shares of Common Stock per each $1,000 principal amount of surplus notes. This was equivalent to 5.1 million shares and an initial exchange price per share of Common Stock of $98.78 . The exchange rate is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and is accordingly revalued during the fourth quarter of each year. As of September 30, 2018 , the exchange rate is equal to 11.7643 shares of Common Stock per each $1,000 principal amount of surplus notes. This is equivalent to 5.88 million shares and an exchange price per share of Common Stock of $85.00 . In calculating diluted earnings per share under the if-converted method, the potential shares that would be issued assuming a hypothetical exchange, weighted for the period the notes are outstanding, are added to the denominator, and the related interest expense, net of tax, is excluded from the numerator, if the overall effect is dilutive.

13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
Segments
 
The Company’s principal operations are comprised of five divisions, which together encompass seven segments, and its Corporate and Other operations. The PGIM division consists of the PGIM segment. The U.S. Workplace Solutions division consists of the Retirement and Group Insurance segments. The U.S. Individual Solutions division consists of the Individual Annuities and Individual Life segments. The International Insurance division consists of the International Insurance segment. The Closed Block division consists of the Closed Block segment. The Closed Block division is accounted for as a divested business that is reported separately from the divested businesses that are included in Corporate and Other operations. The Company’s Corporate and Other operations include corporate items and initiatives that are not allocated to business segments and businesses that have been or will be divested.


66

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Adjusted Operating Income
 
The Company analyzes the operating performance of each segment using “adjusted operating income.” Adjusted operating income does not equate to “Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures” or “Net income (loss)” as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP but is the measure of segment profit or loss used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources, and consistent with authoritative guidance, is the measure of segment performance presented below. Adjusted operating income is calculated by adjusting each segment’s “Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures” for the following items:
 
realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments;
charges related to realized investment gains (losses), net;
net investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities and changes in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes;
divested businesses; and
equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests.
 
These items are important to an understanding of overall results of operations. Adjusted operating income is not a substitute for income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the Company’s definition of adjusted operating income may differ from that used by other companies. The Company, however, believes that the presentation of adjusted operating income as measured for management purposes enhances the understanding of results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability factors of its businesses. For more information on these reconciling items, see Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 (see Note 2), changes in the fair value of equity securities are included in net income, but are excluded from adjusted operating income. These changes in fair value are classified as related adjustments within “realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments” reconciling item in the tables below.
 
Reconciliation of adjusted operating income and net income (loss)

The table below reconciles “adjusted operating income before income taxes” to “income before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures”:
 

67

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Adjusted operating income before income taxes by segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PGIM
$
230

 
$
259

 
$
716

 
$
673

Total PGIM division(1)
230

 
259

 
716

 
673

Retirement
239

 
248

 
833

 
953

Group Insurance
59

 
61

 
196

 
231

Total U.S. Workplace Solutions division(1)
298

 
309

 
1,029

 
1,184

Individual Annuities
454

 
577

 
1,480

 
1,657

Individual Life
170

 
150

 
249

 
(289
)
Total U.S. Individual Solutions division(1)
624

 
727

 
1,729

 
1,368

International Insurance
890

 
799

 
2,530

 
2,421

Total International Insurance division
890

 
799

 
2,530

 
2,421

Corporate and Other operations
(374
)
 
(310
)
 
(954
)
 
(974
)
Total Corporate and Other
(374
)
 
(310
)
 
(954
)
 
(974
)
Total segment adjusted operating income before income taxes
1,668

 
1,784

 
5,050

 
4,672

Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
271

 
1,395

 
751

 
(48
)
Charges related to realized investment gains (losses), net
(94
)
 
(231
)
 
(233
)
 
571

Investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
10

 
85

 
(586
)
 
330

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes
(21
)
 
(31
)
 
482

 
(188
)
Divested businesses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Closed Block division
18

 
33

 
(22
)
 
49

Other divested businesses
12

 
10

 
(1,586
)
 
51

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
(26
)
 
(24
)
 
(75
)
 
(66
)
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
1,838

 
$
3,021

 
$
3,781

 
$
5,371

__________
(1)
Prior period divisional subtotals are presented on a basis consistent with the Company’s new organizational structure effective in the fourth quarter of 2017. Individual segment results and consolidated totals remain unchanged. See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The Individual Annuities segment results reflect DAC as if the individual annuity business is a stand-alone operation. The elimination of intersegment costs capitalized in accordance with this policy is included in consolidating adjustments within Corporate and Other operations.

Reconciliation of select financial information
 
The table below presents revenues and total assets for the Company’s reportable segments for the periods or as of the dates indicated:
 

68

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Revenues
 
Total Assets
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
PGIM
$
817

 
$
827

 
$
2,459

 
$
2,370

 
$
48,175

 
$
49,944

Total PGIM division(1)
817

 
827

 
2,459

 
2,370

 
48,175

 
49,944

Retirement
4,203

 
3,259

 
9,280

 
8,803

 
178,778

 
183,629

Group Insurance
1,430

 
1,363

 
4,270

 
4,108

 
41,634

 
41,575

Total U.S. Workplace Solutions division(1)
5,633

 
4,622

 
13,550

 
12,911

 
220,412

 
225,204

Individual Annuities
1,224

 
1,304

 
3,742

 
3,825

 
177,497

 
183,666

Individual Life
1,454

 
1,411

 
4,330

 
3,510

 
86,313

 
83,985

Total U.S. Individual Solutions division(1)
2,678

 
2,715

 
8,072

 
7,335

 
263,810

 
267,651

International Insurance
5,490

 
5,376

 
16,818

 
16,268

 
214,197

 
211,647

Total International Insurance division
5,490

 
5,376

 
16,818


16,268


214,197


211,647

Corporate and Other operations
(186
)
 
(179
)
 
(549
)
 
(488
)
 
16,199

 
14,556

Total Corporate and Other
(186
)
 
(179
)
 
(549
)
 
(488
)
 
16,199

 
14,556

Total
14,432

 
13,361

 
40,350


38,396


762,793


769,002

Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
271

 
1,395

 
751

 
(48
)
 
 
 
 
Charges related to realized investment gains (losses), net
(60
)
 
(63
)
 
(223
)
 
(154
)
 
 
 
 
Investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
10

 
85

 
(586
)
 
330

 
 
 
 
Divested businesses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Closed Block division
1,249

 
1,376

 
3,800

 
4,382

 
59,955

 
63,134

Other divested businesses
276

 
185

 
551

 
594

 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
(30
)
 
(26
)
 
(83
)
 
(76
)
 
 
 
 
Total per Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
$
16,148

 
$
16,313

 
$
44,560

 
$
43,424

 
$
822,748

 
$
832,136

__________
(1)
Prior period divisional subtotals are presented on a basis consistent with the Company’s new organizational structure effective in the fourth quarter of 2017. Individual segment results and consolidated totals remain unchanged. See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Management has determined the intersegment revenues with reference to market rates. Intersegment revenues are eliminated in consolidation in Corporate and Other. The PGIM segment revenues include intersegment revenues, primarily consisting of asset-based management and administration fees, as follows:  
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
PGIM segment intersegment revenues
$
183

 
$
181

 
$
552

 
$
534

 
Segments may also enter into internal derivative contracts with other segments. For adjusted operating income, each segment accounts for the internal derivative results consistent with the manner in which that segment accounts for other similar external derivatives.


69

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
Commitments and Guarantees
 
Commercial Mortgage Loan Commitments
 
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Total outstanding mortgage loan commitments
$
2,141

 
$
2,772

Portion of commitment where prearrangement to sell to investor exists
$
1,003

 
$
435

 
In connection with the Company’s commercial mortgage operations, it originates commercial mortgage loans. Commitments for loans that will be held for sale are recognized as derivatives and recorded at fair value. In certain of these transactions, the Company pre-arranges that it will sell the loan to an investor, including to government sponsored entities as discussed below, after the Company funds the loan.
 
Commitments to Purchase Investments (excluding Commercial Mortgage Loans)
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Expected to be funded from the general account and other operations outside the separate accounts
$
6,656

 
$
6,319

Expected to be funded from separate accounts
$
91

 
$
141


The Company has other commitments to purchase or fund investments, some of which are contingent upon events or circumstances not under the Company’s control, including those at the discretion of the Company’s counterparties. The Company anticipates a portion of these commitments will ultimately be funded from its separate accounts.

  Indemnification of Securities Lending Transactions
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Indemnification provided to certain securities lending clients
$
5,085

 
$
4,619

Fair value of related collateral associated with above indemnifications
$
5,203

 
$
4,722

Accrued liability associated with guarantee
$
0

 
$
0

 
In the normal course of business, the Company may facilitate securities lending transactions on behalf of certain client accounts (collectively, “the accounts”). In certain of these arrangements, the Company has provided an indemnification to the accounts to hold them harmless against losses caused by counterparty (i.e., borrower) defaults associated with the securities lending activity facilitated by the Company. Collateral is provided by the counterparty to the accounts at the inception of the loan equal to or greater than 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities and the collateral is maintained daily at 102% or greater of the fair value of the loaned securities. The Company is only at risk if the counterparty to the securities lending transaction defaults and the value of the collateral held is less than the value of the securities loaned to such counterparty. The Company believes the possibility of any payments under these indemnities is remote.
 
Credit Derivatives Written
 
As discussed further in Note 5, the Company writes credit derivatives under which the Company is obligated to pay the counterparty the referenced amount of the contract and receive in return the defaulted security or similar security.
 

70

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Guarantees of Asset Values
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Guaranteed value of third-parties’ assets
$
78,512

 
$
77,290

Fair value of collateral supporting these assets
$
77,308

 
$
77,651

Asset (liability) associated with guarantee, carried at fair value
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
Certain contracts underwritten by the Retirement segment include guarantees related to financial assets owned by the guaranteed party. These contracts are accounted for as derivatives and carried at fair value. The collateral supporting these guarantees is not reflected on the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
 
Indemnification of Serviced Mortgage Loans
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Maximum exposure under indemnification agreements for mortgage loans serviced by the Company
$
1,760

 
$
1,609

First-loss exposure portion of above
$
525

 
$
483

Accrued liability associated with guarantees
$
16

 
$
14

 
As part of the commercial mortgage activities of the Company’s PGIM segment, the Company provides commercial mortgage origination, underwriting and servicing for certain government sponsored entities, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Company has agreed to indemnify the government sponsored entities for a portion of the credit risk associated with certain of the mortgages it services through a delegated authority arrangement. Under these arrangements, the Company originates multi-family mortgages for sale to the government sponsored entities based on underwriting standards they specify, and makes payments to them for a specified percentage share of losses they incur on certain loans serviced by the Company. The Company’s 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. The Company determines the liability related to this exposure using historical loss experience, and the size and remaining life of the asset. The Company serviced $14,070 million and $12,892 million of mortgages subject to these loss-sharing arrangements as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, all of which are collateralized by first priority liens on the underlying multi-family residential properties. As of September 30, 2018 , these mortgages had a weighted-average debt service coverage ratio of 1.86 times and a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio of 60% . As of December 31, 2017 , these mortgages had a weighted average debt service coverage ratio of 1.82 times and a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio of 59% . The Company had no losses related to indemnifications that were settled for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
 
Other Guarantees
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Other guarantees where amount can be determined
$
78

 
$
31

Accrued liability for other guarantees and indemnifications
$
0

 
$
0

 
The Company is also subject to other financial guarantees and indemnity arrangements. The Company has provided indemnities and guarantees related to acquisitions, dispositions, investments and other transactions that are triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. These obligations are typically subject to various time limitations, defined by the contract or by operation of law, such as statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential obligation is subject to contractual limitations, while in other cases such limitations are not specified or applicable. Included above is $13 million and $31 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, of yield maintenance guarantees related to certain investments the Company sold. The Company does not expect to make any payments on these guarantees and is not carrying any liabilities associated with these guarantees.
 
Since certain of these obligations are not subject to limitations, it is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount due under these guarantees. The accrued liabilities identified above do not include retained liabilities associated with sold businesses.

71

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 
Contingent Liabilities
 
On an ongoing basis, the Company’s internal supervisory and control functions review the quality of sales, marketing and other customer interface procedures and practices and may recommend modifications or enhancements. From time to time, this review process results in the discovery of product administration, servicing or other errors, including errors relating to the timing or amount of payments or contract values due to customers or other parties. In certain cases, if appropriate, the Company may offer customers or other parties remediation and may incur charges, including the cost of such remediation, administrative costs and regulatory fines.
 
The Company is subject to the laws and regulations of states and other jurisdictions concerning the identification, reporting and escheatment of unclaimed or abandoned funds, and is subject to audit and examination for compliance with these requirements. For additional discussion of these matters, see “ Litigation and Regulatory Matters” below.
 
It is possible that the results of operations or the cash flow of the Company in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected as a result of payments in connection with the matters discussed above or other matters depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flow for such period. Management believes, however, that ultimate payments in connection with these matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, should not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

Litigation and Regulatory Matters
The Company is subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of its businesses. Pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings relating to aspects of the Company’s businesses and operations that are specific to it and proceedings that are typical of the businesses in which it operates, including in both cases businesses that have been either divested or placed in wind down status. Some of these proceedings have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of complainants. In certain of these matters, the plaintiffs are seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages. The outcome of litigation or a regulatory matter, and the amount or range of potential loss at any particular time, is often inherently uncertain.
The Company establishes accruals for litigation and regulatory matters when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of that loss can be reasonably estimated. For litigation and regulatory matters where a loss may be reasonably possible, but not probable, or is probable but not reasonably estimable, no accrual is established but the matter, if potentially material, is disclosed, including matters discussed below. The Company estimates that as of September 30, 2018 , the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of accruals established for those litigation and regulatory matters for which such an estimate currently can be made is less than $250 million . Any estimate is not an indication of expected loss, if any, or the Company’s maximum possible loss exposure on such matters. The Company reviews relevant information with respect to its litigation and regulatory matters on a quarterly and annual basis and updates its accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible loss based on such reviews.
The following discussion of litigation and regulatory matters provides an update of those matters discussed in Note 23 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , and should be read in conjunction with the complete descriptions provided in the Form 10-K.
Individual Annuities, Individual Life and Group Insurance

Wells Fargo MyTerm Sales

In November 2018, the Company and Wells Fargo resolved the Company’s claims emanating from the MyTerm distribution agreement.

Huffman v. The Prudential Insurance Company of America

In April 2018, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied Prudential Insurance’s request for leave to appeal the class certification decision.

Behfarin v. Pruco Life

In September 2018, plaintiff filed a motion for class certification.

72

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


Escheatment Litigation

State of West Virginia ex. Rel. John D. Perdue v. The Prudential Insurance Company of America

In September 2018, the case was dismissed with prejudice. This matter is now closed.

State of West Virginia ex. Rel. John D. Perdue v. Pruco Life

In September 2018, the case was dismissed with prejudice. This matter is now closed.

Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC v. MetLife, Inc., et al., Prudential Financial, Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Prudential Insurance Agency, LLC

In May 2018, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint.

Other Matters

Rosen v. PRIAC, et al.

In March 2018, plaintiff’s time to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeals expired. This case is now closed.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Trustee Litigation

PICA et al. v. Citibank N.A.

In March 2018, the federal court granted Citibank’s motion for summary judgment. In April 2018, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from the March 2018 decision granting summary judgment.

PICA et al. v. Deutsche Bank, et al.

In May 2018, plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was denied in the state court action. In June 2018, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the California Court of Appeal of the denial of their class certification motion.

PICA et al. v. HSBC, et al.

In February 2018, the court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and plaintiffs filed a petition with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals seeking permission to appeal the class certification decision. In May 2018, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ request for permission to appeal the denial of their class certification motion.

PICA et al. v. U.S. Bank N.A .

In February 2018, the federal court entered a stipulated order: (i) dismissing all claims involving three trusts with prejudice; (ii) with respect to twenty trusts, dismissing with prejudice the Trust Indenture Act (“TIA”) claims for lack of standing, and the breach of contract claims without prejudice; and (iii) dismissing without prejudice the TIA and breach of contract claims concerning the four remaining trusts. In February 2018, U.S. Bank filed an appeal from the state court’s order concerning U.S. Bank’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In March 2018, plaintiffs filed a cross-appeal of the state court’s order concerning the motion to dismiss. In August 2018, plaintiffs filed a second class action complaint in New York state court against U.S. Bank, as trustee, asserting claims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and breach of duty of care. In October 2018, the New York State Supreme Court, First Department, modified the lower court’s January 2018 order, by dismissing plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims for servicer violations involving 56 of 77 trusts, and otherwise affirmed the remainder of the lower court’s January 2018 order.

Regulatory Matters

Securities Lending and Foreign Tax Reclaim Matter
 

73

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

In 2016, the Company self-reported to the SEC and the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) , and notified other regulators, that in some cases it failed to maximize securities lending income for the benefit of certain separate account investments due to a long-standing restriction benefiting the Company that limited the availability of loanable securities. The Company has removed the restriction and implemented a remediation plan for the benefit of customers. As part of the Company’s review of this matter, in 2018 it further self-reported to the SEC, and notified other regulators, that in some cases it failed to timely process foreign tax reclaims for the separate account investments.  The Company has corrected the foreign tax reclaim process and is implementing a remediation plan for the benefit of customers.
 
The DOL’s review of the securities lending matter is closed.  The Company is cooperating with the SEC in its review of the securities lending and foreign tax reclaim matters (which includes a review of the remediation plans) and has entered into discussions with the SEC staff regarding a possible settlement of the securities lending matter that would potentially involve charges under the Investment Advisers Act and financial remedies. We cannot predict the outcome of the discussions with the SEC regarding the foreign tax reclaim matter or the possible settlement of the securities lending matter.  

Summary

The Company’s litigation and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertainties, and given their complexity and scope, their outcome cannot be predicted. It is possible that the Company’s results of operations or cash flow in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable resolution of pending litigation and regulatory matters depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flow for such period. In light of the unpredictability of the Company’s litigation and regulatory matters, it is also possible that in certain cases an ultimate unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigation or regulatory matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position. Management believes, however, that, based on information currently known to it, the ultimate outcome of all pending litigation and regulatory matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

74


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page

 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) addresses the consolidated financial condition of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential,” “Prudential Financial,” “PFI,” or “the Company”) as of September 30, 2018 , compared with December 31, 2017 , and its consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . You should read the following analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the MD&A, the “Risk Factors” section, and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , as well as the statements under “Forward-Looking Statements” and the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


75

Table of Contents

Overview

Prudential Financial, a financial services leader with approximately $1.410 trillion of assets under management as of September 30, 2018 , has operations primarily in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Through our subsidiaries and affiliates, we offer a wide array of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. We offer these products and services to individual and institutional customers through one of the largest distribution networks in the financial services industry.

Our principal operations are comprised of five divisions, which together encompass seven segments, and our Corporate and Other operations. The PGIM division is comprised of the PGIM segment, our global investment management businesses (retitled from the “Investment Management division” and the “Investment Management segment” effective in the second quarter of 2018). The U.S. Workplace Solutions division consists of our Retirement and Group Insurance segments. The U.S. Individual Solutions division consists of our Individual Annuities and Individual Life segments. The International Insurance division consists of our International Insurance segment. The Closed Block division consists of our Closed Block segment. The Closed Block division is accounted for as a divested business that is reported separately from the divested businesses that are included in Corporate and Other operations. Our Corporate and Other operations include corporate items and initiatives that are not allocated to business segments and businesses that have been or will be divested.

We attribute financing costs to each segment based on the amount of financing used by each segment, excluding financing costs associated with corporate debt which are reflected in Corporate and Other operations. The net investment income of each segment includes earnings on the amount of capital that management believes is necessary to support the risks of that segment.

Regulatory Developments

Regulation as a Designated Financial Company

In October 2018, the Financial Stability Oversight Council rescinded the designation of the Company as a non-bank financial company (a “Designated Financial Company”) subject to supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”). As a result, the Company is no longer subject to supervision and examination by the FRB or to the prudential standards applicable to Designated Financial Companies under Dodd-Frank. The Company remains subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision as described under “Business—Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance will continue to act as our group-wide supervisor.

Fiduciary Rules and other Standards of Care
 
In March 2018, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the fiduciary rules adopted by the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) in April 2016. The decision became effective in June 2018. 

In April 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed a package of rulemakings and interpretative guidance that would, among other things, require broker-dealers to act in the best interest of retail customers when recommending securities transactions or investment strategies to them. The proposals would also clarify the SEC’s views of the fiduciary duty that investment advisers owe to their clients. If enacted in their current form, we believe the primary impact of the proposals would be in our Individual Annuities, Retirement, PGIM and Individual Life segments and our Prudential Advisors distribution system, which we include in the results of our Individual Life segment.

In July 2018, the New York Department of Financial Services issued an amendment to its suitability regulations which will impose a best-interest standard on the sale of annuity and life insurance products in New York. In addition, in October 2018 the New Jersey Bureau of Securities issued proposed regulations that would impose a fiduciary standard on all New Jersey investment professionals, and other state regulators and legislatures have adopted or are considering adopting best interest standards.

Given the uncertainty as to the standards that will ultimately apply to our businesses, we cannot predict the impact of these new laws and proposals.

State Insurance Exam

In June 2018, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, along with the insurance regulators of Arizona, Connecticut and Indiana, completed their first global consolidated group-wide examination of Prudential and its subsidiaries for the five-year period ended December 31, 2016 and had no reportable findings.

76

Table of Contents


Risk-Based Capital

In June 2018, the Capital Adequacy Task Force of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC”) approved revisions to the NAIC’s risk-based capital (“RBC”) framework in respect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act of 2017”). The revisions will apply to our domestic life insurance companies’ RBC ratios as of December 31, 2018. For a discussion of the impact of the Tax Act of 2017 and these changes on our RBC ratios, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources-Capital-Insurance Regulatory Capital.”

For additional information on the potential impacts of regulation on the Company, see “Business—Regulation” and “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Impact of a Low Interest Rate Environment

As a global financial services company, market interest rates are a key driver of our results of operations and financial condition. Changes in interest rates can affect our results of operations and/or our financial condition in several ways, including favorable or adverse impacts to:
investment-related activity, including: investment income returns, net interest margins, net investment spread results, new money rates, mortgage loan prepayments and bond redemptions;
insurance reserve levels, market experience true-ups and amortization of both deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”);
customer account values, including their impact on fee income;
fair value of, and possible impairments on, intangible assets such as goodwill;
product offerings, design features, crediting rates and sales mix; and
policyholder behavior, including surrender or withdrawal activity.

For more information on interest rate risks, see “Risk Factors—Market Risk” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

See below for discussions related to the current interest rate environments in our two largest markets, the United States and Japan; the composition of our insurance liabilities and policyholder account balances; and the hypothetical impacts to our results if these interest rate environments are sustained.

U.S. Operations excluding the Closed Block Division
 
Interest rates in the U.S. have experienced a period of historically low levels in large part due to Federal Reserve efforts to assist with the economic recovery subsequent to the financial crisis of 2008. However, more recently market interest rates have begun to climb in conjunction with a series of Federal Reserve decisions to raise interest rates in response to a strengthening economy. While market conditions and events make uncertain the timing, amount and impact of any further monetary policy decisions by the Federal Reserve, a trend of rising interest rates may enhance our reinvestment yields, primarily for our investments in fixed maturity securities and commercial mortgage loans. As interest rates rise, our reinvestment yield may approach or exceed the overall portfolio yield.

For the general account supporting our U.S. Individual Solutions division, U.S. Workplace Solutions division, PGIM division and our Corporate and Other operations, we expect annual scheduled payments and prepayments to be approximately 6.1% of the fixed maturity security and commercial mortgage loan portfolios through 2019 . The portion of the general account attributable to these operations has approximately $193 billion of such assets (based on net carrying value) as of September 30, 2018 . The average portfolio yield for fixed maturity securities and commercial mortgage loans is approximately 4.2% as of September 30, 2018 .

Included in the $193 billion of fixed maturity securities and commercial mortgage loans are approximately $112 billion that are subject to call or redemption features at the issuer’s option and have a weighted average interest rate of approximately 4%. Of this $112 billion , approximately 63% contain provisions for prepayment premiums. If we reinvest scheduled payments or prepayments (not subject to a prepayment fee) at rates below the current portfolio yield, including in some cases at rates below those guaranteed under our insurance contracts, future operating results will be impacted to the extent we do not, or are unable to, reduce crediting rates on in force blocks of business, or effectively utilize other asset/liability management strategies described below, in order to maintain current net interest margins.

The following table sets forth the insurance liabilities and policyholder account balances of our U.S. Operations excluding the Closed Block Division, by type, for the date indicated:

77

Table of Contents

 
As of
September 30, 2018
 
(in billions)
Long-duration insurance products with fixed and guaranteed terms
$
114

Contracts with adjustable crediting rates subject to guaranteed minimums
57

Participating contracts where investment income risk ultimately accrues to contractholders
15

Total
$
186


The $114 billion above relates to long-duration products such as group annuities, structured settlements and other insurance products that have fixed and guaranteed terms, for which underlying assets may have to be reinvested at interest rates that are lower than portfolio rates. We seek to mitigate the impact of a prolonged low interest rate environment on these contracts through asset/liability management, as discussed further below.

The $57 billion above relates to contracts with crediting rates that may be adjusted over the life of the contract, subject to guaranteed minimums. Although we may have the ability to lower crediting rates for those contracts above guaranteed minimums, our willingness to do so may be limited by competitive pressures. The following table sets forth the related account values by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates and the related range of the difference, in basis points (“bps”), between rates being credited to contractholders as of September 30, 2018 , and the respective guaranteed minimums.  
 
Account Values with Adjustable Crediting Rates Subject to Guaranteed Minimums:
 
At
guaranteed
minimum
 
1-49
bps above
guaranteed
minimum
 
50-99
bps above
guaranteed
minimum
 
100-150
bps above
guaranteed
minimum
 
Greater than
150
bps above
guaranteed
minimum
 
Total
 
($ in billions)
Range of Guaranteed Minimum
Crediting Rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 1.00%
$
0.5

 
$
1.2

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.0

 
$
0.0

 
$
2.2

1.00% - 1.99%
1.0

 
2.2

 
13.1

 
2.1

 
0.4

 
18.8

2.00% - 2.99%
1.3

 
0.7

 
1.9

 
1.0

 
0.6

 
5.5

3.00% - 4.00%
26.7

 
2.0

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.0

 
29.1

Greater than 4.00%
0.9

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.9

Total(1)
$
30.4

 
$
6.1

 
$
15.7

 
$
3.3

 
$
1.0

 
$
56.5

Percentage of total
54
%
 
11
%
 
27
%
 
6
%
 
2
%
 
100
%
  __________
(1)
Includes approximately $0.81 billion related to contracts that impose a market value adjustment if the invested amount is not held to maturity.

The remaining $15 billion of insurance liabilities and policyholder account balances in these operations relates to participating contracts for which the investment income risk is expected to ultimately accrue to contractholders. The crediting rates for these contracts are periodically adjusted based on the return earned on the related assets.

Assuming a hypothetical scenario where the average 10-year U.S. Treasury rate is 3.10% for the period from October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, and credit spreads remain unchanged from levels as of September 30, 2018 , we estimate that the unfavorable impact to pre-tax adjusted operating income of reinvesting in such an environment, compared to reinvesting at current average portfolio yields, would be approximately $1 million in 2018 and $3 million in 2019. This hypothetical scenario only reflects the impact related to the approximately $57 billion of contracts shown in the table above, and does not reflect: any benefit from potential changes to the crediting rates on the corresponding contractholder liabilities where the Company has the contractual ability to do so, or other potential mitigants such as changes in investment mix that we may implement as funds are reinvested; any impact related to assets that do not directly support our liabilities; any impact from other factors, including but not limited to, new business, contractholder behavior, product modifications, changes in product offerings, changes in competitive conditions or changes in capital markets; or any impact from other factors described below. See “—Segment Measures” for a discussion of adjusted operating income and its use as a measure of segment operating performance.

