10-Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 ____________________________________
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
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 001-13958
____________________________________ 
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
13-3317783
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06155
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(860) 547-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark:
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
 
•     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.
ý
 
¨
 
 
 
 
•     whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
ý
 
¨
 
 
 
 
•     whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer  ¨
 
Non-accelerated filer  ¨
 
Smaller reporting company  ¨
•     whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
¨
 
ý
As of April 27, 2016, there were outstanding 393,384,892 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the registrant.

1


THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item
Description
Page
 
 
1.      
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
2.      
3.      
4.      
 
 
1.      
1A.   
2.      
 
 
 
6.      
 
 
 
 
 



2


Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained herein are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” and similar references to future periods.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding economic, competitive, legislative and other developments. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. They have been made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “The Hartford”). Future developments may not be in line with management’s expectations or may have unanticipated effects. Actual results could differ materially from expectations, depending on the evolution of various factors, including the risks and uncertainties identified below, as well as factors described in such forward looking statements or in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report, and those identified from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
•
Risks Related to Economic, Market and Political Conditions:
◦
challenges related to the Company’s current operating environment, including global political, economic and market conditions, and the effect of financial market disruptions, economic downturns or other potentially adverse macroeconomic developments on the attractiveness of our products, the returns in our investment portfolios and the hedging costs associated with our runoff annuity block;
◦
financial risk related to the continued reinvestment of our investment portfolios and performance of our hedge program for our runoff annuity block;
◦
market risks associated with our business, including changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, market volatility and foreign exchange rates, commodities prices and implied volatility levels;
◦
the impact on our investment portfolio if our investment portfolio is concentrated in any particular segment of the economy;
•
Risks Relating to Estimates, Assumptions and Valuations;
◦
risk associated with the use of analytical models in making decisions in key areas such as underwriting, capital management, hedging, reserving, and catastrophe risk management;
◦
the potential for differing interpretations of the methodologies, estimations and assumptions that underlie the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments that could result in changes to investment valuations;
◦
the subjective determinations that underlie the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities;
◦
the potential for further acceleration of deferred policy acquisition cost amortization;
◦
the potential for further impairments of our goodwill or the potential for changes in valuation allowances against deferred tax assets;
◦
the significant uncertainties that limit our ability to estimate the ultimate reserves necessary for asbestos and environmental claims;
•
Financial Strength, Credit and Counterparty Risks:
◦
the impact on our statutory capital of various factors, including many that are outside the Company’s control, which can in turn affect our credit and financial strength ratings, cost of capital, regulatory compliance and other aspects of our business and results;
◦
risks to our business, financial position, prospects and results associated with negative rating actions or downgrades in the Company’s financial strength and credit ratings or negative rating actions or downgrades relating to our investments;
◦
losses due to nonperformance or defaults by others, including sourcing partners, derivative counterparties and other third parties;
◦
the potential for losses due to our reinsurers’ unwillingness or inability to meet their obligations under reinsurance contracts and the availability, pricing and adequacy of reinsurance to protect the Company against losses;
•
Insurance Industry and Product-Related Risks:
◦
the possibility of unfavorable loss development including with respect to long-tailed exposures;

3


◦
the possibility of a pandemic, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disaster that may adversely affect our businesses;
◦
weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, winter storms, hurricanes and tropical storms, as well as climate change and its potential impact on weather patterns;
◦
the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the Company’s ability to contain its exposure as a result of, among other factors, the inability to exclude coverage for terrorist attacks from workers' compensation policies and limitations on reinsurance coverage from the federal government under applicable laws;
◦
the uncertain effects of emerging claim and coverage issues;
◦
actions by our competitors, many of which are larger or have greater financial resources than we do;
◦
technology changes, such as usage-based methods of determining premiums, advancement in automotive safety features, the development of autonomous vehicles, and platforms that facilitate ride sharing, which may alter demand for the Company's products, impact the frequency or severity of losses, and/or impact the way the Company markets, distributes and underwrites its products;
◦
the Company’s ability to market, distribute and provide insurance products and investment advisory services through current and future distribution channels and advisory firms;
◦
the Company’s ability to effectively price its property and casualty policies, including its ability to obtain regulatory consents to pricing actions or to non-renewal or withdrawal of certain product lines;
◦
volatility in our statutory and United States ("U.S.") GAAP earnings and potential material changes to our results resulting from our adjustment of our risk management program to emphasize protection of economic value;
•
Regulatory and Legal Risks:
◦
the cost and other effects of increased regulation as a result of the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and the potential effect of other domestic and foreign regulatory developments, including those that could adversely impact the demand for the Company’s products, operating costs and required capital levels;
◦
unfavorable judicial or legislative developments;
◦
regulatory limitations on the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends;
◦
the impact of changes in federal or state tax laws;
◦
regulatory requirements that could delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that shareholders might consider in their best interests;
◦
the impact of potential changes in accounting principles and related financial reporting requirements;
•
Other Strategic and Operational Risks:
◦
risks associated with the runoff of our Talcott Resolution business;
◦
the risks, challenges and uncertainties associated with our capital management plan, including as a result of changes in our financial position and earnings, share price, capital position, legal restrictions, other investment opportunities, and other factors;
◦
the risks, challenges and uncertainties associated with our expense reduction initiatives and other actions, which may include acquisitions, divestitures or restructurings;
◦
the Company’s ability to maintain the availability of its systems and safeguard the security of its data in the event of a disaster, cyber or other information security incident or other unanticipated event;
◦
the risk that our framework for managing operational risks may not be effective in mitigating material risk and loss to the Company;
◦
the potential for difficulties arising from outsourcing and similar third-party relationships; and
◦
the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and defend against claims of infringement;
Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this document speaks only as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-Q. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

4


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford, Connecticut

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of March 31, 2016, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 26, 2016, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
April 28, 2016



5
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except for per share data)
2016
2015
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues
 
 
Earned premiums
$
3,404

$
3,322

Fee income
426

459

Net investment income
696

809

Net realized capital gains (losses):
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses
(27
)
(12
)
OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”)
4

—

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
(23
)
(12
)
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
(132
)
17

Total net realized capital gains (losses)
(155
)
5

Other revenues
20

22

Total revenues
4,391

4,617

Benefits, losses and expenses
 
 
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
2,641

2,563

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC")
374

387

Insurance operating costs and other expenses
909

948

Interest expense
86

94

Total benefits, losses and expenses
4,010

3,992

Income before income taxes
381

625

Income tax expense
58

158

Net income
$
323

$
467

Net income per common share
 
 
Basic
$
0.81

$
1.11

Diluted
$
0.79

$
1.08

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.21

$
0.18

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
2016
2015
 
(Unaudited)
Net income
$
323

$
467

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
Changes in net unrealized gain on securities
522

208

Changes in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income
(8
)
(3
)
Changes in net gain on cash flow hedging instruments
54

27

Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments
6

(20
)
Changes in pension and other postretirement plan adjustments
9

10

OCI, net of tax
583

222

Comprehensive income
$
906

$
689

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In millions, except for share and per share data)
March 31,
2016
December 31, 2015
 
(Unaudited)
Assets
 
Investments:
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $57,378 and $56,965)
$
60,693

$
59,196

Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option (includes variable interest entity assets of $0 and $150)
486

503

Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost of $767 and $1,135) (includes equity securities, at fair value using the fair value option, of $0 and $282, and variable interest entity assets of $0 and $1)
798

1,121

Mortgage loans (net of allowances for loan losses of $22 and $23)
5,637

5,624

Policy loans, at outstanding balance
1,444

1,447

Limited partnerships and other alternative investments (includes variable interest entity assets of $394 and $2)
2,654

2,874

Other investments
280

120

Short-term investments (includes variable interest entity assets, at fair value, of $60 and $3)
1,918

1,843

Total investments
73,910

72,728

Cash (includes variable interest entity assets, at fair value, of $5 and $10)
479

448

Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net
3,605

3,537

Reinsurance recoverables, net
23,125

23,189

Deferred policy acquisition costs
1,694

1,816

Deferred income taxes, net
2,868

3,206

Goodwill
498

498

Property and equipment, net
995

974

Other assets (includes variable interest entity assets of $4 and $0)
1,958

1,829

Separate account assets
118,361

120,123

Total assets
$
227,493

$
228,348

Liabilities
 
 
Reserve for future policy benefits and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
$
41,842

$
41,572

Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
31,525

31,670

Unearned premiums
5,497

5,385

Short-term debt
690

275

Long-term debt
4,633

5,084

Other liabilities (includes variable interest entity liabilities of $5 and $12)
6,833

6,597

Separate account liabilities
118,361

120,123

Total liabilities
$
209,381

$
210,706

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value — 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 490,923,222 and 490,923,222 shares issued
5

5

Additional paid-in capital
8,885

8,973

Retained earnings
12,789

12,550

Treasury stock, at cost — 95,319,786 and 89,102,038 shares
(3,821
)
(3,557
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax
254

(329
)
Total stockholders’ equity
$
18,112

$
17,642

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
227,493

$
228,348

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except for share data)
2016
2015
 
(Unaudited)
Common Stock
$
5

$
5

Additional Paid-in Capital, beginning of period
8,973

9,123

Issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans
(124
)
(150
)
Stock-based compensation plans expense
19

16

Tax benefit on employee stock options and share-based awards
24

26

Issuance of shares for warrant exercise
(7
)
(19
)
Additional Paid-in Capital, end of period
8,885

8,996

Retained Earnings, beginning of period
12,550

11,191

Net income
323

467

Dividends declared on common stock
(84
)
(75
)
Retained Earnings, end of period
12,789

11,583

Treasury Stock, at cost, beginning of period
(3,557
)
(2,527
)
Treasury stock acquired
(350
)
(250
)
Issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans
125

154

Net shares acquired related to employee incentive and stock compensation plans
(46
)
(53
)
Issuance of shares for warrant exercise
7

19

Treasury Stock, at cost, end of period
(3,821
)
(2,657
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax, beginning of period
(329
)
928

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
583

222

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax, end of period
254

1,150

Total Stockholders’ Equity
$
18,112

$
19,077

Common Shares Outstanding, beginning of period (in thousands)
401,821

424,416

Treasury stock acquired
(8,394
)
(6,128
)
Issuance of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans
3,069

3,923

Return of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans to treasury stock
(1,066
)
(1,299
)
Issuance of shares for warrant exercise
173

477

Common Shares Outstanding, at end of period
395,603

421,389

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

9
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)
2016
2015
Operating Activities
(Unaudited)
Net income
$
323

$
467

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Net realized capital (gains) losses
155

(5
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
374

387

Additions to deferred policy acquisition costs
(354
)
(354
)
Depreciation and amortization
95

101

Other operating activities, net
81

22

Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
Decrease in reinsurance recoverables
53

37

Increase (decrease) in deferred and accrued income taxes
(14
)
168

Increase in reserve for future policy benefits and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums
158

120

Net change in other assets and other liabilities
(473
)
(496
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
398

447

Investing Activities
 
 
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
5,460

6,584

Fixed maturities, fair value option
19

36

Equity securities, available-for-sale
414

363

Mortgage loans
114

104

Partnerships
235

179

Payments for the purchase of:
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
(5,752
)
(7,375
)
Fixed maturities, fair value option
(38
)
(59
)
Equity securities, available-for-sale
(130
)
(566
)
Mortgage loans
(128
)
(154
)
Partnerships
(88
)
(106
)
Net proceeds from derivatives
189

45

Net increase (decrease) in policy loans
2

(24
)
Net additions to property and equipment
(84
)
(58
)
Net proceeds from (payments for) short-term investments
(29
)
1,325

Other investing activities, net
10

1

Net cash provided by investing activities
194

295

Financing Activities
 
 
Deposits and other additions to investment and universal life-type contracts
1,165

1,209

Withdrawals and other deductions from investment and universal life-type contracts
(4,174
)
(4,682
)
Net transfers from separate accounts related to investment and universal life-type contracts
2,810

3,175

Repayments at maturity or settlement of consumer notes
(5
)
(2
)
Net increase in securities loaned or sold under agreements to repurchase
64

323

Repayment of debt
—

(289
)
Net issuance (return) of shares under incentive and stock compensation plans and excess tax benefit
10

(25
)
Treasury stock acquired
(350
)
(250
)
Dividends paid on common stock
(85
)
(78
)
Net cash used for financing activities
(565
)
(619
)
Foreign exchange rate effect on cash
4

(22
)
Net increase in cash
31

101

Cash – beginning of period
448

399

Cash – end of period
$
479

$
500

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 
 
Income tax refunds received
$
—

$
47

Interest paid
$
71

$
77

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in millions, except for per share data, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)



1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is a holding company for insurance and financial services subsidiaries that provide property and casualty insurance, group life and disability products and mutual funds to individual and business customers in the United States (collectively, “The Hartford”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”). Also, the Company continues to runoff life and annuity products previously sold.
On March 16, 2016, the Company announced it had entered into a definitive agreement for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hartford Fire Insurance Company, to purchase Northern Homelands Company, the holding company of Maxum Specialty Insurance Group headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia for $170, subject to post closing adjustments. Maxum will maintain its brand and limited wholesale distribution model and will be managed as a separate unit within The Hartford's Small Commercial line of business. The transaction, which will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cashflows, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, which differ materially from the accounting practices prescribed by various insurance regulatory authorities. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes are unaudited. These financial statements reflect all adjustments (generally consisting only of normal accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Consolidation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., and entities in which the Company directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest. Entities in which the Company has significant influence over the operating and financing decisions but does not control are reported using the equity method. All intercompany transactions and balances between The Hartford and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been eliminated.
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 the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at 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 property and casualty insurance product reserves, net of reinsurance; estimated gross profits used in the valuation and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with variable annuity and other universal life-type contracts; evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities and valuation allowances on investments; living benefits required to be fair valued; evaluation of goodwill for impairment; valuation of investments and derivative instruments; valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; and contingencies relating to corporate litigation and regulatory matters. Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial information to conform to the current period presentation.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
On January 1, 2016 the Company adopted new consolidation guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The updates revise when to consolidate variable interest entities ("VIEs") and general partners’ investments in limited partnerships, end the deferral granted for applying the VIE guidance to certain investment companies, and reduce the number of circumstances where a decision maker’s or service provider’s fee arrangement is deemed to be a variable interest in an entity. The updates also modify guidance for determining whether limited partnerships are VIEs or voting interest entities. The new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements though one investment in a hedge fund of funds that was previously consolidated as a voting interest entity is now consolidated as a VIE. For further discussion, see Note 5 - Investments and Derivative Instruments of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

11


Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on lease accounting. Under the new guidance, lessees with operating leases will be required to recognize a liability for the present value of future minimum lease payments with a corresponding asset for the right of use of the property. Under existing guidance, future minimum lease payments on operating leases are commitments that are not recognized as liabilities on the balance sheet. The updated guidance is to be adopted effective January 1, 2019 through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for the earliest period presented, with early application permitted. Leases will be classified as financing or operating leases similar to capital and operating leases, respectively, under current accounting guidance. Where the lease is economically similar to a purchase because The Hartford obtains control of the underlying asset, the lease will be a financing lease and the Company will recognize amortization of the right of use asset and interest expense on the liability. Where the lease provides The Hartford with only the right to control the use of the underlying asset over the lease term and the lease term is greater than one year, the lease will be an operating lease and the amortization and interest cost will be recognized as rental expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Leases with a term of one year or less will also be expensed over the lease term but will not be recognized on the balance sheet. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new guidance to the consolidated financial statements, including the timing of adoption. We do not expect a material impact to the consolidated financial statements; however, it is expected that assets and liabilities will increase based on the present value of remaining lease payments for leases in place at the adoption date.
Stock Compensation
In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on accounting for share-based payments to employees. The updated guidance requires the excess tax benefit or deficiency on vesting or settlement of awards to be recognized in earnings as an income tax benefit or expense, respectively. This recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies will result in earnings volatility as current accounting guidance recognizes these amounts as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. The excess tax benefit was $27 and $6 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which would have increased net income in each of those years. The excess tax benefits or deficiencies are discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur, and so will not be considered in determining the annual estimated effective tax rate. The excess tax benefits or deficiencies will be presented as a cash flow within operating activities instead of within financing activities as is the case under current accounting. The Hartford will adopt the updated guidance January 1, 2017 and will recognize excess tax benefits or deficiencies in net income, as well as the related cash flows in operating activities, on a prospective basis. The impact of the adoption will depend on the excess tax benefits or deficiencies realized on vesting or settlement of awards resulting from the difference between the market value of awards at vesting or settlement and the grant date fair value recognized through compensation expense.


12
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
2. Earnings Per Common Share



The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except for per share data)
2016
2015
Earnings
 
 
Net income
$
323

$
467

Shares
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
398.5

422.6

Dilutive effect of stock compensation plans
4.2

5.5

Dilutive effect of warrants
3.6

5.6

Weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares
406.3

433.7

Net income per common share
 
 
Basic
$
0.81

$
1.11

Diluted
$
0.79

$
1.08


3. Segment Information
The Company currently conducts business principally in six reporting segments including Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Property & Casualty Other Operations, Group Benefits, Mutual Funds and Talcott Resolution, as well as a Corporate category. The Company's revenues are generated primarily in the United States ("U.S."). Any foreign sourced revenue is immaterial.
The following table presents net income (loss) for each reporting segment, as well as the Corporate category.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Net Income (Loss)
2016
2015
Commercial Lines
$
228

$
240

Personal Lines
20

76

Property & Casualty Other Operations
17

23

Group Benefits
50

52

Mutual Funds
20

22

Talcott Resolution
17

111

Corporate
(29
)
(57
)
Net income
$
323

$
467


13
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. Segment Information (continued)


The following table presents revenues by product line for each reporting segment, as well as the Corporate category.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Revenues
2016
2015
Earned premiums and fee income
 
 
Commercial Lines
 
 
Workers’ compensation
$
755

$
744

Property
159

156

Automobile
157

148

Package business
303

292

Liability
143

135

Bond
53

53

Professional liability
53

55

Total Commercial Lines
1,623

1,583

Personal Lines
 
 
Automobile
678

655

Homeowners
297

297

Total Personal Lines [1]
975

952

Group Benefits
 
 
Group disability
369

371

Group life
375

365

Other
51

44

Total Group Benefits
795

780

Mutual Funds
 
 
Mutual Fund
142

149

Talcott
25

30

Total Mutual Funds
167

179

Talcott Resolution
269

285

Corporate
1

2

Total earned premiums and fee income
3,830

3,781

Net investment income
696

809

Net realized capital gains (losses)
(155
)
5

Other revenues
20

22

Total revenues
$
4,391

$
4,617

[1] For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, AARP members accounted for earned premiums of $807 and $766, respectively.

14
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is determined based on the "exit price" notion which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Financial instruments carried at fair value in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include fixed maturity and equity securities, available-for-sale ("AFS"); fixed maturities and equity securities at fair value using the fair value option ("FVO"); short-term investments; freestanding and embedded derivatives; certain limited partnerships and other alternative investments; separate account assets and certain other liabilities.
The Company's estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available. The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. The fair value hierarchy categorizes the inputs in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad Levels (Level 1, 2 or 3).
Level 1
Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets, or liabilities, in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2
Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for the asset or liability, or prices for similar assets and liabilities.
Level 3
Valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable (including assumptions about risk). Because Level 3 fair values, by their nature, contain one or more significant unobservable inputs, as there is little or no observable market for these assets and liabilities, considerable judgment is used to determine the Level 3 fair values. Level 3 fair values represent the Company’s best estimate of an amount that could be realized in a current market exchange absent actual market exchanges.
In many situations, inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability position may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these situations, the Company will determine the level in which the fair value falls based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the determination of the fair value. In most cases, both observable (e.g., changes in interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in risk assumptions) inputs are used in the determination of fair values that the Company has classified within Level 3. Consequently, these values and the related gains and losses are based upon both observable and unobservable inputs. The Company’s fixed maturities included in Level 3 are classified as such because these securities are primarily within illiquid markets and/or priced by independent brokers.

15
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following tables present assets and (liabilities) carried at fair value by hierarchy level. Upon implementation of the new disclosure guidance effective in 2016 certain NAV-based fair values are no longer included in the fair value level disclosures; however, these amounts are included in the total fair value disclosed. As a result, prior period values for limited partnerships and other alternative investments and separate account assets have been removed from Level 2 and Level 3.
 
March 31, 2016
 
Total
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, AFS
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed-securities ("ABS")
$
2,665

$
—

$
2,633

$
32

Collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs")
3,107

—

2,565

542

Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")
5,224

—

5,090

134

Corporate
27,297

—

26,463

834

Foreign government/government agencies
1,189

—

1,113

76

Municipal
12,303

—

12,253

50

Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS")
4,338

—

2,452

1,886

U.S. Treasuries
4,570

67

4,503

—

Total fixed maturities
60,693

67

57,072

3,554

Fixed maturities, FVO
486

—

472

14

Equity securities, trading [1]
11

11

—

—

Equity securities, AFS
798

548

158

92

Derivative assets
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives
16

—

16

—

Equity derivatives
2

—

—

2

Foreign exchange derivatives
5

—

5

—

Interest rate derivatives
(138
)
—

(138
)
—

Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") hedging instruments
146

—

61

85

Macro hedge program
64

—

—

64

Other derivative contracts
5

—

—

5

Total derivative assets [2]
100

—

(56
)
156

Short-term investments
1,918

447

1,471

—

Limited partnerships and other alternative investments [3]
394

—

—

—

Reinsurance recoverable for GMWB
99

—

—

99

Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
57

—

57

—

Separate account assets [4]
115,959

74,486

40,156

155

Total assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
$
180,515

$
75,559

$
99,330

$
4,070

Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
 
 
 
 
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
 
 
 
 
GMWB
$
(361
)
$
—

$
—

$
(361
)
Equity linked notes
(25
)
—

—

(25
)
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
(386
)
—

—

(386
)
Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives
(39
)
—

(39
)
—

Equity derivatives
28

—

25

3

Foreign exchange derivatives
(338
)
—

(338
)
—

Interest rate derivatives
(665
)
—

(637
)
(28
)
GMWB hedging instruments
46

—

(13
)
59

Macro hedge program
81

—

—

81

Total derivative liabilities [5]
(887
)
—

(1,002
)
115

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
$
(1,273
)
$
—

$
(1,002
)
$
(271
)

16
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 
December 31, 2015
 
Total
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, AFS
 
 
 
 
ABS
$
2,499

$
—

$
2,462

$
37

CDOs
3,038

—

2,497

541

CMBS
4,717

—

4,567

150

Corporate
26,802

—

25,948

854

Foreign government/government agencies
1,308

—

1,248

60

Municipal
12,121

—

12,072

49

RMBS
4,046

—

2,424

1,622

U.S. Treasuries
4,665

740

3,925

—

Total fixed maturities
59,196

740

55,143

3,313

Fixed maturities, FVO
503

2

485

16

Equity securities, trading [1]
11

11





Equity securities, AFS
1,121

874

154

93

Derivative assets
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives
21

—

21

—

Foreign exchange derivatives
15

—

15

—

Interest rate derivatives
(227
)
—

(227
)
—

GMWB hedging instruments
111

—

27

84

Macro hedge program
74

—

—

74

Other derivative contracts
7

—

—

7

Total derivative assets [2]
1

—

(164
)
165

Short-term investments
1,843

333

1,510

—

Limited partnerships and other alternative investments [3]
622

—

—

—

Reinsurance recoverable for GMWB
83

—

—

83

Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
79

—

79

—

Separate account assets [4]
118,174

78,110

38,700

140

Total assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
$
181,633

$
80,070

$
95,907

$
3,810

Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
 
 
 
 
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
 
 
 
 
GMWB
$
(262
)
$
—

$
—

$
(262
)
Equity linked notes
(26
)
—

—

(26
)
Total other policyholder funds and benefits payable
(288
)
—

—

(288
)
Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives
(16
)
—

(16
)
—

Equity derivatives
41

—

41

—

Foreign exchange derivatives
(374
)
—

(374
)
—

Interest rate derivatives
(569
)
—

(547
)
(22
)
GMWB hedging instruments
47

—

(4
)
51

Macro hedge program
73

—

—

73

Total derivative liabilities [5]
(798
)
—

(900
)
102

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis
$
(1,086
)
$
—

$
(900
)
$
(186
)

17
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

[1]
Included in other investments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]
Includes over-the-counter ("OTC") and OTC-cleared derivative instruments in a net positive fair value position after consideration of the accrued interest and impact of collateral posting requirements which may be imposed by agreements, clearing house rules and applicable law. See the following footnote 5 for derivative liabilities.
[3]
Represents hedge funds where investment company accounting has been applied to a wholly-owned fund of funds measured at fair value. The fair value is estimated using the net asset value per unit as a practical expedient and is excluded from the disclosure requirement to classify amounts in the fair value hierarchy.
[4]
Approximately $2.4 billion and $1.8 billion of investment sales receivable, as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively, are excluded from this disclosure requirement because they are trade receivables in the ordinary course of business where the carrying amount approximates fair value. Included in the total fair value amount are $1.2 billion of investments, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, for which the fair value is estimated using the net asset value per unit as a practical expedient which are excluded from the disclosure requirement to classify amounts in the fair value hierarchy.
[5]
Includes OTC and OTC-cleared derivative instruments in a net negative fair value position (derivative liability) after consideration of the accrued interest and impact of collateral posting requirements, which may be imposed by agreements, clearing house rules and applicable law. In the following Level 3 roll-forward table in this Note 4, the derivative assets and liabilities are referred to as “freestanding derivatives” and are presented on a net basis.
Valuation Techniques, Procedures and Controls
The Company determines the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices where available, and where prices represent a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company also determines fair value based on future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, the Company’s default spreads, liquidity, and where appropriate, risk margins on unobservable parameters.
The fair value process is monitored by the Valuation Committee, which is a cross-functional group of senior management within the Company that meets at least quarterly. The Valuation Committee is co-chaired by the Heads of Investment Operations and Accounting, and has representation from various investment sector professionals, accounting, operations, legal, compliance, and risk management. The purpose of the committee is to oversee the pricing policy and procedures by ensuring objective and reliable valuation practices and pricing of financial instruments as well as addressing valuation issues and approving changes to valuation methodologies and pricing sources. There are also two working groups under the Valuation Committee, a Securities Fair Value Working Group (“Securities Working Group”) and a Derivatives Fair Value Working Group ("Derivatives Working Group"), which include various investment, operations, accounting and risk management professionals that meet monthly to review market data trends, pricing and trading statistics and results, and any proposed pricing methodology changes.
The Company also has an enterprise-wide Operational Risk Management function, led by the Chief Operational Risk Officer, which is responsible for establishing, maintaining and communicating the framework, principles and guidelines of the Company's operational risk management program. This includes model risk management which provides an independent review of the suitability, characteristics and reliability of model inputs as well as an analysis of significant changes to current models.
Fixed Maturities, Equity Securities, and Short-term Investments
The fair value of fixed maturities, equity securities, and short-term investments in an active and orderly market (e.g., not distressed or forced liquidation) are determined by management using a "waterfall" approach after considering the following pricing sources: quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities, prices from third-party pricing services, independent broker quotations, or internal matrix pricing processes. Typical inputs used by these pricing sources include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and/or estimated cash flows, prepayment speeds, and default rates. Most fixed maturities do not trade daily. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, third-party pricing services utilize matrix pricing to derive security prices. Matrix pricing relies on securities' relationships to other benchmark quoted securities, which trade more frequently. Pricing services utilize recently reported trades of identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based on the preceding outlined available market observable information. If there are no recently reported trades, the third-party pricing services may develop a security price using expected future cash flows based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Both matrix pricing and discounted cash flow techniques develop prices by factoring in the time value for cash flows and risk, including liquidity and credit.
Prices from third-party pricing services may be unavailable for securities that are rarely traded or are traded only in privately negotiated transactions. As a result, certain securities are priced via independent broker quotations which utilize inputs that may be difficult to corroborate with observable market based data. Additionally, the majority of these independent broker quotations are non-binding.

18
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The Company utilizes an internally developed matrix pricing process for private placement securities for which the Company is unable to obtain a price from a third-party pricing service. The Company's process is similar to the third-party pricing services. The Company develops credit spreads each month using market based data for public securities adjusted for credit spread differentials between public and private securities which are obtained from a survey of multiple private placement brokers. The credit spreads determined through this survey approach are based upon the issuer’s financial strength and term to maturity, utilizing independent public security index and trade information and adjusting for the non-public nature of the securities. Credit spreads combined with risk-free rates are applied to contractual cash flows to develop a price.
The Securities Working Group performs ongoing analyses of the prices and credit spreads received from third parties to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by investment and accounting professionals. As a part of these analyses, the Company considers trading volume, new issuance activity and other factors to determine whether the market activity is significantly different than normal activity in an active market, and if so, whether transactions may not be orderly considering the weight of available evidence. If the available evidence indicates that pricing is based upon transactions that are stale or not orderly, the Company places little, if any, weight on the transaction price and will estimate fair value utilizing an internal pricing model. In addition, the Company ensures that prices received from independent brokers represent a reasonable estimate of fair value through the use of internal and external cash flow models utilizing spreads, and when available, market indices. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines that there is a more appropriate fair value based upon the available market data, the price received from the third party is adjusted accordingly and approved by the Valuation Committee.
The Company conducts other specific monitoring controls around pricing. Daily analyses identify price changes over 3% for fixed maturities and 5% for equity securities and trade prices for both debt and equity securities that differ over 3% to the current day's price. Weekly analyses identify prices that differ more than 5% from published bond prices of a corporate bond index. Monthly analyses identify price changes over 3%, prices that have not changed, and missing prices. Also on a monthly basis, a second source validation is performed on most sectors. Analyses are conducted by a dedicated pricing unit that follows up with trading and investment sector professionals and challenges prices with vendors when the estimated assumptions used differ from what the Company feels a market participant would use. Examples of other procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of third-party pricing services’ methodologies, review of pricing statistics and trends, and back testing recent trades.
The Company has analyzed the third-party pricing services’ valuation methodologies and related inputs, and has also evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Most prices provided by third-party pricing services are classified into Level 2 because the inputs used in pricing the securities are observable. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, most valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3. Some valuations may be classified as Level 2 if the price can be corroborated with observable market data.
Derivative Instruments, including Embedded Derivatives within Investments
Derivative instruments are fair valued using pricing valuation models for OTC derivatives that utilize independent market data inputs, quoted market prices for exchange-traded and OTC-cleared derivatives, or independent broker quotations. Excluding embedded and reinsurance related derivatives, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 96% and 96%, respectively, of derivatives, based upon notional values, were priced by valuation models, including discounted cash flow models and option-pricing models that utilize present value techniques, or quoted market prices. The remaining derivatives were priced by broker quotations.
The Derivatives Working Group performs ongoing analyses of the valuations, assumptions and methodologies used to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. The Company performs various controls on derivative valuations which include both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Analyses are conducted by a dedicated derivative pricing team that works directly with investment sector professionals to analyze impacts of changes in the market environment and investigate variances. On a daily basis, market valuations are compared to counterparty valuations for OTC derivatives. There are monthly analyses to identify market value changes greater than pre-defined thresholds, stale prices, missing prices, and zero prices. Also on a monthly basis, a second source validation, typically to broker quotations, is performed for certain of the more complex derivatives and all new deals during the month. A model validation review is performed on any new models, which typically includes detailed documentation and validation to a second source. The model validation documentation and results of validation are presented to the Valuation Committee for approval. There is a monthly control to review changes in pricing sources to ensure that new models are not moved to production until formally approved.
The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with certain assets and liabilities. However, the derivative instrument may not be classified with the same fair value hierarchy level as the associated assets and liabilities. Therefore, the realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives reported in the Level 3 rollforward may be offset by realized and unrealized gains and losses of the associated assets and liabilities in other line items of the financial statements.

19
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Limited Partnerships and Other Alternative Investments
The portion of limited partnerships and other alternative investments recorded at fair value includes hedge funds for which investment company accounting has been applied to a wholly-owned fund of funds measured at fair value. The hedge funds are comprised of approximately half credit and equity related funds and approximately half global macro with a market neutral focus. Fair value is determined for these funds using the NAV, as a practical expedient, calculated on a monthly basis, and is the amount at which a unit or shareholder may redeem their investment, if redemption is allowed. Certain impediments to redemption include, but are not limited to the following: 1) redemption notice periods vary and may be as long as 90 days, 2) redemption may be restricted (e.g. only be allowed on a quarter-end), 3) a holding period referred to as a lock-up may be imposed whereby an investor must hold their investment for a specified period of time before they can make a notice for redemption, 4) gating provisions may limit all redemptions in a given period to a percentage of the entities' equity interests, or may only allow an investor to redeem a portion of their investment at one time, 5) early redemption penalties may be imposed that are expressed as a percentage of the amount redeemed and 6) redemptions not allowed. The Company regularly assesses impediments to redemption and current market conditions that will restrict the redemption at the end of the notice period. Funds that were subject to significant liquidity restrictions due to lock-up or gating provisions consisted of 8% and 9%, respectively, of the value of the investments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The remaining restriction period for these investments is approximately one year as of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Funds where redemptions are not allowed consisted of 4% and 3%, respectively, of the value of the investments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Valuation Inputs for Investments
For Level 1 investments, which are comprised of on-the-run U.S. Treasuries, money market funds, exchange-traded equity securities, open-ended mutual funds, short-term investments, and exchange traded futures and option contracts, valuations are based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
For the Company’s Level 2 and 3 debt securities, typical inputs used by pricing techniques include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and/or estimated cash flows, prepayment speeds, and default rates. Derivative instruments are valued using mid-market inputs that are predominantly observable in the market.
A description of additional inputs used in the Company’s Level 2 and Level 3 measurements is included in the following discussion:
Level 2
The fair values of most of the Company’s Level 2 investments are determined by management after considering prices received from third party pricing services. These investments include most fixed maturities and preferred stocks, including those reported in separate account assets as well as certain derivative instruments.
•
ABS, CDOs, CMBS and RMBS – Primary inputs also include monthly payment information, collateral performance, which varies by vintage year and includes delinquency rates, collateral valuation loss severity rates, collateral refinancing assumptions, and credit default swap indices. ABS and RMBS prices also include estimates of the rate of future principal prepayments over the remaining life of the securities. These estimates are derived based on the characteristics of the underlying structure and prepayment speeds previously experienced at the interest rate levels projected for the underlying collateral.
•
Corporates, including investment grade private placements – Primary inputs also include observations of credit default swap curves related to the issuer.
•
Foreign government/government agencies — Primary inputs also include observations of credit default swap curves related to the issuer and political events in emerging market economies.
•
Municipals – Primary inputs also include Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board reported trades and material event notices, and issuer financial statements.
•
Short-term investments – Primary inputs also include material event notices and new issue money market rates.
•
Credit derivatives – Primary inputs include the swap yield curve and credit default swap curves.
•
Equity derivatives – Primary inputs include equity index levels.
•
Foreign exchange derivatives – Primary inputs include the swap yield curve, currency spot and forward rates, and cross currency basis curves.
•
Interest rate derivatives – Primary input is the swap yield curve.

20
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Level 3
Most of the Company's securities classified as Level 3 include less liquid securities such as lower quality ABS, CMBS, commercial real estate ("CRE") CDOs and RMBS primarily backed by sub-prime loans. Also included in Level 3 are securities valued based on broker prices or broker spreads, without adjustments. Primary inputs for non-broker priced investments, including structured securities, are consistent with the typical inputs used in the preceding noted Level 2 measurements, but are Level 3 due to their less liquid markets. Additionally, certain long-dated securities are priced based on third party pricing services, including certain municipal securities, foreign government/government agency securities, and bank loans, which are included with corporate fixed maturities. Primary inputs for these long-dated securities are consistent with the typical inputs used in the preceding noted Level 1 and Level 2 measurements, but include benchmark interest rate or credit spread assumptions that are not observable in the marketplace. Significant inputs for Level 3 derivative contracts primarily include the typical inputs used in the preceding noted Level 1 and Level 2 measurements; but also include equity and interest rate volatility and swap yield curves beyond observable limits.
Transfers between Levels
Transfers of securities among the levels occur at the beginning of the reporting period. The amount of transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 was $741 and $106, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which represented previously on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities that are now off-the-run. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no transfers from Level 2 to Level 1. See the fair value roll-forward tables for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, for the transfers into and out of Level 3.
Significant Unobservable Inputs for Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value
The following tables present information about significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 assets measured at fair value. The tables exclude ABS, CRE CDOs, index options and certain corporate securities and CMBS for which fair values are based on broker quotations.
Securities
Unobservable Inputs

As of March 31, 2016
Assets Accounted for at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair
Value
Predominant
Valuation
Technique
Significant
Unobservable Input
Minimum
Maximum
Weighted Average [1]
Impact of
Increase in Input
on Fair Value [2]
CMBS [3]
$
115

Discounted cash flows
Spread (encompasses prepayment, default risk and loss severity)
31 bps
1,035 bps
409 bps
Decrease
Corporate [3]
320

Discounted cash flows
Spread
62 bps
725 bps
298 bps
Decrease
Municipal [3]
32

Discounted cash flows
Spread
219 bps
219 bps
219 bps
Decrease
RMBS
1,886

Discounted cash flows
Spread
34 bps
1,281 bps
217 bps
Decrease
 
 
 
Constant prepayment rate
—%
20%
3%
 Decrease [4]
 
 
 
Constant default rate
1%
10%
6%
Decrease
 
 
 
Loss severity
40%
100%
80%
Decrease
 
As of December 31, 2015
CMBS [3]
$
122

Discounted cash flows
Spread (encompasses prepayment, default risk and loss severity)
31 bps
1,505 bps
266 bps
Decrease
Corporate [3]
339

Discounted cash flows
Spread
63 bps
800 bps
306 bps
Decrease
Municipal [3]
31

Discounted cash flows
Spread
193 bps
193 bps
193 bps
Decrease
RMBS
1,622

Discounted cash flows
Spread
30 bps
1,696 bps
178 bps
Decrease
 
 
 
Constant prepayment rate
—%
20%
2%
Decrease [4]
 
 
 
Constant default rate
1%
10%
6%
Decrease
 
 
 
Loss severity
—%
100%
78%
Decrease

21
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

[1]
The weighted average is determined based on the fair value of the securities.
[2]
Conversely, the impact of a decrease in input would have the opposite impact to the fair value as that presented in the table.
[3]
Level 3 CMBS, corporate and municipal securities excludes those for which the Company bases fair value on broker quotations as noted in the following discussion.
[4]
Decrease for above market rate coupons and increase for below market rate coupons.
Freestanding Derivatives
Unobservable Inputs

As of March 31, 2016
 
Fair
Value
Predominant
Valuation 
Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
Minimum
Maximum
Impact of 
Increase in Input on 
Fair Value [1]
Interest rate derivative
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
(32
)
Discounted cash flows
Swap curve beyond 30 years
2
%
2
%
Decrease
Interest rate swaptions [2]
4

Option model
Interest rate volatility
2
%
2
%
Increase
GMWB hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity variance swaps
(34
)
Option model
Equity volatility
22
%
24
%
Increase
Equity options
28

Option model
Equity volatility
26
%
29
%
Increase
Customized swaps
150

Discounted cash flows
Equity volatility
12
%
30
%
Increase
Macro hedge program [3]
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity options
178

Option model
Equity volatility
12
%
27
%
Increase
 
As of December 31, 2015
Interest rate derivative
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
(30
)
Discounted cash flows
Swap curve beyond 30 years
3
%
3
%
Decrease
Interest rate swaptions [2]
8

Option model
Interest rate volatility
1
%
2
%
Increase
GMWB hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity variance swaps
(31
)
Option model
Equity volatility
19
%
21
%
Increase
Equity options
35

Option model
Equity volatility
27
%
29
%
Increase
Customized swaps
131

Discounted cash flows
Equity volatility
10
%
40
%
Increase
Macro hedge program [3]
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity options
179

Option model
Equity volatility
14
%
28
%
Increase
[1]
Conversely, the impact of a decrease in input would have the opposite impact to the fair value as that presented in the table. Changes are based on long positions, unless otherwise noted. Changes in fair value will be inversely impacted for short positions.
[2]
The swaptions presented are purchased options that have the right to enter into a pay-fixed swap.
[3]
Level 3 macro hedge derivatives excludes those for which the Company bases fair value on broker quotations as noted in the following discussion.
Securities and derivatives for which the Company bases fair value on broker quotations include ABS, CDOs, CMBS, corporate, and index options. Due to the lack of transparency in the process brokers use to develop prices for these investments, the Company does not have access to the significant unobservable inputs brokers use to price these securities and derivatives. The Company believes however, the types of inputs brokers may use would likely be similar to those used to price securities and derivatives for which inputs are available to the Company, and therefore may include but not be limited to, loss severity rates, constant prepayment rates, constant default rates and credit spreads. Therefore, similar to non broker priced securities and derivatives, generally, increases in these inputs would cause fair values to decrease. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, no significant adjustments were made by the Company to broker prices received.