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In order to mitigate the unfavorable impact that a low interest rate environment has on our net interest margins, we employ a proactive asset/liability management program, which includes strategic asset allocation and hedging strategies within a disciplined risk management framework. These strategies seek to match the characteristics of our products, and to closely approximate the interest rate sensitivity of the assets with the estimated interest rate sensitivity of the product liabilities. Our asset/liability management program also helps manage duration gaps, currency and other risks between assets and liabilities through the use of derivatives. We adjust this dynamic process as products change, as customer behavior changes and as changes in the market environment occur. As a result, our asset/liability management process has permitted us to manage the interest rate risk associated with our products through several market cycles. Our interest rate exposure is also mitigated by our business mix, which includes lines of business for which fee-based and insurance underwriting earnings play a more prominent role in product profitability.

Closed Block Division
Substantially all of the $58 billion of general account assets in the Closed Block division support obligations and liabilities relating to the Closed Block policies only. See Note 7 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Closed Block.

International Insurance Operations

While our international insurance operations have experienced a low interest rate environment for many years, the current reinvestment yields for certain blocks of business in our international insurance operations are generally lower than the current portfolio yield supporting these blocks of business. In recent years, the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy has resulted in even lower and, at times, negative yields for certain tenors of government bonds. Our international insurance operations employ a proactive asset/liability management program in order to mitigate, to the extent possible, the unfavorable impact that the current interest rate environment has on our net interest margins. In conjunction with this program, we have not purchased negative yielding assets to support the portfolio and we continue to purchase long-term bonds with tenors of 30 years or greater. Additionally, our diverse product portfolio in terms of currency mix and premium payment structure allows us to further mitigate the negative impact from this low interest rate environment. We regularly examine our product offerings and their profitability. As a result, we have repriced certain products, adjusted commissions for certain products and have discontinued sales of other products that do not meet our profit expectations. The impact of these actions, coupled with the strengthening of the yen against the U.S. dollar and introduction of certain new products, has resulted in an increase in sales of U.S. dollar-denominated products relative to products denominated in other currencies. For additional information on sales within our international insurance operations, see “—International Insurance Division—International Insurance—Sales Results,” below.

The following table sets forth the insurance liabilities and policyholder account balances of our Japanese operations, by type, for the date indicated:
 
As of
September 30, 2018
 
(in billions)
Long-duration insurance products with fixed and guaranteed terms
$
129

Contracts with a market value adjustment if invested amount is not held to maturity
26

Contracts with adjustable crediting rates subject to guaranteed minimums
10

Total
$
165


The $129 billion above is predominantly comprised of long-duration insurance products that have fixed and guaranteed terms, for which underlying assets may have to be reinvested at interest rates that are lower than current portfolio yields. The remaining insurance liabilities and policyholder account balances include $26 billion related to contracts that impose a market value adjustment if the invested amount is not held to maturity and $10 billion related to contracts with crediting rates that may be adjusted over the life of the contract, subject to guaranteed minimums. Most of the current crediting rates on these contracts, however, are at or near contractual minimums. Although we have the ability in some cases to lower crediting rates for those contracts that are above guaranteed minimum crediting rates, the majority of this business has interest crediting rates that are determined by formula.


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Assuming a hypothetical scenario within our Japanese and Korean operations where new money yields would be 25 bps lower than projected, and applying these lower new money yields to annualized investment of renewal premiums, proceeds from investment disposition and reinvestment of investment income, we estimate that the unfavorable impact would reduce adjusted operating income in 2019 by approximately $10 to $15 million. This hypothetical scenario excludes first-year premium, single pay premium, multi-currency fixed annuity cash flows, any potential benefit from repricing products and any impact from other factors, including but not limited to new business, contractholder behavior, changes in competitive conditions, changes in capital markets and the effect of derivative instruments.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table summarizes net income (loss) for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Revenues
$
16,148

 
$
16,313

 
$
44,560

 
$
43,424

Benefits and expenses
14,310

 
13,292

 
40,779

 
38,053

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
1,838

 
3,021

 
3,781

 
5,371

Income tax expense (benefit)
184

 
800

 
604

 
1,320

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
1,654

 
2,221

 
3,177

 
4,051

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures, net of taxes
21

 
20

 
62

 
58

Net income (loss)
1,675

 
2,241

 
3,239

 
4,109

Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests
3

 
3

 
7

 
11

Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.
$
1,672

 
$
2,238

 
$
3,232

 
$
4,098

 
Three Month Comparison. The $566 million decrease in “Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.” for the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017 reflected the following notable items:
 
$718 million unfavorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, reflecting the net impact from changes in the value of our embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with certain variable annuities (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities—Variable Annuity Risks and Risk Mitigants” for additional information);

$588 million unfavorable variance from net pre-tax realized investment gains and losses for PFI excluding the Closed Block division, and excluding the impact of the hedging program associated with certain variable annuities discussed above (see “—General Account Investments” for additional information); and

$84 million unfavorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, from adjustments to reserves as well as DAC and other costs, reflecting updates to the estimated profitability of our businesses. This excludes the impact associated with the variable annuity hedging program discussed above (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities” for additional information).

Partially offsetting these decreases in “Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.” was the following item:
 
$824 million net favorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, primarily from lower income tax expense due to lower net income compared to the prior year period as well as the impact of tax reform and certain other tax matters (see Note 8 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).

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Nine Month Comparison. The $866 million decrease in “Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.” for the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017 reflected the following notable items:
 
$1,389 million unfavorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, from adjustments to reserves as well as DAC and other costs, reflecting updates to the estimated profitability of our businesses, including the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. This excludes the impact associated with the variable annuity hedging program discussed below (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities” for additional information);

$771 million unfavorable variance from net pre-tax realized investment gains and losses for PFI excluding the Closed Block division, and excluding the impact of the hedging program associated with certain variable annuities discussed below (see “—General Account Investments” for additional information); and

$249 million net unfavorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, from a loss in the current period from our Divested Businesses compared to income in the prior period, excluding the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above.

Partially offsetting these decreases in “Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.” were the following items:
 
$730 million favorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, reflecting the net impact from changes in the value of our embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with certain variable annuities (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities—Variable Annuity Risks and Risk Mitigants” for additional information); and

$813 million net favorable variance, on a pre-tax basis, primarily from lower income tax expense due to lower net income compared to the prior year period as well as the impact of tax reform and certain other tax matters (see Note 8 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).

Segment Results of Operations
 
We analyze the performance of our segments and Corporate and Other operations using a measure of segment profitability called adjusted operating income. See “—Segment Measures” for a discussion of adjusted operating income and its use as a measure of segment operating performance.

Summary of Results of Operations by Segment

Shown below are the adjusted operating income contributions of each segment and Corporate and Other operations for the periods indicated and a reconciliation of this segment measure of performance to “Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures” as presented in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations.


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Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Adjusted operating income before income taxes by segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PGIM
$
230

 
$
259

 
$
716

 
$
673

Total PGIM division(1)
230

 
259

 
716

 
673

Retirement
239

 
248

 
833

 
953

Group Insurance
59

 
61

 
196

 
231

Total U.S. Workplace Solutions division(1)
298

 
309

 
1,029

 
1,184

Individual Annuities
454

 
577

 
1,480

 
1,657

Individual Life
170

 
150

 
249

 
(289
)
Total U.S. Individual Solutions division(1)
624

 
727

 
1,729

 
1,368

International Insurance
890

 
799

 
2,530

 
2,421

Total International Insurance division
890

 
799

 
2,530

 
2,421

Corporate and Other operations
(374
)
 
(310
)
 
(954
)
 
(974
)
Total Corporate and Other
(374
)
 
(310
)
 
(954
)
 
(974
)
Total segment adjusted operating income before income taxes
1,668

 
1,784

 
5,050

 
4,672

Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments(2)
271

 
1,395

 
751

 
(48
)
Charges related to realized investment gains (losses), net(3)
(94
)
 
(231
)
 
(233
)
 
571

Investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net(4)
10

 
85

 
(586
)
 
330

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes(5)
(21
)
 
(31
)
 
482

 
(188
)
Divested businesses(6):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Closed Block division
18

 
33

 
(22
)
 
49

     Other divested businesses
12

 
10

 
(1,586
)
 
51

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(7)
(26
)
 
(24
)
 
(75
)
 
(66
)
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
1,838

 
$
3,021

 
$
3,781

 
$
5,371

__________
(1)
Prior period divisional subtotals are presented on a basis consistent with the Company’s new organizational structure effective in the fourth quarter of 2017. Individual segment results and consolidated totals remain unchanged. For additional information, see Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(2)
Represents “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” and related adjustments. See “—General Account Investments” and Note 13 to our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(3)
Includes charges that represent the impact of realized investment gains (losses), net, on the amortization of DAC and other costs, and on changes in reserves. Also includes charges resulting from payments related to market value adjustment features of certain of our annuity products and the impact of realized investment gains (losses), net, on the amortization of unearned revenue reserves.
(4)
Represents net investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities. See “—Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities, Assets Supporting Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities and Other Related Investments.”
(5)
Represents changes in contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes in the pool of investments supporting these experience-rated contracts. See “—Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities, Assets Supporting Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities and Other Related Investments.”
(6)
Represents the contribution to income (loss) of divested businesses that have been or will be sold or exited, including businesses that have been placed in wind down, but that did not qualify for “discontinued operations” accounting treatment under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). See “—Divested Businesses.”
(7)
Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures are included in adjusted operating income but excluded from income before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures as they are reflected on an after-tax U.S. GAAP basis as a separate line item in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations. Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests are excluded from adjusted operating income but included in income before taxes and equity earnings of operating joint ventures as they are reflected on a U.S. GAAP basis as a separate line in our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations. Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests represent the portion of earnings from consolidated entities that relates to the equity interests of minority investors.

Results for the periods presented above reflect the following:


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PGIM. Segment results for the third quarter of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily reflecting lower other related revenues, net of associated expenses, partially offset by higher asset management fees, net of related expenses. Results for the first nine months of 2018 increased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily reflecting higher asset management fees, net of related expenses, partially offset by higher expenses supporting business growth and lower other related revenues, net of associated expenses.

Retirement. Segment results for the third quarter of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily reflecting a lower contribution from reserve experience, partially offset by higher net investment spread results. Segment results for the first nine months of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily reflecting a net unfavorable comparative impact from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, lower net investment spread results and higher general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a higher contribution from reserve experience.

Group Insurance. Segment results for the third quarter of 2018 decreased modestly in comparison to the prior year period, reflecting higher expenses partially offset by more favorable underwriting results in our group life and group disability businesses. Segment results for the first nine months of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period, reflecting higher expenses, less favorable comparative net impacts from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, and a lower contribution from net investment spread results, partially offset by more favorable underwriting results in our group life and group disability businesses.

Individual Annuities. Segment results for both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year periods both reflecting less favorable comparative net impacts from changes in the estimated profitability of the business. Excluding these impacts, segment results for the third quarter of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period primarily driven by higher capital hedge costs, higher distribution expenses and lower net asset-based fee income. Segment results for the first nine months of 2018 increased slightly in comparison to the prior year periods primarily driven by higher net asset-based fee income, as well as lower amortization costs and reserve provisions. These increases were mostly offset by lower net investment spread results, higher capital hedge costs and higher distribution expenses.

Individual Life. Segment results for the third quarter of 2018 increased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily reflecting a more favorable impact of mortality experience, net of reinsurance. Segment results for the first nine months of 2018 increased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily reflecting favorable comparative net impacts from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements.
 
International Insurance . Segment results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2018 increased in comparison to the prior year periods, inclusive of favorable net impacts from foreign currency exchange rates. The nine-month comparison also included comparatively unfavorable net impacts from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these items, segment results increased from the prior periods as both current periods benefited from business growth and lower expenses, partially offset by a lower contribution from net investment results.

Corporate and Other operations . The results for the third quarter of 2018 reflected increased losses in comparison to the prior year period, driven by higher levels of corporate expenses and lower net investment income, partially offset by higher income from our qualified pension plan. Results for the first nine months of 2018 reflected decreased losses in comparison to the prior year period, driven by higher income from our qualified pension plan, lower levels of corporate expenses and lower interest expense, partially offset by lower net investment income.

Closed Block Division. The Closed Block division results for the third quarter of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily driven by a decrease in net investment income and a less favorable policyholder dividend obligation adjustment, partially offset by higher net insurance activity and net realized investment gains and related activity results. The Closed Block division results for the first nine months of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period, primarily driven by decreases in net investment income and net realized investment gains and related activity, partially offset by higher net insurance activity results and a more favorable policyholder dividend obligation adjustment.


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Segment Measures

Adjusted Operating Income. In managing our business, we analyze our segments’ operating performance using “adjusted operating income.” Adjusted operating income does not equate to “Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures” or “Net income (loss)” 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 authoritative guidance, is our measure of segment performance. The adjustments to derive adjusted operating income 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 the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability of our businesses.

See Note 13 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the presentation of segment results and our definition of adjusted operating income.

Annualized New Business Premiums. In managing our Individual Life, Group Insurance and International Insurance businesses, we analyze annualized new business premiums, which do not correspond to revenues under U.S. GAAP. Annualized new business premiums measure the current sales performance of the business, while revenues primarily reflect the renewal persistency of policies written in prior years and net investment income, in addition to current sales. Annualized new business premiums include 10% of first year premiums or deposits from single pay products. No other adjustments are made for limited pay contracts.

The amount of annualized new business premiums for any given period can be significantly impacted by several factors, including but not limited to: addition of new products, discontinuation of existing products, changes in credited interest rates for certain products and other product modifications, changes in premium rates, changes in tax laws, changes in regulations or changes in the competitive environment. Sales volume may increase or decrease prior to certain of these changes becoming effective, and then fluctuate in the other direction following such changes.

Assets Under Management. In managing our PGIM business, we analyze assets under management (which do not correspond directly to U.S. GAAP assets) because the principal source of revenues is fees based on assets under management. Assets under management represents the fair market value or account value of assets which we manage directly for institutional clients, retail clients, and for our general account, as well as assets invested in our products that are managed by third-party managers.

Account Values. In managing our Individual Annuities and Retirement businesses, we analyze account values, which do not correspond to U.S. GAAP assets. Net sales (redemptions) in our Individual Annuities business and net additions (withdrawals) in our Retirement business do not correspond to revenues under U.S. GAAP, but are used as a relevant measure of business activity.

Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Foreign currency exchange rate movements and related hedging strategies
 
As a U.S.-based company with significant business operations outside the U.S., particularly in Japan, we are subject to foreign currency exchange rate movements that could impact our U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings and shareholder return on equity. We seek to mitigate this impact through various hedging strategies, including the use of derivative contracts and by holding U.S. dollar-denominated assets in certain of our foreign subsidiaries.
 
The operations of certain of our businesses are subject to currency fluctuations that could materially affect our U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings from period to period, even if earnings on a local currency basis are relatively constant. We enter into forward currency derivative contracts 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 earnings volatility from foreign currency exchange rate movements. The forward currency hedging program is primarily associated with our insurance operations in Japan and Korea.

For further information on the hedging strategies used to mitigate the risks of foreign currency exchange rate movements on earnings as well as the U.S. GAAP earnings impact from products denominated in non-local currencies, see “—Impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on earnings,” below.
 

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We utilize a yen hedging strategy that calibrates the hedge level to preserve the relative contribution of our yen-based business to the Company’s overall return on equity on a leverage neutral basis. We implement this hedging strategy utilizing a variety of instruments, including foreign currency derivative contracts, as discussed above, as well as U.S. dollar-denominated assets and, to a lesser extent, “dual currency” and “synthetic dual currency” assets held locally in our Japanese insurance subsidiaries. We may also hedge using instruments held in our U.S. domiciled entities, such as U.S. dollar-denominated debt that has been swapped to yen. The total hedge level may vary based on our periodic assessment of the relative contribution of our yen-based business to the Company’s overall return on equity.
 
The table below presents the aggregate amount of instruments that serve to hedge the impact of foreign currency exchange movements on our U.S. dollar-equivalent shareholder return on equity from our Japanese insurance subsidiaries as of the dates indicated.
 
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in billions)
Instruments hedging foreign currency exchange rate exposure on U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings:
 
 
 
Forward currency hedging program(1)
$
1.5

 
$
1.6

Instruments hedging foreign currency exchange rate exposure on U.S. dollar-equivalent equity:
 
 
 
U.S. dollar-denominated assets held in yen-based entities(2):
 
 
 
U.S. dollar-denominated investments(3)
13.3

 
13.7

Other
0.1

 
0.1

Subtotal
13.4

 
13.8

Dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments(4)
0.6

 
0.6

Total instruments hedging foreign currency exchange rate exposure on U.S. dollar-equivalent equity
14.0

 
14.4

Total hedges
$
15.5

 
$
16.0

__________
(1)
Represents the notional amount of forward currency contracts outstanding.
(2)
Excludes $47.3 billion and $41.2 billion as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of U.S. dollar-denominated assets supporting U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities related to U.S. dollar-denominated products issued by our Japanese insurance operations.
(3)
Includes U.S. dollar-denominated fixed maturities at amortized cost and U.S. dollar notional amount of foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding.
(4)
Dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments are held by our yen-based entities in the form of fixed maturities and loans with a yen-denominated principal component and U.S. dollar-denominated interest income. The amounts shown represent the present value of future U.S. dollar-denominated cash flows.

The U.S. dollar-denominated investments that hedge the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings and shareholder return on equity from our Japanese insurance operations are reported within yen-based entities and, as a result, foreign currency exchange rate movements will impact their value reported within our yen-based Japanese insurance entities. We seek to mitigate the risk that future unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movements will decrease the value of these U.S. dollar-denominated investments reported within our yen-based Japanese insurance entities, and therefore negatively impact their equity and regulatory solvency margins, by having our Japanese insurance operations enter into currency hedging transactions. Those hedges are with a subsidiary of Prudential Financial. These hedging strategies have the economic effect of moving the change in value of these U.S. dollar-denominated investments due to foreign currency exchange rate movements from our Japanese yen-based entities to our U.S. dollar-based entities.

These U.S. dollar-denominated investments also pay a coupon which is generally higher than what a similar yen-denominated investment would pay. The incremental impact of this higher yield on our U.S. dollar-denominated investments, as well as our dual currency and synthetic dual currency investments, will vary over time, and is dependent on the duration of the underlying investments as well as interest rate environments in both the U.S. and Japan at the time of the investments. See “—General Account Investments—Investment Results” for a discussion of the investment yields generated by our Japanese insurance operations.

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Impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on earnings
 
The financial results of our International Insurance and PGIM segments reflect the impact of intercompany arrangements with our Corporate and Other operations pursuant to which certain of these segments’ non-U.S. dollar-denominated earnings are translated at fixed currency exchange rates. The financial results of our Retirement segment reflected the impact of an intercompany foreign currency exchange arrangement with our Corporate and Other operations in 2016 and 2017 prior to its termination effective January 1, 2018. This foreign currency exchange risk is now managed within our Retirement segment using a strategy that may include external hedges. Results of our Corporate and Other operations include any differences between the translation adjustments recorded by the segments at the fixed currency exchange rate versus the actual average rate during the period. In addition, specific to our International Insurance segment where we hedge certain currencies, as further discussed below, the results of our Corporate and Other operations also include the impact of any gains or losses recorded from the forward currency contracts that settled during the period, which include the impact of any over or under hedging of actual earnings that differ from projected earnings.

For International Insurance, the fixed currency exchange rates are generally determined in connection with a foreign currency income hedging program designed to mitigate the impact of exchange rate changes on the segment’s U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings. Pursuant to this program, our Corporate and Other operations execute forward currency contracts with third-parties to sell the net exposure of projected earnings for certain currencies in exchange for U.S. dollars at specified exchange rates. The maturities of these contracts correspond with the future periods (typically on a three-year rolling basis) in which the identified non-U.S. dollar-denominated earnings are expected to be generated. In establishing the level of non-U.S. dollar-denominated earnings that will be hedged through this program, we exclude the anticipated level of U.S. dollar-denominated earnings that will be generated by U.S. dollar-denominated products and investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , approximately 20% of the segment’s earnings were yen-based and, as of September 30, 2018 , we have hedged 100% of expected yen-based earnings for 2018, and 95%, 56% and 13% of expected yen-based earnings for 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. To the extent currently unhedged, our International Insurance segment’s future expected U.S. dollar-equivalent of yen-based earnings will be impacted by yen exchange rate movements.
 
As a result of these arrangements, our International Insurance segment’s results for 2018 and 2017 reflect the impact of translating yen-denominated earnings at fixed currency exchange rates of 111 and 112 yen per U.S. dollar, respectively, and Korean won-denominated earnings at fixed currency exchange rates of 1150 and 1130 Korean won per U.S. dollar, respectively. We expect our 2019 results to reflect the impact of translating yen-denominated earnings at a fixed currency exchange rate of 105 yen per U.S. dollar and Korean won-denominated earnings at a fixed currency exchange rate of 1110 won per U.S. dollar. Since determination of the fixed currency exchange rates for a given year is impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates over time, the segment’s future earnings will ultimately be impacted by these changes in exchange rates.

As a result of these arrangements, for PGIM and certain currencies within International Insurance, the fixed currency exchange rates for the current year are predetermined during the third quarter of the prior year using forward currency exchange rates.
 
The table below presents, for the periods indicated, the increase (decrease) to revenues and adjusted operating income for the International Insurance, Retirement and PGIM segments and for Corporate and Other operations, reflecting the impact of these intercompany arrangements.
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Segment impacts of intercompany arrangements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Insurance
$
7

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
2

Retirement(1)
0

 
0

 
0

 
2

PGIM
0

 
0

 
(1
)
 
1

Impact of intercompany arrangements(2)
7

 
(1
)
 
(15
)
 
5

Corporate and Other operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impact of intercompany arrangements(2)
(7
)
 
1

 
15

 
(5
)
Settlement gains (losses) on forward currency contracts(3)
6

 
(6
)
 
(24
)
 
(4
)
Net benefit (detriment) to Corporate and Other operations
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Net impact on consolidated revenues and adjusted operating income
$
6

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
(4
)

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__________ 
(1)
Effective January 1, 2018 the intercompany arrangement between our Corporate and Other operations and Retirement was terminated and this risk is now managed within our Retirement segment using a strategy that may include external hedges.
(2)
Represents the difference between non-U.S. dollar-denominated earnings translated on the basis of weighted average monthly currency exchange rates versus fixed currency exchange rates determined in connection with the foreign currency income hedging program.
(3)
As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, the notional amounts of these forward currency contracts within our Corporate and Other operations were $2.8 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, of which $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, were related to our Japanese insurance operations.

Impact of products denominated in non-local currencies on U.S. GAAP earnings
 
While our international insurance operations offer products denominated in local currency, several also offer products denominated in non-local currencies, most notably our Japanese operations, which offer U.S. and Australian dollar-denominated products. The non-local currency-denominated insurance liabilities related to these products are supported by investments denominated in corresponding currencies, including a significant portion designated as available-for-sale. While the impact from foreign currency exchange rate movements on these non-local currency-denominated assets and liabilities is economically matched, differences in the accounting for changes in the value of these assets and liabilities due to changes in foreign currency exchange rate movements have historically resulted in volatility in U.S. GAAP earnings.

In the first quarter of 2015, we implemented a structure in Gibraltar Life’s operations that disaggregated the U.S. and Australian dollar-denominated businesses into separate divisions, each with its own functional currency that aligns with the underlying products and investments. The result of this alignment was to reduce differences in the accounting for changes in the value of these assets and liabilities that arise due to changes in foreign currency exchange rate movements. For the U.S. and Australian dollar-denominated assets that were transferred under this structure, the net cumulative unrealized investment gains associated with foreign exchange remeasurement that were recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”) totaled $3.4 billion and $3.9 billion as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and will be recognized in earnings within “Realized investment gains (losses), net” over time as these assets mature or are sold. Absent the sale of any of these assets prior to their stated maturity, approximately 2% of the $3.4 billion balance as of September 30, 2018 will be recognized throughout the remainder of 2018, approximately 10% will be recognized in 2019, and a majority of the remaining balance will be recognized from 2020 through 2024.

Highly inflationary economy in Argentina

Our insurance operations in Argentina, Prudential of Argentina (“POA”), have historically utilized the Argentine peso as the functional currency given it is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Argentina currently has a cumulative inflation rate that exceeds 100% over a 3-year period. As a result, Argentina’s economy was deemed to be highly inflationary resulting in reporting changes effective July 1, 2018. Under U.S. GAAP, the financial statements of a foreign entity in a highly inflationary economy shall be remeasured as if its functional currency (formerly the Argentine peso) is the reporting currency of its parent reporting entity (the U.S. dollar) on a prospective basis. While this will change how the results of POA are remeasured and/or translated into the U.S. dollar, the impact to our financial statements was not material in the current period nor is it expected to be material in future periods given the relative size of our POA operations. It should also be noted that due to the macroeconomic environment in Argentina, POA’s sales are predominantly denominated in U.S. dollars and therefore substantially all of POA’s balance sheet consists of U.S. dollar-denominated product liabilities supported by U.S. dollar-denominated assets. As a result, this accounting change will serve to reduce the remeasurement impact reflected in net income given that the functional currency and currency in which the assets and liabilities are denominated will be more closely aligned.

Accounting Policies & Pronouncements

Application of Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the application of accounting policies that often involve a significant degree of judgment. Management reviews estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements on an ongoing basis. If management determines that modifications in assumptions and estimates are appropriate given current facts and circumstances, the Company’s results of operations and financial position as reported in the Unaudited Interim 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 and require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments:

DAC, deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and VOBA;
Policyholder liabilities;
Goodwill;

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Valuation of investments, including derivatives, and the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”);
Pension and other postretirement benefits;
Taxes on income; and
Reserves for contingencies, including reserves for losses in connection with unresolved legal matters.

Market Performance - Equity and Interest Rate Assumptions  

DAC, DSI and VOBA associated with the variable and universal life policies of our Individual Life and International Insurance segments and the variable and fixed annuity contracts of our Individual Annuities and International Insurance segments are generally amortized over the expected lives of these policies in proportion to total gross profits. Total gross profits include both actual gross profits and estimates of gross profits for future periods. The quarterly adjustments for market performance reflect the impact of changes to our estimate of total gross profits to reflect actual fund performance and market conditions. A significant portion of gross profits for our variable annuity contracts and, to a lesser degree, our variable life policies are dependent upon the total rate of return on assets held in separate account investment options. This rate of return influences the fees we earn, costs we incur associated with the guaranteed minimum death and guaranteed minimum income benefit features related to our variable annuity contracts, as well as other sources of profit. Returns that are higher than our expectations for a given period produce higher than expected account balances, which increase the future fees we expect to earn and decrease the future costs we expect to incur associated with the guaranteed minimum death and guaranteed minimum income benefit features related to our variable annuity contracts. The opposite occurs when returns are lower than our expectations. The changes in future expected gross profits are used to recognize a cumulative adjustment to all prior periods’ amortization.

Furthermore, the calculation of the estimated liability for future policy benefits related to certain insurance products includes an estimate of associated revenues and expenses that are dependent on both historical market performance as well as estimates of market performance in the future. Similar to DAC, DSI and VOBA described above, these liabilities are subject to quarterly adjustments for experience including market performance, in addition to annual adjustments resulting from our annual reviews of assumptions.

The weighted average rate of return assumptions used in developing estimated market returns consider many factors specific to each business, including asset durations, asset allocations and other factors. With regard to equity market assumptions, the near-term future rate of return assumption used in evaluating DAC, DSI and VOBA and liabilities for future policy benefits for certain of our products, primarily domestic variable annuity and variable life insurance products, is generally updated each quarter and is derived using a reversion to the mean approach, a common industry practice. Under this approach, we consider historical equity returns and adjust projected equity returns over an initial future period of five years (the “near-term”) so that equity returns converge to the long-term expected rate of return. If the near-term projected future rate of return is greater than our near-term maximum future rate of return of 15.0%, we use our maximum future rate of return. As of September 30, 2018 , our variable annuities and variable life insurance businesses assume an 8.0% long-term equity expected rate of return and a 2.9% near-term mean reversion equity expected rate of return.

With regard to interest rate assumptions, we generally update the future interest rates used to project fixed income returns annually and in any quarter when interest rates vary significantly from these assumptions. As a result of our 2018 annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, we kept our long-term expectation of the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate unchanged from last year and continue to grade to 3.75% over ten years. In Japan, we reduced the long-term expected return on Japanese Government Bonds by 20 basis points and now grade to 1.30% over ten years. This market performance related adjustment to our estimate of total gross profits results in a cumulative adjustment to prior amortization, reflecting the application of the new required rate of amortization to all prior periods’ gross profits.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

On August 15, 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts , which is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The ASU is effective January 1, 2021 (with early adoption permitted), and will impact, at least to some extent, the accounting and disclosure requirements for all long-duration insurance and investment contracts issued by the Company. See Note 2 to our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion of ASU 2018-12, as well as other accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted and newly adopted accounting pronouncements.


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Results of Operations by Segment

PGIM Division

PGIM

Business Update

We regularly review our existing businesses and may seek to deploy capital in support of our strategy or to exit an operation if it is determined that it no longer aligns with our broader strategy. In the second quarter of 2018, we exited our PGIM Brazil operations including the sale of our minority interest in a Brazilian asset management joint venture. The results of this divested business and impact of the sale are reflected in our Corporate and Other operations (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Divested Businesses—Divested Businesses Included in Corporate and Other” for additional information).

Operating Results

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

 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
Operating results(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
817

 
$
827

 
$
2,459

 
$
2,370

Expenses
 
587

 
568

 
1,743

 
1,697

Adjusted operating income
 
230

 
259

 
716

 
673

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(14
)
 
(2
)
Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(23
)
 
(1
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
 
$
224

 
$
256

 
$
679

 
$
670

  __________
(1)
Certain of our PGIM segment’s investment activities are based in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and are therefore subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. The financial results of our PGIM segment include the impact of an intercompany arrangement with our Corporate and Other operations designed to mitigate the impact of exchange rate changes on the segment’s U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings. For more information related to this intercompany arrangement, see “—Results of Operations—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates,” above.
 
Adjusted Operating Income

Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $29 million . The decrease primarily reflected lower other related revenues, net of associated expenses, mostly driven by lower strategic investing results due to the absence of outsized investment performance and a decrease in commercial mortgage agency loan originations, partially offset by an increase in net incentive fees. The decreases were also partially offset by higher asset management fees, net of related expenses, driven by an increase in average assets under management as a result of net fixed income inflows and equity market appreciation, partially offset by net equity outflows.

Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income increased $43 million . The increase primarily reflected higher asset management fees, net of related expenses, driven by an increase in average assets under management as a result of net fixed income inflows and equity market appreciation, partially offset by net equity outflows. This increase was partially offset by higher expenses supporting business growth, and lower other related revenues, net of associated expenses, primarily driven by lower strategic investing results due to less favorable investment performance and a decrease in commercial mortgage agency loan originations.

Revenues and Expenses

The following table sets forth the PGIM segment’s revenues, presented on a basis consistent with the table above under “—Operating Results,” by type.


89


 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues by type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management fees by source:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Institutional customers
 
$
302

 
$
296

 
$
893

 
$
850

Retail customers(1)
 
221

 
203

 
657

 
582

General account
 
118

 
120

 
353

 
354

Total asset management fees
 
641

 
619

 
1,903

 
1,786

Other related revenues by source:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incentive fees
 
13

 
6

 
24

 
20

Transaction fees
 
5

 
4

 
23

 
20

Strategic investing
 
7

 
34

 
60

 
77

Commercial mortgage(2)
 
23

 
39

 
79

 
93

Total other related revenues(3)
 
48


83


186


210

Service, distribution and other revenues(4)
 
128

 
125

 
370

 
374

Total revenues
 
$
817

 
$
827

 
$
2,459

 
$
2,370

__________
(1)
Consists of fees from: individual mutual funds and variable annuities and variable life insurance separate account assets; funds invested in proprietary mutual funds through our defined contribution plan products; and third-party sub-advisory relationships. Revenues from fixed annuities and the fixed-rate accounts of variable annuities and variable life insurance are included in the general account.
(2)
Includes mortgage origination and spread lending revenues from our commercial mortgage origination and servicing business.
(3)
Future revenues will be impacted by the level and diversification of our strategic investments, the commercial real estate market, and other domestic and international markets.
(4)
Includes payments from Wells Fargo 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 Wells Fargo. The agreement extends for ten years after termination of the Wachovia Securities joint venture, which occurred on December 31, 2009. The revenue from Wells Fargo under this agreement was $17 million and $19 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $54 million and $61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above, decreased $10 million . Other related revenues decreased $35 million primarily due to lower strategic investing results from the absence of outsized investment performance and a decrease in commercial mortgage agency loan originations. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of $22 million in total asset management fees, primarily due to the increase in assets under management driven by net fixed income inflows and equity market appreciation.

Expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $19 million , primarily reflecting an increase in compensation related expenses.

Nine Month Comparison. Revenues increased $89 million . Total asset management fees increased $117 million , primarily due to an increase in assets under management driven by net fixed income inflows and equity market appreciation. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $24 million in other related revenues reflecting lower strategic investing results, driven by less favorable investment performance, and a decrease in commercial mortgage agency loan originations.
 
Expenses increased $46 million , primarily reflecting higher compensation attributable to higher compensable earnings and higher non-compensation related expenses supporting business growth.

Assets Under Management

The following table sets forth assets under management by asset class and source as of the dates indicated.


90


 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2017
 
(in billions)
Assets Under Management (at fair value):
 
 
 
 
 
Institutional customers:
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
$
64.0

 
$
68.0

 
$
65.1

Fixed income
398.3

 
379.4

 
370.1

Real estate
43.4

 
42.1

 
43.1

Institutional customers(1)
505.7

 
489.5

 
478.3

Retail customers:
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
137.3

 
132.4

 
127.9

Fixed income
119.4

 
111.5

 
110.3

Real estate
1.6

 
1.7

 
1.7

Retail customers(2)
258.3

 
245.6

 
239.9

General account:
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
5.6

 
5.8

 
6.2

Fixed income
403.1

 
412.5

 
407.6

Real estate
1.9

 
1.9

 
1.9

General account
410.6

 
420.2

 
415.7

Total assets under management
$
1,174.6

 
$
1,155.3

 
$
1,133.9

__________
(1)
Consists of third-party institutional assets and group insurance contracts.
(2)
Consists of individual mutual funds and variable annuities and variable life insurance separate account assets; funds invested in proprietary mutual funds through our defined contribution plan products; and third-party sub-advisory relationships. Fixed annuities and the fixed-rate accounts of variable annuities and variable life insurance are included in the general account.

The following table sets forth the component changes in assets under management by asset source for the periods indicated.


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Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Twelve
Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
 
(in billions)
Institutional Customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning assets under management
 
$
490.8

 
$
461.2

 
$
489.5

 
$
431.5

 
$
478.3

Net additions (withdrawals), excluding money market activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-party
 
9.3

 
4.7

 
14.6

 
11.7

 
14.5

Third-party via affiliates(1)
 
0.1

 
0.0

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.8
)
 
2.9

Total
 
9.4

 
4.7

 
14.3

 
10.9

 
17.4

Market appreciation (depreciation)(3)
 
4.9

 
10.2

 
(0.3
)
 
33.0

 
9.6

Other increases (decreases)(2)
 
0.6

 
2.2

 
2.2

 
2.9

 
0.4

Ending assets under management
 
$
505.7

 
$
478.3

 
$
505.7

 
$
478.3

 
$
505.7

Retail Customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning assets under management
 
$
252.0

 
$
231.2

 
$
245.6

 
$
209.2

 
$
239.9

Net additions (withdrawals), excluding money market activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-party
 
(0.6
)
 
1.3

 
2.2

 
2.6

 
3.7

Third-party via affiliates(1)
 
(0.9
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(2.1
)
 
2.3

 
(6.4
)
Total
 
(1.5
)
 
(0.2
)
 
0.1

 
4.9

 
(2.7
)
Market appreciation (depreciation)(3)
 
7.8

 
9.3

 
12.8

 
26.2

 
21.3

Other increases (decreases)(2)
 
0.0

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.2
)
Ending assets under management
 
$
258.3

 
$
239.9

 
$
258.3

 
$
239.9

 
$
258.3

General Account:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning assets under management
 
$
413.3

 
$
412.3

 
$
420.2

 
$
399.4

 
$
415.7

Net additions (withdrawals), excluding money market activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-party
 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

Affiliated
 
1.7

 
(0.9
)
 
3.1

 
2.5

 
4.5

Total
 
1.7

 
(0.9
)
 
3.1

 
2.5

 
4.5

Market appreciation (depreciation)(3)
 
(1.7
)
 
2.5

 
(8.4
)
 
11.4

 
(4.8
)
Other increases (decreases)(2)
 
(2.7
)
 
1.8

 
(4.3
)
 
2.4

 
(4.8
)
Ending assets under management
 
$
410.6

 
$
415.7

 
$
410.6

 
$
415.7

 
$
410.6

Total assets under management
 
$
1,174.6

 
$
1,133.9

 
$
1,174.6

 
$
1,133.9

 
$
1,174.6

__________
(1)
Represents assets that our PGIM segment manages for the benefit of other reporting segments within the Company. Additions and withdrawals of these assets are attributable to third-party product inflows and outflows in other reporting segments.
(2)
Includes the effect of foreign exchange rate changes, net money market activity and the impact of acquired business. The impact from foreign currency fluctuations, which primarily impact the general account, resulted in a loss of $2.8 billion and no impact for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, a loss of $2.3 billion and a gain of $4.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and a loss of $2.2 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018 .
(3)
Includes income reinvestment, where applicable.

Strategic Investments

The following table sets forth the strategic investments of the PGIM segment at carrying value (including the value of derivative instruments used to mitigate equity market and currency risk) by asset class and source as of the dates indicated.


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September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in millions)
Co-Investments:
 
 
 
Real estate
$
197

 
$
185

Fixed income
420

 
584

Seed Investments:
 
 
 
Real estate
52

 
50

Public equity
702

 
658

Fixed income
286

 
309

Total
$
1,657

 
$
1,786


The decrease in strategic investments was primarily driven by sales of investments in U.S. collateralized loan obligations due to risk retention rules that were vacated in April 2018. This decrease was partially offset by investments in new collateralized loan obligations and seed investments in new mutual funds.

U.S. Workplace Solutions Division

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,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Operating results(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
4,203

 
$
3,259

 
$
9,280

 
$
8,803

Benefits and expenses
3,964

 
3,011

 
8,447

 
7,850

Adjusted operating income
239

 
248

 
833

 
953

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
(66
)
 
(109
)
 
(99
)
 
(42
)
Related charges
2

 
3

 
(14
)
 
1

Investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
(66
)
 
29

 
(574
)
 
219

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes
55

 
25

 
470

 
(77
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
164

 
$
196

 
$
616

 
$
1,054

  __________
(1)
Certain of our Retirement segment’s non-U.S. dollar-denominated earnings are from longevity reinsurance contracts, which are denominated in British pounds sterling, and are therefore subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. From January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017, the financial results of our Retirement segment included the impact of an intercompany arrangement with our Corporate and Other operations designed to mitigate the impact of exchange rate changes on the segment’s U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings. Effective January 1, 2018 this intercompany arrangement was terminated and the foreign currency exchange rate risk is now managed within our Retirement segment using a strategy that may include external hedges. The impact of the agreement and the termination was not significant to the segment’s results. For more information related to this intercompany arrangement, see “—Results of Operations—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates,” above.

Adjusted Operating Income

Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $9 million , primarily driven by a lower contribution from reserve experience, partially offset by higher net investment spread results. The lower contribution from reserve experience primarily reflected lower mortality gains on a comparative basis within our pension risk transfer business in the current year period. The increase in net investment spread results primarily reflected higher income on non-coupon investments and growth in average account values, partially offset by lower net prepayment fee income and the impact of higher crediting rates on full service account values.


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Table of Contents

Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $120 million . Results for 2018 and 2017 reflected a net charge of $68 million and $20 million, respectively, from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these impacts, adjusted operating income decreased $72 million, primarily driven by lower net investment spread results and higher general and administrative expenses, partially offset by more favorable reserve experience. The decrease in net investment spread results primarily reflected lower income on non-coupon investments, lower net prepayment fee income, lower reinvestment rates and the impact of higher crediting rates on full service account values, partially offset by growth in average account values. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily driven by higher operating expenses. The higher contribution from reserve experience primarily reflected higher mortality gains on a comparative basis within our pension risk transfer business.

Revenues, Benefits and Expenses

Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $944 million . Premiums increased $905 million , primarily driven by more significant pension risk transfer transactions in the current year period. This increase in premiums resulted in a corresponding increase in policyholders’ benefits, as discussed below. Investment income increased $16 million , primarily reflecting higher asset balances, including higher pension risk transfer account value balances, and higher income on non-coupon investments, partially offset by lower net prepayment fee income.

Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $953 million . Policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, increased $935 million , primarily related to the increase in premiums discussed above.

Nine Month Comparison. Revenues increased $477 million . Premiums increased $492 million , primarily driven by more significant pension risk transfer transactions in the current year period. This increase in premiums resulted in a corresponding increase in policyholders’ benefits, as discussed below. Net investment income decreased $ 41 million , primarily reflecting lower income on non-coupon investments, lower net prepayment fee income and lower reinvestment rates, partially offset by higher asset balances, including growth in our pension risk transfer business.

Benefits and expenses increased $597 million . Excluding the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions, as discussed above, benefits and expenses increased $549 million primarily driven by an increase in policyholders’ benefits, including the change in policy reserves, related to the increase in premiums discussed above.

Account Values

Account values are a significant driver of our operating results, and are primarily driven by net additions (withdrawals) and the impact of market changes. The income we earn on most of our fee-based products varies with the level of fee-based account values, since many policy fees are determined by these values. The investment income and interest we credit to policyholders on our spread-based products varies with the level of general account values. To a lesser extent, changes in account values impact our pattern of amortization of DAC and VOBA and general and administrative expenses. 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 plan sales and participant deposits or additions, as applicable, minus plan and participant withdrawals and benefits. Account values include both internally- and externally-managed client balances as the total balances drive revenue for the Retirement segment. For more information on internally-managed balances, see “—PGIM.”


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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Twelve
Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
(in millions)
Full Service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning total account value
$
240,922

 
$
214,731

 
$
234,616

 
$
202,802

 
$
227,438

Deposits and sales
8,843

 
11,188

 
26,477

 
22,695

 
33,309

Withdrawals and benefits
(5,864
)
 
(5,132
)
 
(20,488
)
 
(17,608
)
 
(27,691
)
Change in market value, interest credited and interest income and other activity
7,371

 
6,651

 
10,667

 
19,549

 
18,216

Ending total account value
$
251,272

 
$
227,438

 
$
251,272

 
$
227,438

 
$
251,272

Net additions (withdrawals)
$
2,979

 
$
6,056

 
$
5,989

 
$
5,087

 
$
5,618

Institutional Investment Products:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning total account value
$
191,722

 
$
186,610

 
$
194,492

 
$
183,376

 
$
188,399

Additions(1)
6,318

 
4,764

 
12,467

 
11,363

 
22,734

Withdrawals and benefits
(3,345
)
 
(3,552
)
 
(12,085
)
 
(11,964
)
 
(17,527
)
Change in market value, interest credited and interest income
1,146

 
1,341

 
2,130

 
4,243

 
3,077

Other(2)
(604
)
 
(764
)
 
(1,767
)
 
1,381

 
(1,446
)
Ending total account value
$
195,237

 
$
188,399

 
$
195,237

 
$
188,399

 
$
195,237

Net additions (withdrawals)
$
2,973

 
$
1,212

 
$
382

 
$
(601
)
 
$
5,207

__________
(1)
Additions primarily include: group annuities calculated based on premiums received; longevity reinsurance contracts calculated as the present value of future projected benefits; and investment-only stable value contracts calculated as the fair value of customers’ funds held in a client-owned trust.
(2)
“Other” activity includes the effect of foreign exchange rate changes associated with our British pounds sterling denominated longevity reinsurance business and changes in asset balances for externally-managed accounts. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , “other” activity also includes $591 million in receipts offset by $601 million in payments and $2,822 million in receipts offset by $2,789 million in payments, respectively, related to funding agreements backed by commercial paper which typically have maturities of less than 90 days.

The increase in full service account values for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018 , primarily reflected the favorable changes in the market value of customer funds and net additions from positive net plan sales. The decrease in net additions for the three months ended September 30, 2018 , compared to the prior year period, was primarily driven by large plan sales in the prior year period, including a significant defined contribution transaction. The increase in net additions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , compared to the prior year period, was primarily driven by higher large plan sales in the current year period, partially offset by higher large plan lapses.

The increase in institutional investment products account values for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018 , primarily reflected net additions resulting from pension risk transfer transactions and interest credited to customer funds. These increases were partially offset by net withdrawals primarily from investment-only stable value accounts. The increase in net additions for the three months ended September 30, 2018 , compared to the prior year period, were primarily driven by higher net additions related to pension risk transfer transactions. The net additions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , compared to net withdrawals for the prior year period, was primarily driven by higher net additions related to pension risk transfer transactions.

Group Insurance

Business Update

During the second quarter of 2018, we entered into a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement with certain external counterparties to reinsure a portion of the mortality risk associated with our group life business. This resulted in a reduction in risk-based capital required to be held in the segment. Under U.S. GAAP, this agreement will be accounted for under deposit accounting. Going forward, we expect this transaction to have a modest negative impact on the segment’s adjusted operating income as a result of risk charge expenses associated with the reinsurance arrangement and lost investment income on capital released as a result of the transaction.

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Operating Results

The following table sets forth the Group Insurance segment’s operating results and benefits and administrative operating expense ratios for the periods indicated.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
($ in millions)
Operating results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,430

 
$
1,363

 
$
4,270

 
$
4,108

Benefits and expenses
1,371

 
1,302

 
4,074

 
3,877

Adjusted operating income
59

 
61

 
196

 
231

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
(3
)
 
(11
)
 
(12
)
 
(23
)
Related charges
0

 
1

 
0

 
0

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
56

 
$
51

 
$
184

 
$
208

Benefits ratio(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group life(2)
87.3
%
 
87.0
%
 
87.3
%
 
88.7
%
Group disability(2)
78.9
%
 
78.7
%
 
73.9
%
 
67.1
%
Total Group Insurance(2)
85.7
%
 
85.5
%
 
84.7
%
 
84.8
%
Administrative operating expense ratio(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group life
11.5
%
 
11.2
%
 
11.9
%
 
10.8
%
Group disability
26.8
%
 
29.2
%
 
26.8
%
 
29.2
%
Total Group Insurance
14.5
%
 
14.6
%
 
14.8
%
 
14.2
%
__________ 
(1)
Ratio of policyholder benefits to earned premiums plus policy charges and fee income.
(2)
Benefits ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 reflect the impacts of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these impacts, the group life, group disability and total group insurance benefits ratios were 87.7%, 76.5% and 85.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and 88.5%, 76.6% and 86.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
(3)
Ratio of general and administrative expenses (excluding commissions) to gross premiums plus policy charges and fee income.

Adjusted Operating Income

Three Month Comparison . Adjusted operating income decreased $2 million, reflecting higher expenses primarily related to business growth, partially offset by more favorable underwriting results in our group life and group disability businesses primarily driven by business growth.

Nine Month Comparison . Adjusted operating income decreased $35 million, including an unfavorable comparative net impact from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Results for 2018 included a $31 million net benefit from these updates while results for 2017 included a $55 million net benefit from these updates. The net benefit in both periods was primarily driven by favorable experience related to our group disability business. Excluding the effect of these items, adjusted operating income decreased $11 million, primarily reflecting higher expenses, including expenses related to business growth and the termination of a third-party underwriting service provider contract in the second quarter of 2018, and a lower contribution from net investment spread results driven by lower income on non-coupon investments. These decreases were partially offset by more favorable underwriting results in our group life and group disability businesses primarily driven by business growth.

Revenues, Benefits and Expenses

Three Month Comparison . Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $67 million. The increase primarily reflected higher premiums and policy charges and fee income driven by business growth in both our group life and group disability businesses.

Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $69 million. The increase primarily reflected higher policyholders’ benefits and changes in reserves on non-experience-rated contracts in our group life business and

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long-term coverage in our group disability business, and an increase in general and administrative expenses driven by higher operating expenses supporting business growth.

Nine Month Comparison . Revenues increased $162 million. Excluding an unfavorable comparative impact of $5 million resulting from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above, revenues increased $167 million. The increase primarily reflected higher premiums and policy charges and fee income driven by business growth in both our group life and group disability businesses.

Benefits and expenses increased $197 million. Excluding an unfavorable comparative impact of $19 million resulting from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above, benefits and expenses increased $178 million. The increase primarily reflected higher policyholders’ benefits and changes in reserves driven by less favorable experience in our group life and group disability businesses, and an increase in general and administrative expenses driven by higher operating expenses supporting business growth and the termination of a third-party underwriting service provider contract.

Sales Results
 
The following table sets forth the Group Insurance segment’s annualized new business premiums, as defined under “—Segment Measures” above, for the periods indicated.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Annualized new business premiums(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group life
$
63

 
$
23

 
$
352

 
$
265

Group disability
16

 
12

 
170

 
141

Total
$
79

 
$
35

 
$
522

 
$
406

__________ 
(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.

Total annualized new business premiums for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased $44 million and $116 million, respectively, compared to the prior year periods, reflecting continued growth through sales to new and existing clients in both our group life and group disability businesses.

U.S. Individual Solutions Division

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,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)
Operating results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
1,224

 
$
1,304

 
$
3,742

 
$
3,825

Benefits and expenses
 
770

 
727

 
2,262

 
2,168

Adjusted operating income
 
454

 
577

 
1,480

 
1,657

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
 
126

 
1,260

 
654

 
(472
)
Related charges
 
(162
)
 
(247
)
 
(383
)
 
512

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
 
$
418

 
$
1,590

 
$
1,751

 
$
1,697



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Adjusted Operating Income

Three Months comparison. Adjusted operating income decreased $123 million. Excluding the impacts of changes in the estimated profitability of the business, discussed below, adjusted operating income decreased $39 million. The decrease was primarily driven by higher capital hedge costs, higher distribution expenses, and lower asset-based fee income, net of associated costs. The increase in distribution expenses is primarily due to increased sales and asset-based commissions. The decrease in asset-based fee income primarily reflects certain products reaching contractual milestones for fee tier reduction, partially offset by higher average variable annuity account values due to market appreciation.

The impacts of changes in the estimated profitability of the business include adjustments to the amortization of DAC and other costs as well as to the reserves for certain living and/or death benefit features of our variable annuity products. These adjustments resulted in a net charge of $36 million and a net benefit of $48 million in the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, reflecting the net impact of equity market performance on contractholder accounts, as well as our hedge effectiveness relative to our assumptions.

Nine Month Comparison . Adjusted operating income decreased $177 million. Excluding the impacts of changes in the estimated profitability of the business, discussed below, adjusted operating income increased $2 million. The increase was primarily driven by higher asset-based fee income, net of associated costs, as well as lower amortization costs and reserve provisions, mostly offset by lower net investment spread results, higher capital hedge costs and higher distribution expenses. The increase in asset-based fee income primarily reflects higher average variable annuity account values due to market appreciation, partially offset by the unfavorable fee tier impacts discussed above. The lower reserve provisions are also attributable to market appreciation of account values in comparison to the prior year period. The decrease in net investment spread results primarily reflects lower investment income on non-coupon investments and the increase in distribution expenses is primarily due to increased asset-based commissions and sales.

Adjustments to the amortization of DAC and other costs as well as to the reserves for certain living and/or death benefit features of our variable annuity products resulted in a net charge of $12 million and a net benefit of $167 million in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The net charge in the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects our hedge effectiveness relative to our assumptions and the unfavorable fund performance relative to indices, partially offset by the favorable net impact of equity market performance on contractholder accounts, as well as a net benefit resulting from our annual reviews and update of assumptions on other refinements. The net benefit in the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflected the favorable net impact of equity market performance on contractholder accounts and our hedge effectiveness relative to our assumptions, as well as a net benefit resulting from our annual reviews and update of assumptions on other refinements.

Revenues, Benefits and Expenses

Three Month Comparison . Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” decreased $80 million. Excluding a $46 million net decrease related to the impacts of certain changes in our estimated profitability of the business, as discussed above, revenues decreased $34 million. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in asset management and service fees and other income primarily attributable to higher capital hedge costs, a decrease in net investment income driven by lower income on non-coupon investments, and a decrease in policy charges and fee income reflecting the unfavorable fee tier impacts discussed above, partially offset by higher average variable annuity account due to market appreciation.

Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $43 million. Excluding a $38 million net increase related to the impacts of certain changes in our estimated profitability of the business, as discussed above, benefits and expenses increased $5 million. General and administrative expense, net of capitalization, increased $21 million driven by higher sales and asset-based commissions, and higher technology costs, partially offset by a decrease of $12 million in policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves.

Nine Month Comparison . Revenues decreased $83 million. Excluding a $78 million net decrease related to the impacts of certain changes in our estimated profitability of the business, as discussed above, revenues decreased $5 million. Net investment income decreased by $39 million driven by lower income on non-coupon investments, asset management and service fees and other income decreased by $25 million primarily due to higher capital hedge costs, and premiums decreased by $13 million due to lower annuitizations. These decreases were mostly offset by $71 million increase in policy charges and fee income due to higher average variable annuity account values from market appreciation, partially offset by the unfavorable fee tier impacts discussed above.


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Benefits and expenses increased $94 million. Excluding a $101 million net increase related to the impacts of certain changes in our estimated profitability of the business, as discussed above, benefits and expenses decreased $7 million. Policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, decreased by $29 million primarily due to lower reserve provisions and annuitizations, interest credited to policyholders’ account balance decreased by $14 million, and amortization of DAC decreased by $6 million, primarily driven by favorable markets. These decreases were mostly offset by a $42 million increase in general and administrative expenses, net of capitalization, driven by higher asset-based commissions and sales, as well as higher technology costs.

Account Values

Account values are a significant driver of our operating results. Since most fees are determined by the level of separate account assets, fee income varies according to the level of account values. Additionally, fee income can be impacted by fee rate structures within certain products that contain predetermined fee rate changes over the life of the contract or by the mix of sales reflecting the varying fee rate structures within our product lines. Our fee income generally drives other items such as the pattern of amortization of DAC and other costs. Account values are driven by net flows from new business sales, surrenders, withdrawals and benefit payments, the impact of market value changes, which can be either positive or negative, and policy charges. The macro environment and the annuity industry’s competitive and regulatory landscapes, which have been dynamic over the last few years, have impacted, and may continue to impact, our net flows, including new business sales. The following table sets forth account value information for the periods indicated.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Twelve
Months
Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
(in millions)
Total Individual Annuities(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning total account value
$
163,645

 
$
162,694

 
$
168,626

 
$
156,783

 
$
165,600

Sales
2,241

 
1,329

 
6,032

 
4,276

 
7,650

Surrenders and withdrawals
(2,923
)
 
(2,309
)
 
(8,775
)
 
(7,069
)
 
(11,527
)
Net sales (withdrawals)
(682
)
 
(980
)
 
(2,743
)
 
(2,793
)
 
(3,877
)
Benefit payments
(493
)
 
(431
)
 
(1,586
)
 
(1,401
)
 
(2,058
)
Net flows
(1,175
)
 
(1,411
)
 
(4,329
)
 
(4,194
)
 
(5,935
)
Change in market value, interest credited and other activity
4,431

 
5,253

 
4,471

 
15,778

 
10,048

Policy charges
(939
)
 
(936
)
 
(2,806
)
 
(2,767
)
 
(3,751
)
Ending total account value
$
165,962

 
$
165,600

 
$
165,962

 
$
165,600

 
$
165,962

__________
(1)
Includes variable and fixed annuities sold as retail investment products. Investments sold through defined contribution plan products are included with such products within the Retirement segment. Variable annuity account values were $162.4 billion and $162.1 billion as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Fixed annuity account values were $3.6 billion and $3.5 billion as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Net withdrawals, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, increased reflecting higher sales attributable to pricing actions and enhanced distribution, partially offset by higher surrenders and withdrawals.

The increase in account values for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018 was largely driven by favorable changes in the market value of contractholder funds, largely offset by policy charges on contractholder accounts, negative net sales, and benefit payments.