22
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Product Derivatives
The Company formerly offered certain variable annuity products with GMWB riders. The GMWB provides the policyholder with a guaranteed remaining balance (“GRB”) which is generally equal to premiums less withdrawals.  If the policyholder’s account value is reduced to the specified level through a combination of market declines and withdrawals but the GRB still has value, the Company is obligated to continue to make annuity payments to the policyholder until the GRB is exhausted. Certain contract provisions can increase the GRB at contractholder election or after the passage of time. GMWB payments that are not life-contingent represent an embedded derivative in the variable annuity contract. When it is determined that (1) the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, and (2) a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host for measurement purposes. The embedded derivative is carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net realized capital gains and losses. The Company’s GMWB liability, excluding life-contingent payments, is carried at fair value and reported in other policyholder funds and benefits payable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The notional value of the embedded derivative is the GRB.
In valuing the embedded derivative, the Company attributes to the derivative a portion of the fees collected from the contract holder equal to the present value of future GMWB claims (the “Attributed Fees”) as determined at contract issuance. All changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative are recorded in net realized capital gains and losses. The excess of fees collected from the contract holder over the Attributed Fees are associated with the host variable annuity contract reported in fee income.
GMWB Reinsurance Derivative
The Company has reinsurance arrangements in place to transfer a portion of its risk of loss due to GMWB. These arrangements are recognized as derivatives and carried at fair value in reinsurance recoverables. Changes in the fair value of the reinsurance agreements are reported in net realized capital gains and losses.
The fair value of the GMWB reinsurance derivative is calculated as an aggregation of the components described in the following Living Benefits Required to be Fair Valued discussion and is modeled using significant unobservable policyholder behavior inputs, identical to those used in calculating the underlying liability, such as lapses, fund selection, resets and withdrawal utilization and risk margins.
Living Benefits Required to be Fair Valued (in Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable)
Fair values for GMWBs classified as embedded derivatives are calculated using the income approach based upon internally developed models because active, observable markets do not exist for those items. The fair value of these GMWBs and the related reinsurance and customized freestanding derivatives are calculated as an aggregation of the following components: Best Estimate Claim Payments; Credit Standing Adjustment; and Margins. The resulting aggregation is reconciled or calibrated, if necessary, to market information that is, or may be, available to the Company, but may not be observable by other market participants, including reinsurance discussions and transactions. The Company believes the aggregation of these components, as necessary and as reconciled or calibrated to the market information available to the Company, results in an amount that the Company would be required to transfer to or receive from market participants in an active liquid market, if one existed, for those market participants to assume the risks associated with the guaranteed minimum benefits and the related reinsurance and customized derivatives. The fair value is likely to materially diverge from the ultimate settlement of the liability as the Company believes settlement will be based on our best estimate assumptions rather than those best estimate assumptions plus risk margins. In the absence of any transfer of the guaranteed benefit liability to a third party, the release of risk margins is likely to be reflected as realized gains in future periods’ net income. Each component described in the following discussion is unobservable in the marketplace and requires subjectivity by the Company in determining its value. Oversight of the Company's valuation policies and processes for product and GMWB reinsurance derivatives is performed by a multidisciplinary group comprised of finance, actuarial and risk management professionals. This multidisciplinary group reviews and approves changes and enhancements to the Company's valuation model as well as associated controls.
Best Estimate Claim Payments
The Best Estimate Claim Payments are calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to projected cash flows, including the present value of benefits and related contract charges, over the lives of the contracts, incorporating expectations concerning policyholder behavior such as lapses, fund selection, resets and withdrawal utilization. For the customized derivatives, policyholder behavior is prescribed in the derivative contract. Because of the dynamic and complex nature of these cash flows, best estimate assumptions and a Monte Carlo stochastic process are used in valuation. The Monte Carlo stochastic process involves the generation of thousands of scenarios that assume risk neutral returns consistent with swap rates and a blend of observable implied index volatility levels. Estimating these cash flows involves numerous estimates and subjective judgments regarding a number of variables. These variables include expected market rates of return, market volatility, correlations of market index returns to funds, fund performance, discount rates and assumptions about policyholder behavior which emerge over time.

23
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

At each valuation date, the Company assumes expected returns based on:
•
risk-free rates as represented by the Eurodollar futures, LIBOR deposits and swap rates to derive forward curve rates;
•
market implied volatility assumptions for each underlying index based primarily on a blend of observed market “implied volatility” data;
•
correlations of historical returns across underlying well known market indices based on actual observed returns over the ten years preceding the valuation date; and
•
three years of history for fund indexes compared to separate account fund regression.
The Company updates capital market assumptions used in the GMWB liability model such as interest rates, equity indices and the blend of implied equity index volatilities on a daily basis. The Company monitors various aspects of policyholder behavior and may modify certain of its assumptions, including living benefit lapses and withdrawal rates, if credible emerging data indicates that changes are warranted. In addition, the Company will continue to evaluate policyholder behavior assumptions as we implement initiatives to reduce the size of the variable annuity business. At a minimum, all policyholder behavior assumptions are reviewed and updated, as appropriate, in conjunction with the completion of the Company’s annual comprehensive study to refine its estimate of future gross profits with the study performed in the fourth quarter of each year.
Credit Standing Adjustment
This assumption makes an adjustment that market participants would make, in determining fair value, to reflect the risk that guaranteed benefit obligations, or the GMWB reinsurance recoverables will not be fulfilled. The Company incorporates a blend of observable Company and reinsurer credit default spreads from capital markets, adjusted for market recoverability. The credit standing adjustment assumption, net of reinsurance, resulted in pre-tax realized gains of $2 and $0, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the credit standing adjustment was $2 and $0, respectively.
Margins
The behavior risk margin adds a margin that market participants would require, in determining fair value, for the risk that the Company’s assumptions about policyholder behavior could differ from actual experience. The behavior risk margin is calculated by taking the difference between adverse policyholder behavior assumptions and best estimate assumptions.
There were no policyholder assumption updates related to the behavior risk margin for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the behavior risk margin was $45.
In addition to the non-market-based update described in the preceding discussion, the Company recognized non-market-based updates driven by the relative outperformance (underperformance) of the underlying actively managed funds as compared to their respective indices resulting in pre-tax realized gains (losses) of approximately $(4) and $10, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

24
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following table provides quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs and is applicable to all of the GMWB embedded derivative and the GMWB reinsurance derivative.
 
As of March 31, 2016
Significant Unobservable Input
Unobservable Inputs (Minimum)
Unobservable Inputs (Maximum)
Impact of Increase in Input
on Fair Value Measurement [1]
Withdrawal Utilization [2]
20%
100%
Increase
Withdrawal Rates [3]
—%
8%
Increase
Lapse Rates [4]
—%
75%
Decrease
Reset Elections [5]
20%
75%
Increase
Equity Volatility [6]
12%
30%
Increase
 
As of December 31, 2015
Significant Unobservable Input
Unobservable Inputs (Minimum)
Unobservable Inputs (Maximum)
Impact of Increase in Input
on Fair Value Measurement [1]
Withdrawal Utilization [2]
20%
100%
Increase
Withdrawal Rates [3]
—%
8%
Increase
Lapse Rates [4]
—%
75%
Decrease
Reset Elections [5]
20%
75%
Increase
Equity Volatility [6]
10%
40%
Increase
[1]
Conversely, the impact of a decrease in input would have the opposite impact to the fair value as that presented in the table.
[2]
Range represents assumed cumulative percentages of policyholders taking withdrawals.
[3]
Range represents assumed cumulative annual amount withdrawn by policyholders.
[4]
Range represents assumed annual percentages of full surrender of the underlying variable annuity contracts across all policy durations for in force business.
[5]
Range represents assumed cumulative percentages of policyholders that would elect to reset their guaranteed benefit base.
[6]
Range represents implied market volatilities for equity indices based on multiple pricing sources.
Generally, a change in withdrawal utilization assumptions would be accompanied by a directionally opposite change in lapse rate assumptions, as the behavior of policyholders that utilize GMWB riders is typically different from policyholders that do not utilize these riders.
Separate Account Assets
Separate account assets are primarily invested in mutual funds. Other separate account assets include fixed maturities, limited partnerships, equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives that are valued in the same manner, and using the same pricing sources and inputs, as those investments held by the Company. For limited partnerships in which fair value represents the separate account's share of the NAV, 29% and 28% were subject to significant liquidation restrictions due to lock-up or gating provisions as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Limited partnerships where redemptions are not allowed consisted of 5% and 4% as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Separate account assets classified as Level 3 primarily include long-dated bank loans, subprime RMBS, and commercial mortgage loans.

25
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
The following tables provide fair value roll-forwards for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, for the financial instruments classified as Level 3.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
 
Fixed Maturities, AFS
 
Assets
ABS
CDOs
CMBS
Corporate
Foreign
Govt./Govt.
Agencies
Municipal
RMBS
Total  Fixed
Maturities,
AFS
Fixed
Maturities,
FVO
Fair value as of January 1, 2016
$
37

$
541

$
150

$
854

$
60

$
49

$
1,622

$
3,313

$
16

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
—

—

(1
)
(13
)
—

—

—

(14
)
(2
)
Included in OCI [3]
—

—

(8
)
(7
)
5

1

(14
)
(23
)
—

Purchases
—

—

40

30

14

—

333

417

5

Settlements
(3
)
1

(9
)
(5
)
(1
)
—

(57
)
(74
)
(1
)
Sales
—

—

—

(25
)
(2
)
—

—

(27
)
—

Transfers into Level 3 [4]
5

—

—

58

—

—

2

65

—

Transfers out of Level 3 [4]
(7
)
—

(38
)
(58
)
—

—

—

(103
)
(4
)
Fair value as of March 31, 2016
$
32

$
542

$
134

$
834

$
76

$
50

$
1,886

$
3,554

$
14

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2016 [2] [7]
$
—

$
—

$
(1
)
$
(13
)
$
—

$
—

$
—

$
(14
)
$
(1
)
 
 
Freestanding Derivatives [5]
Assets (Liabilities)
Equity
Securities,
AFS
Equity
Interest
Rate
GMWB
Hedging
Macro
Hedge
Program
Other
Contracts
Total Free-
Standing
Derivatives [5]
Fair value as of January 1, 2016
$
93

$
—

$
(22
)
$
135

$
147

$
7

$
267

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
(1
)
(11
)
(6
)
9

—

(2
)
(10
)
Included in OCI [3]
2

—

—

—

—

—

—

Purchases
—

16

—

—

—

—

16

Settlements
—

—

—

—

(2
)
—

(2
)
Sales
(2
)
—

—

—

—

—

—

Transfers into Level 3 [4]
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Transfers out of Level 3 [4]
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Fair value as of March 31, 2016
$
92

$
5

$
(28
)
$
144

$
145

$
5

$
271

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2016 [2] [7]
$
(1
)
$
(11
)
$
(6
)
$
9

$
(1
)
$
(2
)
$
(11
)

26
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Assets
Reinsurance Recoverable for GMWB
Separate Accounts
Fair value as of January 1, 2016
$
83

$
139

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
12

—

Included in OCI [3]
—

4

Purchases
—

38

Settlements
4

(5
)
Sales
—

(10
)
Transfers into Level 3 [4]
—

3

Transfers out of Level 3 [4]
—

(15
)
Fair value as of March 31, 2016
$
99

$
154

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2016 [2] [7]
$
12

$
—

 
Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable
Liabilities
Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefits
Equity Linked Notes
Total Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable
Fair value as of January 1, 2016
$
(262
)
$
(26
)
$
(288
)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
(82
)
1

(81
)
Settlements
(17
)
—

(17
)
Fair value as of March 31, 2016
$
(361
)
$
(25
)
$
(386
)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2016 [2] [7]
$
(82
)
$
1

$
(81
)
 
 
 
 

27
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

For the three months ended March 31, 2015
 
Fixed Maturities, AFS
 
Assets
ABS
CDOs
CMBS
Corporate
Foreign Govt./Govt. Agencies
Municipal
RMBS
Total Fixed Maturities, AFS
Fixed Maturities, FVO
Fair value as of January 1, 2015
$
122

$
623

$
284

$
1,040

$
59

$
66

$
1,281

$
3,475

$
92

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
—

(2
)
(1
)
(4
)
—

—

(1
)
(8
)
(5
)
Included in OCI [3]
—

19

(3
)
(28
)
1

(2
)
(1
)
(14
)
—

Purchases
43

—

21

5

5

—

310

384

12

Settlements
(1
)
(9
)
(13
)
1

(1
)
—

(46
)
(69
)
—

Sales
—

—

—

(7
)
(16
)
—

(31
)
(54
)
(4
)
Transfers into Level 3 [4]
1

—

5

139

—

—

4

149

—

Transfers out of Level 3 [4]
(4
)
(47
)
(25
)
(34
)
—

—

(53
)
(163
)
(10
)
Fair value as of March 31, 2015
$
161

$
584

$
268

$
1,112

$
48

$
64

$
1,463

$
3,700

$
85

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2015 [2] [7]
$
—

$
(1
)
$
(1
)
$
(2
)
$
—

$
—

$
(1
)
$
(5
)
$
(1
)
 
 
Freestanding Derivatives [5]
Assets (Liabilities)
Equity Securities, AFS
Credit
Equity
Interest Rate
GMWB Hedging
Macro Hedge Program
Other Contracts
Total Free-Standing Derivatives [5]
Fair value as of January 1, 2015
$
98

$
(9
)
$
6

$
(7
)
$
170

$
141

$
12

$
313

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
1

5

17

(11
)
9

(1
)
(1
)
18

Included in OCI [3]
(3
)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Purchases
8

(7
)
—

—

—

47

—

40

Settlements
—

—

(15
)
—

(20
)
—

—

(35
)
Sales
(2
)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Transfers into Level 3 [4]
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Transfers out of Level 3 [4]
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Fair value as of March 31, 2015
$
102

$
(11
)
$
8

$
(18
)
$
159

$
187

$
11

$
336

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2015 [2] [7]
$
1

$
5

$
3

$
(19
)
$
16

$
3

$
(1
)
$
7


28
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Assets
Reinsurance Recoverable for GMWB
Separate Accounts
Fair value as of January 1, 2015
$
56

$
112

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
4

1

Purchases
—

38

Settlements
5

(5
)
Sales
—

(6
)
Transfers into Level 3 [4]
—

1

Transfers out of Level 3 [4]
—

(4
)
Fair value as of March 31, 2015
$
65

$
137

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2015 [2] [7]
$
4

$
1

 
Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable
 
Liabilities
Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefits
Equity Linked Notes
Total Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable
Consumer Notes
Fair value as of January 1, 2015
$
(139
)
$
(26
)
$
(165
)
$
(3
)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
Included in net income [1] [2] [6]
(19
)
—

(19
)
—

Settlements
(18
)
—

(18
)
—

Fair value as of March 31, 2015
$
(176
)
$
(26
)
$
(202
)
$
(3
)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2015 [2] [7]
$
(19
)
$
—

$
(19
)
$
—

[1]
The Company classifies realized and unrealized gains (losses) on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and GMWB embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.
[2]
All amounts in these rows are reported in net realized capital gains (losses). The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company. All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
[3]
All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.
[4]
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3 are primarily attributable to the availability of market observable information and the re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs.
[5]
Derivative instruments are reported in this table on a net basis for asset (liability) positions and reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other investments and other liabilities.
[6]
Includes both market and non-market impacts in deriving realized and unrealized gains (losses).
[7]
Amounts presented are for Level 3 only and therefore may not agree to other disclosures included herein.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


29
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Fair Value Option
FVO investments include certain securities that contain embedded credit derivatives with underlying credit risk primarily related to residential and commercial real estate, for which the company has elected the fair value option. The Company also classifies the underlying fixed maturities held in certain consolidated investment funds within the Fixed Maturities, FVO line on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company reports these consolidated investment companies at fair value with changes in the fair value of these securities recognized in net realized capital gains and losses, which is consistent with accounting requirements for investment companies. The investment funds hold fixed income securities in multiple sectors and the Company has management and control of the funds as well as a significant ownership interest.
The Company also elected the fair value option for certain equity securities in order to align the accounting with total return swap contracts that hedge the risk associated with the investments. The swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting and the change in value of both the equity securities and the total return swaps are recorded in net realized capital gains and losses. These equity securities are classified within equity securities, AFS on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 31, 2016, the Company no longer has any of these investments. Income earned from FVO securities is recorded in net investment income and changes in fair value are recorded in net realized capital gains and losses.
The following table presents the changes in fair value of those assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option reported in net realized capital gains and losses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Assets
 
 
Fixed maturities, FVO
 
 
CDOs
$
—

$
1

Foreign government
(1
)
—

RMBS
1

1

Total fixed maturities, FVO
$
—

$
2

Equity, FVO
(34
)
2

Total realized capital gains (losses)
$
(34
)
$
4

The following table presents the fair value of assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
Fixed maturities, FVO
 
 
ABS
$
9

$
13

CDOs
4

6

CMBS
16

24

Corporate
62

87

Foreign government
8

2

U.S government
3

3

RMBS
384

368

Total fixed maturities, FVO
$
486

$
503

Equity, FVO [1]
$
—

$
282

[1]
Included in equity securities, AFS on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company did not hold any equity securities, FVO as of March 31, 2016.