Variable Annuity Risks and Risk Mitigants

The following is a summary of: (i) certain risks associated with Individual Annuities’ products; (ii) certain strategies in mitigating those risks, including any updates to those strategies since the previous year end; and (iii) the related financial results. For a more detailed description of these items and their related accounting treatment, refer to the complete descriptions provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.


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The primary risk exposures of our variable annuity contracts relate to actual deviations from, or changes to, the assumptions used in the original pricing of these products, including capital markets assumptions such as equity market returns, interest rates and market volatility, along with actuarial assumptions such as contractholder mortality, the timing and amount of annuitization and withdrawals, and contract lapses. For these risk exposures, achievement of our expected returns and profitability is subject to the risk that actual experience will differ from the assumptions used in the original pricing of these products. We currently manage our exposure to certain risks driven by fluctuations in capital markets primarily through a combination of Product Design Features, an Asset Liability Management Strategy, a Capital Hedge Program and External Reinsurance.
 
Product Design Features

A portion of the variable annuity contracts that we offer include an automatic rebalancing feature, also referred to as an asset transfer feature. This feature is implemented at the contract level, and transfers assets between certain variable investment sub-accounts selected by the annuity contractholder and, depending on the benefit feature, a fixed-rate account in the general account or a bond fund sub-account within the separate accounts. The objective of the automatic rebalancing feature is to reduce our exposure to equity market risk and market volatility. Other product design features we utilize include, among others, asset allocation restrictions, minimum issuance age requirements and certain limitations on the amount of contractholder deposits, as well as a required minimum allocation to our general account for certain of our products. We continue to introduce products that diversify our risk profile and have incorporated provisions in product design allowing frequent revisions of key pricing elements for certain of our products. In addition, there is diversity in our fee arrangements, as certain fees are primarily based on the benefit guarantee amount, the contractholder account value and/or premiums, which helps preserve certain revenue streams when market fluctuations cause account values to decline.

Asset Liability Management (“ALM”) Strategy (including fixed income instruments and derivatives)

Our current ALM strategy utilizes a combination of both traditional fixed income instruments and derivatives to defray potential claims associated with our variable annuity living benefit guarantees. The economic liability we manage with this ALM strategy consists of expected living benefit claims under less severe market conditions, which are managed using a traditional ALM strategy through the accumulation of fixed income and derivative instruments, and potential living benefit claims resulting from more severe market conditions, which are hedged using derivative instruments. For the portion of our ALM strategy executed with derivatives, we enter into a range of exchange-traded, cleared, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity and interest rate derivatives, including, but not limited to: equity and treasury futures; total return and interest rate swaps; and options including equity options, swaptions, and floors and caps.

The valuation of the economic liability we seek to defray excludes certain items that are included within the U.S. GAAP liability, such as non-performance risk (“NPR”) (in order to maximize protection irrespective of the possibility of our own default), as well as risk margins (required by U.S. GAAP but different from our best estimate) and valuation methodology differences. The following table provides a reconciliation between the liability reported under U.S. GAAP and the economic liability we intend to manage through our ALM strategy.

 
 
As of September 30,
2018
 
As of December 31,
2017
 
 
(in millions)
U.S. GAAP liability (including non-performance risk)
 
$
5,213

 
$
8,663

Non-performance risk adjustment
 
3,050

 
3,228

Subtotal
 
8,263

 
11,891

Adjustments including risk margins and valuation methodology differences
 
(1,951
)
 
(2,742
)
Economic liability managed through the ALM strategy
 
$
6,312

 
$
9,149


As of September 30, 2018, our fixed income instruments and derivative assets exceed the economic liability within the entities in which the risks reside.

The following table illustrates the net impact of our Consolidated Statements of Operations from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative liability and hedge positions under the ALM strategy, and the related amortization of DAC and other costs, that are excluded from adjusted operating income.

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Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in millions)(1)
Excluding impact of assumption updates and other refinements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net hedging impact(2)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
96

 
$
(178
)
 
$
497

Change in portions of U.S. GAAP liability, before NPR(3)
 
621

 
2,012

 
1,118

 
2,304

Change in the NPR adjustment
 
(285
)
 
(883
)
 
(154
)
 
(3,136
)
Net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions—reported in Individual Annuities
 
297

 
1,225

 
786

 
(335
)
Related benefit (charge) to amortization of DAC and other costs
 
(67
)
 
(277
)
 
(235
)
 
68

Net impact of assumption updates and other refinements
 
0

 
0

 
(173
)
 
(85
)
Net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions, after the impact of NPR, DAC and other costs—reported in Individual Annuities
 
$
230

 
$
948

 
$
378

 
$
(352
)
__________
(1)
Positive amount represents income; negative amount represents a loss.
(2)
Net hedging impact represents the difference between the change in fair value of the risk we seek to hedge using derivatives and the change in fair value of the derivatives utilized with respect to that risk.
(3)
Represents risk margins and valuation methodology differences between the economic liability managed by the ALM strategy and the U.S. GAAP liability, as well as the portion of the economic liability managed with fixed income instruments.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions, after the impact of NPR, DAC and other costs, was a benefit of $230 million. The net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions resulted in a net benefit of $297 million primarily reflecting the impact of rising rates and favorable equity markets. Partial offsets are included in the $67 million of related charges to amortization of DAC and other costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions, after the impacts of NPR, DAC and other costs, was a benefit of $378 million. The net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions resulted in a net benefit of $786 million primarily reflecting the impacts of credit spread widening coupled with rising rates and favorable equity markets. Partial offsets are included in the $235 million of related charges to amortization of DAC and other costs. The net charge of $173 million resulted from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, including updates to expected withdrawal rates, as well as economic assumptions.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions, after the impact of NPR, DAC and other costs, was a benefit of $948 million. The net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions resulted in a net benefit of $1,225 million, predominantly as a result of widening credit spreads used in measuring our living benefit contracts. Partial offsets are included in the $277 million of related charges to amortization of DAC and other costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions, after the impacts of NPR, DAC and other costs, was a charge of $352 million. The net impact from changes in the U.S. GAAP embedded derivative and hedge positions resulted in a net charge of $335 million, predominantly as a result of tightening credit spreads used in measuring our living benefit contracts.

For information regarding the Capital Protection Framework we use to evaluate and support the risks of the ALM strategy, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital.”

Capital Hedge Program

During 2017, we commenced a capital hedge program within the Individual Annuities segment to further hedge equity market impacts. The program is intended to protect a portion of the overall capital position of the variable annuities business against its exposure to the equity markets. The capital hedge program is conducted using equity derivatives which include equity call and put options, total return swaps and futures contracts. The changes in value of these derivatives are recognized in adjusted operating income over the expected duration of the capital hedge program.

External Reinsurance


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As of September 30, 2018, $3.2 billion of Highest Daily Lifetime Income (“HDI”) v.3.0 account values are reinsured to Union Hamilton Reinsurance Ltd., an external counterparty, pursuant to a quota share agreement that covered approximately 50% of new business between April 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016. HDI v.3.0 is the current version of our “highest daily” living benefits guarantee that is available with our Prudential Premier ® Retirement Variable Annuity. New sales of HDI v.3.0 subsequent to December 31, 2016 are not covered by this external reinsurance agreement.

Product Specific Risks and Risk Mitigants

As noted above, the risks associated with our products are mitigated through product design features, including automatic rebalancing, as well as through our ALM strategy and external reinsurance. The following table sets forth the risk management profile of our living benefit guarantees and guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) features as of the periods indicated.

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2017
 
Account
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Account
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Account
Value
 
% of
Total
 
($ in millions)
Living benefit/GMDB features(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Both ALM strategy and automatic rebalancing(2)
$
112,377

 
69
%
 
$
114,686

 
69
%
 
$
112,650

 
69
%
ALM strategy only
8,607

 
5
%
 
9,317

 
6
%
 
9,324

 
6
%
Automatic rebalancing only
880

 
1
%
 
1,003

 
1
%
 
1,040

 
1
%
External reinsurance(3)
3,184

 
2
%
 
3,227

 
2
%
 
3,153

 
2
%
Prudential Defined Income Variable Annuity
10,813

 
6
%
 
9,996

 
5
%
 
9,464

 
5
%
Other products
2,661

 
2
%
 
2,791

 
2
%
 
2,772

 
2
%
Total living benefit/GMDB features
$
138,522

 
 
 
$
141,020

 
 
 
$
138,403

 
 
GMDB features and other(4)
23,847

 
15
%
 
24,133

 
15
%
 
23,704

 
15
%
Total variable annuity account value
$
162,369

 
 
 
$
165,153

 
 
 
$
162,107

 
 
__________
(1)
All contracts with living benefit guarantees also contain GMDB features, which cover the same insured contract.
(2)
Contracts with living benefits that are included in the ALM strategy and have an automatic rebalancing feature.
(3)
Represents contracts subject to a reinsurance transaction with an external counterparty that covered certain new HDI business from April 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016. These contracts with living benefits also have an automatic rebalancing feature.
(4)
Includes contracts that have a GMDB feature and do not have an automatic rebalancing feature.

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,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Operating results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
1,454

 
$
1,411

 
$
4,330

 
$
3,510

Benefits and expenses
1,284

 
1,261

 
4,081

 
3,799

Adjusted operating income
170

 
150

 
249

 
(289
)
Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
(91
)
 
25

 
(363
)
 
84

Related charges
58

 
12

 
151

 
94

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
137

 
$
187

 
$
37

 
$
(111
)


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Adjusted Operating Income

Three Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income increased $20 million , primarily reflecting a more favorable impact from mortality experience, net of reinsurance.

Nine Month Comparison. Adjusted operating income increased $538 million , primarily reflecting favorable comparative net impacts from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Results for 2018 included a $65 million net charge from this annual review, mainly driven by unfavorable impacts related to lapse and mortality rate assumptions. Results for 2017 included a $653 million net charge from this annual review mainly driven by a charge related to modeling refinements as a result of a valuation systems conversion, including a change in the method of accounting for reinsurance associated with certain long-duration insurance contracts, and changes in lapse rate assumptions. Excluding these impacts, adjusted operating income decreased $50 million , primarily reflecting lower underwriting results, driven by the unfavorable ongoing impact of our annual reviews and updates of assumptions and other refinements, and lower income on non-coupon investments, partially offset by less unfavorable mortality experience, net of reinsurance.

Revenues, Benefits and Expenses

Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $43 million . This increase was primarily driven by an increase in net investment income from higher average invested assets, resulting from continued business growth, and higher investment income from unaffiliated reserve financing activity, which resulted in a corresponding increase in interest expense, as discussed below, as well as higher premiums driven by continued business growth.

Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—Operating Results,” increased $23 million . This increase was primarily related to higher reserve financing costs, as discussed above, and higher policyholders’ benefits and interest credited to account balances attributable to continued business growth, partially offset by more favorable mortality experience.

Nine Month Comparison. Revenues increased $820 million . Excluding the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above, revenues increased $43 million . This increase was primarily driven by an increase in net investment income from higher average invested assets, resulting from continued business growth, and higher investment income from unaffiliated reserve financing activity, which resulted in a corresponding increase in interest expense, as discussed below, as well as higher premiums driven by continued business growth. These increases were partially offset by lower revenues reflecting higher ceded net reinsurance premiums, as a result of the unfavorable ongoing impact of the second quarter 2017 change in the method of accounting for reinsurance, which was partially offset by related lower benefits and expenses, as discussed below.

Benefits and expenses increased $282 million . Excluding the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above, benefits and expenses increased $93 million . This increase was primarily related to higher reserve financing costs, as discussed above, higher policyholders’ benefits and interest credited to account balances attributable to continued business growth and increased DAC amortization, partially offset by the favorable ongoing impact of the second quarter 2017 change in the method of accounting for reinsurance, which was more than offset by the related unfavorable impact in revenues, as discussed above.


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Sales Results

The following table sets forth individual life insurance annualized new business premiums, as defined under “—Results of Operations—Segment Measures” above, by distribution channel and product, for the periods indicated.

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
Prudential
Advisors
 
Third
Party
 
Total
 
Prudential
Advisors
 
Third
Party
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Term Life
 
$
7

 
$
48

 
$
55

 
$
7

 
$
50

 
$
57

Guaranteed Universal Life(1)
 
2

 
21

 
23

 
3

 
28

 
31

Other Universal Life(1)
 
12

 
32

 
44

 
10

 
18

 
28

Variable Life
 
14

 
27

 
41

 
9

 
17

 
26

Total
 
$
35

 
$
128

 
$
163

 
$
29

 
$
113

 
$
142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
Prudential
Advisors
 
Third
Party
 
Total
 
Prudential
Advisors
 
Third
Party
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Term Life
 
$
21

 
$
137

 
$
158

 
$
22

 
$
138

 
$
160

Guaranteed Universal Life(1)
 
7

 
61

 
68

 
13

 
111

 
124

Other Universal Life(1)
 
32

 
67

 
99

 
27

 
55

 
82

Variable Life
 
38

 
67

 
105

 
23

 
52

 
75

Total
 
$
98

 
$
332

 
$
430

 
$
85

 
$
356

 
$
441

__________
(1)
Single pay life premiums and excess (unscheduled) premiums are included in annualized new business premiums based on a 10% credit and represented approximately 8% and 21% of Guaranteed Universal Life and 0% and 1% of Other Universal Life annualized new business premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and approximately 12% and 17% of Guaranteed Universal Life and 0% and 1% of Other Universal Life annualized new business premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Total annualized new business premiums for the third quarter of 2018 increased $21 million compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by higher sales of variable life and other universal life products, partially offset by lower guaranteed universal life sales. Total annualized new business premiums for the first nine months of 2018 decreased $11 million compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by lower guaranteed universal life sales, partially offset by higher sales of variable life and other universal life products. Overall lower guaranteed universal life sales are primarily attributable to certain distribution and product design and pricing actions implemented to enhance product mix diversification and in response to the adoption in 2017 of the principle-based reserving method for new guaranteed universal life products.

International Insurance Division
 
International Insurance

Business Update

We regularly review our existing international businesses and may seek to deploy capital in support of our strategy or to exit an operation if it is determined that it no longer aligns with our broader international strategy.

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In June 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Pramerica of Italy subsidiary. The transaction is expected to close by early 2019, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The results of this divested business and the impact of the anticipated sale are reflected in our Corporate and Other operations (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Divested Businesses—Divested Businesses Included in Corporate and Other” for additional information).

As previously disclosed, in January 2018 we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Pramerica of Poland subsidiary. This transaction closed in October 2018 and will result in a gain that will be recorded in “Other Divested Businesses” in the fourth quarter of 2018 (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Divested Businesses—Divested Businesses Included in Corporate and Other” for additional information).

Operating Results
 
The results of our International Insurance operations are translated on the basis of weighted average monthly exchange rates, inclusive of the effects of the intercompany arrangement discussed in “—Results of Operations—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” 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. The exchange rates used were Japanese yen at a rate of 111 yen per U.S. dollar and Korean won at a rate of 1150 won per U.S. dollar, both of which were determined in connection with the foreign currency income hedging program discussed in “—Results of Operations—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” above. In addition, for constant dollar information discussed below, activity denominated in U.S. dollars is generally reported based on the amounts as transacted in U.S. dollars. Annualized new business premiums presented on a constant exchange rate basis in the “Sales Results” section below reflect translation based on these same uniform exchange rates.
 
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,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Operating results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Planner operations
$
2,696

 
$
2,627

 
$
8,461

 
$
7,982

Gibraltar Life and Other operations
2,794

 
2,749

 
8,357

 
8,286

Total revenues
5,490

 
5,376

 
16,818

 
16,268

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Planner operations
2,247

 
2,254

 
7,220

 
6,872

Gibraltar Life and Other operations
2,353

 
2,323

 
7,068

 
6,975

Total benefits and expenses
4,600

 
4,577

 
14,288

 
13,847

Adjusted operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Planner operations
449

 
373

 
1,241

 
1,110

Gibraltar Life and Other operations
441

 
426

 
1,289

 
1,311

Total adjusted operating income
890

 
799

 
2,530

 
2,421

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
188

 
332

 
238

 
782

Related charges
4

 
(6
)
 
5

 
(15
)
Investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
76

 
56

 
(12
)
 
111

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes
(76
)
 
(56
)
 
12

 
(111
)
Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
(19
)
 
(15
)
 
(52
)
 
(49
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
1,063

 
$
1,110

 
$
2,721

 
$
3,139


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Adjusted Operating Income
 
Three Month Comparison . Adjusted operating income from our Life Planner operations increased $76 million , including a net favorable impact of $2 million from currency fluctuations, inclusive of the currency hedging program discussed above. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, adjusted operating income increased $74 million , primarily reflecting the growth of business in force in our Japan, Korea and Brazil operations and lower expenses, including lower legal costs. These increases were partially offset by lower net investment results, driven by the impact of lower reinvestment rates, and a less favorable impact from mortality experience.

Adjusted operating income from our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $15 million , including a net favorable impact of $1 million from currency fluctuations, inclusive of the currency hedging program discussed above. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, adjusted operating income from our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $14 million , primarily reflecting the growth of business in force, driven by higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated products. This increase was partially offset by a lower contribution from net investment results driven by the impact of lower income on non-coupon investments, lower reinvestment rates and lower prepayment fee income, partially offset by higher average invested assets resulting from continued business growth.

Nine Month Comparison . Adjusted operating income from our Life Planner operations increased $131 million , including a net favorable impact of $4 million from currency fluctuations, inclusive of the currency hedging program discussed above. Both periods also include the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, which resulted in a $49 million net charge in 2018 compared to a $67 million net charge in 2017. The net charge in both 2018 and 2017 was primarily driven by the impact from unfavorable economic assumption updates driven by a lower long-term interest rate assumption in Japan. Excluding the effect of these items, adjusted operating income increased $109 million , primarily reflecting the growth of business in force in our Japan, Korea and Brazil operations, and lower expenses, including lower legal costs. These increases were partially offset by lower net investment results, driven by the impact of lower reinvestment rates, and an unfavorable impact from mortality experience.

Adjusted operating income from our Gibraltar Life and Other operations decreased $22 million , including a net favorable impact of $3 million from currency fluctuations, inclusive of the currency hedging program discussed above. Both periods also include the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, which resulted in a $32 million net charge in 2018 compared to a $21 million net benefit in 2017. Excluding the effect of these items, adjusted operating income from our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $28 million , primarily reflecting the growth of business in force, driven by higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated products, and a favorable impact from mortality experience. These increases were partially offset by a lower contribution from net investment results driven by the impact of lower income on non-coupon investments, lower reinvestment rates and lower prepayment fee income, partially offset by higher average invested assets resulting from continued business growth.

Revenues, Benefits and Expenses

Three Month Comparison . Revenues from our Life Planner operations increased $69 million , including a net unfavorable impact of $52 million from currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues increased $121 million, primarily driven by higher premiums related to the growth of business in force, as discussed above.

Benefits and expenses of our Life Planner operations decreased $7 million , including a net favorable impact of $54 million from currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $47 million. This increase primarily reflects higher policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, driven by business growth and a less favorable impact from mortality experience, partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses, net of capitalization, including lower legal costs.

Revenues from our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $45 million , including a net unfavorable impact of $5 million from currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenues increased $50 million, primarily driven by higher premiums related to the growth of business in force, as discussed above.

Benefits and expenses of our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $30 million , including a net favorable impact of $6 million from currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, benefits and expenses increased $36 million, driven by an increase in policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, driven by business growth.


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Nine Month Comparison . Revenues from our Life Planner operations increased $479 million , including a net favorable impact of $64 million from currency fluctuations and a net benefit of $3 million from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these items, revenues increased $412 million, primarily driven by higher premiums and policy charges and fee income related to the growth of business in force, as discussed above.

Benefits and expenses of our Life Planner operations increased $348 million , including a net unfavorable impact of $60 million from currency fluctuations and a net benefit of $15 million from our annual review and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these items, benefits and expenses increased $303 million. This increase primarily reflects higher policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, driven by business growth and an unfavorable impact from mortality experience, partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses, net of capitalization, including lower legal costs.

Revenues from our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $71 million , including a net favorable impact of $100 million from currency fluctuations and a net charge of $13 million from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these items, revenues decreased $16 million.

Benefits and expenses of our Gibraltar Life and Other operations increased $93 million , including a net unfavorable impact of $97 million from currency fluctuations and a net charge of $40 million from our annual review and update of assumptions and other refinements. Excluding these items, benefits and expenses decreased $44 million, primarily driven by a decrease in policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, related to a favorable impact from mortality experience, as discussed above.

Sales Results

The following table sets forth annualized new business premiums, as defined under “—Results of Operations—Segment Measures” above, on an actual and constant exchange rate basis for the periods indicated.
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Annualized new business premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On an actual exchange rate basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Planner operations
$
294

 
$
277

 
$
941

 
$
1,098

Gibraltar Life(1)
351

 
403

 
1,157

 
1,243

Total(1)
$
645

 
$
680

 
$
2,098

 
$
2,341

On a constant exchange rate basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Planner operations
$
299

 
$
270

 
$
931

 
$
1,087

Gibraltar Life(1)
350

 
403

 
1,154

 
1,246

Total(1)
$
649

 
$
673

 
$
2,085

 
$
2,333

__________
(1)
Prior period amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation, reflecting the elimination of the one-month reporting lag for Gibraltar and Other operations.

The amount of annualized new business premiums and the sales mix in terms of types and currency denomination of products for any given period can be significantly impacted by several factors, including but not limited to: the addition of new products, discontinuation of existing products, changes in credited interest rates for certain products and other product modifications, changes in premium rates, changes in interest rates or fluctuations in currency markets (as described below), changes in tax laws, changes in life insurance regulations or changes in the competitive environment. Sales volume may increase or decrease prior to certain of these changes becoming effective, and then fluctuate in the other direction following such changes.

Our diverse product portfolio in Japan, in terms of currency mix and premium payment structure, allows us to adapt to changing market and competitive dynamics, including the extremely low interest rate environment. We regularly examine our product offerings and their related profitability and, as a result, we have repriced or discontinued sales of certain products that do not meet our profit expectations. The impact of these actions, coupled with the introduction of certain new products, has generally resulted in an increase in sales of products denominated in U.S. dollars relative to products denominated in other currencies.

The table below presents annualized new business premiums on a constant exchange rate basis, by product and distribution channel, for the periods indicated.  

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Life
 
Accident
&
Health
 
Retirement(1)
 
Annuity
 
Total
 
Life
 
Accident
&
Health
 
Retirement(1)
 
Annuity
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Life Planner
$
168

 
$
29

 
$
80

 
$
22

 
$
299

 
$
153

 
$
29

 
$
68

 
$
20

 
$
270

Gibraltar Life(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Consultants
$
82

 
$
11

 
$
24

 
$
60

 
$
177

 
$
84

 
$
12

 
$
28

 
$
54

 
$
178

Banks(3)
106

 
1

 
7

 
8

 
122

 
157

 
0

 
8

 
13

 
178

Independent Agency
26

 
2

 
15

 
8

 
51

 
26

 
2

 
14

 
5

 
47

Subtotal
214

 
14

 
46

 
76

 
350

 
267

 
14

 
50

 
72

 
403

Total(2)
$
382

 
$
43

 
$
126

 
$
98

 
$
649

 
$
420

 
$
43

 
$
118

 
$
92

 
$
673

__________
(1)
Includes retirement income, endowment and savings variable universal life.
(2)
Prior period amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation, reflecting the elimination of the one-month reporting lag for Gibraltar Life and Other operations.
(3)
Single pay life annualized new business premiums, which include 10% of first year premiums, and 3-year limited pay annualized new business premiums, which include 100% of new business premiums, represented 0% and 70%, respectively, of total Japanese bank distribution channel annualized new business premiums, excluding annuity products, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 , and 4% and 71%, respectively, of total Japanese bank distribution channel annualized new business premiums, excluding annuity products, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 .

Three Month Comparison. Annualized new business premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Life Planner operations increased $29 million, as the increase in sales of U.S. dollar-denominated products, primarily term life products, more than offset the decline in sales of yen-based products in our Japan operations.

Annualized new business premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Gibraltar Life operations decreased $53 million primarily reflecting bank channel sales decreases partially offset by independent agency sales increases. Bank channel sales decreased $56 million, primarily from lower sales of U.S. dollar-denominated life products due to increased competition in recurring pay life products and the discontinuation of a single pay life product in the fourth quarter of 2017. Independent agency sales increased $4 million, primarily from higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated products.

The table below presents annualized new business premiums on a constant exchange rate basis, by product and distribution channel, for the periods indicated.

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Life
 
Accident
&
Health
 
Retirement(1)
 
Annuity
 
Total
 
Life
 
Accident
&
Health
 
Retirement(1)
 
Annuity
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Life Planner
$
513

 
$
86

 
$
263

 
$
69

 
$
931

 
$
648

 
$
93

 
$
282

 
$
64

 
$
1,087

Gibraltar Life(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Consultants
$
229

 
$
33

 
$
78

 
$
266

 
$
606

 
$
286

 
$
39

 
$
85

 
$
166

 
$
576

Banks(3)
330

 
1

 
21

 
32

 
384

 
406

 
0

 
24

 
49

 
479

Independent Agency
84

 
9

 
48

 
23

 
164

 
109

 
17

 
48

 
17

 
191

Subtotal
643

 
43

 
147

 
321

 
1,154

 
801

 
56

 
157

 
232

 
1,246

Total(2)
$
1,156

 
$
129

 
$
410

 
$
390

 
$
2,085

 
$
1,449

 
$
149

 
$
439

 
$
296

 
$
2,333

_____
(1)
Includes retirement income, endowment and savings variable universal life.
(2)
Prior period amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation, reflecting the elimination of the one-month reporting lag for Gibraltar Life and Other operations.
(3)
Single pay life annualized new business premiums, which include 10% of first year premiums, and 3-year limited pay annualized new business premiums, which include 100% of new business premiums, represented 0% and 72%, respectively, of total Japanese bank distribution channel annualized new business premiums, excluding annuity products, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , and 5% and 64%, respectively, of total Japanese bank distribution channel annualized new business premiums, excluding annuity products, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 .

Nine Month Comparison. Annualized new business premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Life Planner operations decreased $156 million, primarily reflecting accelerated sales in our Japan operations in the prior year period in advance of premium rate increases on yen-based products in the second quarter of 2017 and lower sales of these yen-based products post repricing. The decrease was partially offset by higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated products in our Japan operations.

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Annualized new business premiums, on a constant exchange rate basis, from our Gibraltar Life operations decreased $92 million. Life Consultants sales increased $30 million, primarily reflecting higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated annuity products, and higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated life products resulting from the introduction of a new recurring pay life product in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was partially offset by lower sales of yen-denominated life products after the second quarter of 2017 repricing discussed above. Bank channel sales decreased $95 million, primarily from lower sales of U.S. dollar-denominated life products due to increased competition in recurring pay life products and the discontinuation of a single pay life product in the fourth quarter of 2017. Independent Agency sales decreased $27 million, primarily reflecting lower sales of yen-denominated life products after the second quarter of 2017 repricing discussed above and increased competition, partially offset by higher sales of U.S. dollar-denominated life and annuity products.

Corporate and Other
 
Corporate and Other includes corporate operations, after allocations to our business segments, and Divested Businesses other than those that qualify for “discontinued operations” accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP.
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Operating results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital debt interest expense
$
(178
)
 
$
(178
)
 
$
(531
)
 
$
(522
)
Investment income, net of operating debt interest expense
7

 
25

 
43

 
68

Pension and employee benefits
59

 
43

 
155

 
116

Other corporate activities(1)
(262
)
 
(200
)
 
(621
)
 
(636
)
Adjusted operating income
(374
)
 
(310
)
 
(954
)
 
(974
)
Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
119

 
(100
)
 
347

 
(375
)
Related charges
4

 
6

 
8

 
(21
)
Divested Businesses
12

 
10

 
(1,586
)
 
51

Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
(2
)
 
(7
)
 
1

 
(16
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
$
(241
)
 
$
(401
)
 
$
(2,184
)
 
$
(1,335
)
__________ 
(1)
Includes consolidating adjustments.

Three Month Comparison . The loss from Corporate and Other operations, on an adjusted operating income basis, increased $64 million. Net charges from other corporate activities increased $62 million, primarily reflecting increased expenses related to corporate initiatives, higher costs for employee compensation plans tied to Company stock performance and increases in other corporate costs. Results for investment income, net of operating debt interest expense, decreased $18 million, including lower net investment income driven by transfers of investments in the second quarter of 2018 to support higher capital requirements in the Long-Term Care Divested Business. This decrease was partially offset by higher income on highly liquid assets. Results from pension and employee benefits increased $16 million, including higher income from our qualified pension plan from higher expected earnings on plan assets and lower interest costs on the plan obligation driven by the decline in interest rates in 2017.


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Nine Month Comparison . The loss from Corporate and Other operations, on an adjusted operating income basis, decreased $20 million. Results from pension and employee benefits increased $39 million, including higher income from our qualified pension plan from higher expected earnings on plan assets and lower interest costs on the plan obligation driven by the decline in interest rates in 2017. Net charges from other corporate activities decreased $15 million, including lower costs for employee compensation plans tied to Company stock performance, partially offset by increased expenses related to corporate initiatives. Results for investment income, net of operating debt interest expense, decreased $25 million, including lower net investment income driven by transfers of investments in the second quarter of 2018 to support higher capital requirements in the Long-Term Care Divested Business and the absence of a non-coupon investment gain in the prior year period. This decrease was partially offset by higher income on highly liquid assets and lower operating debt interest expense. Capital debt interest expense increased $9 million, reflecting higher debt balances from debt issuances in the third quarter of 2017 and the first and third quarters of 2018, partially offset by the extinguishment of junior subordinated debt in the second quarter of 2018 and a senior debt maturity in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Divested Businesses

Divested Businesses Included in Corporate and Other
 
Income from our divested businesses includes results from several businesses that have been or will be sold or exited, including businesses that have been placed in wind down status 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 are excluded from adjusted operating income. A summary of the results of the divested businesses reflected in our Corporate and Other operations is as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Long-Term Care
$
14

 
$
10

 
$
(1,484
)
 
$
53

Other
(2
)
 
0

 
(102
)
 
(2
)
Total Divested Businesses income (loss) excluded from adjusted operating income
$
12

 
$
10

 
$
(1,586
)
 
$
51


Long-Term Care . Results for the third quarter of 2018 increased compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in the market value of investments in equity securities which, effective January 1, 2018 as a result of ASU 2016-01, are reported in net income as opposed to other comprehensive income. The increase was partially offset by higher net realized investment losses in the current period driven by a decline in the market values of derivatives used for duration management. Results for the first nine months of 2018 decreased compared to the prior year period, primarily reflecting unfavorable comparative net impacts from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. Results for 2018 include a $1,458 million net charge from these updates including the removal of our assumption of expected future morbidity improvement, reflecting unfavorable morbidity experience relative to prior expectations. For additional information about our Long-Term Care in-force and reserves, see “MD&A—Results of Operations by Segment—Divested Businesses—Divested Businesses Included in Corporate and Other” included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. Excluding these impacts, results for the first nine months of 2018 decreased compared to the prior year period, primarily reflecting net realized investment losses in the current period compared to net realized investment gains in the prior year period driven by an unfavorable comparative change in market values of derivatives used for duration management, partially offset by an increase in the market value of investments in equity securities in the current period, as discussed above.

Other . Results for the first nine months of 2018 decreased in comparison to the prior year period primarily reflecting losses related to the anticipated sale of our Pramerica of Italy subsidiary and the exit of our PGIM Brazil operations (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—International Insurance Division—International Insurance” and “—Results of Operations by Segment—PGIM Division—PGIM” for additional information).

As previously disclosed, in January 2018 we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Pramerica of Poland subsidiary. This transaction closed in October 2018 and will result in a gain that will be recorded in “Other Divested Businesses” in the fourth quarter of 2018.


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Closed Block Division
 
The Closed Block division includes certain 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 (collectively the “Closed Block”), as well as certain related assets and liabilities. We no longer offer these traditional domestic participating policies. See Note 7 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
 
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 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 division will include any change in our policyholder dividend obligation 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, 2018 , the excess of actual cumulative earnings over the expected cumulative earnings was $ 2,676 million , which was recorded as a policyholder dividend obligation. 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. Additionally, the accumulation of net unrealized investment gains that have arisen subsequent to the establishment of the Closed Block have been reflected as a policyholder dividend obligation of $829 million at September 30, 2018 , to be paid to Closed Block policyholders unless offset by future experience, with a corresponding amount reported in AOCI.
 
Operating Results
 
The following table sets forth the Closed Block division’s results for the periods indicated.
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
U.S. GAAP results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
1,249

 
$
1,376

 
$
3,800

 
$
4,382

 
Benefits and expenses
 
1,231

 
1,343

 
3,822

 
4,333

 
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures
 
$
18

 
$
33

 
$
(22
)
 
$
49

 
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Operating Joint Ventures
 
Three Month Comparison. Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures decreased $15 million . Net investment income decreased $106 million , primarily driven by lower income on non-coupon investments, lower prepayment income and lower reinvestment yields. Net insurance activity results increased $60 million, primarily due to a decrease in the 2018 dividend scale and runoff of policies in force. Net realized investment gains and related activity increase d $28 million , primarily due to favorable changes in the value of equity securities included in “Other income,” and derivatives used in risk management activities, partially offset by losses from sales of fixed maturities. As a result of the above and other variances, a $9 million reduction in the policyholder dividend obligation was recorded in the third quarter of 2018 , compared to a $13 million reduction in the third quarter of 2017. If actual cumulative earnings fall below expected cumulative earnings in future periods, earnings volatility in the Closed Block division, which is primarily due to changes in investment results, may not be offset by changes in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation. For a discussion of Closed Block division realized investment gains (losses), net, see “—General Account Investments.”


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Nine Month Comparison. Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures decreased $71 million . Net investment income decreased $239 million , primarily driven by lower income on non-coupon investments, lower reinvestment yields and lower prepayment income. Net realized investment gains and related activity decreased $171 million primarily due to lower gains on equity securities included in “Other income,” and lower gains from sales of fixed maturities, partially offset by favorable changes in the value of derivatives used in risk management activities. Net insurance activity results increased $172 million, primarily due to a decrease in the 2018 dividend scale and runoff of policies in force. As a result of the above and other variances, an $84 million reduction in the policyholder dividend obligation was recorded in the first nine months of 2018 , compared to a $64 million increase in the first nine months of 2017 .

Revenues, Benefits and Expenses
 
Three Month Comparison. Revenues, as shown in the table above under “—U.S. GAAP results,” decreased $127 million , primarily due to decreases of $106 million in net investment income, as discussed above, as well as a $49 million decrease in premiums due to runoff of policies in force. Partially offsetting these decreases was a net increase of $28 million in net realized investment gains and other income, as discussed above.

Benefits and expenses, as shown in the table above under “—U.S. GAAP results,” decreased $112 million , primarily due to a $56 million decrease in policyholder dividend expense driven by a decrease in the 2018 dividend scale. In addition, policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, decreased $52 million , primarily due to the runoff of policies in force, as discussed above.

Nine Month Comparison. Revenues decreased $582 million , primarily due to a net decrease of $171 million in net realized investment gains and other income and a $239 million decrease in net investment income, as discussed above, as well as a $172 million decrease in premiums due to the runoff of policies in force.

Benefits and expenses decreased $511 million , primarily due to a $304 million decrease in dividends to policyholders, reflecting a decrease in the policyholder dividend expense driven by a decrease in the 2018 dividend scale as well as changes in cumulative earnings. In addition, policyholders’ benefits, including changes in reserves, decreased $189 million , primarily due to the runoff of policies in force, as discussed above.
 
Income Taxes
 
For information regarding income taxes, see Note 8 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities,
Assets Supporting Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities and Other Related Investments
 
Certain products included in the Retirement and International Insurance segments are experience-rated in that investment results associated with these products are expected to ultimately accrue to contractholders. The majority of investments supporting these experience-rated products are carried at fair value. These investments are reflected on the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as “Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value.” Realized and unrealized gains (losses) for these investments are reported in “Other income.” Interest and dividend income for these investments is reported in “Net investment income.” To a lesser extent, these experience-rated products are also supported by derivatives and commercial mortgage and other loans. The derivatives that support these experience-rated products are reflected on the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as “Other invested assets” and are carried at fair value, and the realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” The commercial mortgage and other loans that support these experience-rated products are carried at unpaid principal, net of unamortized discounts and an allowance for losses, and are reflected on the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as “Commercial mortgage and other loans.” Gains (losses) on sales and changes in the valuation allowance for commercial mortgage and other loans are reported in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.”
 
Our Retirement segment has two types of experience-rated products that are supported by assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities and other related investments. Fully participating products are those for which the entire return on underlying investments is passed back to the policyholders through a corresponding adjustment to the related liability, primarily classified in the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as “Policyholders’ account balances.” The adjustment to the liability is based on changes in the fair value of all of the related assets, including commercial mortgage and other loans, which are carried at amortized cost, less any valuation allowance. Partially participating products are those for which only a portion of the return on underlying investments is passed back to the policyholders over time through changes to the contractual crediting rates. The crediting rates are typically reset semiannually, often subject to a minimum crediting rate, and returns are required to be passed back within ten years.
 

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In our International Insurance segment, the experience-rated products are fully participating. As a result, the entire return on the underlying investments is passed back to policyholders through a corresponding adjustment to the related liability.
 
Adjusted operating income excludes net investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, related derivatives and commercial mortgage and other loans. This is consistent with the exclusion of realized investment gains (losses) with respect to other investments supporting insurance liabilities managed on a consistent basis. In addition, to be consistent with the historical treatment of charges related to realized investment gains (losses) on investments, adjusted operating income also excludes the change in contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes in the pool of investments (including changes in the fair value of commercial mortgage and other loans) supporting these experience-rated contracts, which are reflected in “Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances.” The result of this approach is that adjusted operating income for these products includes net fee revenue and interest spread we earn on these experience-rated contracts, and excludes changes in fair value of the pool of investments, both realized and unrealized, that we expect will ultimately accrue to the contractholders.

The following table sets forth the impact on results for the periods indicated of these items that are excluded from adjusted operating income:
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Retirement Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment gains (losses) on:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
$
(66
)
 
$
29

 
$
(574
)
 
$
219

Derivatives
8

 
(51
)
 
48

 
(136
)
Commercial mortgages and other loans
6

 
(5
)
 
9

 
(6
)
Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes(1)(2)
55

 
25

 
470

 
(77
)
Net gains (losses)
$
3

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
0

International Insurance Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
$
76

 
$
56

 
$
(12
)
 
$
111

Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes
(76
)
 
(56
)
 
12

 
(111
)
Net gains (losses)
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment gains (losses) on:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, net
$
10

 
$
85

 
$
(586
)
 
$
330

Derivatives
8

 
(51
)
 
48

 
(136
)
Commercial mortgages and other loans
6

 
(5
)
 
9

 
(6
)
Change in experience-rated contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes(1)(2)
(21
)
 
(31
)
 
482

 
(188
)
Net gains (losses)
$
3

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
0

__________ 
(1)
Decreases to contractholder liabilities due to asset value changes are limited by certain floors and therefore do not reflect cumulative declines in recorded asset values of $132 million and $9 million as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. We have recovered and expect to recover in future periods these declines in recorded asset values through subsequent increases in recorded asset values or reductions in crediting rates on contractholder liabilities.
(2)
Included in the amounts above related to the change in the liability to contractholders as a result of commercial mortgage and other loans are decreases of $9 million and $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and decreases of $40 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. As prescribed by U.S. GAAP, changes in the fair value of commercial mortgage and other loans held for investment 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 fair value are reflected as a change in the liability to fully participating contractholders in the current period.
 
The net impacts, for the Retirement segment, of changes in experience-rated contractholder liabilities and investment gains (losses) on assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities and other related investments reflect timing differences between the recognition of the mark-to-market adjustments and the recognition of the recovery of these adjustments in future periods through subsequent increases in asset values or reductions in crediting rates on contractholder liabilities for partially participating products. These impacts also reflect the difference between the fair value of the underlying commercial mortgages and other loans and the amortized cost, less any valuation allowance, of these loans, as described above.
 

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Valuation of Assets and Liabilities
 
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
 
The authoritative guidance related to fair value measurement establishes a framework that includes a three-level hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement. The fair values of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 include at least one significant unobservable input in the measurement. See Note 6 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for an additional description of the valuation hierarchy levels as well as for the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by hierarchy level presented on a consolidated basis.

The table below presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the periods indicated, and the portion of such assets and liabilities that are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The table also provides details about these assets and liabilities excluding those held in the Closed Block division. We believe the amounts excluding the Closed Block division are most relevant to an understanding of our operations that are pertinent to investors in Prudential Financial because substantially all Closed Block division assets support obligations and liabilities relating to the Closed Block policies only. See Note 7 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Closed Block.
 
As of September 30, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
PFI excluding Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block
Division
 
PFI excluding Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block
Division
 
Total at
Fair Value
 
Total
Level 3(1)
 
Total at
Fair Value
 
Total
Level 3(1)
 
Total at
Fair Value
 
Total
Level 3(1)
 
Total at
Fair Value
 
Total
Level 3(1)
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-
sale
$
301,764

 
$
3,009

 
$
39,206

 
$
924

 
$
305,518

 
$
7,557

 
$
41,262

 
$
2,139

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
19,204

 
703

 
0

 
0

 
20,209

 
1,408

 
0

 
0

Equity securities
1,685

 
2

 
0

 
0

 
1,643

 
4

 
0

 
0

All other(2)
60

 
3

 
0

 
0

 
137

 
7

 
0

 
0

Subtotal
20,949

 
708

 
0

 
0

 
21,989

 
1,419

 
0

 
0

Fixed maturities, trading
2,882

 
184

 
201

 
2

 
3,307

 
155

 
200

 
1

Equity securities
4,775

 
631

 
2,146

 
80

 
4,855

 
712

 
2,479

 
83

Commercial mortgage and other
loans
401

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
593

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other invested assets(3)
921

 
117

 
0

 
0

 
1,330

 
137

 
2

 
0

Short-term investments
4,902

 
5

 
63

 
1

 
5,351

 
8

 
436

 
0

Cash equivalents
4,449

 
0

 
300

 
0

 
7,722

 
0

 
577

 
0

Other assets
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
14

 
13

 
0

 
0

Separate account assets
277,846

 
1,637

 
0

 
0

 
280,393

 
2,122

 
0

 
0

Total assets
$
618,889

 
$
6,291

 
$
41,916

 
$
1,007

 
$
631,072

 
$
12,123

 
$
44,956

 
$
2,223

Future policy benefits
$
5,231

 
$
5,231

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
8,720

 
$
8,720

 
$
0

 
$
0

Other liabilities(3)
825

 
136

 
0

 
0

 
688

 
50

 
0

 
0

Notes issued by consolidated
variable interest entities
(“VIEs”)
610

 
610

 
0

 
0

 
1,196

 
1,196

 
0

 
0

Total liabilities
$
6,666

 
$
5,977

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
10,604

 
$
9,966

 
$
0

 
$
0

__________
(1)
Level 3 assets expressed as a percentage of total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for PFI excluding the Closed Block division and for the Closed Block division totaled 1.0% and 2.4% , respectively, as of September 30, 2018 , and 1.9% and 4.9% , respectively, as of December 31, 2017 .
(2)
“All other” represents cash equivalents and short-term investments.
(3)
“Other invested assets” and “Other liabilities” primarily include derivatives. The amounts include the impact of netting subject to master netting agreements.


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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 and may require the application of a greater degree of judgment depending on market conditions, as the ability to value assets and liabilities can be significantly impacted by a decrease in market activity or a lack of transactions executed in an orderly manner. The following sections provide information regarding certain assets and liabilities which are valued using Level 3 inputs and could have a significant impact on our results of operations.
 
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
 
Fixed maturity securities included in Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy are generally priced based on internally-developed valuations or indicative broker quotes. For certain private fixed maturity and equity securities, the internal valuation models use significant unobservable inputs and, accordingly, such securities are included in Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. Level 3 fixed maturity securities for PFI excluding the Closed Block division included approximately $1.8 billion of public fixed maturities as of September 30, 2018 , with values primarily based on indicative broker quotes, and approximately $2.1 billion of private fixed maturities, with values primarily based on internally-developed models. Significant unobservable inputs used included: issue specific spread adjustments, material non-public financial information, management judgment, estimation of future earnings and cash flows, default rate assumptions, liquidity assumptions and indicative quotes from market makers. These inputs are usually considered unobservable, as not all market participants have access to this data.
 
The Company’s determination to classify assets and liabilities within Level 3 is based on significance of the unobservable inputs in the overall fair value measurement. Periodically, transfers between levels are made to reflect changes in observability of inputs and market activity. During the second quarter of 2018, $5,078 million of investments in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) reported as “Asset-backed securities” were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 as market activity, liquidity and overall observability of valuation inputs of CLOs has increased. All transfers are generally reported at the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which transfers occur for any such assets still held at the end of the quarter.

The impact that fair value changes of fixed maturity securities (and equity securities prior to January 1, 2018) have on the results of operations is dependent on the classification of the security as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. For investments classified as trading, changes in fair value are recorded within “Other income.” For investments classified as available-for-sale, changes in fair value are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in AOCI, a separate component of equity. Investments classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost and the changes in fair value have no impact on the results of operations. Effective January 1, 2018, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the classifications above no longer apply to equity securities and changes in fair value are recorded within “Other income.”
 
Separate Account Assets
 
Separate account assets included in Level 3 primarily include corporate securities and commercial mortgage loans. The valuation of corporate securities is determined as described above for fixed maturity and equity securities. See Note 6 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the valuation of commercial mortgage loans. Separate account liabilities are reported at contract value and not at fair value.
 
Variable Annuity Living Benefit Features
 
Future policy benefits classified in Level 3 primarily include liabilities related to guarantees associated with the living benefit features of certain variable annuity contracts offered by our Individual Annuities segment, 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 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 benefit payments to customers less the present value of future rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature. This methodology could result in either a liability or contra-liability balance, based on capital market conditions and various policyholder behavior assumptions. Since there is no observable active market for the transfer of these obligations, the valuations are calculated using internally-developed models with option pricing techniques. These models utilize significant assumptions that are primarily unobservable, including assumptions as to lapse rates, NPR, utilization rates, withdrawal rates, mortality rates and equity market volatility. Future policy benefits classified as Level 3 for PFI excluding the Closed Block division were a net liability of $5.2 billion as of September 30, 2018 . For additional information, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities.”
 

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Notes Issued by Consolidated VIEs
 
As discussed in Note 4 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, notes issued by consolidated VIEs represent non-recourse notes issued by certain asset-backed investment vehicles, primarily collateralized loan obligations, which we are required to consolidate. We have elected the fair value option for these notes, which are valued based on corresponding bank loan collateral.
 
For additional information about the key estimates and assumptions used in our determination of fair value, see Note 6 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
General Account Investments
 
Portfolio Composition
 
Our investment portfolio consists of public and private fixed maturity securities, commercial mortgage and other loans, policy loans and non-coupon investments, which include equity securities and other invested assets such as LPs/LLCs, real estate held through direct ownership, derivative instruments and seed money investments in separate accounts. 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 PGIM segment. The size of our portfolio enables us to invest in asset classes that may be unavailable to the typical investor.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities which impacted the Company’s accounting and presentation related to equity investments. For additional details regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-01, see Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The following tables set forth the composition of the investments of our general account apportioned between PFI excluding the Closed Block division and the Closed Block division, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
PFI Excluding
Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block
Division
 
Total
 
 
($ in millions)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
257,178

 
64.1
%
 
$
26,377

 
$
283,555

Public, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
1,699

 
0.4

 
0

 
1,699

Private, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
44,131

 
11.0

 
12,828

 
56,959

Private, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
258

 
0.1

 
0

 
258

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value
 
1,731

 
0.4

 
201

 
1,932

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value
 
21,083

 
5.2

 
0

 
21,083

Equity securities, at fair value
 
4,301

 
1.1

 
2,146

 
6,447

Commercial mortgage and other loans, at book value
 
49,980

 
12.4

 
8,915

 
58,895

Policy loans, at outstanding balance
 
7,490

 
1.9

 
4,438

 
11,928

Other invested assets(1)
 
8,172

 
2.0

 
3,345

 
11,517

Short-term investments
 
5,633

 
1.4

 
108

 
5,741

Total general account investments
 
401,656

 
100.0
%
 
58,358

 
460,014

Invested assets of other entities and operations(2)
 
4,958

 


 
0

 
4,958

Total investments
 
$
406,614

 


 
$
58,358

 
$
464,972



116


 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
PFI Excluding
Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block
Division
 
Total
 
 
($ in millions)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
260,430

 
64.7
%
 
$
27,448

 
$
287,878

Public, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
1,747

 
0.4

 
0

 
1,747

Private, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
44,479

 
11.1

 
13,814

 
58,293

Private, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
302

 
0.1

 
0

 
302

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value
 
1,589

 
0.4

 
200

 
1,789

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value
 
22,097

 
5.5

 
0

 
22,097

Equity securities, at fair value
 
4,276

 
1.1

 
2,479

 
6,755

Commercial mortgage and other loans, at book value
 
46,394

 
11.5

 
9,017

 
55,411

Policy loans, at outstanding balance
 
7,348

 
1.8

 
4,543

 
11,891

Other invested assets(1)
 
7,510

 
1.9

 
3,159

 
10,669

Short-term investments
 
6,103

 
1.5

 
631

 
6,734

Total general account investments
 
402,275

 
100.0
%
 
61,291

 
463,566

Invested assets of other entities and operations(2)
 
6,305

 

 
0

 
6,305

Total investments(3)
 
$
408,580

 

 
$
61,291

 
$
469,871

__________
(1)
Other invested assets consist of investments in LPs/LLCs, investment real estate held through direct ownership, derivative instruments and other miscellaneous investments. For additional information regarding these investments, see “—Other Invested Assets” below.
(2)
Includes invested assets of our investment management and derivative operations. Excludes assets of our investment management operations that are 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.
(3)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

The decrease in general account investments attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division in the first nine months of 2018 was primarily due to an increase in U.S. interest rates and credit spread widening, partially offset by the reinvestment of net investment income. For information regarding the methodology used in determining the fair value of our fixed maturities, see Note 6 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , 43% and 42% , respectively, of our general account investments attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division related to our Japanese insurance operations. The following table sets forth the composition of the investments of our Japanese insurance operations’ general account, as of the dates indicated:

 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
Public, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
127,189

 
$
128,332

Public, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
1,699

 
1,747

Private, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
15,547

 
14,538

Private, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
258

 
302

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value
 
296

 
257

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities, at fair value
 
2,575

 
2,586

Equity securities, at fair value
 
2,155

 
2,151

Commercial mortgage and other loans, at book value
 
16,823

 
14,268

Policy loans, at outstanding balance
 
2,604

 
2,545

Other invested assets(1)
 
1,830

 
2,021

Short-term investments
 
226

 
244

Total Japanese general account investments(2)
 
$
171,202

 
$
168,991


117


__________ 
(1)
Other invested assets consist of investments in LPs/LLCs, investment real estate held through direct ownership, derivative instruments and other miscellaneous investments.
(2)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

The increase in general account investments related to our Japanese insurance operations in the first nine months of 2018 was primarily attributable to the reinvestment of net investment income and net business inflows, partially offset by the impact of the rise in U.S. Treasury and Japanese Government Bond rates and the translation impact of the yen weakening against the U.S. dollar.

As of September 30, 2018, our Japanese insurance operations had $63.2 billion, at carrying value, of investments denominated in U.S. dollars, including $2.6 billion that were hedged to yen through third-party derivative contracts and $48 billion that support liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars, with the remainder hedging our foreign currency exchange rate exposure on U.S. dollar-equivalent equity. As of December 31, 2017, our Japanese insurance operations had $62.6 billion, at carrying value, of investments denominated in U.S. dollars, including $5.8 billion that were hedged to yen through third-party derivative contracts and $43.8 billion that support liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars, with the remainder hedging our foreign currency exchange rate exposure on U.S. dollar-equivalent equity. The $0.6 billion increase in the carrying value of U.S. dollar-denominated investments from December 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to portfolio growth as a result of net business inflows and the reinvestment of net investment income, partially offset by the reduction of the U.S. dollar investments hedged back to yen through third-party derivatives.

Our Japanese insurance operations had $10.3 billion and $11.4 billion, at carrying value, of investments denominated in Australian dollars that support liabilities denominated in Australian dollars as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The $1.1 billion decrease in the carrying value of Australian dollar-denominated investments from December 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to the translation impact of the Australian dollar weakening against the U.S. dollar and portfolio reduction as a result of net business outflows. For additional information regarding U.S. and Australian dollar investments held in our Japanese insurance operations and a discussion of our yen hedging strategy, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” above.

Investment Results
 
The following tables set forth the investment results of our general account apportioned between PFI excluding the Closed Block division and the Closed Block division, for the periods indicated. The yields are based on net investment income as reported under U.S. GAAP and as such do not include certain interest-related items, such as settlements of duration management swaps which are included in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.”

2018 to 2017 Three Month Comparison

118


 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division and Japanese Operations
 
Japanese Insurance Operations
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block Division
 
Total(5)
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
($ in millions)
Fixed maturities(2)
4.63
 %
 
$
1,746

 
2.90
 %
 
$
925

 
3.83
 %
 
$
2,671

 
$
415

 
$
3,086

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
3.51

 
164

 
2.08

 
13

 
3.34

 
177

 
0

 
177

Equity securities
4.05

 
21

 
2.13

 
12

 
3.09

 
33

 
10

 
43

Commercial mortgage and other loans
3.94

 
325

 
3.84

 
158

 
3.90

 
483

 
99

 
582

Policy loans
5.33

 
64

 
3.92

 
25

 
4.84

 
89

 
65

 
154

Short-term investments and cash equivalents
2.50

 
68

 
3.47

 
9

 
2.56

 
77

 
6

 
83

Gross investment income
4.34

 
2,388

 
2.99

 
1,142

 
3.78

 
3,530

 
595

 
4,125

Investment expenses
(0.16
)
 
(100
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(61
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(161
)
 
(50
)
 
(211
)
Investment income after investment expenses
4.18
 %
 
2,288

 
2.86
 %
 
1,081

 
3.63
 %
 
3,369

 
545

 
3,914

Other invested assets(3)
 
 
60

 
 
 
26

 
 
 
86

 
15

 
101

Investment results of other entities and operations(4)
 
 
31

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
31

 
0

 
31

Total investment income
 
 
$
2,379

 
 
 
$
1,107

 
 
 
$
3,486

 
$
560

 
$
4,046


 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division and Japanese Operations
 
Japanese Insurance Operations
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block Division
 
Total(5)
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
($ in millions)
Fixed maturities(2)
4.52
 %
 
$
1,608

 
3.01
 %
 
$
918

 
3.82
 %
 
$
2,526

 
$
446

 
$
2,972

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
3.52

 
172

 
2.22

 
14

 
3.38

 
186

 
0

 
186

Equity securities
5.01

 
64

 
3.22

 
23

 
4.38

 
87

 
12

 
99

Commercial mortgage and other loans
4.06

 
324

 
3.91

 
130

 
4.02

 
454

 
112

 
566

Policy loans
5.29

 
62

 
3.97

 
24

 
4.83

 
86

 
67

 
153

Short-term investments and cash equivalents
1.30

 
40

 
1.15

 
3

 
1.29

 
43

 
6

 
49

Gross investment income
4.26

 
2,270

 
3.11

 
1,112

 
3.79

 
3,382

 
643

 
4,025

Investment expenses
(0.15
)
 
(83
)
 
(0.12
)
 
(48
)
 
(0.14
)
 
(131
)
 
(47
)
 
(178
)
Investment income after investment expenses
4.11
 %
 
2,187

 
2.99
 %
 
1,064

 
3.65
 %
 
3,251

 
596

 
3,847

Other invested assets(3)
 
 
78

 
 
 
27

 
 
 
105

 
70

 
175

Investment results of other entities and operations(4)
 
 
54

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
54

 
0

 
54

Total investment income
 
 
$
2,319

 
 
 
$
1,091

 
 
 
$
3,410

 
$
666

 
$
4,076

__________ 
(1)
For interim periods, yields are annualized. The denominator in the yield percentage is based on quarterly average carrying values for all asset types except for fixed maturities which are based on amortized cost. Amounts for fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash equivalents are also netted for securities lending activity (i.e., income netted for rebate expenses and asset values netted for securities lending liabilities). A yield is not presented for other invested assets as it is not considered a meaningful measure of investment performance. Yields exclude investment income and assets related to other invested assets. Prior period yields have been revised to conform to current period presentation.