30
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
The following table presents carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value.
 
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Policy loans
Level 3
$
1,444

$
1,444

$
1,447

$
1,447

Mortgage loans
Level 3
5,637

5,900

5,624

5,736

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [1]
Level 3
$
6,636

$
6,888

$
6,706

$
6,898

Senior notes [2]
Level 2
4,240

4,836

4,259

4,811

Junior subordinated debentures [2]
Level 2
1,083

1,283

1,100

1,304

Consumer notes [3]
Level 3
33

33

38

38

Assumed investment contracts [3]
Level 3
668

730

619

682

[1]
Excludes guarantees on variable annuities, group accident and health and universal life insurance contracts, including corporate owned life insurance.
[2]
Included in long-term debt in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, except for current maturities, which are included in short-term debt.
[3]
Included in other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fair values for policy loans were determined using current loan coupon rates, which reflect the current rates available under the contracts. As a result, the fair value approximates the carrying value of the policy loans.
Fair values for mortgage loans were estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based on current lending rates for similar type loans. Current lending rates reflect changes in credit spreads and the remaining terms of the loans.
Fair values for other policyholder funds and benefits payable and assumed investment contracts, not carried at fair value, are estimated based on the cash surrender values of the underlying policies or by estimating future cash flows discounted at current interest rates adjusted for credit risk.
Fair values for senior notes and junior subordinated debentures are determined using the market approach based on reported trades, benchmark interest rates and issuer spread for the Company which may consider credit default swaps.
Fair values for consumer notes were estimated using discounted cash flow calculations using current interest rates adjusted for estimated loan durations.

31
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Before tax)
2016
2015
Gross gains on sales
$
90

$
197

Gross losses on sales
(108
)
(148
)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
(23
)
(12
)
Valuation allowances on mortgage loans
—

(3
)
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives
—

1

Results of variable annuity hedge program


GMWB derivatives, net
(17
)
1

Macro hedge program
(14
)
(4
)
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
(31
)
(3
)
Other, net [1]
(83
)
(27
)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
$
(155
)
$
5

[1]
Primarily consists of changes in the value of non-qualifying derivatives, transactional foreign currency revaluation gains (losses) on yen denominated fixed payout annuity liabilities and gains (losses) on non-qualifying derivatives used to hedge the foreign currency exposure of the liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, gains (losses) from transactional foreign currency revaluation of $(50) and $0, respectively, were primarily related to the yen denominated fixed payout annuity liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, gains (losses) on instruments used to hedge the foreign currency exposure on the fixed payout annuities were $36 and $(14), respectively.
Net realized capital gains and losses from investment sales are reported as a component of revenues and are determined on a specific identification basis. Before tax, net gains and losses on sales and impairments previously reported as unrealized gains in AOCI were $41 and $37 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Proceeds from sales of AFS securities totaled $4.9 billion and $6.2 billion for three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The Company deems bonds and certain equity securities with debt-like characteristics (collectively “debt securities”) to be other-than-temporarily impaired (“impaired”) if a security meets the following conditions: a) the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before a recovery in value, or b) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before a recovery in value, a charge is recorded in net realized capital losses equal to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost basis of the security. For those impaired debt securities which do not meet the first condition and for which the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the fair value is separated into the portion representing a credit OTTI, which is recorded in net realized capital losses, and the remaining non-credit impairment, which is recorded in OCI. Generally, the Company determines a security’s credit impairment as the difference between its amortized cost basis and its best estimate of expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield prior to impairment. The remaining non-credit impairment is the difference between the security’s fair value and the Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield prior to the impairment, which typically includes current market liquidity and risk premiums. The previous amortized cost basis less the impairment recognized in net realized capital losses becomes the security’s new cost basis. The Company accretes the new cost basis to the estimated future cash flows over the expected remaining life of the security by prospectively adjusting the security’s yield, if necessary.

32
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

The Company’s evaluation of whether a credit impairment exists for debt securities includes but is not limited to, the following factors: (a) changes in the financial condition of the security’s underlying collateral, (b) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments, (c) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer, (d) the extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost of the security and (e) the payment structure of the security. The Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows used to determine the credit loss amount is a quantitative and qualitative process that incorporates information received from third-party sources along with certain internal assumptions and judgments regarding the future performance of the security. The Company’s best estimate of future cash flows involves assumptions including, but not limited to, earnings multiples, underlying asset valuations and various performance indicators, such as historical and projected default and recovery rates, credit ratings, current and projected delinquency rates, and loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios. In addition, for structured securities, the Company considers factors including, but not limited to, average cumulative collateral loss rates that vary by vintage year, commercial and residential property value declines that vary by property type and location and commercial real estate delinquency levels. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries which may include estimating the underlying collateral value. In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer and/or underlying collateral such as changes in the projections of the underlying property value estimates.
For equity securities where the decline in the fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, a charge is recorded in net realized capital losses equal to the difference between the fair value and cost basis of the security. The previous cost basis less the impairment becomes the security’s new cost basis. The Company asserts its intent and ability to retain those equity securities deemed to be temporarily impaired until the price recovers. Once identified, these securities are systematically restricted from trading unless approved by investment and accounting professionals.
The primary factors considered in evaluating whether an impairment exists for an equity security may include, but are not limited to: (a) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost of the security, (b) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the issuer is current on preferred stock dividends and (d) the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery.
The following table presents the Company's impairments by impairment type.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Credit impairments
$
18

$
3

Intent-to-sell impairments
2

9

Impairments on equity securities
3

—

Total impairments
$
23

$
12

The following table presents a roll-forward of the Company’s cumulative credit impairments on fixed maturities held.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Before tax)
2016
2015
Balance as of beginning of period
$
(324
)
$
(424
)
Additions for credit impairments recognized on [1]:


Securities not previously impaired
(17
)
(3
)
Securities previously impaired
(1
)
—

Reductions for credit impairments previously recognized on:


Securities that matured or were sold during the period
1

4

Securities the Company made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell
—

2

Securities due to an increase in expected cash flows
5

9

Balance as of end of period
$
(336
)
$
(412
)
[1]
These additions are included in the net OTTI losses recognized in earnings in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

33
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Available-for-Sale Securities
The following table presents the Company’s AFS securities by type.
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Non-Credit
OTTI [1]
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Non-Credit
OTTI [1]
ABS
$
2,683

$
29

$
(47
)
$
2,665

$
—

 
$
2,520

$
24

$
(45
)
$
2,499

$
—

CDOs [2]
3,075

68

(37
)
3,107

—

 
2,989

75

(23
)
3,038

—

CMBS
5,132

155

(63
)
5,224

(8
)
 
4,668

105

(56
)
4,717

(8
)
Corporate
25,723

1,818

(244
)
27,297

(17
)
 
25,876

1,342

(416
)
26,802

(3
)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
1,146

57

(14
)
1,189

—

 
1,321

34

(47
)
1,308

—

Municipal
11,186

1,124

(7
)
12,303

—

 
11,124

1,008

(11
)
12,121

—

RMBS
4,263

103

(28
)
4,338

—

 
3,986

82

(22
)
4,046

—

U.S. Treasuries
4,170

403

(3
)
4,570

—

 
4,481

222

(38
)
4,665

—

Total fixed maturities, AFS
$
57,378

$
3,757

$
(443
)
$
60,693

$
(25
)
 
$
56,965

$
2,892

$
(658
)
$
59,196

$
(11
)
Equity securities, AFS [3]
767

56

(25
)
798

—

 
842

38

(41
)
839

—

Total AFS securities
$
58,145

$
3,813

$
(468
)
$
61,491

$
(25
)
 
$
57,807

$
2,930

$
(699
)
$
60,035

$
(11
)
[1]
Represents the amount of cumulative non-credit OTTI losses recognized in OCI on securities that also had credit impairments. These losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015.
[2]
Gross unrealized gains (losses) exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities. Subsequent changes in value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).
[3]
Excluded equity securities, FVO, with a cost and fair value of $293 and $282 as of December 31, 2015. The Company held no equity securities, FVO as of March 31, 2016.
The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturities, AFS, by contractual maturity year.
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Contractual Maturity
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
One year or less
$
2,509

$
2,527

$
2,373

$
2,405

Over one year through five years
10,591

10,986

10,929

11,200

Over five years through ten years
8,816

9,242

9,322

9,497

Over ten years
20,309

22,604

20,178

21,794

Subtotal
42,225

45,359

42,802

44,896

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
15,153

15,334

14,163

14,300

Total fixed maturities, AFS
$
57,378

$
60,693

$
56,965

$
59,196

Estimated maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to security call or prepayment provisions. Due to the potential for variability in payment speeds (i.e. prepayments or extensions), mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are not categorized by contractual maturity.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company aims to maintain a diversified investment portfolio including issuer, sector and geographic stratification, where applicable, and has established certain exposure limits, diversification standards and review procedures to mitigate credit risk. The Company had no investment exposure to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of the Company's stockholders' equity, other than the U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies as of March 31, 2016, or December 31, 2015.

34
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Unrealized Losses on AFS Securities
The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities by type and length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position.
 
March 31, 2016
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
ABS
$
1,121

$
1,112

$
(9
)
 
$
368

$
330

$
(38
)
 
$
1,489

$
1,442

$
(47
)
CDOs [1]
1,543

1,523

(21
)
 
1,108

1,092

(16
)
 
2,651

2,615

(37
)
CMBS
1,370

1,322

(48
)
 
250

235

(15
)
 
1,620

1,557

(63
)
Corporate
3,810

3,662

(148
)
 
890

794

(96
)
 
4,700

4,456

(244
)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
217

210

(7
)
 
78

71

(7
)
 
295

281

(14
)
Municipal
272

267

(5
)
 
33

31

(2
)
 
305

298

(7
)
RMBS
919

909

(10
)
 
743

725

(18
)
 
1,662

1,634

(28
)
U.S. Treasuries
248

246

(2
)
 
25

24

(1
)
 
273

270

(3
)
Total fixed maturities, AFS
$
9,500

$
9,251

$
(250
)
 
$
3,495

$
3,302

$
(193
)
 
$
12,995

$
12,553

$
(443
)
Equity securities, AFS [2]
276

257

(19
)
 
56

50

(6
)
 
332

307

(25
)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position
$
9,776

$
9,508

$
(269
)
 
$
3,551

$
3,352

$
(199
)
 
$
13,327

$
12,860

$
(468
)
 
December 31, 2015
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
ABS
$
1,619

$
1,609

$
(10
)
 
$
357

$
322

$
(35
)
 
$
1,976

$
1,931

$
(45
)
CDOs [1]
1,164

1,154

(10
)
 
1,243

1,227

(13
)
 
2,407

2,381

(23
)
CMBS
1,726

1,681

(45
)
 
189

178

(11
)
 
1,915

1,859

(56
)
Corporate
9,206

8,866

(340
)
 
656

580

(76
)
 
9,862

9,446

(416
)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
679

646

(33
)
 
124

110

(14
)
 
803

756

(47
)
Municipal
440

430

(10
)
 
18

17

(1
)
 
458

447

(11
)
RMBS
1,349

1,340

(9
)
 
415

402

(13
)
 
1,764

1,742

(22
)
U.S. Treasuries
2,432

2,394

(38
)
 
8

8

—

 
2,440

2,402

(38
)
Total fixed maturities, AFS
$
18,615

$
18,120

$
(495
)
 
$
3,010

$
2,844

$
(163
)
 
$
21,625

$
20,964

$
(658
)
Equity securities, AFS [2]
480

449

(31
)
 
62

52

(10
)
 
542

501

(41
)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position
$
19,095

$
18,569

$
(526
)
 
$
3,072

$
2,896

$
(173
)
 
$
22,167

$
21,465

$
(699
)
[1]
Unrealized losses exclude the change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities, for which changes in fair value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).
[2]
As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, excludes equity securities, FVO which are included in equity securities, AFS on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of March 31, 2016, AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, consisted of 3,531 securities, primarily in the corporate sector, which were depressed primarily due to widening of credit spreads and/or an increase in interest rates since the securities were purchased. As of March 31, 2016, 92% of these securities were depressed less than 20% of cost or amortized cost. The decrease in unrealized losses during the first quarter of 2016 was primarily attributable to a decline in interest rates.

35
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Most of the securities depressed for twelve months or more relate to corporate securities concentrated in the financial services and energy sectors, student loan ABS, and structured securities with exposure to commercial and residential real estate. Corporate financial services securities and student loan ABS were primarily depressed because the securities have floating-rate coupons and have long-dated maturities, and current credit spreads are wider than when these securities were purchased. Corporate securities within the energy sector were primarily depressed due to a decline in oil and gas prices. For certain commercial and residential real estate securities, current market spreads are wider than spreads at the securities' respective purchase dates. The Company neither has an intention to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell the securities outlined in the preceding discussion.
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances
The Company’s security monitoring process reviews mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to identify potential credit losses. Commercial mortgage loans are considered to be impaired when management estimates that, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Criteria used to determine if an impairment exists include, but are not limited to: current and projected macroeconomic factors, such as unemployment rates, and property-specific factors such as rental rates, occupancy levels, LTV ratios and debt service coverage ratios (“DSCR”). In addition, the Company considers historic, current and projected delinquency rates and property values. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability and timing of borrower default and loss severity estimates. In addition, projections of expected future cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the borrower and/or underlying collateral such as changes in the projections of the underlying property value estimates.
For mortgage loans that are deemed impaired, a valuation allowance is established for the difference between the carrying amount and the Company’s share of either (a) the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, (b) the loan’s observable market price or, most frequently, (c) the fair value of the collateral. A valuation allowance has been established for either individual loans or as a projected loss contingency for loans with an LTV ratio of 90% or greater and after consideration of other credit quality factors, including DSCR. Changes in valuation allowances are recorded in net realized capital gains and losses. Interest income on impaired loans is accrued to the extent it is deemed collectible and the loans continue to perform under the original or restructured terms. Interest income ceases to accrue for loans when it is probable that the Company will not receive interest and principal payments according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans may resume accrual status when it is determined that sufficient collateral exists to satisfy the full amount of the loan and interest payments as well as when it is probable cash will be received in the foreseeable future. Interest income on defaulted loans is recognized when received.
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost [1]
Valuation Allowance
Carrying Value
 
Amortized Cost [1]
Valuation Allowance
Carrying Value
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
5,659

$
(22
)
$
5,637

 
$
5,647

$
(23
)
$
5,624

[1]
Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.
As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the carrying value of mortgage loans associated with the valuation allowance was $34 and $82, respectively. There were no mortgage loans held-for-sale as of March 31, 2016, or December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, loans within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio that have had extensions or restructurings other than what is allowable under the original terms of the contract are immaterial.
The following table presents the activity within the Company’s valuation allowance for mortgage loans. These loans have been evaluated both individually and collectively for impairment. Loans evaluated collectively for impairment are immaterial.
 
2016
2015
Balance, as of January 1
$
(23
)
$
(18
)
(Additions)/Reversals
—

(3
)
Deductions
1

—

Balance, as of March 31
$
(22
)
$
(21
)

36
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

The weighted-average LTV ratio of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was 55% as of March 31, 2016, while the weighted-average LTV ratio at origination of these loans was 63%. LTV ratios compare the loan amount to the value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan. The loan values are updated no less than annually through property level reviews of the portfolio. Factors considered in the property valuation include, but are not limited to, actual and expected property cash flows, geographic market data and capitalization rates. DSCR compares a property’s net operating income to the borrower’s principal and interest payments. The weighted average DSCR of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was 2.64x as of March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company held two delinquent commercial mortgage loans past due by 90 days or more. The loans had a total carrying value and valuation allowance of $17 and $20, respectively, and were not accruing income.
The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s commercial mortgage loans by LTV and DSCR.
Commercial Mortgage Loans Credit Quality
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Loan-to-value
Carrying Value
Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
 
Carrying Value
Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
Greater than 80%
$
17

0.77x
 
$
24

0.81x
65% - 80%
753

1.94x
 
623

1.82x
Less than 65%
4,867

2.78x
 
4,977

2.75x
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
5,637

2.64x
 
$
5,624

2.63x
 
The following tables present the carrying value of the Company’s mortgage loans by region and property type.
Mortgage Loans by Region
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
 
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
East North Central
$
315

5.6
%
 
$
289

5.1
%
East South Central
14

0.2
%
 
14

0.2
%
Middle Atlantic
383

6.8
%
 
384

6.8
%
Mountain
35

0.6
%
 
32

0.6
%
New England
445

7.9
%
 
446

7.9
%
Pacific
1,636

29.1
%
 
1,669

29.7
%
South Atlantic
1,175

20.8
%
 
1,174

20.9
%
West North Central
29

0.5
%
 
29

0.5
%
West South Central
339

6.0
%
 
318

5.7
%
Other [1]
1,266

22.5
%
 
1,269

22.6
%
Total mortgage loans
$
5,637

100.0
%
 
$
5,624

100.0
%
[1]
Primarily represents loans collateralized by multiple properties in various regions.
Mortgage Loans by Property Type
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
 
Carrying
Value
Percent of Total
Commercial
 
 
 
 
 
Agricultural
$
19

0.3
%
 
$
26

0.5
%
Industrial
1,444

25.6
%
 
1,422

25.3
%
Lodging
25

0.4
%
 
26

0.5
%
Multifamily
1,397

24.8
%
 
1,345

23.9
%
Office
1,509

26.8
%
 
1,547

27.5
%
Retail
1,093

19.4
%
 
1,109

19.7
%
Other
150

2.7
%
 
149

2.6
%
Total mortgage loans
$
5,637

100.0
%
 
$
5,624

100.0
%

37
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Mortgage Servicing
The Company originates, sells and services commercial mortgage loans on behalf of third parties and recognizes servicing fees over the period that services are performed in fee income. As of March 31, 2016, the Company serviced commercial mortgage loans under this program with a total outstanding principal of $455, of which $158 was serviced on behalf of third parties and $297 was retained and reported on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, including $79 in separate account assets. As of December 31, 2015, the Company serviced commercial mortgage loans under this program with a total outstanding principal of $359, of which $129 was serviced on behalf of third parties and $230 was retained and reported on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, including $54 in separate account assets. Servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and were zero as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, because servicing fees were market-level fees at origination and remain adequate to compensate the Company to administer the servicing.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company is involved with various special purpose entities and other entities that are deemed to be VIEs primarily as a collateral or investment manager and as an investor through normal investment activities as well as a means of accessing capital through a contingent capital facility.
A VIE is an entity that either has investors that lack certain essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest, such as simple majority kick-out rights, or lacks sufficient funds to finance its own activities without financial support provided by other entities. The Company performs ongoing qualitative assessments of its VIEs to determine whether the Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIE and therefore is the primary beneficiary. The Company is deemed to have a controlling financial interest when it has both the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Based on the Company’s assessment, if it determines it is the primary beneficiary, the Company consolidates the VIE in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated VIEs
The following table presents the carrying value of assets and liabilities, and the maximum exposure to loss relating to the VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Creditors have no recourse against the Company in the event of default by these VIEs nor does the Company have any implied or unfunded commitments to these VIEs. The Company’s financial or other support provided to these VIEs is limited to its collateral or investment management services and original investment.
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Total Assets
Total Liabilities [1]
Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]
 
Total Assets
Total Liabilities [1]
Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]
CDO [3]
$
5