119


(2)
Includes fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity and excludes fixed maturity securities classified as trading, which are included in other invested assets.
(3)
Other invested assets consist of investments in LPs/LLCs, investment real estate held through direct ownership, derivative instruments, fixed maturities designated as trading and other miscellaneous investments.
(4)
Includes net investment income of our investment management operations.
(5)
The total yield was 3.74% and 3.79% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Prior period yield has been revised to conform to current period presentation.

The increase in investment income after investment expenses yield attributable to our general account investments, excluding both the Closed Block division and the Japanese insurance operations’ portfolio, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 , compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 , was primarily the result of higher fixed income reinvestment rates.

The decrease in investment income after investment expenses yield on the Japanese insurance operations’ portfolio, for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017, was primarily attributable to lower fixed income reinvestment rates and lower fixed maturity prepayment fees and call premiums.

Both the U.S. dollar-denominated and Australian 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 yen-denominated fixed maturities. The average amortized cost of U.S. dollar-denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third-party derivative contracts was approximately $43.6 billion and $42.6 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The majority of U.S. dollar-denominated fixed maturities support liabilities that are denominated in U.S. dollars. The average amortized cost of Australian dollar-denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third-party derivative contracts was approximately $9.5 billion and $10.6 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Australian dollar-denominated fixed maturities support liabilities that are denominated in Australian dollars. For additional information regarding U.S. and Australian dollar investments held in our Japanese insurance operations, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” above.

2018 to 2017 Nine Month Comparison

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division and Japanese Operations
 
Japanese Insurance Operations
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block Division
 
Total(5)
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
($ in millions)
Fixed maturities(2)
4.67
 %
 
$
5,195

 
2.93
 %
 
$
2,770

 
3.87
 %
 
$
7,965

 
$
1,272

 
$
9,237

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
3.64

 
511

 
1.99

 
38

 
3.44

 
549

 
0

 
549

Equity securities
2.49

 
40

 
3.09

 
50

 
2.79

 
90

 
34

 
124

Commercial mortgage and other loans
4.00

 
972

 
3.92

 
457

 
3.98

 
1,429

 
307

 
1,736

Policy loans
5.38

 
192

 
3.91

 
75

 
4.86

 
267

 
195

 
462

Short-term investments and cash equivalents
2.03

 
183

 
2.41

 
26

 
2.06

 
209

 
23

 
232

Gross investment income
4.35

 
7,093

 
3.04

 
3,416

 
3.81

 
10,509

 
1,831

 
12,340

Investment expenses
(0.17
)
 
(285
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(174
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(459
)
 
(151
)
 
(610
)
Investment income after investment expenses
4.18
 %
 
6,808

 
2.91
 %
 
3,242

 
3.66
 %
 
10,050

 
1,680

 
11,730

Other invested assets(3)
 
 
180

 
 
 
86

 
 
 
266

 
64

 
330

Investment results of other entities and operations(4)
 
 
80

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
80

 
0

 
80

Total investment income
 
 
$
7,068

 
 
 
$
3,328

 
 
 
$
10,396

 
$
1,744

 
$
12,140



120


 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division and Japanese Operations
 
Japanese Insurance Operations
 
PFI Excluding Closed Block Division
 
Closed Block Division
 
Total(5)
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Yield(1)
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
($ in millions)
Fixed maturities(2)
4.57
 %
 
$
4,790

 
3.05
 %
 
$
2,704

 
3.88
 %
 
$
7,494

 
$
1,315

 
$
8,809

Assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities
3.60

 
523

 
2.00

 
35

 
3.43

 
558

 
0

 
558

Equity securities
5.28

 
195

 
2.75

 
59

 
4.35

 
254

 
40

 
294

Commercial mortgage and other loans
4.08

 
954

 
4.07

 
380

 
4.07

 
1,334

 
343

 
1,677

Policy loans
5.38

 
187

 
3.98

 
72

 
4.90

 
259

 
202

 
461

Short-term investments and cash equivalents
1.23

 
107

 
1.33

 
10

 
1.24

 
117

 
19

 
136

Gross investment income
4.30

 
6,756

 
3.14

 
3,260

 
3.84

 
10,016

 
1,919

 
11,935

Investment expenses
(0.14
)
 
(226
)
 
(0.12
)
 
(135
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(361
)
 
(132
)
 
(493
)
Investment income after investment expenses
4.16
 %
 
6,530

 
3.02
 %
 
3,125

 
3.71
 %
 
9,655

 
1,787

 
11,442

Other invested assets(3)
 
 
363

 
 
 
100

 
 
 
463

 
196

 
659

Investment results of other entities and operations(4)
 
 
125

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
125

 
0

 
125

Total investment income
 
 
$
7,018

 
 
 
$
3,225

 
 
 
$
10,243

 
$
1,983

 
$
12,226

__________ 
(1)
For interim periods, yields are annualized. The denominator in the yield percentage is based on quarterly average carrying values for all asset types except for fixed maturities which are based on amortized cost. Amounts for fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash equivalents are also netted for securities lending activity (i.e., income netted for rebate expenses and asset values netted for securities lending liabilities). A yield is not presented for other invested assets as it is not considered a meaningful measure of investment performance. Yields exclude investment income and assets related to other invested assets. Prior period yields have been revised to conform to current period presentation.
(2)
Includes fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity and excludes fixed maturity securities classified as trading, which are included in other invested assets.
(3)
Other invested assets consist of investments in LPs/LLCs, investment real estate held through direct ownership, derivative instruments, fixed maturities designated as trading and other miscellaneous investments.
(4)
Includes net investment income of our investment management operations.
(5)
The total yield was 3.77% and 3.84% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Prior period yield has been revised to conform to current period presentation.

The increase in investment income after investment expenses yield attributable to our general account investments, excluding both the Closed Block division and the Japanese insurance operations’ portfolio, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , was primarily the result of higher fixed income reinvestment rates.

The decrease in investment income after investment expenses yield on the Japanese insurance operations’ portfolio, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017, was primarily attributable to lower fixed income reinvestment rates and lower fixed maturity prepayment fees and call premiums.

Both the U.S. dollar-denominated and Australian 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 yen-denominated fixed maturities. The average amortized cost of U.S. dollar-denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third-party derivative contracts was approximately $43.8 billion and $41.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The majority of U.S. dollar-denominated fixed maturities support liabilities that are denominated in U.S. dollars. The average amortized cost of Australian dollar-denominated fixed maturities that are not hedged to yen through third-party derivative contracts was approximately $9.9 billion and $10.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Australian dollar-denominated fixed maturities support liabilities that are denominated in Australian dollars. For additional information regarding U.S. and Australian dollar investments held in our Japanese insurance operations, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” above.

Realized Investment Gains and Losses


121


The following table sets forth “Realized investment gains (losses), net,” by investment type of our general account apportioned between PFI excluding Closed Block division and the Closed Block division as well as related charges and adjustments, for the periods indicated:


122


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
PFI excluding Closed Block Division:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due to foreign exchange movements on securities approaching maturity
$
0

 
$
(10
)
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(34
)
Due to securities actively marketed for sale
1

 
(5
)
 
(10
)
 
(11
)
Due to credit or adverse conditions of the respective issuer(1)
(24
)
 
(3
)
 
(63
)
 
(38
)
OTTI losses on fixed maturities recognized in earnings(2)
(23
)
 
(18
)
 
(89
)
 
(83
)
Net gains (losses) on sales and maturities
111

 
166

 
426

 
545

Fixed maturity securities(3)
88

 
148

 
337

 
462

OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings(4)
0

 
(12
)
 
0

 
(20
)
Net gains (losses) on sales and maturities
0

 
247

 
0

 
329

Equity securities(5)
0

 
235

 
0

 
309

Commercial mortgage and other loans
2

 
(1
)
 
(12
)
 
(6
)
Derivative instruments
62

 
1,121

 
688

 
(280
)
OTTI losses on other invested assets recognized in earnings(6)
0

 
(4
)
 
(6
)
 
(12
)
Other net gains (losses)
(2
)
 
3

 
77

 
11

Other
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
71

 
(1
)
Subtotal
150

 
1,502

 
1,084

 
484

Investment results of other entities and operations(7)
5

 
(1
)
 
73

 
(3
)
Total — PFI excluding Closed Block Division
155

 
1,501

 
1,157

 
481

Related adjustments
116

 
(106
)
 
(406
)
 
(529
)
Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments
271

 
1,395

 
751

 
(48
)
Related charges
(94
)
 
(231
)
 
(233
)
 
571

Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related charges and adjustments
$
177

 
$
1,164

 
$
518

 
$
523

Closed Block Division:

 

 

 

Realized investment gains (losses), net:

 

 

 

Due to foreign exchange movements on securities approaching maturity
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(15
)
Due to securities actively marketed for sale
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
(8
)
 
(9
)
Due to credit or adverse conditions of the respective issuer(1)
(2
)
 
0

 
(9
)
 
(15
)
OTTI losses on fixed maturities recognized in earnings(2)
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
(40
)
 
(39
)
Net gains (losses) on sales and maturities
(3
)
 
84

 
22

 
208

Fixed maturity securities(3)
(12
)
 
80

 
(18
)
 
169

OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings(4)
0

 
0

 
0

 
(3
)
Net gains (losses) on sales and maturities
0

 
81

 
0

 
430

Equity securities(5)
0

 
81

 
0

 
427

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
1

Derivative instruments
8

 
(53
)
 
121

 
(125
)
OTTI losses on other invested assets recognized in earnings(6)
0

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(12
)
Other net gains (losses)
0

 
3

 
4

 
2

Other
0

 
0

 
3

 
(10
)
Subtotal — Closed Block Division
(4
)
 
107

 
104

 
462

Consolidated PFI realized investment gains (losses), net
$
151

 
$
1,608

 
$
1,261

 
$
943


123


__________
(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. The amount of the impairment recorded in earnings is the difference between the amortized cost of the debt security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment.
(2)
Excludes the portion of OTTI recorded in OCI, representing any difference between the fair value of the impaired debt security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows at the time of impairment.
(3)
Includes fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity and excludes fixed maturity securities classified as trading.
(4)
Effective January 1, 2018, the identification of OTTI for equity securities is no longer needed as all of these investments are now measured at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings.
(5)
Effective January 1, 2018, realized gains (losses) on equity securities are recorded within “Other income.”
(6)
Primarily includes OTTI related to investments in LPs/LLCs and real estate held through direct ownership.
(7)
Includes “realized investment gains (losses), net” of our investment management operations.

Three Month Comparison . Net realized gains on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities were $111 million and $166 million for the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, primarily driven by the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements of U.S. and Australian dollar-denominated securities that matured or were sold within our International Insurance segment.

Net realized gains on derivatives were $62 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to net realized gains of $1,121 million in the third quarter of 2017. The net derivative gains in the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflected $257 million of gains on product-related embedded derivatives and related hedge positions associated with certain variable annuity contracts; $138 million of gains on foreign currency derivatives used to hedge foreign-denominated investments as the U.S. dollar strengthened against various currencies; and net gains of $37 million primarily representing the fees earned on fee-based synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), which are accounted for as derivatives. Partially offsetting these gains were net losses of $294 million on interest rate derivatives used to manage duration as swap rates and U.S. Treasury rates increased; and net losses of $75 million on currency derivatives primarily in Japanese insurance operations used to hedge non-yen denominated investments as the Japanese yen weakened against various currencies. The net derivative gains in the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflected $1,294 million of gains on product related embedded derivatives and related hedges mainly associated with certain variable annuity contracts; and $37 million of gains primarily representing the fees earned on fee-based GICs which are accounted for as derivatives. Partially offsetting these gains were net losses of $158 million on foreign currency derivatives used to hedge foreign denominated investments as the U.S. dollar weakened against various currencies; and losses of $93 million on equity futures and options as the equity index increased. For a discussion of living benefit guarantees and related hedge positions in our Individual Annuities segment, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities” above.

Related adjustments include the portion of “Realized investment gains (losses), net” that are included in adjusted operating income and the portion of “Other income” and “Net investment income” that are excluded from adjusted operating income. These adjustments are made to arrive at “Realized investment gains (losses), net, and related adjustments” which are excluded from adjusted operating income. Results for the third quarter of 2018 reflected related adjustments of net positive $116 million compared to net negative $106 million for the third quarter of 2017. Both periods’ results were driven by settlements and changes in values of interest rate and currency derivatives. Additionally, the results for the third quarter of 2018 were also driven by the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on certain non-local currency denominated assets and liabilities within the International Insurance segment, for which the majority of the foreign currency exposure is hedged and offset in “Realized Investment gains (losses), net,” as well as the change in fair value of equity securities which is recorded within “Other income.”

Charges that relate to “Realized investment gains (losses), net” are also excluded from adjusted operating income and may be reflected as net charges or net benefits. Results for the third quarter of 2018 and 2017 included net related charges of $94 million and $231 million, respectively. Both periods’ results were driven by the impact of derivative activity on the amortization of DAC, other costs and certain policyholder reserves.

Nine Month Comparison . Net realized gains on sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities were $426 million and $545 million for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, primarily driven by the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements of U.S. and Australian dollar-denominated securities that matured or were sold within our International Insurance segment.

Net realized gains on derivatives were $688 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared to net realized losses of $280 million in the first nine months of 2017. The net derivative gains in the first nine months of 2018 reflected gains of $1,057 million on product-related embedded derivatives and related hedges mainly associated with certain variable annuity contracts; net gains of $318 million on foreign currency derivatives used to hedge foreign-denominated investments as the U.S. dollar strengthened against various currencies; and net gains of $113 million primarily representing the fees earned on fee-based synthetic GICs, which are accounted for as derivatives. Partially offsetting these gains were net losses of $745 million on interest rate derivatives used to manage duration as swap rates and U.S. Treasury rates increased. The net derivative losses in the first nine months of 2017

124


reflected $443 million of losses on product related embedded derivatives and related hedges mainly associated with certain variable annuity contracts; $352 million of losses on foreign currency derivatives used to hedge foreign denominated investments as the U.S. dollar weakened against various currencies; and losses of $93 million on equity futures and options as the equity index increased. Partially offsetting these losses were net gains of $294 million on interest rate derivatives used to manage duration as swap rates and U.S. Treasury rates declined; net gains of $117 million on currency derivatives primarily in Japan operations used to hedge non-yen denominated investments as the Japanese yen strengthened against various currencies; and net gains of $116 million primarily representing the fees earned on fee-based GICs which are accounted for as derivatives. For a discussion of living benefit guarantees and related hedge positions in our Individual Annuities segment, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities” above.

Results for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 included net negative related adjustments of $406 million and $529 million, respectively. Both periods’ results were driven by settlements and changes in values of interest rate and currency derivatives, as well as the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on certain non-local currency denominated assets and liabilities within the International Insurance segment, for which the majority of the foreign currency exposure is hedged and offset in “Realized Investment gains (losses), net.”

Results for the first nine months of 2018 included a net related charge of $233 million, compared to a net related benefit of $571 million for the first nine months of 2017. Both periods’ results were driven by the impact of derivative activity on the amortization of DAC, and other costs and certain policyholder reserves.

Impairments

The level of OTTI generally reflects economic conditions and is expected to increase when economic conditions worsen and to decrease when economic conditions improve. Historically, the causes of OTTI have been specific to each individual issuer and have not directly resulted in impairments to other securities within the same industry or geographic region. We may also realize additional credit and interest rate-related losses through sales of investments pursuant to our credit risk and portfolio management objectives.

We maintain separate monitoring processes for public and private fixed maturities and create watch lists to highlight securities that require special scrutiny and management. 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. Our public and private fixed maturity investment managers formally review all public and private 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 company or industry-specific concerns.

For LPs/LLCs accounted for using the equity method, the carrying value of these investments is written down or impaired to fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary. For additional information regarding our OTTI policies, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
Retail-Related Investments

As of September 30, 2018 , PFI excluding the Closed Block division had retail-related investments of approximately $14 billion consisting primarily of $6 billion of corporate fixed maturities of which 88% were considered investment grade; $7 billion of commercial mortgage loans with a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio of approximately 51% and a weighted-average debt service coverage ratio of 2.44 times; and $1 billion of real estate held through direct ownership and real estate-related LPs/LLCs.

In addition, we held approximately $9 billion of commercial mortgage-backed securities, of which approximately 88% and 12% were rated AAA (super-senior) and AA, respectively, and comprised of diversified collateral pools. Approximately 30% of the collateral pools were comprised of retail-related investments, with no pools solely collateralized by retail-related investments. For additional information regarding commercial mortgage-backed securities, see “—Fixed Maturity Securities—Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality” below.

General Account Investments of PFI excluding Closed Block Division

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In the following sections, we provide details about our investment portfolio, excluding investments held in the Closed Block division. We believe the details of the composition of our investment portfolio excluding the Closed Block division are most relevant to an understanding of our operations that are pertinent to investors in Prudential Financial, Inc. because substantially all Closed Block division assets support obligations and liabilities relating to the Closed Block policies only. See Note 7 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Closed Block.

Fixed Maturity Securities
 
In the following sections, we provide details about our fixed maturity securities portfolio, which excludes fixed maturity securities classified as assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities and classified as trading.
    
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 PFI excluding the Closed Block division and the associated gross unrealized gains and losses, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
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:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance
$
28,350

 
$
728

 
$
638

 
$
28,440

 
$
25,906

 
$
1,646

 
$
84

 
$
27,468

Consumer non-cyclical
24,348

 
1,320

 
605

 
25,063

 
24,812

 
2,359

 
140

 
27,031

Utility
22,024

 
1,128

 
650

 
22,502

 
22,265

 
2,196

 
118

 
24,343

Capital goods
10,966

 
628

 
260

 
11,334

 
11,232

 
1,076

 
52

 
12,256

Consumer cyclical
10,610

 
512

 
202

 
10,920

 
11,011

 
972

 
77

 
11,906

Foreign agencies
5,632

 
813

 
54

 
6,391

 
5,619

 
996

 
17

 
6,598

Energy
11,180

 
639

 
275

 
11,544

 
10,621

 
998

 
137

 
11,482

Communications
6,235

 
510

 
152

 
6,593

 
6,266

 
782

 
77

 
6,971

Basic industry
5,547

 
304

 
116

 
5,735

 
6,061

 
590

 
37

 
6,614

Transportation
8,388

 
476

 
178

 
8,686

 
8,179

 
777

 
28

 
8,928

Technology
3,841

 
202

 
62

 
3,981

 
4,373

 
318

 
33

 
4,658

Industrial other
4,214

 
174

 
128

 
4,260

 
3,866

 
348

 
23

 
4,191

Total corporate securities
141,335

 
7,434

 
3,320

 
145,449

 
140,211

 
13,058

 
823

 
152,446

Foreign government(3)
94,201

 
14,209

 
669

 
107,741

 
88,539

 
15,848

 
291

 
104,096

Residential mortgage-backed(4)
3,246

 
129

 
57

 
3,318

 
3,801

 
191

 
10

 
3,982

Asset-backed
9,495

 
150

 
22

 
9,623

 
8,389

 
214

 
7

 
8,596

Commercial mortgage-backed
8,666

 
36

 
186

 
8,516

 
8,850

 
188

 
64

 
8,974

U.S. Government
17,830

 
2,152

 
869

 
19,113

 
16,591

 
3,005

 
306

 
19,290

State & Municipal
9,359

 
567

 
90

 
9,836

 
8,945

 
1,016

 
6

 
9,955

Total(5)
$
284,132

 
$
24,677

 
$
5,213

 
$
303,596

 
$
275,326

 
$
33,520

 
$
1,507

 
$
307,339

__________ 
(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 $330 million of gross unrealized gains and less than $1 million of gross unrealized losses, as of September 30, 2018 , compared to $381 million of gross unrealized gains and less than $1 million of gross unrealized losses, as of December 31, 2017 , on securities classified as held-to-maturity.
(3)
As of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , based on amortized cost, 75% represent Japanese government bonds held by our Japanese insurance operations with no other individual country representing more than 11% of the balance, respectively.
(4)
As of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , based on amortized cost, more than 99% were rated A or higher.
(5)
Excluded from the table 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.

126



The decrease in net unrealized gains from December 31, 2017 to September 30, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in U.S. interest rates and credit spread widening.

Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality
 
The Securities Valuation Office (“SVO”) of the NAIC evaluates the investments of insurers for statutory reporting purposes and assigns fixed maturity securities to one of six categories called “NAIC Designations.” In general, NAIC Designations of “1” highest quality, or “2” high quality, 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” generally include fixed maturities referred to as below investment grade, which include securities rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s and BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s. The NAIC Designations for commercial mortgage-backed securities and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, including our asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, are based on security level expected losses as modeled by an independent third-party (engaged by the NAIC) and the statutory carrying value of the security, including any purchase discounts or impairment charges previously recognized.
 
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 includes certain securities that have not yet been designated by the SVO as of each balance sheet date. Pending receipt of SVO designations, 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 (“FSA”), an agency of the Japanese government. The FSA has its own investment quality criteria and risk control standards. Our Japanese insurance companies comply with the FSA’s credit quality review and risk monitoring guidelines. The credit quality ratings of the investments of our Japanese insurance companies are based on ratings assigned by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, including Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, or rating equivalents based on ratings assigned by Japanese credit ratings agencies.
 
The following table sets forth our fixed maturity portfolio by NAIC Designation or equivalent ratings attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division, as of the dates indicated:

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
NAIC Designation(1)(2)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)(4)
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains(3)
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses(3)(4)
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
1
$
214,659

 
$
21,171

 
$
3,465

 
$
232,365

 
$
207,791

 
$
27,550

 
$
925

 
$
234,416

2
53,284

 
2,620

 
1,406

 
54,498

 
50,751

 
4,560

 
335

 
54,976

Subtotal High or Highest Quality Securities(5)
267,943

 
23,791

 
4,871

 
286,863

 
258,542

 
32,110

 
1,260

 
289,392

3
9,575

 
330

 
197

 
9,708

 
10,201

 
670

 
79

 
10,792

4
5,061

 
397

 
101

 
5,357

 
4,681

 
501

 
105

 
5,077

5
1,360

 
142

 
40

 
1,462

 
1,666

 
225

 
57

 
1,834

6
193

 
17

 
4

 
206

 
236

 
14

 
6

 
244

Subtotal Other Securities(6)(7)
16,189

 
886

 
342

 
16,733

 
16,784

 
1,410

 
247

 
17,947

Total Fixed Maturities
$
284,132

 
$
24,677

 
$
5,213

 
$
303,596

 
$
275,326

 
$
33,520

 
$
1,507

 
$
307,339

__________ 
(1)
Reflects equivalent ratings for investments of the international insurance operations.
(2)
Includes, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , 1,052 securities with amortized cost of $4,806 million (fair value, $4,777 million ) and 982 securities with amortized cost of $6,022 million (fair value, $6,217 million ), respectively, that have been categorized based on expected NAIC Designations pending receipt of SVO ratings.
(3)
Includes $330 million of gross unrealized gains and less than $1 million of gross unrealized losses, as of September 30, 2018 , compared to $381 million of gross unrealized gains and less than $1 million of gross unrealized losses, as of December 31, 2017 , on securities classified as held-to-maturity.
(4)
As of September 30, 2018 , includes gross unrealized losses of $208 million on public fixed maturities and $134 million on private fixed maturities considered to be other than high or highest quality and, as of December 31, 2017 , includes gross unrealized losses of $156 million on public fixed maturities and $91 million on private fixed maturities considered to be other than high or highest quality.

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(5)
On an amortized cost basis, as of September 30, 2018 , includes $229,622 million of public fixed maturities and $38,321 million of private fixed maturities and, as of December 31, 2017 , includes $222,763 million of public fixed maturities and $35,779 million of private fixed maturities.
(6)
On an amortized cost basis, as of September 30, 2018 , includes $10,431 million of public fixed maturities and $5,758 million of private fixed maturities and, as of December 31, 2017 , includes $9,975 million of public fixed maturities and $6,809 million of private fixed maturities.
(7)
On an amortized cost basis, as of September 30, 2018 , securities considered below investment grade based on lowest of external rating agency ratings total $18,786 million , or 7% of the total fixed maturities, and include securities considered high or highest quality by the NAIC based on the rules described above.

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division by credit quality, as of the dates indicated:

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Asset-Backed
Securities(2)
 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities(3)
 
Asset-Backed
Securities(2)
 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities(3)
Lowest Rating Agency Rating(1)
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
AAA
$
8,862

 
$
8,886

 
$
7,606

 
$
7,488

 
$
7,613

 
$
7,686

 
$
8,002

 
$
8,125

AA
413

 
441

 
1,049

 
1,017

 
419
 
442
 
816
 
818
A
28

 
32

 
2

 
2

 
40
 
46
 
23
 
22
BBB
17

 
17

 
9

 
9

 
42
 
43
 
9
 
9
BB and below
175

 
247

 
0

 
0

 
275
 
379
 
0
 
0
Total(4)
$
9,495

 
$
9,623

 
$
8,666

 
$
8,516

 
$
8,389

 
$
8,596

 
$
8,850

 
$
8,974

__________ 
(1)
The table above provides ratings as assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies as of September 30, 2018 , including Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch and Morningstar.
(2)
Includes collateralized loan obligations, credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , total asset-backed securities included collateralized loan obligations with amortized cost of $7,183 million (fair value of $7,214 million) and $6,609 million (fair value of $6,679 million), respectively, all of which were rated AAA.
(3)
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , based on amortized cost, 96% and 95% , respectively, were securities with vintages of 2013 or later.
(4)
Excludes securities held outside the general account in other entities and operations.

Assets Supporting Experience-Rated Contractholder Liabilities (ASCL)
 
The following table sets forth the composition of the “ASCL” portfolio attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division, as of the dates indicated:

 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
Cost or Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost or Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Short-term investments and cash equivalents
 
$
194

 
$
194

 
$
245

 
$
245

Fixed maturities:
 

 

 

 

Corporate securities
 
13,021

 
12,892

 
13,816

 
14,073

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
2,319

 
2,274

 
2,294

 
2,311

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
854

 
826

 
961

 
966

Asset-backed securities
 
1,315

 
1,336

 
1,363

 
1,392

Foreign government bonds
 
1,030

 
1,018

 
1,050

 
1,057

U.S. government authorities and agencies and obligations of U.S. states
 
824

 
858

 
357

 
410

Total fixed maturities(1)
 
19,363

 
19,204

 
19,841

 
20,209

Equity securities
 
1,355

 
1,685

 
1,278

 
1,643

Total assets supporting experience-rated contractholder liabilities(2)
 
$
20,912

 
$
21,083

 
$
21,364

 
$
22,097

__________
(1)
As a percentage of amortized cost, 93% and 92% of the portfolio was considered high or highest quality based on NAIC or equivalent ratings, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
(2)
As a percentage of amortized cost, 78% and 80% of the portfolio consisted of public securities as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.

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Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans
 
Investment Mix

The following table sets forth the composition of our commercial mortgage and other loans portfolio attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
49,276

 
$
45,623

Uncollateralized loans
 
645

 
661

Residential property loans
 
161

 
196

Other collateralized loans
 
3

 
5

Total recorded investment gross of allowance(1)
 
50,085

 
46,485

Valuation allowance
 
(105
)
 
(91
)
Total net commercial mortgage and other loans(2)
 
$
49,980

 
$
46,394

__________
(1)
As a percentage of recorded investment gross of allowance, more than 99% of these assets were current as of both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 .
(2)
Excluded from the table above are commercial mortgage and other loans held outside the general account in other entities and operations. For additional information regarding commercial mortgage and other loans held outside the general account, see “—Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” below.

We originate commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans using a dedicated investment staff through our various regional offices in the U.S. and international offices primarily in London and Tokyo. All loans are underwritten consistently to our standards using a proprietary quality rating system that has been developed from our experience in real estate and mortgage lending.

Uncollateralized loans primarily represent corporate loans which do not meet the definition of a security under authoritative accounting guidance.
 
Residential property loans primarily include Japanese recourse loans. Upon default of these recourse loans, we can make a claim against the personal assets of the property owner, in addition to the mortgaged property. These loans are also backed by third-party guarantors.

Other collateralized loans include consumer loans.

Composition of Commercial Mortgage and Agricultural Property Loans
 
Our commercial mortgage and agricultural property loan portfolio strategy emphasizes diversification by property type and geographic location. The following tables set forth the breakdown of the gross carrying values of commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division by geographic region and property type, as of the dates indicated:
 

129


 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
($ in millions)
Commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans by region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Regions(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific
 
$
16,386

 
33.3
%
 
$
14,965

 
32.8
%
South Atlantic
 
8,566

 
17.4

 
8,666

 
19.0

Middle Atlantic
 
6,029

 
12.2

 
5,776

 
12.7

East North Central
 
2,787

 
5.7

 
2,440

 
5.3

West South Central
 
5,437

 
11.0

 
4,671

 
10.2

Mountain
 
2,478

 
5.0

 
2,027

 
4.5

New England
 
1,885

 
3.8

 
1,774

 
3.9

West North Central
 
544

 
1.1

 
641

 
1.4

East South Central
 
637

 
1.3

 
612

 
1.3

Subtotal-U.S.
 
44,749

 
90.8

 
41,572

 
91.1

Europe
 
2,872

 
5.8

 
2,528

 
5.5

Asia
 
629

 
1.3

 
619

 
1.4

Other
 
1,026

 
2.1

 
904

 
2.0

Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
49,276

 
100.0
%
 
$
45,623

 
100.0
%
__________
(1)
Regions as defined by the United States Census Bureau.

 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
($ in millions)
Commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans by property type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial
 
$
10,056

 
20.4
%
 
$
8,444

 
18.5
%
Retail
 
6,877

 
14.0

 
6,595

 
14.5

Office
 
10,896

 
22.1

 
10,020

 
22.0

Apartments/Multi-Family
 
14,033

 
28.5

 
12,993

 
28.5

Other
 
3,163

 
6.4

 
3,336

 
7.3

Agricultural properties
 
2,649

 
5.4

 
2,526

 
5.5

Hospitality
 
1,602

 
3.2

 
1,709

 
3.7

Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
49,276

 
100.0
%
 
$
45,623

 
100.0
%
 
Loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios are measures commonly used to assess the quality of commercial mortgage and agricultural property 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. A loan-to-value ratio less than 100% indicates an excess of collateral value over the loan amount. Loan-to-value ratios greater than 100% indicate that the loan amount exceeds the collateral value. The 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 the loan’s current debt payments. A debt service coverage ratio greater than 1.0 times indicates an excess of net operating income over the debt service payments.


130


As of September 30, 2018 , our commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division had a weighted-average debt service coverage ratio of 2.42 times and a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio of 55% . As of September 30, 2018 , 97% of commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans were fixed rate loans. For those commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans that were originated in 2018 , the weighted-average debt service coverage ratio was 2.30 times, and the weighted-average loan-to-value ratio was 65% .

The values utilized in calculating these loan-to-value ratios are developed as part of our periodic review of the commercial mortgage and agricultural property loan portfolio, which includes an internal evaluation of the underlying collateral value. Our periodic review also includes a quality re-rating process, whereby we update the internal quality rating originally assigned at underwriting based on the proprietary quality rating system mentioned above. As discussed below, the internal quality rating is a key input in determining our allowance for losses.

For loans with collateral under construction, renovation or lease-up, a stabilized value and projected net operating income are used in the calculation of the loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios. Our commercial mortgage and agricultural property loan portfolio included $1.1 billion and approximately $1.5 billion of such loans as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. All else being equal, these loans are inherently riskier than those collateralized by properties that have already stabilized. As of September 30, 2018 , there were no loan-specific reserves related to these loans. In addition, these unstabilized loans are included in the calculation of our portfolio reserve, as discussed below.

The following table sets forth the gross carrying value of our commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division by loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios, as of the date indicated:  
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
 
 
 
 
>  1.2x
 
1.0x
to
< 1.2x
 
< 1.0x
 
Total
Commercial Mortgage
and Agricultural
Property
Loans
Loan-to-Value Ratio
 
(in millions)
0%-59.99%
 
$
26,386

 
$
590

 
$
237

 
$
27,213

60%-69.99%
 
14,872

 
414

 
2

 
15,288

70%-79.99%
 
5,598

 
746

 
32

 
6,376

80% or greater
 
283

 
114

 
2

 
399

Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
47,139

 
$
1,864

 
$
273

 
$
49,276

 
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division by year of origination, as of the date indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
Year of Origination
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
 
($ in millions)
2018
 
$
6,763

 
13.7
%
2017
 
8,000

 
16.2

2016
 
7,209

 
14.6

2015
 
6,904

 
14.0

2014
 
6,508

 
13.2

2013
 
5,986

 
12.2

2012
 
3,183

 
6.5

2011 & Prior
 
4,723

 
9.6

Total commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans
 
$
49,276

 
100.0
%


131


Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans Quality
 
The commercial mortgage and other loans portfolio is reviewed on an ongoing basis. If certain criteria are met, loans are assigned to either of the following “watch list” categories:

(1) “Closely Monitored,” which includes a variety of considerations, such as when loan metrics fall below acceptable levels, the borrower is not cooperative or has requested a material modification, or the portfolio manager has directed a change in category; or
(2) “Not in Good Standing,” which includes loans in default or with a high probability of loss of principal, such as when the loan is in the process of foreclosure or the borrower is in bankruptcy.
Our workout and special servicing professionals manage the loans on the watch list.

We establish an allowance for losses to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in the lending process. The allowance includes loan-specific reserves for loans that are determined to be impaired as a result of our loan review process and a portfolio reserve for probable incurred but not specifically identified losses for loans which are not on the watch list. We define an impaired loan as a loan for which we estimate it is probable that amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. The loan-specific portion of the valuation allowance is based on our assessment as to ultimate collectability of loan principal and interest. Valuation allowances for an impaired 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. The portfolio reserve for incurred but not specifically identified losses considers the current credit composition of the portfolio based on the internal quality ratings mentioned above. The portfolio reserves are determined using past loan experience, including historical credit migration, loss probability and loss severity factors by property type. These factors are reviewed and updated as appropriate. The valuation allowance for commercial mortgage and other loans can increase or decrease from period to period based on these factors.

The following table sets forth the change in valuation allowances for our commercial mortgage and other loans portfolio, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
(in millions)
Allowance, beginning of year
 
$
91

 
$
90

Addition to (release of) allowance for losses
 
14

 
1

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
 
0

 
0

Change in foreign exchange
 
0

 
0

Allowance, end of period
 
$
105

 
$
91

Loan-specific reserve
 
$
13

 
$
5

Portfolio reserve
 
$
92

 
$
86

 
The allowance for losses as of September 30, 2018 increased compared to December 31, 2017 primarily due to additions to the loan-specific reserve from credit quality deterioration of certain loans in the portfolio.

Equity Securities
 
Investment Mix
 
The equity securities attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division consist principally of investments in common and preferred stock of publicly-traded companies, as well as mutual fund shares. The following table sets forth the composition of our equity securities portfolio and the associated gross unrealized gains and losses, as of the dates indicated:

132


 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Mutual funds
 
$
776

 
$
175

 
$
2

 
$
949

 
$
778

 
$
157

 
$
0

 
$
935

Other common stocks
 
2,343

 
1,056

 
66

 
3,333

 
2,215

 
1,145

 
30

 
3,330

Non-redeemable preferred stocks
 
19

 
1

 
1

 
19

 
11

 
1

 
1

 
11

Equity securities, at fair value(1)(2)
 
$
3,138

 
$
1,232

 
$
69

 
$
4,301

 
$
3,004

 
$
1,303

 
$
31

 
$
4,276

__________  
(1)
Amounts presented exclude investments in private equity and hedge funds and other investments which are reported in “Other invested assets.”
(2)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The net change in unrealized gains (losses) from equity securities attributable to PFI excluding Closed Block division still held at period end, recorded within “Other income,” was $53 million and $(109) million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

Other Invested Assets
 
The following table sets forth the composition of “Other invested assets” attributable to PFI excluding the Closed Block division, as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
(in millions)
LPs/LLCs:
 
 
 
 
Equity method:
 
 
 
 
Private equity
 
$
2,155

 
$
2,067

Hedge funds
 
729

 
400

Real estate-related
 
523

 
268

Subtotal equity method
 
3,407

 
2,735

Fair value:
 
 
 
 
Private equity
 
927

 
731

Hedge funds
 
1,351

 
1,361

Real estate-related
 
45

 
63

Subtotal fair value(1)
 
2,323

 
2,155

Total LPs/LLCs
 
5,730

 
4,890

Real estate held through direct ownership(2)
 
1,735

 
1,875

Derivative instruments
 
82

 
113

Other(3)
 
625

 
632

Total other invested assets(4)
 
$
8,172

 
$
7,510

__________ 
(1)
As of December 31, 2017 , $794 million was accounted for using the cost method.
(2)
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , real estate held through direct ownership had mortgage debt of $759 million and $799 million , respectively.
(3)
Primarily includes leveraged leases and member and activity stock held in the Federal Home Loan Banks of New York and Boston. For additional information regarding our holdings in the Federal Home Loan Banks of New York and Boston, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
(4)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

133


Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations
 
“Invested Assets of Other Entities and Operations” presented below includes investments held outside the general account and primarily represents investments associated with our investment management operations and derivative operations. Our derivative operations act on behalf of affiliates primarily to manage interest rate, foreign currency, credit and equity exposures. Assets within our investment management operations that are managed for third-parties and those assets classified as “Separate account assets” on our balance sheet are not included.
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
Public, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
455

 
$
608

Private, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
1

 
1

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value
 
1,151

 
1,718

Equity securities, at fair value
 
611

 
574

Commercial mortgage and other loans, at book value(1)
 
441

 
634

Other invested assets
 
2,273

 
2,704

Short-term investments
 
26

 
66

Total investments(2)
 
$
4,958

 
$
6,305

__________ 
(1)
Book value is generally based on unpaid principal balance, net of any allowance for losses, or at fair value, when the fair value option has been elected.
(2)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fixed Maturities, Trading

“Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value” are primarily related to assets associated with consolidated variable interest entities for which the Company is the investment manager. The assets of the consolidated variable interest entities are generally offset by liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected. For further information on these consolidated variable interest entities, see Note 4 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans
 
Our investment management operations include our commercial mortgage operations, which provide mortgage origination, investment management and servicing for our general account, institutional clients, the Federal Housing Administration and government-sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The mortgage loans of our commercial mortgage operations are included in “Commercial mortgage and other loans.” Derivatives and other hedging instruments related to our commercial mortgage operations are primarily included in “Other invested assets.”

Other Invested Assets
 
Other invested assets primarily include assets of our derivative operations used to manage interest rate, foreign currency, credit and equity exposures.

Furthermore, other invested assets include strategic investments made as part of our investment management operations. We make these strategic investments in real estate, as well as fixed income, 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 strategic 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 (seed investments). As part of our investment management operations, we also make loans to our managed funds that are secured by equity commitments from investors or assets of the funds. Other invested assets also include certain assets in consolidated investment funds where the Company is deemed to exercise control over the funds.



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Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview
 
Liquidity refers to the ability to generate sufficient cash resources to meet the payment obligations of the Company. Capital refers to the long-term financial resources available to support the operations of our businesses, fund business growth, and provide a cushion to withstand adverse circumstances. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of our businesses, general economic conditions and our access to the capital markets and the alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.
 
Effective and prudent liquidity and capital management is a priority across the organization. Management monitors the liquidity of Prudential Financial and its subsidiaries on a daily basis and projects borrowing and capital needs over a multi-year time horizon through our periodic planning process. We believe that cash flows from the sources of funds available to us are sufficient to satisfy the current liquidity requirements of Prudential Financial and its subsidiaries, including under reasonably foreseeable stress scenarios. We have a capital management framework in place that governs the allocation of capital and approval of capital uses. We also employ a Capital Protection Framework to ensure the availability of capital resources to maintain adequate capitalization on a consolidated basis and for our insurance subsidiaries under various stress scenarios.
 
Our businesses are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision by domestic and international regulators. These regulations currently include, or may include in the future requirements and limitations (many of which are the subject of ongoing rule-making) relating to capital, leverage, liquidity, stress-testing, overall risk management, credit exposure reporting and credit concentration. For information on regulation and its potential impact, see “Business—Regulation” and “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview - Regulatory Developments” within this Form 10-Q.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we took the following significant actions that impacted our liquidity and capital position:

We repurchased $1,125 million of shares of our Common Stock and declared aggregate Common Stock dividends of $1,149 million ;
We issued $1.6 billion of junior subordinated notes and $1.0 billion of medium-term notes to be utilized for general corporate purposes, which included refinancing portions of our medium-term notes maturing during 2018;
We redeemed our $600 million 8.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Note due 2068;
We obtained additional financing for Regulation XXX reserves by entering into a new captive financing facility for $1.6 billion, of which $100 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2018;
We obtained additional financing for Guideline AXXX reserves by increasing an existing captive financing facility by $1 billion, for a total of $2 billion, of which $1,466 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2018; and
We entered into a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement which resulted in a reduction in risk-based capital required to be held in our Group Insurance segment.

Capital
 
The primary components of the Company’s capitalization consist of equity and outstanding capital debt, including junior subordinated debt. As shown in the table below, as of September 30, 2018 , the Company had $50.9 billion in capital, all of which was available to support the aggregate capital requirements of its divisions and its Corporate and Other operations. Based on our assessment of these businesses and operations, we believe this level of capital is consistent with our ratings targets.
 
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
(in millions)
Equity(1)(2)
$
37,575

 
$
37,162

Junior subordinated debt (including hybrid securities)
7,564

 
6,622

Other capital debt
5,797

 
5,402

Total capital
$
50,936

 
$
49,186

__________
(1)
Amounts attributable to Prudential Financial, excluding AOCI.
(2)
Prior period amount has been restated to conform to current period presentation. See Note 2 to our Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for details.


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Table of Contents

We manage Prudential Insurance, The Prudential Life Insurance Company, Ltd. (“Prudential of Japan”), Gibraltar Life, and other significant insurance subsidiaries to regulatory capital levels consistent with our “AA” ratings targets. We utilize the RBC ratio as a primary measure of the capital adequacy of our domestic insurance subsidiaries and the solvency margin ratio as a primary measure of the capital adequacy of our Japanese insurance subsidiaries.
 
The table below presents the RBC ratios of our most significant domestic insurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 , the most recent statutory fiscal year-end and RBC reporting date for these subsidiaries.
 
 
Ratio(1)
Prudential Insurance(2)
410
%
PALAC
1,034
%
Composite Major U.S. Insurance Subsidiaries(3)
529
%
__________ 
(1)
The RBC ratio calculations are intended to assist insurance regulators in measuring an insurer’s solvency and ability to pay future claims. The reporting of RBC measures is not intended for the purpose of ranking any insurance company or for use in connection with any marketing, advertising or promotional activities, but is available to the public.
(2)
Includes Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“PRIAC”), Pruco Life Insurance Company (“Pruco Life”), Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey (“PLNJ”),which is a subsidiary of Pruco Life, and Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey (“PLIC”).
(3)
Includes Prudential Insurance and its subsidiaries, as noted above, and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation (“PALAC”). Composite RBC is not reported to regulators and is based on the summation of total adjusted capital and risk charges for the included companies as determined under statutory accounting and RBC guidance to calculate a composite numerator and denominator, respectively, for purposes of calculating the composite ratio.

In June 2018, the Capital Adequacy Task Force of the NAIC approved revisions to the NAIC RBC framework as a result of the adoption of the Tax Act of 2017 and the corresponding reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The revisions will apply to the calculation of our domestic insurance life insurance companies’ RBC ratios as of December 31, 2018. While there is no impact on our ability to pay claims, the revisions to the RBC framework for the reduction of the corporate tax rate under the Tax Act of 2017 have the effect of increasing certain RBC factors, resulting in an overall decrease in insurers’ RBC ratios. Also, our statutory capital position has been adversely impacted by the increase in reserves for our Long-Term Care business resulting from our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements (see “—Results of Operations by Segment—Divested Businesses” for additional information).  The Company expects to have the necessary resources to maintain its “AA” ratings targets considering these impacts.

The table below presents the solvency margin ratios of our most significant international insurance subsidiaries as of June 30, 2018, the most recent date for which this information is available.
 
Ratio
Prudential of Japan consolidated(1)
850
%
Gibraltar Life consolidated(2)
931
%
__________ 
(1)
Includes Prudential Trust Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Prudential of Japan.
(2)
Includes Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (“PGFL”), a subsidiary of Gibraltar Life.

All of our domestic and significant international insurance subsidiaries have capital levels that substantially exceed the minimum level required by applicable insurance regulations. For further information on the calculation of RBC and solvency margin ratios, as well as regulatory minimums, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 
Capital Protection Framework
 
We employ a Capital Protection Framework (the “Framework”) to ensure that sufficient capital resources are available to maintain adequate capitalization on a consolidated basis for our insurance subsidiaries under various stress scenarios. The Framework incorporates the potential impacts from market related stresses, including equity markets, real estate, interest rates, credit losses and foreign currency exchange rates. In evaluating these potential impacts, we assess risk holistically at the enterprise level, recognizing that our business mix may produce results that partially offset on a net basis.
 
The Framework accommodates periodic volatility within ranges that we deem acceptable, while also providing for potential sources of capital, including on-balance sheet capital capacity and contingent sources of capital. We believe we currently have access to sufficient resources to maintain adequate capitalization under a range of potential stress scenarios.


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Table of Contents

Captive Reinsurance Companies
 
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital—Captive Reinsurance Companies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , for a discussion of our use of captive reinsurance companies.  
    
Shareholder Distributions
 
Share Repurchase Program and Shareholder Dividends

In December 2017, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the Company to repurchase at management’s discretion up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding Common Stock during the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The timing and amount of share repurchases are determined by management based on market conditions and other considerations, including any increased capital needs of our businesses due to, among other things, changes in regulatory capital requirements and opportunities for growth and acquisitions. Repurchases may be effected in the open market, through derivative, accelerated repurchase and other negotiated transactions and through plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The following table sets forth information about declarations of Common Stock dividends, as well as repurchases of shares of Prudential Financial’s Common Stock, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 .
 
 
Dividend Amount
 
Shares Repurchased
Three months ended:
Per Share
 
Aggregate
 
Shares
 
Total Cost
 
(in millions, except per share data)
March 31, 2018
$
0.90

 
$
387

 
3.3

 
$
375

June 30, 2018
$
0.90

 
$
382

 
3.7

 
$
375

September 30, 2018
$
0.90

 
$
380

 
3.8

 
$
375

 
Liquidity
 
The principles of our liquidity management framework are described in an enterprise-wide Liquidity Management Policy that is reviewed and approved by the Board. Liquidity management and stress testing are performed on a legal entity basis as the ability to transfer funds between subsidiaries is limited due in part to regulatory restrictions. Liquidity needs are determined through daily and quarterly cash flow forecasting at the holding company and within our operating subsidiaries. A minimum balance of highly liquid assets of at least $1.3 billion is targeted to ensure that adequate liquidity is available at Prudential Financial to cover fixed expenses in the event that we experience reduced cash flows from our operating subsidiaries at a time when access to capital markets is also not available. This targeted minimum balance is reviewed and approved annually by the Board.
 
We seek to mitigate the risk of having limited or no access to financing due to stressed market conditions by generally pre-funding capital debt in advance of maturity. We mitigate the refinancing risk associated with our debt that is used to fund operating needs by matching the term of debt with the assets financed. To ensure adequate liquidity in stress scenarios, stress testing is performed for our major operating subsidiaries. We seek to further mitigate liquidity risk by maintaining our access to alternative sources of liquidity, as discussed below.
 
Liquidity of Prudential Financial
 
The principal sources of funds available to Prudential Financial, the parent holding company, are dividends, returns of capital and loans from subsidiaries, and proceeds from debt issuances and certain stock-based compensation activity. These sources of funds may be supplemented by Prudential Financial’s access to the capital markets as well as the “—Alternative Sources of Liquidity” described below.
 
The primary uses of funds at Prudential Financial include servicing debt, making capital contributions and loans to subsidiaries, paying declared shareholder dividends and repurchasing outstanding shares of Common Stock executed under authority from the Board.
 

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Table of Contents

As of September 30, 2018 , Prudential Financial had highly liquid assets with a carrying value totaling $6,340 million, an increase of $1,150 million from December 31, 2017 . Highly liquid assets predominantly include cash, short-term investments, U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of other U.S. government authorities and agencies, and/or foreign government bonds. We maintain an intercompany liquidity account that is designed to optimize the use of cash by facilitating the lending and borrowing of funds between Prudential Financial and its subsidiaries on a daily basis. Excluding the balance of this intercompany liquidity account, Prudential Financial had highly liquid assets of $5,161 million as of September 30, 2018 , an increase of $785 million from December 31, 2017 .
 
The following table sets forth Prudential Financial’s principal sources and uses of highly liquid assets, excluding net borrowings from our intercompany liquidity account, for the period indicated.
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
(in millions)
Sources:
 
Dividends and/or returns of capital from subsidiaries(1)
$
3,067

Proceeds from the issuance of debt
2,531

Proceeds from stock-based compensation and exercise of stock options
268

Net income tax receipts
125

Net receipts under intercompany loan agreements(2)
88

Total sources
6,079

Uses:
 
Repayments on external debt
1,437

Common stock dividends(3)
1,147

Share repurchases
1,112

Interest paid on external debt
576

Capital contributions to subsidiaries(4)
874

Other, net
148

Total uses
5,294

Net increase (decrease) in highly liquid assets
$
785

__________ 
(1)
Includes dividends and/or returns of capital of $1,715 million from international insurance subsidiaries, $800 million from PALAC, $432 million from PGIM subsidiaries, $114 million from Prudential Annuities Holding Company, and $6 million from other subsidiaries.
(2)
Includes net receipts of $750 from million from Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company and $215 million from PGIM, offset by net payments of $623 million to international insurance subsidiaries, $150 million to Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, $100 million to Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company and $4 million to other subsidiaries.
(3)
Includes cash payments made on dividends declared in prior periods.
(4)
Reflects capital contributions of $590 million to PICA and $284 million to international insurance subsidiaries.

Restrictions on Dividends and Returns of Capital from Subsidiaries
 
Our insurance companies are subject to limitations on the payment of dividends and other transfers of funds to Prudential Financial and other affiliates under applicable insurance law and regulation. Also, more generally, the payment of dividends by any of our subsidiaries is subject to declaration by their Board of Directors and can be affected by market conditions and other factors. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , for details on specific dividend restrictions.
 
Domestic insurance subsidiaries. Prudential Insurance is permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under New Jersey insurance law, subject to prior notification to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDOBI”). Any distributions above this amount in any twelve-month period are considered to be “extraordinary” dividends, and the approval of NJDOBI is required prior to payment. The laws regulating dividends of the states where our other domestic insurance companies are domiciled are similar, but not identical, to New Jersey’s. During the first nine months of 2018, Prudential Financial received extraordinary dividends of $800 million from PALAC.


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Table of Contents

International insurance subsidiaries. Capital redeployment from our international insurance subsidiaries is subject to local regulatory requirements in the international jurisdictions in which they operate. Our most significant international insurance subsidiaries, Prudential of Japan and Gibraltar Life, are permitted to pay common stock dividends based on calculations specified by Japanese insurance law, subject to prior notification to the FSA. Dividends in excess of these amounts and other forms of capital distribution require the prior approval of the FSA. In addition to paying common stock dividends, international insurance operations may return capital to Prudential Financial through other means, such as the repayment of subordinated debt or preferred stock obligations held by Prudential Financial or other affiliates, affiliated lending, affiliated derivatives and reinsurance.

During the first nine months of 2018, Prudential Financial received $1,689 million from Prudential International Insurance Holdings, the domestic parent of our international insurance subsidiaries, all of which was received from Prudential Holdings of Japan, Inc. (“PHJ”), the parent of the Company’s Japanese operations. Of this amount, $260 million was sent to PHJ from its subsidiaries in 2016 and had been retained at PHJ since that time. PHJ received the remaining $1,429 million as a common stock dividend from its subsidiaries in 2018.

Other subsidiaries. The ability of our PGIM subsidiaries and the majority of our other operating subsidiaries to pay dividends is largely unrestricted from a regulatory standpoint.

Liquidity of Insurance Subsidiaries
 
We manage the liquidity of our insurance operations to ensure stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of cash flows to meet all of our obligations. Liquidity within each of our insurance subsidiaries is provided by a variety of sources, including portfolios of liquid assets. The investment portfolios of our subsidiaries are integral to the overall liquidity of our insurance operations. We segment our investment portfolios and employ an asset/liability management approach specific to the requirements of each 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.

Liquidity is measured against internally-developed benchmarks that take into account the characteristics of both the asset portfolio and the liabilities that they support. 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 our insurance operations’ liquidity under various stress scenarios, including company-specific and market-wide events. We continue to believe that cash generated by ongoing operations and the liquidity profile of our assets provide sufficient liquidity under reasonably foreseeable stress scenarios for each of our insurance subsidiaries.
 
The principal sources of liquidity for our insurance subsidiaries are premiums, investment and fee income, and investment maturities and sales associated with our insurance and annuity operations, as well as internal and external borrowings. The principal uses of that liquidity include benefits, claims and dividends paid to policyholders, and payments to policyholders and contractholders in connection with surrenders, withdrawals and net policy loan activity. Other uses of liquidity may include commissions, general and administrative expenses, purchases of investments, the payment of dividends to the parent holding company, hedging and reinsurance activity and payments in connection with financing activities.
 
The following table sets forth the fair value of certain of our domestic insurance operations’ portfolio of liquid assets, as of the dates indicated.
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
 
Prudential
Insurance
 
PLIC
 
PRIAC
 
PALAC
 
Pruco Life
 
Total
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in billions)
Cash and short-term investments
$
5.5

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.3

 
$
7.3

 
$
11.7

Fixed maturity investments(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High or highest quality
105.0

 
35.0

 
18.8

 
9.1

 
4.9

 
172.8

 
175.1

Other than high or highest quality
6.8

 
2.6

 
1.5

 
0.5

 
0.4

 
11.8

 
13.8

Subtotal
111.8

 
37.6

 
20.3

 
9.6

 
5.3

 
184.6

 
188.9

Public equity securities, at fair value
0.2

 
2.1

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
0.0

 
2.3

 
2.8

Total
$
117.5

 
$
40.3

 
$
20.6

 
$
10.2

 
$
5.6

 
$
194.2

 
$
203.4

__________ 
(1)
Excludes fixed maturities designated as held-to-maturity. Classified by NAIC or equivalent rating.


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The following table sets forth the fair value of our international insurance operations’ portfolio of liquid assets, as of the dates indicated.  
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
 
Prudential
of Japan
 
Gibraltar
Life(1)
 
All
Other(2)
 
Total
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in billions)
Cash and short-term investments
$
0.6

 
$
2.1

 
$
1.3

 
$
4.0

 
$
4.2

Fixed maturity investments(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High or highest quality(4)
37.3

 
87.4

 
17.9

 
142.6

 
145.2

Other than high or highest quality
0.9

 
3.2

 
1.6

 
5.7

 
6.0

Subtotal
38.2

 
90.6

 
19.5

 
148.3

 
151.2

Public equity securities
1.9

 
1.8

 
0.8

 
4.5

 
4.5

Total
$
40.7

 
$
94.5

 
$
21.6

 
$
156.8

 
$
159.9

__________ 
(1)
Includes PGFL.
(2)
Represents our international insurance operations, excluding Japan.
(3)
Excludes fixed maturities designated as held-to-maturity. Classified by NAIC or equivalent rating.
(4)
As of September 30, 2018 , $ 105.7 billion , or 74% , were invested in government or government agency bonds.
 