$
5

$
—

 
$
5

$
5

$
—

Investment funds [4]
—

—

—

 
159

7

151

Limited partnerships and other alternative investments [5]
458

—

458

 
2

—

2

Total
$
463

$
5

$
458

 
$
166

$
12

$
153

[1]
Included in other liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]
The maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss amount that the Company could recognize as a reduction in net investment income or as a realized capital loss and is the cost basis of the Company’s investment.
[3]
Total assets included in cash on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[4]
Total assets included in fixed maturities, FVO, short-term investments, equity, AFS, and cash on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[5]
Total assets included in limited partnerships and other alternative investments, short-term investments, and other assets on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted new consolidation guidance which resulted in a hedge fund of funds that is part of limited partnerships and other alternative investments and which was previously consolidated as a voting interest entity, to be consolidated instead as a VIE. Accordingly, this investment in this hedge fund of funds has been included in the above table beginning with the March 31, 2016 reporting. This hedge fund of funds limited partnership is considered a VIE under the updated guidance and the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary and will continue to consolidate the VIE. As of March 31, 2016, this limited partnership has outstanding commitments totaling $55, which may be called by the underlying partnerships during the commitment period to fund the purchase of new investments. For further information on the adoption, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

38
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Also as a result of the adoption, the Company determined that two investment funds, that were previously identified as consolidated VIEs and for which the Company has management and control of the investments, are voting interest entities under the new consolidation guidance. The Company still owns a majority interest in the investment funds and the funds are still consolidated on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements; however, as of March 31, 2016, these investment funds are not included as VIEs in the table above. CDO represents a structured investment vehicle for which the Company has a controlling financial interest as it provides collateral management services, earns a fee for those services and also holds investments in the security issued by this vehicle.
Non-Consolidated VIEs
The Company, through normal investment activities, makes passive investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments. Upon the adoption of the new consolidation guidance, discussed above, these investments are now considered VIEs. For these non-consolidated VIEs, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary as it has no ability to direct activities that could significantly affect the economic performance of the investments. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, is limited to the total carrying value of $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, which are included in limited partnerships and other alternative investments in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has outstanding commitments totaling $736 and $692, respectively, which is committed to fund these investments and may be called by the partnership during the commitment period to fund the purchase of new investments and partnership expenses. These investments are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not take an active role in management. For further discussion of these investments, see Equity Method Investments within Note 6 - Investments and Derivatives of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
In addition, the Company also makes passive investments in structured securities issued by VIEs for which the Company is not the manager and are included in ABS, CDOs, CMBS and RMBS in the Available-for-Sale Securities table and fixed maturities, FVO, in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has not provided financial or other support with respect to these investments other than its original investment. For these investments, the Company determined it is not the primary beneficiary due to the relative size of the Company’s investment in comparison to the principal amount of the structured securities issued by the VIEs, the level of credit subordination which reduces the Company’s obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits and the Company’s inability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to the amount of the Company’s investment.
The Company holds a significant variable interest in a VIE for which it is not the primary beneficiary and, therefore, was not consolidated on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. This VIE represents a contingent capital facility ("facility") that has been held by the Company since February 2007 and for which the Company has no implied or unfunded commitments. Assets and liabilities recorded for the contingent capital facility were $5 and $6, respectively, as of March 31, 2016, and $7 and $8, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. Additionally, the Company has a maximum exposure to loss of $3 and $3, respectively, as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, which represents the issuance costs that were incurred to establish the facility. The Company does not have a controlling financial interest as it does not manage the assets of the facility nor does it have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the facility, as the asset manager has significant variable interest in the vehicle. The Company’s financial or other support provided to the facility is limited to providing ongoing support to cover the facility’s operating expenses. For further information on the facility, see Note 11 - Debt of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Securities Lending, Repurchase Agreements, and Similar Transactions and Other Collateral Transactions
The Company participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income. Through these programs, certain fixed maturities within the corporate, foreign government/government agencies, and municipal sectors as well as equity securities are loaned from the Company’s portfolio to qualifying third-party borrowers in return for collateral in the form of cash or securities. Borrowers of these securities provide collateral of 102% and 105% of the fair value of the securities lent at the time of the loan for domestic and non-domestic securities, respectively. The borrower will return the securities to the Company for cash or securities collateral at maturity dates generally of 90 days or less. Security collateral on deposit from counterparties in connection with securities lending transactions may not be sold or re-pledged, except in the event of default, and is not reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the loaned securities is monitored and additional collateral is obtained if the fair value of the collateral falls below 100% of the fair value of the loaned securities. The agreements provide the counterparty the right to sell or re-pledge the securities transferred. If cash, rather than securities, is received as collateral, the cash is typically invested in short-term investments or fixed maturities and is reported as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. Income associated with securities lending transactions is reported as a component of net investment income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2016, the fair value of securities on loan and the associated liability for cash collateral received was $96 and $98, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of securities on loan and the associated liability for cash collateral received was $67 and $68, respectively.

39
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

From time to time, the Company enters into repurchase agreements and similar transactions to manage liquidity or to earn incremental spread income. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which one party (transferor) agrees to sell securities to another party (transferee) in return for cash (or securities), with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the same securities at a specified price at a later date. A dollar roll is a type of repurchase agreement where a mortgage backed security is sold with an agreement to repurchase substantially the same security at a specified time in the future. Repurchase transactions generally have a contractual maturity of ninety days or less.
As part of repurchase agreements, the Company transfers collateral of U.S. government and government agency securities and receives cash. For repurchase agreements, the Company obtains cash in an amount equal to at least 95% of the fair value of the securities transferred. The agreements contain contractual provisions that require additional collateral to be transferred when necessary and provide the counterparty the right to sell or re-pledge the securities transferred. The cash received from the repurchase program is typically invested in short-term investments or fixed maturities. Repurchase agreements include master netting provisions that provide the counterparties the right to offset claims and apply securities held by them with respect to their obligations in the event of a default. Although the Company has the contractual right to offset claims, fixed maturities do not meet the specific conditions for net presentation under U.S. GAAP. The Company accounts for the repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings. The securities transferred under repurchase agreements are included in fixed maturities, AFS with the obligation to repurchase those securities recorded in other liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company reported in fixed maturities, AFS on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets financial collateral pledged relating to repurchase agreements of $458. The Company reported a corresponding obligation to repurchase the pledged securities of $452 in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015, the Company reported financial collateral pledged relating to repurchase agreements $440 in fixed maturities, AFS and $5 in cash. The Company reported a corresponding obligation to repurchase the pledged securities of $445 in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had no outstanding dollar roll transactions as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.
The Company is required by law to deposit securities with government agencies in certain states in which it conducts business. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the fair value of securities on deposit was approximately $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively.
As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company has pledged as collateral $17 and $35, respectively, of U.S. government securities and government agency securities or cash for letters of credit.
For disclosure of collateral in support of derivative transactions, refer to the Derivative Collateral Arrangements section of this note.
Derivative Instruments
The Company utilizes a variety of OTC, OTC-cleared and exchange traded derivative instruments as a part of its overall risk management strategy as well as to enter into replication transactions. Derivative instruments are used to manage risk associated with interest rate, equity market, commodity market, credit spread, issuer default, price, and currency exchange rate risk or volatility. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that are permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. The Company also may enter into and has previously issued financial instruments and products that either are accounted for as free-standing derivatives, such as certain reinsurance contracts, or may contain features that are deemed to be embedded derivative instruments, such as the GMWB rider included with certain variable annuity products.
Strategies That Qualify for Hedge Accounting
Certain derivatives that the Company enters into satisfy the hedge accounting requirements as outlined in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report. Typically, these hedge relationships include interest rate swaps and, to a lesser extent, foreign currency swaps where the terms or expected cash flows of the hedged item closely match the terms of the swap. The interest rate swaps are typically used to manage interest rate duration of certain fixed maturity securities or liability contracts. The hedge strategies by hedge accounting designation include:
Cash Flow Hedges
Interest rate swaps are predominantly used to manage portfolio duration and better match cash receipts from assets with cash disbursements required to fund liabilities. These derivatives primarily convert interest receipts on floating-rate fixed maturity securities to fixed rates. The Company also enters into forward starting swap agreements to hedge the interest rate exposure related to the purchase of fixed-rate securities, primarily to hedge interest rate risk inherent in the assumptions used to price certain liabilities.
Foreign currency swaps are used to convert foreign currency-denominated cash flows related to certain investment receipts and liability payments to U.S. dollars in order to reduce cash flow fluctuations due to changes in currency rates.

40
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Fair Value Hedges
Interest rate swaps are used to hedge the changes in fair value of fixed maturity securities due to fluctuations in interest rates. These swaps are typically used to manage interest rate duration.
Non-Qualifying Strategies
Derivative relationships that do not qualify for hedge accounting (“non-qualifying strategies”) primarily include the hedge program for the Company's variable annuity products as well as the hedging and replication strategies that utilize credit default swaps. In addition, hedges of interest rate, foreign currency and equity risk of certain fixed maturities, equities and liabilities do not qualify for hedge accounting.
The non-qualifying strategies include:
Interest Rate Swaps, Swaptions, and Futures
The Company uses interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures to manage duration between assets and liabilities in certain investment portfolios. In addition, the Company enters into interest rate swaps to terminate existing swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the notional amount of interest rate swaps in offsetting relationships was $12.8 billion and $12.9 billion, respectively.
Foreign Currency Swaps and Forwards
The Company enters into foreign currency swaps and forwards to convert the foreign currency exposures of certain foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity investments to U.S. dollars. During 2015, the Company entered into foreign currency forwards to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash and equity securities, which matured in January 2016. Foreign currency forwards are also used to hedge currency impacts on changes in equity of a P&C runoff entity in the United Kingdom.
Fixed Payout Annuity Hedge
The Company reinsures certain yen denominated fixed payout annuities. The Company invests in U.S. dollar denominated assets to support the reinsurance liability. The Company entered into pay U.S. dollar, receive yen swap contracts to hedge the currency and yen interest rate exposure between the U.S. dollar denominated assets and the yen denominated fixed liability reinsurance payments.
Credit Contracts
Credit default swaps are used to purchase credit protection on an individual entity or referenced index to economically hedge against default risk and credit-related changes in value of fixed maturity securities. Credit default swaps are also used to assume credit risk related to an individual entity or referenced index as a part of replication transactions. These contracts require the Company to pay or receive a periodic fee in exchange for compensation from the counterparty should the referenced security issuers experience a credit event, as defined in the contract. The Company is also exposed to credit risk related to certain structured fixed maturity securities that have embedded credit derivatives, which reference a standard index of corporate securities. In addition, the Company enters into credit default swaps to terminate existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap going forward.
Equity Index Swaps and Options
The Company enters into equity index options to hedge the impact of a decline in the equity markets on the investment portfolio. During 2015, the Company entered into a total return swap to hedge equity risk of specific common stock investments which were accounted for using the fair value option in order to align the accounting treatment within net realized capital gains (losses). The swap matured in January 2016 and the specific common stock investments were sold at that time. In addition, the Company formerly offered certain equity indexed products, a portion of which contain embedded derivatives that require bifurcation. The Company uses equity index swaps to economically hedge the equity volatility risk associated with the equity indexed products.
Commodity Contracts
During 2015, the Company purchased for $11 put option contracts on West Texas Intermediate oil futures with a strike of $35 dollars per barrel in order to partially offset potential losses related to certain fixed maturity securities that could arise if oil prices decline substantially. The Company has since reduced its exposure to the targeted fixed maturity securities and, therefore, these options were terminated at the end of 2015.
GMWB Derivatives, Net
The Company formerly offered certain variable annuity products with GMWB riders. The GMWB product is a bifurcated embedded derivative (“GMWB product derivatives”) that has a notional value equal to the GRB. The Company uses reinsurance contracts to transfer a portion of its risk of loss due to GMWB. The reinsurance contracts covering GMWB (“GMWB reinsurance contracts”) are accounted for as free-standing derivatives with a notional amount equal to the GRB amount.

41
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

The Company utilizes derivatives (“GMWB hedging instruments”) as part of an actively managed program designed to hedge a portion of the capital market risk exposures of the non-reinsured GMWB riders due to changes in interest rates, equity market levels, and equity volatility. These derivatives include customized swaps, interest rate swaps and futures, and equity swaps, options and futures, on certain indices including the S&P 500 index, EAFE index and NASDAQ index. The following table presents notional and fair value for GMWB hedging instruments.
 
Notional Amount
Fair Value
 
March 31,
2016
December 31, 2015
March 31,
2016
December 31, 2015
Customized swaps
$
5,622

$
5,877

$
150

$
131

Equity swaps, options, and futures
1,392

1,362

(6
)
2

Interest rate swaps and futures
3,773

3,740

48

25

Total
$
10,787

$
10,979

$
192

$
158

Macro Hedge Program
The Company utilizes equity swaps, options, and futures to partially hedge against a decline in the equity markets and the resulting statutory surplus and capital impact primarily arising from the guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") and GMWB obligations. The following table presents notional and fair value for the macro hedge program.
 
Notional Amount
Fair Value
 
March 31,
2016
December 31, 2015
March 31,
2016
December 31, 2015
Equity swaps, options, and futures
$
4,605

$
4,548

$
145

$
147

Total
$
4,605

$
4,548

$
145

$
147

Contingent Capital Facility Put Option
The Company entered into a put option agreement that provides the Company the right to require a third-party trust to purchase, at any time, The Hartford’s junior subordinated notes in a maximum aggregate principal amount of $500. Under the put option agreement, The Hartford will pay premiums on a periodic basis and will reimburse the trust for certain fees and ordinary expenses.
Modified Coinsurance Reinsurance Contracts
As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $905 and $895, respectively, of invested assets supporting other policyholder funds and benefits payable reinsured under a modified coinsurance arrangement in connection with the sale of the Individual Life business, which was structured as a reinsurance transaction. The assets are primarily held in a trust established by the Company. The Company pays or receives cash quarterly to settle the results of the reinsured business, including the investment results. As a result of this modified coinsurance arrangement, the Company has an embedded derivative that transfers to the reinsurer certain unrealized changes in fair value due to interest rate and credit risks of these assets. The notional amount of the embedded derivative reinsurance contracts are the invested assets that are carried at fair value supporting the reinsured reserves.
Derivative Balance Sheet Classification
The following table summarizes the balance sheet classification of the Company’s derivative related net fair value amounts as well as the gross asset and liability fair value amounts. For reporting purposes, the Company has elected to offset within total assets or total liabilities based upon the net of the fair value amounts, income accruals, and related cash collateral receivables and payables of OTC derivative instruments executed in a legal entity and with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement, which provides the Company with the legal right of offset. The Company has also elected to offset within total assets or total liabilities based upon the net of the fair value amounts, income accruals and related cash collateral receivables and payables of OTC-cleared derivative instruments based on clearing house agreements. The following fair value amounts do not include income accruals or related cash collateral receivables and payables, which are netted with derivative fair value amounts to determine balance sheet presentation. Derivative fair value reported as liabilities after taking into account the master netting agreements was $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015. Derivatives in the Company’s separate accounts, where the associated gains and losses accrue directly to policyholders, are not included in the table below. The Company’s derivative instruments are held for risk management purposes, unless otherwise noted in the following table. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and is presented in the table to quantify the volume of the Company’s derivative activity. Notional amounts are not necessarily reflective of credit risk. The following tables exclude investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

42
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

 
Net Derivatives
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
 
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
 
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
 
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
3,478

$
3,527

 
$
89

$
17

 
$
94

$
50

 
$
(5
)
$
(33
)
Foreign currency swaps
143

143

 
(18
)
(19
)
 
6

7

 
(24
)
(26
)
Total cash flow hedges
3,621

3,670

 
71

(2
)
 
100

57

 
(29
)
(59
)
Fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
23

23

 
—

—

 
—

—

 
—

—

Total fair value hedges
23

23

 
—

—

 
—

—

 
—

—

Non-qualifying strategies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures
14,545

14,290

 
(892
)
(814
)
 
475

297

 
(1,367
)
(1,111
)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
317

653

 
6

17

 
6

17

 
—

—

Fixed payout annuity hedge
1,063

1,063

 
(321
)
(357
)
 
—

—

 
(321
)
(357
)
Credit contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
494

423

 
(11
)
18

 
2

22

 
(13
)
(4
)
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk [1]
1,397

2,458

 
(9
)
(13
)
 
8

9

 
(17
)
(22
)
Credit derivatives in offsetting positions
4,034

4,059

 
(2
)
(2
)
 
43

40

 
(45
)
(42
)
Equity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity index swaps and options
1,429

419

 
5

15

 
34

41

 
(29
)
(26
)
Variable annuity hedge program
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMWB product derivatives [2]
14,597

15,099

 
(361
)
(262
)
 
—

—

 
(361
)
(262
)
GMWB reinsurance contracts
3,005

3,106

 
99

83

 
99

83

 
—

—

GMWB hedging instruments
10,787

10,979

 
192

158

 
338

264

 
(146
)
(106
)
Macro hedge program
4,605

4,548

 
145

147

 
178

179

 
(33
)
(32
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent capital facility put option
500

500

 
5

7

 
5

7

 
—

—

Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
905

895

 
57

79

 
57

79

 
—

—

Total non-qualifying strategies
57,678

58,492

 
(1,087
)
(924
)
 
1,245

1,038

 
(2,332
)
(1,962
)
Total cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and non-qualifying strategies
$
61,322

$
62,185

 
$
(1,016
)
$
(926
)
 
$
1,345

$
1,095

 
$
(2,361
)
$
(2,021
)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
426

$
425

 
$
1

$
(3
)
 
$
1

$
—

 
$
—

$
(3
)
Other investments
23,359

23,253

 
100

1

 
566

409

 
(466
)
(408
)
Other liabilities
18,980

19,358

 
(887
)
(798
)
 
622

524

 
(1,509
)
(1,322
)
Reinsurance recoverables
3,910

4,000

 
156

162

 
156

162

 
—

—

Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
14,647

15,149

 
(386
)
(288
)
 
—

—

 
(386
)
(288
)
Total derivatives
$
61,322

$
62,185

 
$
(1,016
)
$
(926
)
 
$
1,345

$
1,095

 
$
(2,361
)
$
(2,021
)
[1]
The derivative instruments related to this strategy are held for other investment purposes.
[2]
These derivatives are embedded within liabilities and are not held for risk management purposes.

43
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Change in Notional Amount
The net decrease in notional amount of derivatives since December 31, 2015, was primarily due to the following:
•
The decline in notional amount related to credit derivatives that assume credit risk was primarily due to the termination of replication transactions that had been used to earn credit spread while re-balancing within certain fixed maturity sectors.
•
The decline in notional amount related to currency derivatives was primarily driven by the expiration of yen currency forwards which were used to hedge Japanese yen-denominated cash and equity securities.
•
The decline in the combined notional amount associated with the GMWB hedging program, which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, was primarily driven by policyholder lapses and partial withdrawals.
•
The increase in notional amount related to equity derivatives primarily resulted from purchases of equity index options which are hedging the impact of a decline in the equity market on the investment portfolio.
Change in Fair Value
The net decline in the total fair value of derivative instruments since December 31, 2015, was primarily related to the following:
•
The decrease in fair value related to the combined GMWB hedging program, which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, was primarily driven by a decrease in the value of equity derivatives and liability model fund regression updates.
•
The decline in fair value of credit default swaps that purchase credit protection was primarily due to terminations.
•
The decrease in the fair value associated with modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts, which are accounted for as embedded derivatives and transfer to the reinsurer the investment experience related to the assets supporting the reinsured policies, was primarily driven by a decline in interest rates.
•
The increase in fair value associated with the fixed payout annuity hedges was primarily driven by an appreciation of the Japanese yen in comparison to the U.S. dollar, partially offset by an decline in U.S. interest rates.
•
The increase in fair value associated with qualifying cash flow interest rate swaps and the decrease in fair value related to non-qualifying interest rate swaps were primarily due to market changes in the quarter.
Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities
The following tables present the gross fair value amounts, the amounts offset, and net position of derivative instruments eligible for offset in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts offset include fair value amounts, income accruals and related cash collateral receivables and payables associated with derivative instruments that are traded under a common master netting agreement, as described in the preceding discussion. Also included in the tables are financial collateral receivables and payables, which are contractually permitted to be offset upon an event of default, although are disallowed for offsetting under U.S. GAAP.