Liquidity associated with other activities
 
Hedging activities associated with Individual Annuities
 
For the portion of our Individual Annuities’ ALM strategy executed through hedging, as well as the capital hedge program, we enter into a range of exchange-traded, cleared and other OTC equity and interest rate derivatives in order to hedge certain capital market risks related to more severe market conditions. For a full discussion of our Individual Annuities’ risk management strategy, see “—Results of Operations by Segment—U.S. Individual Solutions Division—Individual Annuities.” This portion of our Individual Annuities’ ALM strategy and capital hedge program requires access to liquidity to meet payment obligations relating to these derivatives, such as payments for periodic settlements, purchases, maturities and terminations. These liquidity needs can vary materially due to, among other items, changes in interest rates, equity markets, mortality and policyholder behavior.
 
The hedging portion of our Individual Annuities’ ALM strategy and capital hedge program may also result in derivative related collateral postings to (when we are in a net pay position) or from (when we are in a net receive position) counterparties. The net collateral position depends on changes in interest rates and equity markets related to the amount of the exposures hedged. Depending on market conditions, the collateral posting requirements can result in material liquidity needs when we are in a net pay position. As of September 30, 2018 , the derivatives comprising the hedging portion of our ALM strategy and capital hedge program were in a net receive position of $0.4 billion compared to a net receive position of $3.3 billion as of December 31, 2017. The change in collateral position was primarily driven by an increase in interest rates.

Foreign exchange hedging activities
 
We employ various hedging strategies to manage potential exposure to foreign currency exchange rate movements, particularly those associated with the yen. Our overall yen hedging strategy calibrates the hedge level to preserve the relative contribution of our yen-based business to the Company’s overall return on equity on a leverage neutral basis. The hedging strategy includes two primary components:

Income Hedges—We hedge a portion of our prospective yen-based earnings streams by entering into external forward currency derivative contracts that effectively fix the currency exchange rates for that portion of earnings, thereby reducing volatility from foreign currency exchange rate movements. As of September 30, 2018 , we have hedged 100%, 95%, 56% and 13% of expected yen-based earnings for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.
 
Equity Hedges—We hold both internal and external hedges primarily to hedge our U.S. dollar-equivalent equity. These hedges also mitigate volatility in the solvency margins of yen-based subsidiaries resulting from changes in the market value of their U.S. dollar-denominated investments hedging our U.S. dollar-equivalent equity attributable to changes in the yen-U.S. dollar exchange rate.

For additional information on our hedging strategy, see “—Results of Operations—Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.”


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Cash settlements from these hedging activities result in cash flows between subsidiaries of Prudential Financial and either international-based subsidiaries or external parties. The cash flows are dependent on changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the notional amount of the exposures hedged. For example, a significant yen depreciation over an extended period of time could result in net cash inflows, while a significant yen appreciation could result in net cash outflows. The following tables set forth information about net cash settlements and the net asset or liability resulting from these hedging activities related to the yen and other currencies.

 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Cash Settlements:
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Income Hedges (External)(1)
$
(25
)
 
$
(5
)
Equity Hedges:
 
 
 
Internal(2)
66

 
10

External
205

 
(150
)
Total Equity Hedges
271

 
(140
)
Total Cash Settlements
$
246

 
$
(145
)
 
 
 
 
 
As of
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
Assets (Liabilities):
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Income Hedges (External)(3)
$
102

 
$
(42
)
Equity Hedges:
 
 
 
Internal(2)
691

 
623

External
128

 
303

Total Equity Hedges(4)
819

 
926

Total Assets (Liabilities)
$
921

 
$
884

__________
(1)
Includes non-yen related cash settlements of $(15) million, primarily denominated in Korean won, Chilean peso and Australian dollar and $(6) million, primarily denominated in Brazilian real and Chilean peso, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
(2)
Represents internal transactions between international-based and U.S.-based entities. Amounts noted are from the U.S.-based entities’ perspectives.
(3)
Includes non-yen related assets of $42 million, primarily denominated in Brazilian real and Australian dollar, and liabilities of $(65) million, primarily denominated in Korean won and Australian dollar, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
(4)
As of September 30, 2018 , approximately $74 million, $543 million and $201 million of the net market value is scheduled to settle in 2018, 2019 and thereafter, respectively. The net market value of the assets (liabilities) will vary with changing market conditions to the extent there are no corresponding offsetting positions.
 
PGIM operations
 
The principal sources of liquidity for our fee-based PGIM businesses include asset management fees and commercial mortgage origination and servicing fees. The principal uses of liquidity include general and administrative expenses and distributions of dividends and returns of capital to Prudential Financial. The primary liquidity risks for our fee-based PGIM 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 PGIM businesses are adequate to satisfy the current liquidity requirements of these operations, as well as requirements that could arise under reasonably foreseeable stress scenarios, which are monitored through the use of internal measures.
 
The principal sources of liquidity for our strategic investments held in our PGIM businesses are cash flows from investments, the ability to liquidate investments, and available borrowing lines from internal sources, including Prudential Financial and Prudential Funding, LLC (“Prudential Funding”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Insurance. The primary liquidity risks include the inability to sell assets in a timely manner, declines in the value of assets and credit defaults. There have been no material changes to the liquidity position of our PGIM operations since December 31, 2017 .
 
Alternative Sources of Liquidity
 
In addition to asset-based financing as discussed below, Prudential Financial and certain subsidiaries have access to other sources of liquidity, including syndicated, unsecured committed credit facilities, membership in the Federal Home Loan Banks, commercial paper programs and a put option agreement. For more information on these sources of liquidity, see Note 9 to the

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Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and Note 14 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Asset-based Financing
 
We conduct asset-based or secured financing within our insurance and other subsidiaries, including transactions such as securities lending, repurchase agreements and mortgage dollar rolls, to earn spread income, to borrow funds, or to facilitate trading activity. These programs are primarily driven by portfolio holdings of securities that are lendable based on counterparty demand for these securities in the marketplace. The collateral received in connection with these programs is primarily used to purchase securities in the short-term spread portfolios of our insurance entities. Investments held in the short-term spread portfolios include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments (primarily corporate bonds), mortgage loans and fixed maturities (primarily collateralized loan obligations and other structured securities), with a weighted average life at time of purchase by the short-term portfolios of four years or less. Floating rate assets comprise the majority of our short-term spread 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.
 
The following table sets forth our liabilities under asset-based or secured financing programs as of the dates indicated.
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
PFI
Excluding
Closed Block
Division
 
Closed
Block
Division
 
Consolidated
 
PFI
Excluding
Closed Block
Division
 
Closed
Block
Division
 
Consolidated
 
($ in millions)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
$
6,288

 
$
2,888

 
$
9,176

 
$
4,960

 
$
3,440

 
$
8,400

Cash collateral for loaned securities
3,618

 
1,038

 
4,656

 
3,203

 
1,151

 
4,354

Securities sold but not yet purchased
3

 
0

 
3

 
3

 
0

 
3

Total(1)
$
9,909

 
$
3,926

 
$
13,835

 
$
8,166

 
$
4,591

 
$
12,757

Portion of above securities that may be returned to the Company overnight requiring immediate return of the cash collateral
$
3,918

 
$
1,083

 
$
5,001

 
$
3,838

 
$
1,393

 
$
5,231

Weighted average maturity, in days(2)
7

 
2

 
 
 
12

 
3

 
 
__________ 
(1)
The daily weighted average outstanding balance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $ 9,986 million and $9,367 million , respectively, for PFI excluding the Closed Block division, and $ 4,064 million and $4,438 million , respectively, for the Closed Block division.
(2)
Excludes securities that may be returned to the Company overnight.

As of September 30, 2018 , our domestic insurance entities had assets eligible for the asset-based or secured financing programs of $113.5 billion, of which $13.9 billion were on loan. Taking into account market conditions and outstanding loan balances as of September 30, 2018 , we believe approximately $15.9 billion of the remaining eligible assets are readily lendable, including approximately $11.3 billion relating to PFI excluding the Closed Block division, of which $3.4 billion relates to certain separate accounts and may only be used for financing activities related to those accounts, and the remaining $4.6 billion relating to the Closed Block division.
 
Financing Activities
 
As of September 30, 2018 , total short-term and long-term debt of the Company on a consolidated basis was $19.8 billion , an increase of $1.3 billion from December 31, 2017 . The following table sets forth total consolidated borrowings of the Company as of the dates indicated. We may, from time to time, seek to redeem or repurchase our outstanding debt securities through open market purchases, individually negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such actions will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity position and other factors.
 

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September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Borrowings:
Prudential
Financial
 
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidated
 
Prudential
Financial
 
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
General obligation short-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial paper
$
25

 
$
719

 
$
744

 
$
50

 
$
500

 
$
550

Current portion of long-term debt
1,100

 
500

 
1,600

 
830

 
0

 
830

Subtotal
1,125

 
1,219

 
2,344

 
880

 
500

 
1,380

General obligation long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior debt
8,633

 
173

 
8,806

 
8,738

 
173

 
8,911

Junior subordinated debt
7,509

 
55

 
7,564

 
6,566

 
56

 
6,622

Surplus notes(1)
0

 
341

 
341

 
0

 
840

 
840

Subtotal
16,142

 
569

 
16,711

 
15,304

 
1,069

 
16,373

Total general obligations
17,267

 
1,788

 
19,055

 
16,184

 
1,569

 
17,753

Limited and non-recourse borrowings(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long term debt
0

 
49

 
49

 
0

 
0

 
0

Long-term debt
0

 
710

 
710

 
0

 
799

 
799

Total limited and non-recourse borrowings
0

 
759

 
759

 
0

 
799

 
799

Total borrowings
$
17,267

 
$
2,547

 
$
19,814

 
$
16,184

 
$
2,368

 
$
18,552

__________ 
(1)
Amounts are net of assets under set-off arrangements of $8,419 million and $7,287 million as of September 30, 2018 , and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
(2)
Limited and non-recourse borrowing represents mortgage debt of our subsidiaries that has recourse only to real estate investment property.

As of September 30, 2018 , and December 31, 2017 , we were in compliance with all debt covenants related to the borrowings in the table above. For further information on our short- and long-term debt obligations, see Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and Note 14 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 
Prudential Financial’s borrowings increased $1,083 million from December 31, 2017 , primarily driven by the issuance of $994 million of senior debt and $1,538 million of junior subordinated notes, offset by $700 million of senior debt maturities, the redemption of $600 million of junior subordinated notes, $131 million of retail note maturities, and a $25 million decrease in commercial paper outstanding. Borrowings of our subsidiaries increased $179 million from December 31, 2017, primarily driven by a $219 million increase in commercial paper outstanding, offset by a $40 million decrease in mortgage borrowings.
 
Term and Universal Life Reserve Financing

We use captive reinsurance subsidiaries to finance the portion of the statutory reserves required to be held by our domestic life insurance companies under Regulation XXX and Guideline AXXX that we consider to be non-economic. The financing arrangements involve the reinsurance of term and universal life business to our captive reinsurers and the issuance of surplus notes by those captives that are treated as capital for statutory purposes. These surplus notes are subordinated obligations, and the payment of principal on the surplus notes can be made with prior insurance regulatory approval.
 
We have entered into agreements with external counterparties providing for the issuance of surplus notes by our captive reinsurers in return for the receipt of credit-linked notes (“Credit-Linked Note Structures”). Under the agreements, the captive receives in exchange for the surplus notes one or more credit-linked notes issued by a special-purpose affiliate of the Company with an aggregate principal amount equal to the surplus notes outstanding. The captive holds the credit-linked notes as assets supporting Regulation XXX or Guideline AXXX non-economic reserves, as applicable. As of September 30, 2018, we had Credit-Linked Note Structures with an aggregate issuance capacity of $13,700 million, of which $10,619 million was outstanding, as compared to an aggregate issuance capacity of $11,100 million, of which $9,487 million was outstanding, as of December 31, 2017. For more information on our Credit-Linked Note Structures, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activities” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
 

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The following table summarizes our Credit-Linked Note Structures, which are reported on a net basis, as of September 30, 2018 .

 
Surplus Notes
 
 
 
 
 
Credit-Linked Note Structures:
Original
Issue Dates
 
Maturity
Dates
 
Outstanding as of
September 30, 2018
 
Facility
Size
 
($ in millions)
XXX
2011-2014
 
2021-2024
 
$
1,750

(1)
 
$
2,000

AXXX
2013
 
2033
 
3,003

 
 
3,500

XXX
2014-2017
 
2022-2034
 
2,200

(2)
 
2,200

XXX
2014-2017
 
2024-2037
 
2,100

 
 
2,400

AXXX
2017
 
2037
 
1,466

 
 
2,000

XXX
2018
 
2038
 
100

 
 
1,600

Total Credit-Linked Note Structures
 
 
 
 
$
10,619

 
 
$
13,700

__________
(1)
Prudential Financial has agreed to reimburse any amounts paid under the credit-linked notes issued in this structure.
(2)
The $2.2 billion surplus note represents an intercompany transaction that eliminates upon consolidation. Prudential Financial has agreed to reimburse amounts paid under credit-linked notes issued in this structure up to $1.0 billion.
 
As of September 30, 2018 , we also had outstanding an aggregate of $2.4 billion of debt issued for the purpose of financing Regulation XXX and Guideline AXXX non-economic reserves, of which approximately $0.6 billion relates to Regulation XXX reserves and approximately $1.8 billion relates to Guideline AXXX reserves, all of which was issued by Prudential Financial. In addition, as of September 30, 2018 , for purposes of financing Guideline AXXX reserves, our captives had outstanding approximately $4.0 billion of surplus notes that were issued to affiliates.
 
The NAIC’s actuarial guideline known as “AG 48” requires us to hold cash and rated securities in greater amounts than we previously held to support economic reserves for certain of our term and universal life policies reinsured to a captive. The total additional asset requirement from the inception of AG 48 through December 31, 2017 is approximately $1.8 billion, which we funded using a combination of existing assets and newly purchased assets sourced from affiliated financing. We believe we have sufficient internal resources to satisfy the additional asset requirement.

The Company has introduced updated versions of several products in its individual life product portfolio in conjunction with the requirement to adopt principle-based reserving by January 1, 2020. Notably, the Company adopted principle-based reserving for its guaranteed universal life products and introduced updated versions of these products in 2017. The guaranteed universal life updated products support the principle-based statutory reserve level without the need for financing through captive reinsurance. The Company is continuing to assess the impact of principle-based reserving on projected statutory reserve levels and product pricing for its remaining portfolio of individual life product offerings.

Ratings

The following is a summary of the significant changes or actions in ratings and ratings outlooks for our Company as well as the life insurance industry and sector, that have occurred subsequent to the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
    
In April 2018, S&P revised the company outlook for Prudential of Japan, Gibraltar Life and PGFL from Stable to Positive. A rating agency company outlook generally indicates a medium- or long-term trend (generally six months to two years) in credit fundamentals, which if continued, may lead to a rating change. These indicators are not necessarily a precursor of a rating change nor do they preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.


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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Guarantees, Other Contingencies and Other Contingent Commitments
 
In the course of our business, we provide certain guarantees and indemnities to third-parties pursuant to which we may be contingently required to make payments in the future. We also have other commitments, some of which are contingent upon events or circumstances not under our control, including those at the discretion of our counterparties. See “—Commitments and Guarantees” within Note 14 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. For further discussion of certain of these commitments that relate to our separate accounts, also see “—Liquidity—Liquidity associated with other activities—PGIM operations.”
 
Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
In November 2013, we entered into a put option agreement with a Delaware trust that gives Prudential Financial the right, at any time over a ten-year period, to issue up to $1.5 billion of senior notes to the trust in return for principal and interest strips of U.S. Treasury securities that are held by the trust. In 2014, Prudential Financial entered into financing transactions, pursuant to which it issued $500 million of limited recourse notes and, in return, obtained $500 million of asset-backed notes from a Delaware master trust and ultimately contributed the asset-backed notes to its subsidiary, PRIAC. As of September 30, 2018 , no principal payments have been received or are currently due on the asset-backed notes and, as a result, there was no payment obligation under the limited recourse notes. Accordingly, none of the notes are reflected in the Company’s Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements as of that date.
 
Other than as described above, we do not have retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to unconsolidated entities, or variable interests in unconsolidated entities or other similar transactions, arrangements or relationships that serve as credit, liquidity or market risk support, that we believe are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or our access to or requirements for capital resources. In addition, other than the agreements referred to above, we do not have relationships with any unconsolidated entities that are contractually limited to narrow activities that facilitate our transfer of or access to associated assets.
 
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of fluctuations in the value of financial instruments as a result of absolute or relative changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, equity prices or commodity prices. To varying degrees, our products and services, and the investment activities supporting them, generate exposure to market risk. The market risk incurred, and our strategies for managing this risk, vary by product. As of September 30, 2018 , there have been no material changes in our economic exposure to market risk from December 31, 2017 , a description of which may be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2017 , Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , for a discussion of how difficult conditions in the financial markets and the economy generally may materially adversely affect our business and results of our operations.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In order to ensure that the information we must disclose in our filings with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of September 30, 2018 . Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2018 , our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. No change in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 , that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 14 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements under “—Litigation and Regulatory Matters” for a description of certain pending litigation and regulatory matters affecting us, and certain risks to our businesses presented by such matters, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition, cause the trading price of our Common Stock to decline materially or cause our actual results to differ materially from those expected or those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. These risks are not exclusive, and additional risks to which we are subject include, but are not limited to, the factors mentioned under “Forward-Looking Statements” and the risks of our businesses described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c) The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2018 , of its Common Stock:
Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Program(2)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Program(2)
July 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018
 
1,300,437

 
$
96.60

 
1,293,953

 
 
August 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018
 
1,268,756

 
$
98.73

 
1,266,049

 
 
September 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018
 
1,248,210

 
$
100.40

 
1,245,016

 
 
Total
 
3,817,403

 
$
98.55

 
3,805,018

 
$
375,000,000

__________
(1)
Includes shares of Common Stock withheld from participants for income tax withholding purposes whose shares of restricted stock units vested during the period. Such restricted stock units were originally issued to participants pursuant to the Prudential Financial Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(2)
In December 2017, Prudential Financial’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase, at management’s discretion, up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding Common Stock during the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS - XBRL
Instance Document.
 
 
101.SCH - XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
101.CAL - XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
101.LAB - XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
101.PRE - XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
101.DEF - XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

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, 21st Floor
Newark, New Jersey 07102



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GLOSSARY

Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company may use certain abbreviations, acronyms and terms which are defined below.
Prudential Entities
 
 
 
 
 
Company
Prudential Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries
 
PRIAC
Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
Gibraltar Life
Gibraltar Life Insurance Company, Ltd.
 
Pruco Life
Pruco Life Insurance Company
PALAC
Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation
 
Prudential
Prudential Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries
PFI
Prudential Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries
 
Prudential Financial
Prudential Financial, Inc.
PGFL
Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
 
Prudential Funding
Prudential Funding, LLC
PHJ
Prudential Holdings of Japan, Inc.
 
Prudential Insurance/PICA
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
PLIC
Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey
 
Prudential of Japan
The Prudential Life Insurance Company, Ltd.
PLNJ
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
 
Registrant
Prudential Financial, Inc.
POA
Prudential of Argentina
 
 
 



Defined Terms
 
 
 
 
 
Board
Prudential Financial's Board of Directors
 
Moody's
Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
Closed Block
Certain in force traditional domestic participating insurance and annuity products and corresponding assets that are used for the payment of benefits and policyholders' dividends on these products
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
Certain health care and life insurance benefits provided by the Company for retired employees, their beneficiaries and covered dependents
Designated Financial Company
A non-bank financial company that is subject to stricter standards and supervision
 
Pension Benefits
Funded and non-funded non-contributory defined benefit pension plans which cover substantially all of the Company’s employees
Dodd-Frank
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
 
PGIM
The Global Investment Management Businesses of Prudential Financial, Inc.
Exchange Act
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Regulation XXX
Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation
Fitch
Fitch Ratings Inc.
 
S&P
Standard & Poor's Rating Services
Framework
Prudential's capital protection framework
 
Tax Act of 2017
The United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Guideline AXXX
The Application of the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation
 
U.S. GAAP
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America


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Table of Contents

Acronyms
 
 
 
 
 
AG 48
Actuarial Guideline No. 48
 
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
ALM
Asset Liability Management
 
LIBOR
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
LPs/LLCs
Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
ASCL
Assets Supporting Experience-rated Contractholder Liabilities
 
MD&A
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
 
NAIC
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
bps
Basis Points
 
NAV
Net Asset Value
DAC
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
NJDOBI
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
DOL
U.S. Department of Labor
 
NPR
Non-Performance Risk
DSI
Deferred Sales Inducements
 
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
EBITDA
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
 
OTC
Over-The-Counter
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
 
OTTI
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
FSA
Financial Services Agency (an agency of the Japanese government)
 
RBC
Risk-Based Capital
GICs
Guaranteed Investment Contracts
 
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
GMAB
Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefits
 
SVO
Securities Valuation Office
GMDB
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits
 
TIA
Trust Indenture Act
GMIWB
Guaranteed Minimum Income and Withdrawal Benefits
 
U.S.
The United States of America
GMWB
Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits
 
VIEs
Variable Interest Entities
HDI
Highest Daily Lifetime Income
 
VOBA
Value of Business Acquired


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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/    ROBERT M. FALZON        
 
 
 
Robert M. Falzon
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized signatory and principal financial officer)

Date: November 8, 2018

150


Exhibit 10.1

FOURTH AMENDMENT
TO THE
PRUDENTIAL SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN

(As amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2009)

(Amending to clarify the definition of “Determination Date” and to address the participation
of employees on assignment with global business partners)

Purpose and Background

A.
The Prudential Supplemental Retirement Plan (“Supplemental Plan” or the “Plan”) was amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2009, to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”).

B.
Pursuant to Section 8.01(b) of the Supplemental Plan, Executive Vice President of Corporate Human Resources (or successor thereto) (“EVP”) of The Prudential Insurance Company of America ("Prudential") may adopt minor amendments to the Supplemental Plan without the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Prudential that are necessary or advisable for purposes of compliance with applicable laws and regulations or relate to administrative practices.
 
C.
To ensure the Supplemental Plan’s terms reflect past administrative practice, the EVP deems it advisable to make clarifying changes to the term “Determination Date” which is used for purposes of calculating the Benefits payable to a Participant.

D.
The EVP also deems it advisable to amend the Plan to address the participation of employees who are transferred to perform service with a global business partner and are eligible to participate in the Prudential Global Business Partner Non-Qualified Plan.

E.
The EVP has determined that the foregoing amendments are within the scope of authority granted to the EVP under the terms of the Plan.

Resolution
Effective as of the dates set forth below, the Supplemental Plan is amended as follows:
1.
Effective as of January 1, 2018, Section 1.15 “Determination Date” shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows:

1.15    “Determination Date” means, solely for purposes of calculating the amount of any Benefits under the Plan, the Payment Date set forth in Article V; provided, however , that, the Payment Date for any Participant who is a Home Office Employee shall be determined without regard to any 6-month delay if such Payment Date is based on the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service; and provided, further, that, the Determination Date for any Participant who is a Home Office Employee whose termination of employment with the Company did not constitute a Separation from Service and who either: (a) has Benefits accrued under the Prudential Traditional Retirement Plan or (b) is a Grandfathered Employee and has Benefits accrued under the Prudential Cash Balance Plan that are payable in Annuity Form, shall be the Payment Date that would have applied to the Participant, determined without regard to any applicable 6-month delay, had the Participant’s termination of employment constituted a Separation from Service.

2.
Effective as of April 1, 2018, Section 2.04 of the Supplemental Plan is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

2.04     Participants Transferred to Joint Ventures or Global Business Partners . A Participant who is transferred to perform service for a “Joint Venture” or a “Global Business Partner” as each such term is defined below, shall not be eligible to accrue Supplemental Benefits under Article II of the Plan during the period of the assignment. In addition, the Participant’s transfer to perform service for the Joint Venture or Global Business Partner, as applicable, shall not constitute a Separation from Service for purposes of triggering a distribution of benefits from the Supplemental Plan. The rules set forth in Section





413 of the Prudential Traditional Retirement Plan shall be used to determine the accrued Benefits of a Participant attributable to the Prudential Traditional Retirement Plan. The rules set forth in 2.5 of the Prudential Cash Balance Plan shall be used to determine the accrued Benefits of a Participant attributable to the Prudential Cash Balance Plan. For purposes of the Supplemental Plan, a “Joint Venture” is a joint venture in which the Company, directly or indirectly, owns at least 20% of the voting power or equity value, but which is not an Affiliate under the terms of the Prudential Merged Retirement Plan. A “Global Business Partner” is an entity with which Prudential has a business relationship but does not, directly or indirectly, own any voting power or equity value and is not a member of the Company’s Controlled Group.
   
3.
All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Supplemental Plan.

4.
Except where otherwise expressly amended herein, the Supplemental Plan is ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and effect.
 

Adopted on behalf of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

Date:    October 22, 2018         /s/ Lucien Alziari                         
Lucien Alziari
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer





Exhibit 10.2

FOURTH AMENDMENT
TO THE
PRUDENTIAL SUPPLEMENTAL EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN
(Effective as of January 1, 2006)

(Amending to address the participation of employees on assignment
with global business partners)

Purpose and Background:

A.
Pursuant to Section 7.1(b) of the Prudential Supplemental Employee Savings Plan (the “Plan”), the Executive Vice President of Corporate Human Resources ("EVP"), or the successor to his or her duties relating to corporate human resources has the authority to amend the Plan on behalf of The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“Prudential”) with respect to minor changes that are necessary or advisable for purposes of compliance with ERISA or other applicable laws or regulations.

B.
The EVP deems it advisable to amend the Plan to address the participation of employees who are transferred to perform service with a global business partner and are eligible to participate in the Prudential Global Business Partner Non-Qualified Plan.

C.
The EVP has determined that the foregoing amendment is within the scope of authority granted to the EVP under the terms of the Plan.

Resolution

Effective as of April 1, 2018, the Plan is amended as follows:

1.
Section 2.5 of the Plan is amended and restated to read as follows:
 
2.5     Participants Transferred to Joint Ventures or Global Business Partners . A Participant who is transferred to perform service for a “Joint Venture” or a “Global Business Partner” as each such term is defined below, shall not be eligible to make 401(a)(17) Deferrals or receive 401(a)(17) Matching Contributions with respect to such deferrals under the Plan during the period of the assignment. In addition, the Participant’s transfer to perform service for the Joint Venture or the Global Business Partner, as applicable, shall not constitute a Termination of Employment for purposes of triggering a distribution of benefits from the Plan. Upon a Participant’s transfer to employment with the Employer, the Participant shall be eligible to participate in the Plan in accordance with Section 2.3, provided the requirements in Section 2.1 are satisfied. A Participant’s service with the Joint Venture or Global Business Partner, as applicable, shall be recognized under the Plan in accordance with the applicable provisions in PESP. For purposes of the Plan, a “Joint Venture” is a joint venture in which the Company, directly or indirectly, owns at least 20% of the voting power or equity value, but which is not an Affiliate as defined in PESP. A “Global Business Partner” is an entity with which Prudential has a business relationship but does not, directly or indirectly, own any voting power or equity value and is not a member of the Company’s Controlled Group.
   
2.
All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

3.
Except where otherwise expressly amended herein, the Plan is ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and effect.

Adopted on behalf of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

Date: October 22, 2018     /s/ Lucien Alziari                        
Lucien Alziari
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer





                     Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS

I, John R. Strangfeld, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Prudential Financial, Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 8, 2018
/s/ John R. Strangfeld
 
John R. Strangfeld
Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Robert M. Falzon, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Prudential Financial, Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 8, 2018
/s/ Robert M. Falzon
 
Robert M. Falzon
Chief Financial Officer





Exhibit 32.1

Certification

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, I, John R. Strangfeld, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify that the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 8, 2018
 
/s/ John R. Strangfeld
 
Name:
John R. Strangfeld
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.



Exhibit 32.2

Certification

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, I, Robert M. Falzon, Chief Financial Officer of Prudential Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify that the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 8, 2018
 
/s/ Robert M. Falzon
 
Name:
Robert M. Falzon
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.