44
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

As of March 31, 2016
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
(iv)
 
(v) = (iii) - (iv)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Collateral Disallowed for Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Assets [1]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Received [2]
 
Financial Collateral Received [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other investments
$
1,188

 
$
998

 
$
100

 
$
90

 
$
111

 
$
79

 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Liabilities [3]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Pledged [3]
 
Financial Collateral Pledged [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
(1,975
)
 
$
(961
)
 
$
(887
)
 
$
(127
)
 
$
(950
)
 
$
(64
)
As of December 31, 2015
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
(iv)
 
(v) = (iii) - (iv)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Collateral Disallowed for Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Assets [1]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Received [2]
 
Financial Collateral Received [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other investments
$
933

 
$
756

 
$
1

 
$
176

 
$
100

 
$
77

 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Liabilities [3]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Pledged [3]
 
Financial Collateral Pledged [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
(1,730
)
 
$
(818
)
 
$
(798
)
 
$
(114
)
 
$
(889
)
 
$
(23
)
[1]
Included in other invested assets in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]
Included in other assets in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and amount presented is limited to the net derivative receivable associated with each counterparty.
[3]
Included in other liabilities in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and amount presented is limited to the net derivative payable associated with each counterparty.
[4]
Excludes collateral associated with exchange-traded derivative instruments.
Cash Flow Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current period earnings. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

45
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

The following tables present the components of the gain or loss on derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges:
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
 
Net Realized Capital Gains(Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
 
2016
2015
Interest rate swaps
$
106

$
56

 
$
—

$
—

Foreign currency swaps
1

(7
)
 
—

—

Total
$
107

$
49

 
$
—

$
—

 
 
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Location
2016
2015
Interest rate swaps
Net realized capital gains (losses)
$
5

$
1

Interest rate swaps
Net investment income
15

16

Foreign currency swaps
Net realized capital gains (losses)
4

(10
)
Total
 
$
24

$
7

As of March 31, 2016, the before-tax deferred net gains on derivative instruments recorded in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are $56. This expectation is based on the anticipated interest payments on hedged investments in fixed maturity securities that will occur over the next twelve months, at which time the Company will recognize the deferred net gains (losses) as an adjustment to net investment income over the term of the investment cash flows. The maximum term over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding interest payments on existing variable-rate financial instruments, is approximately two years.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, and March 31, 2015, the Company had no net reclassifications from AOCI to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of cash-flow hedges due to forecasted transactions that were no longer probable of occurring.
Fair Value Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current period earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the derivative in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized in income losses of less than $1, respectively, representing the ineffective portion of fair value hedges for the derivative instrument and the hedged item.
Non-Qualifying Strategies
For non-qualifying strategies, including embedded derivatives that are required to be bifurcated from their host contracts and accounted for as derivatives, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized currently in earnings within net realized capital gains (losses). The following table presents the gain or loss recognized in income on non-qualifying strategies:

46
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

Derivatives Used in Non-Qualifying Strategies
Gain or (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains and Losses
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Interest rate contracts
 
 
Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures
$
(24
)
$
(12
)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
3

7

Fixed payout annuity hedge [1]
36

(14
)
Credit contracts
 
 
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
(5
)
(2
)
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk
(2
)
9

Equity contracts
 
 
Equity index swaps and options
18

(3
)
Commodity contracts
 
 
Commodity options
—

(5
)
Variable annuity hedge program
 
 
GMWB product derivatives
(79
)
(19
)
GMWB reinsurance contracts
12

7

GMWB hedging instruments
50

13

Macro hedge program
(14
)
(4
)
Other
 
 
Contingent capital facility put option
(2
)
(2
)
Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
(22
)
(11
)
Total [2]
$
(29
)
$
(36
)
[1]
Not included in this amount is the associated liability adjustment for changes in foreign exchange spot rates through realized capital gains (losses) of $(44) and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
[2]
Excludes investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net realized capital gain (loss) related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily comprised of the following:
•
The net loss related to interest rate swaps was driven by market changes in the quarter.
•
The net gain on the fixed payout annuity hedge primarily resulted from an appreciation of the Japanese yen in comparison to the U.S. dollar, partially offset by a decline in U.S. interest rates.
•
The net gain associated with equity index swaps and options was primarily driven by a total return swap used to hedge equity securities where the value of the swap increased due to a decline in the Japanese equity markets. An offsetting change in value was recorded on the equity securities since the Company elected the fair value option in order to align the accounting with the derivative, resulting in changes in value on both the equity securities and the derivative recorded in net realized capital gains and losses. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements. The loss on equity index options was due to time decay and an increase in the equity market since the inception of the trade.
•
The net loss related to the combined GMWB hedging program which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, was primarily driven by a decrease in the value of equity derivatives and liability model fund regression updates.
•
The net loss on the macro hedge program was primarily driven by a decrease in the value of equity derivatives and time decay of options, partially offset by a gain due to a decline in interest rates.
•
The loss associated with modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts, which are accounted for as embedded derivatives and transfer to the reinsurer the investment experience related to the assets supporting the reinsured policies, was primarily driven by a decline in interest rates. The assets remain on the Company's books and the Company recorded an offsetting gain in OCI as a result of the increase in market value of the bonds.

47
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net realized capital gain (loss) related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily comprised of the following:
•
The net loss related to interest derivatives was primarily due to a decline in U.S. interest rates.
•
The net loss related to the fixed payout annuity hedge was driven by a decline in U.S. interest rates.
•
The loss on the GMWB product derivatives was largely driven by a decline in interest rates and changes in volatility levels, offset by an increase in equity markets. These losses were offset by gains on the GMWB reinsurance contracts and GMWB hedging instruments.
•
The loss associated with modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts, which are accounted for as embedded derivatives and transfer to the reinsurer the investment experience related to the assets supporting the reinsured policies, was primarily driven by a decline in long-term interest rates during the period. The assets remain on the Company's books and the Company recorded an offsetting gain in OCI as a result of the increase in market value of the bonds.
For additional disclosures regarding contingent credit related features in derivative agreements, see Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Credit Risk Assumed through Credit Derivatives
The Company enters into credit default swaps that assume credit risk of a single entity or referenced index in order to synthetically replicate investment transactions that would be permissible under the Company's investment policies. The Company will receive periodic payments based on an agreed upon rate and notional amount and will only make a payment if there is a credit event. A credit event payment will typically be equal to the notional value of the swap contract less the value of the referenced security issuer’s debt obligation after the occurrence of the credit event. A credit event is generally defined as a default on contractually obligated interest or principal payments or bankruptcy of the referenced entity. The credit default swaps in which the Company assumes credit risk primarily reference investment grade single corporate issuers and baskets, which include standard diversified portfolios of corporate and CMBS issuers. The diversified portfolios of corporate issuers are established within sector concentration limits and may be divided into tranches that possess different credit ratings.
The following tables present the notional amount, fair value, weighted average years to maturity, underlying referenced credit obligation type and average credit ratings, and offsetting notional amounts and fair value for credit derivatives in which the Company is assuming credit risk as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015.
As of March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
Underlying Referenced Credit
Obligation(s) [1]
 
 
Credit Derivative Type by Derivative Risk Exposure
Notional
Amount
[2]
Fair
Value
Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity
Type
Average
Credit
Rating
Offsetting
Notional
Amount [3]
Offsetting
Fair
Value [3]
Single name credit default swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
$
102

$
—

2 years
Corporate Credit/
Foreign Gov.
A-
$
88

$
—

Below investment grade risk exposure
153

(1
)
1 year
Corporate Credit
BB-
153

—

Basket credit default swaps [4]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
2,046

18

3 years
Corporate Credit
BBB+
1,417

(12
)
Investment grade risk exposure
610

(18
)
5 years
CMBS Credit
AA+
206

2

Below investment grade risk exposure
153

(30
)
1 year
CMBS Credit
CCC
153

29

Embedded credit derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
350

351

1 year
Corporate Credit
A+
—

—

Total [5]
$
3,414

$
320

 
 
 
$
2,017

$
19


48
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
5. Investments and Derivative Instruments (continued)

As of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
Underlying Referenced
Credit Obligation(s) [1]
 
 
Credit Derivative Type by Derivative Risk Exposure
Notional
Amount [2]
Fair
Value
Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity
Type
Average
Credit
Rating
Offsetting
Notional
Amount [3]
Offsetting
Fair
Value [3]
Single name credit default swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
$
190

$
(1
)
1 year
Corporate Credit/
Foreign Gov.
BBB+
$
176

$
(1
)
Below investment grade risk exposure
77

(2
)
2 years
Corporate Credit
B
77

1

Basket credit default swaps [4]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
3,036

22

4 years
Corporate Credit
BBB+
1,411

(13
)
Investment grade risk exposure
681

(19
)
6 years
CMBS Credit
AA+
212

1

Below investment grade risk exposure
153

(25
)
1 year
CMBS Credit
CCC
153

25

Embedded credit derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
350

346

1 year
Corporate Credit
A+
—

—

Total [5]
$
4,487

$
321

 
 
 
$
2,029

$
13

[1]
The average credit ratings are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Morningstar. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
[2]
Notional amount is equal to the maximum potential future loss amount. These derivatives are governed by agreements, clearing house rules, and applicable law, which include collateral posting requirements. There is no additional specific collateral related to these contracts or recourse provisions included in the contracts to offset losses.
[3]
The Company has entered into offsetting credit default swaps to terminate certain existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the future changes in value of, or losses paid related to, the original swap.
[4]
Includes $2.8 billion and $3.9 billion as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively, of standard market indices of diversified portfolios of corporate and CMBS issuers referenced through credit default swaps. These swaps are subsequently valued based upon the observable standard market index.
[5]
Excludes investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements.
Derivative Collateral Arrangements
The Company enters into various collateral arrangements in connection with its derivative instruments, which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company pledged cash collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $447 and $488, respectively, for which the collateral receivable has been primarily included within other assets on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also pledged securities collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, which have been included in fixed maturities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The counterparties have the right to sell or re-pledge these securities.
As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company accepted cash collateral associated with derivative instruments of $419 and $369, respectively, which was invested and recorded in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in fixed maturities and short-term investments with corresponding amounts recorded in other liabilities. The Company also accepted securities collateral as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, with a fair value of $116 and $100, respectively, of which the Company has the ability to sell or repledge $116 and $100, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company had no repledged securities and did not sell any securities. In addition, as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, non-cash collateral accepted was held in separate custodial accounts and was not included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

49
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features

Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB/GMWB and universal life secondary guarantee benefits are as follows:
 
 GMDB/GMWB [1]
Universal Life Secondary Guarantees
Liability balance as of January 1, 2016
$
863

$
2,313

Incurred [2]
28

69

Paid
(38
)
—

Liability balance as of March 31, 2016
$
853

$
2,382

Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of January 1, 2016
$
523

$
2,313

Incurred [2]
25

69

Paid
(29
)
—

Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of March 31, 2016
$
519

$
2,382

 
 GMDB/GMWB [1]
Universal Life Secondary Guarantees
Liability balance as of January 1, 2015
$
812

$
2,041

Incurred [2]
17

63

Paid
(29
)
—

Liability balance as of March 31, 2015
$
800

$
2,104

Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of January 1, 2015
$
481

$
2,041

Incurred [2]
18

63

Paid
(22
)
—

Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of March 31, 2015
$
477

$
2,104

[1]
These liability balances include all GMDB benefits, plus the life-contingent portion of GMWB benefits in excess of the return of the GRB. GMWB benefits up to the return of the GRB are embedded derivatives held at fair value and are excluded from these balances.
[2]
Includes the portion of assessments established as additions to reserves as well as changes in estimates affecting the reserves.
The following table provides details concerning GMDB/GMWB exposure as of March 31, 2016:
Account Value by GMDB/GMWB Type
Maximum anniversary value (“MAV”) [1]
Account Value (“AV”) [8]
Net Amount at Risk (“NAR”) [9]
Retained Net Amount at Risk (“RNAR”) [9]
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant
MAV only
$
13,980

$
2,783

$
490

71
With 5% rollup [2]
1,216

232

79

71
With Earnings Protection Benefit Rider (“EPB”) [3]
3,562

471

75

70
With 5% rollup & EPB
472

104

23

72
Total MAV
19,230

3,590

667

 
Asset Protection Benefit (“APB”) [4]
11,162

546

363

69
Lifetime Income Benefit (“LIB”) — Death Benefit [5]
495

9

9

69
Reset [6] (5-7 years)
2,487

42

41

70
Return of Premium (“ROP”) [7]/Other
9,126

75

69

68
Subtotal Variable Annuity with GMDB/GMWB [10]
42,500

4,262

1,149

69
Less: General Account Value with GMDB/GMWB
3,796

 
 
 
Subtotal Separate Account Liabilities with GMDB
38,704

 
 
 
Separate Account Liabilities without GMDB
79,657

 
 
 
Total Separate Account Liabilities
$
118,361

 
 
 

50
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features (continued)

[1]
MAV GMDB is the greatest of current AV, net premiums paid and the highest AV on any anniversary before age 80 years (adjusted for withdrawals).
[2]
Rollup GMDB is the greatest of the MAV, current AV, net premium paid and premiums (adjusted for withdrawals) accumulated at generally 5% simple interest up to the earlier of age 80 years or 100% of adjusted premiums.
[3]
EPB GMDB is the greatest of the MAV, current AV, or contract value plus a percentage of the contract’s growth. The contract’s growth is AV less premiums net of withdrawals, subject to a cap of 200% of premiums net of withdrawals.
[4]
APB GMDB is the greater of current AV or MAV, not to exceed current AV plus 25% times the greater of net premiums and MAV (each adjusted for premiums in the past 12 months).
[5]
LIB GMDB is the greatest of current AV; net premiums paid; or, for certain contracts, a benefit amount generally based on market performance that ratchets over time.
[6]
Reset GMDB is the greatest of current AV, net premiums paid and the most recent five to seven year anniversary AV before age 80 years (adjusted for withdrawals).
[7]
ROP GMDB is the greater of current AV or net premiums paid.
[8]
AV includes the contract holder’s investment in the separate account and the general account.
[9]
NAR is defined as the guaranteed benefit in excess of the current AV. RNAR represents NAR reduced for reinsurance. NAR and RNAR are highly sensitive to equity markets movements and increase when equity markets decline.
[10]
Some variable annuity contracts with GMDB also have a life-contingent GMWB that may provide for benefits in excess of the return of the GRB. Such contracts included in this amount have $6.8 billion of total account value and weighted average attained age of 71 years. There is no NAR or retained NAR related to these contracts.
Account balances of contracts with guarantees were invested in variable separate accounts as follows:
Asset type
As of March 31, 2016
As of December 31, 2015
Equity securities (including mutual funds)
$
35,398

$
36,970

Cash and cash equivalents
3,306

3,453

Total
$
38,704

$
40,423

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximately 17% of the equity securities (including mutual funds), in the preceding table were funds invested in fixed income securities and approximately 83% were funds invested in equity securities.
For further information on guaranteed living benefits that are accounted for at fair value, such as GMWB, see Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

51
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
7. Income Taxes


A reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Tax provision at U.S. federal statutory rate
$
133

$
219

Tax-exempt interest
(32
)
(34
)
Dividends-received deduction ("DRD")
(22
)
(23
)
Decrease in valuation allowance [1]
(25
)
(1
)
Other
4

(3
)
Provision for income taxes
$
58

$
158

[1]
Income tax benefit from partial reduction of capital loss carryover valuation allowance in the three months ended March 31, 2016 is due to taxable gains on the termination of certain derivatives during the period.
The separate account DRD is estimated for the current year using information from the most recent return, adjusted for current year equity market performance and other appropriate factors, including estimated levels of corporate dividend payments and level of policy owner equity account balances. The actual current year DRD can vary from estimates based on, but not limited to, changes in eligible dividends received in the mutual funds, amounts of distribution from these mutual funds, amounts of short-term capital gains at the mutual fund level and the Company’s taxable income before the DRD. The Company evaluates its DRD computations on a quarterly basis.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Balance, beginning of period
$
12

$
48

Gross increases - tax positions in prior period
—

—

Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period
—

—

Balance, end of period
$
12

$
48

The entire amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate in the period of the release.
The federal audit of the years 2012 and 2013 began in March 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2016. Management believes that adequate provision has been made in the financial statements for any potential adjustments that may result from tax examinations and other tax-related matters for all open tax years.
Net deferred income taxes include the future tax benefits associated with the net operating loss carryover, foreign tax credit carryover, capital loss carryover, and alternative minimum tax credit carryover as follows:
 
As of
 
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Expiration
 
Carryover amount
Expected tax benefit, gross
Carryover amount
Expected tax benefit, gross
Dates
Amount
Net operating loss carryover - U.S.
$
5,097

$
1,784

$
5,182

$
1,814

2016
-
2020
$
4

 
 
 
 
 
2023
-
2033
$
5,093

Net operating loss carryover - foreign
$
88

$
17

$
89

$
17

No expiration
$
88

Foreign tax credit carryover
$
146

$
146

$
154

$
154

2019
-
2024
$
146

Capital loss carryover
$
151

$
53

$
222

$
78

2019
$
151

Alternative minimum tax credit carryover
$
639

$
639

$
639

$
639

No expiration
$
639

Net Operating Loss Carryover
Due to limitations on the use of certain losses, a valuation allowance of $1 has been established as of March 31, 2016 and $1 as of December 31, 2015, respectively, in order to recognize only the portion of net operating losses that will more likely than not be realized.

52
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
7. Income Taxes (continued)


Utilization of these loss carryovers is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income. Most of the net operating loss carryover originated from the Company's U.S. and international annuity business, including from the hedging program. Given the continued runoff of the U.S. fixed and variable annuity business, the exposure to taxable losses from the Talcott Resolution business is significantly lessened. Given the expected earnings of its property and casualty, group benefits and mutual fund businesses, the Company expects to generate sufficient taxable income in the future to utilize its net operating loss carryover net of the recorded valuation allowance. Although the Company projects there will be sufficient future taxable income to fully recover the remainder of the loss carryover, the Company's estimate of the likely realization may change over time.
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit and Foreign Tax Credit Carryover
These credits are available to offset regular federal income taxes from future taxable income and although the Company believes there will be sufficient future regular federal taxable income, there can be no certainty that future events will not affect the ability to utilize the credits. Additionally, the use of the foreign tax credits generally depends on the generation of sufficient taxable income to first utilize all U.S. net operating loss carryover. However, the Company has identified and begun to purchase certain investments which allow for utilization of the foreign tax credits without first using the net operating loss carryover. Consequently, the Company believes it is more likely than not the foreign tax credit carryover will be fully realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance has been provided on either the alternative minimum tax carryover or foreign tax credit carryover.
Capital Loss Carryover
Utilization of the capital loss carryover requires the Company to realize sufficient taxable capital gains. The Company concluded that it is more likely than not that the remaining capital loss carryover will not be utilized. Accordingly, the associated deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $53 and $78 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

53
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
8. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation
The Hartford is involved in claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, both as a liability insurer defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds and as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it. The Hartford accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. Subject to the uncertainties in the following discussion under the caption “Asbestos and Environmental Claims,” management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of The Hartford.
The Hartford is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, and in addition to the matters in the following discussion, putative state and federal class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, underpayment of claims or improper underwriting practices in connection with various kinds of insurance policies, such as personal and commercial automobile, property, disability, life and inland marine. The Hartford also is involved in individual actions in which punitive damages are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims or other allegedly unfair or improper business practices. Like many other insurers, The Hartford also has been joined in actions by asbestos plaintiffs asserting, among other things, that insurers had a duty to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos and that insurers committed unfair trade practices by asserting defenses on behalf of their policyholders in the underlying asbestos cases. Management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such lawsuits, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition of The Hartford. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, the outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
In addition to the inherent difficulty of predicting litigation outcomes, the Mutual Funds Litigation identified below purports to seek substantial damages for unsubstantiated conduct spanning a multi-year period based on novel applications of complex legal theories. The alleged damages are not quantified or factually supported in the complaint, and, in any event, the Company’s experience shows that demands for damages often bear little relation to a reasonable estimate of potential loss. The application of the legal standard identified by the court for assessing  the potentially available damages, as described below, is inherently unpredictable, and no legal precedent has been identified that would aid in determining a reasonable estimate of potential loss. Accordingly, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.
Mutual Funds Litigation — In February 2011, a derivative action was brought on behalf of six Hartford retail mutual funds in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging that Hartford Investment Financial Services, LLC (“HIFSCO”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, received excessive advisory and distribution fees in violation of its statutory fiduciary duty under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. HIFSCO moved to dismiss and, in September 2011, the motion was granted in part and denied in part, with leave to amend the complaint. In November 2011, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on behalf of The Hartford Global Health Fund, The Hartford Conservative Allocation Fund, The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund, The Hartford Inflation Plus Fund, The Hartford Advisors Fund, and The Hartford Capital Appreciation Fund. Plaintiffs seek to rescind the investment management agreements and distribution plans between HIFSCO and these funds and to recover the total fees charged thereunder or, in the alternative, to recover any improper compensation HIFSCO received, in addition to lost earnings. HIFSCO filed a partial motion to dismiss the amended complaint and, in December 2012, the court dismissed without prejudice the claims regarding distribution fees and denied the motion with respect to the advisory fees claims. In March 2014, the plaintiffs filed a new complaint that, among other things, added as new plaintiffs The Hartford Floating Rate Fund and The Hartford Small Company Fund and named as a defendant Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company which assumed the role as advisor to the funds as of January 2013. In June 2015, HFMC and HIFSCO moved for summary judgment, and plaintiffs cross-moved for partial summary judgment with respect to The Hartford Capital Appreciation Fund. In March 2016, the court, in large part, denied summary judgment for all parties. The court granted judgment for HFMC and HIFSCO with respect to all claims made by The Hartford Small Company Fund and certain claims made by The Hartford Floating Rate Fund. The court further ruled that the appropriate measure of damages on the surviving claims is the difference, if any, between the actual advisory fees paid through trial and those that could have been paid under the applicable legal standard.
Asbestos and Environmental Claims – As discussed in Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Property and Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance - Property & Casualty Other Operations Claims, The Hartford continues to receive asbestos and environmental claims that involve significant uncertainty regarding policy coverage issues. Regarding these claims, The Hartford continually reviews its overall reserve levels and reinsurance coverages, as well as the methodologies it uses to estimate its exposures. Because of the significant uncertainties that limit the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate reserves necessary for unpaid losses and related expenses, particularly those related to asbestos, the ultimate liabilities may exceed the currently recorded reserves. Any such additional liability cannot be reasonably estimated now but could be material to The Hartford’s consolidated operating results and liquidity.

54
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Derivative Commitments
Certain of the Company’s derivative agreements contain provisions that are tied to the financial strength ratings, as set by nationally recognized statistical agencies, of the individual legal entity that entered into the derivative agreement. If the legal entity’s financial strength were to fall below certain ratings, the counterparties to the derivative agreements could demand immediate and ongoing full collateralization and in certain instances demand immediate settlement of all outstanding derivative positions traded under each impacted bilateral agreement. The settlement amount is determined by netting the derivative positions transacted under each agreement. If the termination rights were to be exercised by the counterparties, it could impact the legal entity’s ability to conduct hedging activities by increasing the associated costs and decreasing the willingness of counterparties to transact with the legal entity. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position as of March 31, 2016 is $1.4 billion. Of this $1.4 billion the legal entities have posted collateral of $1.6 billion in the normal course of business. In addition, the Company has posted collateral of $33 associated with a customized GMWB derivative. Based on derivative market values as of March 31, 2016 a downgrade of one or two levels below the current financial strength ratings by either Moody’s or S&P would not require additional assets to be posted as collateral. These collateral amounts could change as derivative market values change, as a result of changes in our hedging activities or to the extent changes in contractual terms are negotiated. The nature of the collateral that we would post, if required, would be primarily in the form of U.S. Treasury bills, U.S. Treasury notes and government agency securities.
9. Equity
Capital Purchase Program ("CPP") Warrants
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, the Company has 4.3 million and 4.4 million CPP warrants outstanding and exercisable. CPP warrant exercises were approximately 0.2 million and 0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The declaration of common stock dividends by the Company in excess of a threshold triggers a provision in the Company's warrant agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon resulting in adjustments to the CPP warrant exercise price. Accordingly, the declaration of a common stock dividend during the three months ended March 31, 2016 resulted in an adjustment to the CPP warrant exercise price. The CPP warrant exercise price was $9.230 as of March 31, 2016 and $9.264 as of December 31, 2015.
Equity Repurchase Program
The Company's total authorization for equity repurchases is $4.375 billion for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016 with $980 remaining as of March 31, 2016.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 8.4 million common shares for $350. During the period April 1, 2016 to April 27, 2015, the Company repurchased 2.3 million common shares for $105.

55
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
10. Changes In and Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Changes in AOCI, net of tax, by component consist of the following:
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
Changes in
 
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities
OTTI Losses in OCI
Net Gain on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Adjustments
AOCI, net of tax
Beginning balance
$
1,279

$
(7
)
$
130

$
(55
)
$
(1,676
)
$
(329
)
OCI before reclassifications
549

(9
)
70

6

1

617

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(27
)
1

(16
)
—

8

(34
)
     OCI, net of tax
522

(8
)
54

6

9

583

Ending balance
$
1,801

$
(15
)
$
184

$
(49
)
$
(1,667
)
$
254

Reclassifications from AOCI consist of the following:
 
Amount Reclassified from AOCI
 
AOCI
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Affected Line Item in the Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
41

Net realized capital gains (losses)
 
41

Total before tax
 
14

Income tax expense
 
$
27

Net income
OTTI Losses in OCI
 
 
Other than temporary impairments
$
(1
)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
 
(1
)
Total before tax
 
—

Income tax expense
 
$
(1
)
Net income
Net Gains on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
5

Net realized capital gains (losses)
Interest rate swaps
15

Net investment income
Foreign currency swaps
4

Net realized capital gains (losses)
 
24

Total before tax
 
8

Income tax expense
 
$
16

Net income
Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Adjustments
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
$
2

Insurance operating costs and other expenses
Amortization of actuarial loss
(15
)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
(13
)
Total before tax
 
(5
)
Income tax expense
 
$
(8
)
Net income
Total amounts reclassified from AOCI
$
34

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


56
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
10. Changes In and Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (continued)

Changes in AOCI, net of tax, by component consist of the following:
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
Changes in
 
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities
OTTI Losses in OCI
Net Gain on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Adjustments
AOCI, net of tax
Beginning balance
$
2,370

$
(5
)
$
150

$
(8
)
$
(1,579
)
$
928

OCI before reclassifications
232

(4
)
32

(20
)
19

259

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(24
)
1

(5
)
—

(9
)
(37
)
     OCI, net of tax
208

(3
)
27

(20
)
10

222

Ending balance
$
2,578

$
(8
)
$
177

$
(28
)
$
(1,569
)
$
1,150

Reclassifications from AOCI consist of the following:
 
Amount Reclassified from AOCI
 
AOCI
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Affected Line Item in the Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
37

Net realized capital gains (losses)
 
37

Total before tax
 
13

Income tax expense
 
$
24

Net income
OTTI Losses in OCI
 
 
Other than temporary impairments
$
(1
)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
 
(1
)
Total before tax
 
—

Income tax expense
 
$
(1
)
Net income
Net Gains on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
1

Net realized capital gains (losses)
Interest rate swaps
16

Net investment income
Foreign currency swaps
(10
)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
 
7

Total before tax
 
2

Income tax expense
 
$
5

Net income
Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Adjustments
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
$
(2
)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
Amortization of actuarial loss
16

Insurance operating costs and other expenses
 
14

Total before tax
 
5

Income tax expense
 
$
9

Net income
Total amounts reclassified from AOCI
$
37

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

57
Table of Contents
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
11. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company’s employee benefit plans are described in Note 16 - Employee Benefit Plans of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Components of Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)
Net periodic cost (benefit) included the following components:
 
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
2016
2015
Interest cost
$
59

$
59

$
3

$
3

Expected return on plan assets
(77
)
(78
)
(2
)
(3
)
Amortization of prior service credit
—

—

(2
)
(2
)
Amortization of actuarial loss
14

15

1

1

Net periodic benefit
$
(4
)
$
(4
)
$
—

$
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 

58


Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in millions except share data unless otherwise stated)
The Hartford provides projections and other forward-looking information in the following discussions, which contain many forward-looking statements, particularly relating to the Company’s future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are estimates based on information currently available to the Company, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to the cautionary statements set forth on pages 3 and 4 of this Form 10-Q. Actual results are likely to differ, and in the past have differed, materially from those forecast by the Company, depending on the outcome of various factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in each following discussion and in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report. The Hartford undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
The Hartford defines increases or decreases greater than or equal to 200% as “NM” or not meaningful.
INDEX
Description
Page
Commercial Lines
Personal Lines


59


THE HARTFORD’S OPERATIONS
Overview
The Hartford conducts business principally in six reporting segments including Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Property & Casualty Other Operations, Group Benefits, Mutual Funds and Talcott Resolution, as well as a Corporate category. The Hartford includes in its Corporate category the Company’s capital raising activities (including debt financing and related interest expense, purchase accounting adjustments related to goodwill and other expenses not allocated to the reporting segments).
The Company derives its revenues principally from: (a) premiums earned for insurance coverage provided to insureds; (b) fee income, including asset management fees, on separate account and mutual fund assets and mortality and expense fees, as well as cost of insurance charges; (c) net investment income; (d) fees earned for services provided to third parties; and (e) net realized capital gains and losses. Premiums charged for insurance coverage are earned principally on a pro rata basis over the terms of the related policies in-force. Asset management fees and mortality and expense fees are primarily generated from separate account assets. Cost of insurance charges are assessed on the net amount at risk for investment-oriented life insurance products.
The profitability of the Company's property and casualty insurance businesses over time is greatly influenced by the Company’s underwriting discipline, which seeks to manage exposure to loss through favorable risk selection and diversification, its management of claims, its use of reinsurance, the size of its in force block, actual mortality and morbidity experience, and its ability to manage its expense ratio which it accomplishes through economies of scale and its management of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses. Pricing adequacy depends on a number of factors, including the ability to obtain regulatory approval for rate changes, proper evaluation of underwriting risks, the ability to project future loss cost frequency and severity based on historical loss experience adjusted for known trends, the Company’s response to rate actions taken by competitors, its expense levels and expectations about regulatory and legal developments. The Company seeks to price its insurance policies such that insurance premiums and future net investment income earned on premiums received will cover underwriting expenses and the ultimate cost of paying claims reported on the policies and provide for a profit margin. For many of its insurance products, the Company is required to obtain approval for its premium rates from state insurance departments.
The financial results in the Company’s mutual fund and variable annuity businesses depend largely on the amount of the contractholder or shareholder account value or assets under management on which it earns fees and the level of fees charged. Changes in account value or assets under management are driven by two main factors: net flows, and the market return of the funds, which is heavily influenced by the return realized in the equity markets. Net flows are comprised of deposits less withdrawals and surrenders, redemptions, death benefits, policy charges and annuitizations of investment type contracts, such as variable annuity contracts. In the mutual fund business, net flows are known as net sales. Net sales are comprised of new sales less redemptions by mutual fund customers. The Company uses the average daily value of the S&P 500 Index as an indicator for evaluating market returns of the underlying account portfolios. Financial results of variable products are highly correlated to the growth in account values or assets under management since these products generally earn fee income on a daily basis. Equity market movements could also result in benefits for or charges against deferred acquisition costs.
The profitability of fixed annuities and other “spread-based” products depends largely on the Company’s ability to earn target spreads between earned investment rates on its general account assets and interest credited to policyholders.
The investment return, or yield, on invested assets is an important element of the Company’s earnings since insurance products are priced with the assumption that premiums received can be invested for a period of time before benefits, loss and loss adjustment expenses are paid. Due to the need to maintain sufficient liquidity to satisfy claim obligations, the majority of the Company’s invested assets have been held in available-for-sale securities, including, among other asset classes, equities, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, government debt, short-term debt, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations.
The primary investment objective for the Company is to maximize economic value, consistent with acceptable risk parameters, including the management of credit risk and interest rate sensitivity of invested assets, while generating sufficient after-tax income to meet policyholder and corporate obligations. Investment strategies are developed based on a variety of factors including business needs, regulatory requirements and tax considerations.
For further information on the Company's reporting segments refer to Part I, Item 1, Business - Reporting Segments in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.

60


Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
•
Net income was $323, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared with net income of $467, or $1.08 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.
•
Common share repurchases totaled $350, or approximately 8.4 million shares, in the three months ended March 31, 2016.
•
Book value per diluted common share (excluding AOCI) increased to $44.27 as of March 31, 2106 from $43.76 as of December 31, 2015 due to the effect of net income less dividends and the effect of share repurchases in the three months ended March 31, 2016.
•
Net investment income decreased 14% to $696 compared to the prior year period primarily due to a decrease in income from limited partnerships and other alternative investments.
•
Net realized capital losses increased by $160 compared with the prior year period largely due to a change from net gains to net losses on sales of securities as well as losses on the variable annuity hedge program and other derivatives due to changes in equity markets and interest rates in the three months ended March 31, 2016.
•
Annualized investment yield of 4.0%, before tax, decreased from 4.5%, before tax, in the comparable prior year period, primarily due to lower income from limited partnerships. Average reinvestment rate of 3.8% increased from 3.1%, in the comparable prior year period, primarily due to wider credit spreads and changes in the mix of purchased securities.
•
Net unrealized gains, after-tax, in the investment portfolio increased by $522 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 due to wider credit spreads, partially offset by lower interest rates.
•
Property & Casualty written premiums increased 1% over the comparable prior year period.
•
Property & Casualty combined ratio, before catastrophes and prior year development, decreased 1.8 points to 89.9 from 91.7 in the comparable prior year period.
•
Commercial Lines current accident year underwriting results before catastrophes increased due to lower non-catastrophe property and improved workers' compensation results.
•
Personal Lines current accident year underwriting results before catastrophes increased though improvement in non-catastrophe homeowners was largely offset by increased auto liability frequency and severity.
•
Catastrophe losses of $91, before tax, increased from catastrophe losses of $83, before tax, in the comparable prior year period.
•
Unfavorable prior accident year reserve development, primarily due to increased reserves in personal lines auto liability, totaled $33, before tax, compared with favorable prior accident year development of $2 before tax, in the comparable prior year period.
•
Group Benefits core earnings margin decreased to 5.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2016, from 5.9% in the comparable prior year period.
•
Talcott Resolution after-tax income from continuing operations was $17 in the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $111 in the comparable prior year period primarily due to higher net realized capital losses.

61


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Operating Summary
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Change
Earned premiums
$
3,404

$
3,322

2
%
Fee income
426

459

(7
%)
Net investment income
696

809

(14
%)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
(155
)
5

NM

Other revenues
20

22

(9
%)
Total revenues
4,391

4,617

(5
%)
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
2,641

2,563

3
%
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
374

387

(3
%)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
909

948

(4
%)
Interest expense
86

94

(9
%)
Total benefits, losses and expenses
4,010

3,992

—
%
Income before income taxes
381

625

(39
%)
Income tax expense
58

158

(63
%)
Net income
$
323

$
467

(31
%)
Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Net income, compared to the prior year period, decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily due to the net effect of the following items:
•
Net realized capital losses increased by $160 to $155, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to net realized capital gains of $5, before tax, for the prior year period largely due to a change from net gains to net losses on sales of securities as well as losses in the on the variable annuity hedge program and other derivatives primarily due to changes in equity markets and interest rates in the three months ended March 31, 2016. For further discussion of investment results, see MD&A - Investment Results, Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
•
Net investment income of $696, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $809, before tax, for the prior year period. The decrease in net investment income was primarily due to a decrease in income from limited partnerships and alternative investments. For further discussion of investment results, see MD&A - Investment Results, Net Investment Income (Loss).
•
A $51, before tax, increase in current accident year underwriting results before catastrophes in Property & Casualty, primarily resulting from a 1.5 point decrease in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development. Earned premiums increased 2% or $63, before tax, reflecting earned premium growth of 3% in Commercial Lines and 2% in Personal Lines. For a discussion of the Company's operating results by segment, see the segment sections of MD&A.
•
Unfavorable prior accident year reserve development in Property and Casualty of $33, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to favorable reserve development of $2, before tax, for the prior year period. Prior accident year reserve development in 2016 was primarily due to unfavorable development in personal lines auto liability and small commercial package business, partially offset by favorable development in workers' compensation. For additional information, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Reserve Roll Forwards and Development.
•
Current accident year catastrophe losses of $91, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $83, before tax, for the prior year period. Catastrophe losses in 2016 were primarily due to multiple wind and hail events across various U.S. geographic regions, concentrated in the central and southern plains and, to a lesser extent, winter storms. Catastrophe losses in 2015 were primarily due to winter storm events across various U.S. geographic regions. For additional information, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance.
•
Fee income of $426, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $459, before tax, for the prior year period. The decrease in fee income was primarily due to the continued runoff of the Talcott Resolution variable annuity block.

62


•
Differences between the Company's effective income tax rate and the U.S. statutory rate of 35% are due primarily to tax-exempt interest earned on invested assets and the dividends received deduction. Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased by $100 from $158 in the prior year period, primarily due to the $244 decrease in income before income taxes and the effect of permanent items, including a federal income tax benefit of $25 related to the partial reduction of the deferred tax valuation allowance on capital loss carryovers due to taxable gains on the termination of certain derivatives during the period. For further discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 - Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Investment Results
Composition of Invested Assets
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amount
Percent
 
Amount
Percent
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale ("AFS"), at fair value
$
60,693

82.1
%
 
$
59,196

81.4
%
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option ("FVO")
486

0.7
%
 
503

0.7
%
Equity securities, AFS, at fair value [1]
798

1.1
%
 
1,121

1.5
%
Mortgage loans
5,637

7.6
%
 
5,624

7.7
%
Policy loans, at outstanding balance
1,444

1.9
%
 
1,447

2.0
%
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
2,654

3.6
%
 
2,874

4.0
%
Other investments [2]
280

0.4
%
 
120

0.2
%
Short-term investments
1,918

2.6
%
 
1,843

2.5
%
Total investments
$
73,910

100.0
%
 
$
72,728

100.0
%
[1]
Included equity securities at fair value using the FVO of $282 as of December 31, 2015. The Company did not hold any equity securities, FVO as of March 31, 2016.
[2]
Primarily relates to derivative instruments.
The increase in total investments since December 31, 2015, was primarily due to an increase in fixed maturities, AFS, partially offset by a decline in equity securities, AFS as well as a decline in limited partnerships and other alternative investments. The increase in fixed maturities, AFS was primarily due to an increase in valuations as a result of a decline in interest rates. The decline in equity securities, AFS was primarily due to sales. The decline in limited partnerships and other alternative investments was primarily due to redemptions in hedge fund investments which were reinvested in other asset classes.

63


Net Investment Income (Loss)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
(Before tax)
Amount
Yield [1]
Amount
Yield [1]
Fixed maturities [2]
$
595

4.2
%
$
600

4.2
%
Equity securities, AFS
11

4.7
%
6

2.0
%
Mortgage loans
60

4.3
%
69

4.9
%
Policy loans
22

6.0
%
20

5.6
%
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
8

1.2
%
99

13.7
%
Other [3]
27

 
42

 
Investment expense
(27
)
 
(27
)
 
Total net investment income
696

4.0
%
809

4.5
%
Total net investment income excluding limited partnerships and other alternative investments
$
688

4.1
%
$
710

4.1
%
[1]
Yields calculated using annualized net investment income divided by the monthly average invested assets at cost, amortized cost, or adjusted carrying value, as applicable, excluding repurchase agreement and securities lending collateral, if any, and derivatives book value.
[2]
Includes net investment income on short-term investments.
[3]
Primarily includes income from derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting and that hedge fixed maturities.
Three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Total net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, decreased as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in income from limited partnerships and other alternative investments. The decline in partnership income is primarily due to higher income received in the prior period from the sales of underlying real estate funds. In addition, current quarter income included losses on hedge funds resulting from a decline in global equity markets as well as credit and foreign currency losses. Excluding limited partnerships and other alternative investments, net investment income declined due to lower income received from make-whole payments on fixed maturities and prepayment premiums on mortgage loans as well as the effect of reinvesting at lower interest rates and a decrease in invested asset levels as a result of the run-off of Talcott Resolution, partially offset by higher yields associated with slightly longer portfolio duration.
The annualized net investment income yield, excluding limited partnerships and other alternative investments, was 4.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, consistent with the same period in 2015. Excluding income received from make-whole payments on fixed maturities and prepayment premiums on mortgage loans, the annualized investment income yield, excluding limited partnerships and other alternative investments, was 4.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, up from 4.0% for the same period in 2015, due to reinvesting available liquidity into slightly longer duration assets, partially offset by the impact of reinvesting at lower rates.
The average reinvestment rate, excluding certain U.S. Treasury securities and cash equivalent securities, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, was approximately 3.8%, which is below the average yield of sales and maturities of 4.3% for the same period due to lower interest rates. The average reinvestment rate of 3.8% for the first quarter of 2016 was higher than the rate for the prior year period of 3.1%, largely due to wider credit spreads on average as well as changes in the mix of securities purchased.
Going forward, if interest rates continue to stay at current levels, we expect the annualized net investment income yield, excluding limited partnerships and other alternative investments, to decline from the current net investment income yield due to lower reinvestment rates. The estimated impact on net investment income is subject to change as the composition of the portfolio changes through portfolio management and trading activities and changes in market conditions.

64


Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Before tax)
2016
2015
Gross gains on sales
$
90

$
197

Gross losses on sales
(108
)
(148
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in earnings
(23
)
(12
)
Valuation allowances on mortgage loans
—

(3
)
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives
—

1

Results of variable annuity hedge program
 
 
GMWB derivatives, net
(17
)
1

Macro hedge program
(14
)
(4
)
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
(31
)
(3
)
Other, net [1]
(83
)
(27
)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
$
(155
)
$
5

[1]
Primarily consists of changes in value of non-qualifying derivatives, including credit derivatives, interest rate derivatives used to manage duration, and the fixed payout annuity hedge.
Details on the Company’s net realized capital gains and losses are as follows:
Gross Gains and Losses on Sales
•
Gross gains on sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016, were primarily due to gains on the sale of U.S. Treasury securities, corporate securities and bonds of municipalities and political subdivisions ("municipal bonds"). Gross losses on sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016, were primarily the result of losses on the sale of corporate securities. The sales were primarily a result of duration, liquidity and credit management as well as tactical changes to the portfolio as a result of changing market conditions, including sales to reduce exposure to energy, emerging markets and other below investment grade corporate securities.
•
Gross gains on sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were primarily due to gains on the sale of industrial corporate and U.S. Treasury securities. Gross losses on sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were primarily the result of losses on the sale of corporate and foreign government and government agency securities, which included sales resulting from a reduction in our exposure to certain emerging market and energy sector securities as well as other portfolio management activities. The sales were primarily a result of duration, liquidity and credit management as well as tactical changes to the portfolio as a result of changing market conditions.
Net OTTI Losses
•
See Other-Than-Temporary Impairments within the Investment Portfolio Risks and Risk Management section of the MD&A.
Variable Annuity Hedge Program
•
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net losses related to the combined GMWB hedging program which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, were primarily due to losses of $9 driven by a decline in the value of equity derivatives and losses of $7 driven by liability model fund regression updates.
•
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the loss on the macro hedge program was primarily due to losses of $16 driven by a decline in the value of equity derivatives and losses of $10 driven by time decay on options, partially offset by gains of $14 driven by a decline in interest rates.
Other, Net
•
Other, net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016, was primarily due to losses of $23 on equity derivatives entered into during the first quarter which were hedging the impact of a decline in the equity market on the investment portfolio, losses of $19 on interest rate derivatives driven by market changes in the quarter, and losses of $22 associated with modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts driven by a decline in interest rates. Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts are accounted for as embedded derivatives and transfer to the reinsurer the investment experience related to the assets supporting the reinsured policies.
•
Other, net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was primarily due to losses of $14 related to the fixed payout annuity hedge primarily driven by a decline in U.S. interest rates, losses of $10 on interest rate derivatives due to a decline in interest rates, and losses of $11 associated with modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts primarily driven by a decline in long term interest rates. Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts are accounted for as embedded derivatives and transfer to the reinsurer the investment experience related to the assets supporting the reinsured policies.

65


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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 at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ, and in the past have differed, from those estimates.
The Company has identified the following estimates as critical in that they involve a higher degree of judgment and are subject to a significant degree of variability:
•
property and casualty insurance product reserves, net of reinsurance;
•
estimated gross profits used in the valuation and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with variable annuity and other universal life-type contracts;
•
evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities and valuation allowances on mortgage loans;
•
living benefits required to be fair valued (in other policyholder funds and benefits payable);
•
evaluation of goodwill for impairment;
•
valuation of investments and derivative instruments;
•
valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; and
•
contingencies relating to corporate litigation and regulatory matters.
Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In developing these estimates, management makes subjective and complex judgments that are inherently uncertain and subject to material change as facts and circumstances develop. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided are appropriate based upon the facts available upon compilation of the financial statements.
The Company’s critical accounting estimates are discussed in Part II, Item 7 MD&A in the Company’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report. The following discussion updates certain of the Company’s critical accounting estimates as of March 31, 2016.

66


Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance
Reserve Roll Forwards and Development
Based on the results of the quarterly reserve review process, the Company determines the appropriate reserve adjustments, if any, to record. Recorded reserve estimates are adjusted after consideration of numerous factors, including but not limited to, the magnitude of the difference between the actuarial indication and the recorded reserves, improvement or deterioration of actuarial indications in the period, the maturity of the accident year, trends observed over the recent past and the level of volatility within a particular line of business. In general, adjustments are made more quickly to more mature accident years and less volatile lines of business. Such adjustments of reserves are referred to as “prior accident year development”. Increases in previous estimates of ultimate loss costs are referred to as either an increase in prior accident year reserves or as unfavorable reserve development. Decreases in previous estimates of ultimate loss costs are referred to as either a decrease in prior accident year reserves or as favorable reserve development. Reserve development can influence the comparability of year over year underwriting results and is set forth in the paragraphs and tables that follow.
A roll-forward of property and casualty insurance product liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Commercial
Lines
Personal
Lines
Property & Casualty Other Operations
Total Property & Casualty Insurance
Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, gross
$
16,559

$
1,845

$
3,421

$
21,825

Reinsurance and other recoverables
2,293

19

570

2,882

Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
14,266

1,826

2,851

18,943

Provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
 
 
 
Current accident year before catastrophes
913

632

—

1,545

Current accident year catastrophes [3]
44

47

—

91

Prior accident year development
(20
)
52

1

33

Total provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
937

731

1

1,669

Less: payments
854

707

63

1,624

Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
14,349

1,850

2,789

18,988

Reinsurance and other recoverables
2,251

19

565

2,835

Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, gross
$
16,600

$
1,869

$
3,354

$
21,823

Earned premiums
$
1,623

$
975

 
 
Loss and loss expense paid ratio [1]
52.6

72.5

 
 
Loss and loss expense incurred ratio
57.7

75.0

 
 
Prior accident year development (pts) [2]
(1.2
)
5.3

 
 
[1]
The “loss and loss expense paid ratio” represents the ratio of paid losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums.
[2]
“Prior accident year development (pts)” represents the ratio of prior accident year development to earned premiums.
[3]
Contributing to the current accident year catastrophes losses were the following events:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Category
Commercial Lines
Personal Lines
Total Property & Casualty Insurance
Wind and hail [1]
$
19

$
41

$
60

Winter storms [1]
25

6

31

Total
$
44

$
47

$
91

[1]
These amounts represent an aggregation of multiple catastrophes.

67


Prior accident year development recorded in 2016
Included within prior accident year development were the following increases (decreases) to reserves:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Commercial Lines
Personal
Lines
Property & Casualty Other Operations
Total Property & Casualty Insurance
Auto liability
$
9

$
65

$
—

$
74

Homeowners
—

(6
)
—

(6
)
Professional liability
(33
)
—

—

(33
)
Package business
45

—

—

45

General liability
32

—

—

32

Bond
(6
)
—

—

(6
)
Commercial property
(2
)
—

—

(2
)
Workers’ compensation
(79
)
—

—

(79
)
Workers’ compensation discount accretion
7

—

—

7

Catastrophes
(2
)
(5
)
—

(7
)
Other reserve re-estimates, net
9

(2
)
1

8

Total prior accident year development
$
(20
)
$
52

$
1

$
33

 
 
 
 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s re-estimates of prior accident year reserves included the following significant reserve changes:
•
Increased reserves in personal lines auto liability for accident years 2014 and 2015 primarily due to higher emerged bodily injury severity and, for the third and fourth accident quarters of 2015, an increase in bodily injury frequency. Increases in auto liability loss costs were across both the AARP direct and the independent agency lines of business.
•
Decreased reserves in professional liability for claims made years 2008 through 2013, primarily for large accounts, including on non-securities class action cases. Claim costs have emerged favorably as these years have matured and management has placed more weight on the emerged experience.
•
Increased reserves in small commercial package business due to higher than expected severity on liability claims, principally for accident years 2013 through 2015. Severity for these accident years has developed unfavorably and management has placed more weight on emerged experience.
•
Increased reserves in general liability for accident years 2012 through 2015 primarily due to higher severity losses incurred on a class of business that insures service and maintenance contractors.
•
Decreased reserves in workers' compensation for accident years 2013 through 2015 due to favorable frequency and, to a lesser extent, lower medical severity trends. Loss costs for these accident years continued to emerge favorably as evidenced by the reserve review completed in the first quarter and management has been placing additional weight on this favorable experience as it becomes more credible.

68


A roll-forward of property and casualty insurance product liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Commercial
Lines [3]
Personal
Lines
Property & Casualty Other Operations
Total Property & Casualty Insurance
Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, gross
$
16,465

$
1,874

$
3,467

$
21,806

Reinsurance and other recoverables
2,459

18

564

3,041

Beginning liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
14,006

1,856

2,903

18,765

Provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
 
 
 
Current accident year before catastrophes
928

618

—

1,546

Current accident year catastrophes [3]
58

25

—

83

Prior accident year development
(2
)
(4
)
4

(2
)
Total provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
984

639

4

1,627

Less: payments
897

647

93

1,637

Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
14,093

1,848

2,814

18,755

Reinsurance and other recoverables
2,418

19

558

2,995

Ending liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, gross
$
16,511

$
1,867

$
3,372

$
21,750

Earned premiums
$
1,583

$
952

 
 
Loss and loss expense paid ratio [1]
56.7

68.0

 
 
Loss and loss expense incurred ratio
62.2

67.1

 
 
Prior accident year development (pts) [2]
(0.1
)
(0.4
)
 
 
[1]
The “loss and loss expense paid ratio” represents the ratio of paid losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums.
[2]
“Prior accident year development (pts)” represents the ratio of prior accident year development to earned premiums.
[3]
Contributing to the current accident year catastrophes losses were the following events:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Category
Commercial Lines
Personal Lines
Total Property & Casualty Insurance
Winter storms [1]
49

17

$
66

Tornadoes
7

5

12

Wind and hail [1]
$
2

$
3

$
5

Total
$
58

$
25

$
83

[1]
These amounts represent an aggregation of multiple catastrophes.

69


Prior accident year development recorded in 2015
Included within prior accident year development were the following increases (decreases) to reserves:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Commercial Lines
Personal
Lines
Property & Casualty Other Operations
Total Property & Casualty Insurance
Auto liability
$
25

$
—

$
—

$
25

Homeowners
—

1

—

1

Professional liability
(17
)
—

—

(17
)
Package business
1

—

—

1

General liability
(13
)
—

—

(13
)
Commercial property
(7
)
—

—

(7
)
Net environmental reserves
—

—

3

3

Workers’ compensation discount accretion
8

—

—

8

Catastrophes
(6
)
(12
)
—

(18
)
Other reserve re-estimates, net
7

7

1

15

Total prior accident year development
$
(2
)
$
(4
)
$
4

$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s re-estimates of prior accident year reserves included the following significant reserve changes:
•
Increased reserves in commercial auto liability primarily for accident years 2010 through 2013 due to increased frequency of large claims.
•
Decreased reserves in professional liability for accident years 2009 through 2011 primarily for large accounts. Claim costs for these accident years have emerged favorably as these years have matured and management has placed more weight on the emerged experience.
•
Decreased reserves in general liability primarily for accident years 2012 and 2013 due to lower frequency in late emerging claims.
•
Decreased catastrophe reserves primarily for accident year 2014 as fourth quarter 2014 catastrophes have developed favorably.

70


Property & Casualty Other Operations Claims
Reserve Activity
Reserves and reserve activity in Property & Casualty Other Operations are categorized and reported as asbestos, environmental, or “all other”. The “all other” category of reserves covers a wide range of insurance and assumed reinsurance coverages, including, but not limited to, potential liability for construction defects, lead paint, silica, pharmaceutical products, molestation and other long-tail liabilities.
The following tables present reserve activity, inclusive of estimates for both reported and incurred but not reported claims, net of reinsurance, for Property & Casualty Other Operations, categorized by asbestos, environmental and all other claims.
Property & Casualty Other Operations Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Asbestos
 
Environmental
All Other [1]
Total
Beginning liability—net [2][3]
$
1,712

  
$
247

$
892

$
2,851

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
—

 
—

1

$
1

Less: Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
34

 
9

20

$
63

Ending liability – net [2][3]
$
1,678

[4] 
$
238

$
873

$
2,789

[1]
In addition to various insurance and assumed reinsurance exposures, “All Other” includes unallocated loss adjustment expense reserves. “All Other” also includes the Company's allowance for uncollectible reinsurance. When the Company commutes a ceded reinsurance contract or settles a ceded reinsurance dispute, the portion of the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance attributable to that commutation or settlement, if any, is reclassified to the appropriate cause of loss.
[2]
Excludes amounts reported in Commercial Lines and Personal Lines reporting segments (collectively “Ongoing Operations”) for asbestos and environmental net liabilities of $14 and $9, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and $16 and $8, respectively, as of March 31, 2016. Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $6 related to asbestos and environmental claims. Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses paid for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $4 related to asbestos and environmental claims.
[3]
Gross of reinsurance, asbestos and environmental reserves, including liabilities in Ongoing Operations, were $2,222 and $287, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and $2,187 and $276 as of March 31, 2016.
[4]
The one year and average three year net paid amounts for asbestos claims, including claims in Ongoing Operations, are $178 and $199, respectively, resulting in a one year net survival ratio of 9.5 and a three year net survival ratio of 8.5. Net survival ratio is the quotient of the net carried reserves divided by the average annual payment amount and is an indication of the number of years that the net carried reserve would last (i.e. survive) if the future annual claim payments were consistent with the calculated historical average.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Asbestos
 
Environmental
All Other
Total
Beginning liability—net [1][2]
$
1,710

 
$
241

$
952

$
2,903

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
—

 
3

1

4

Less : losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
43

 
16

34

93

Ending liability – net [1][2]
$
1,667

[3] 
$
228

$
919

$
2,814

[1]
Excludes amounts reported in Commercial Lines and Personal Lines reporting segments (collectively “Ongoing Operations”) for asbestos and environmental net liabilities of $16 and $6, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and $16 and $6, respectively, as of March 31, 2015. Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2015 includes $2 related to asbestos and environmental claims. Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses paid for the three months ended March 31, 2015 includes $3 related to asbestos and environmental claims.
[2]
Gross of reinsurance, asbestos and environmental reserves, including liabilities in Ongoing Operations, were $2,193 and $267, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and $2,147 and $255 as of March 31, 2015.
[3]
The one year and average three year net paid amounts for asbestos claims, including Ongoing Operations, are $203 and $198, respectively, resulting in a one year net survival ratio of 8.3 and a three year net survival ratio of 8.5. Net survival ratio is the quotient of the net carried reserves divided by the average annual payment amount and is an indication of the number of years that the net carried reserve would last (i.e. survive) if the future annual claim payments were consistent with the calculated historical average.

71


For paid and incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses reporting, the Company classifies its asbestos and environmental reserves into three categories: Direct, Assumed Reinsurance and London Market. Direct insurance includes primary and excess coverage. Assumed Reinsurance includes both “treaty” reinsurance (covering broad categories of claims or blocks of business) and “facultative” reinsurance (covering specific risks or individual policies of primary or excess insurance companies). London Market business includes the business written by one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, which are no longer active in the insurance or reinsurance business. Such business includes both direct insurance and assumed reinsurance. Of the three categories of claims (Direct, Assumed Reinsurance and London Market), direct policies tend to have the greatest factual development from which to estimate the Company’s exposures.
Assumed insurance exposures are less predictable than direct insurance exposures because the Company does not generally receive notice of a reinsurance claim until the underlying direct insurance claim is mature. This causes a delay in the receipt of information at the reinsurer level and adds to the uncertainty of estimating related reserves.
London Market exposures are the most uncertain of the three categories of claims. As a participant in the London Market (comprised of both Lloyd's of London and London Market companies), certain subsidiaries of the Company wrote business on a subscription basis, with those subsidiaries' involvement being limited to a relatively small percentage of a total contract placement. Claims are reported, via a broker, to the “lead” underwriter and, once agreed to, are presented to the following markets for concurrence. This reporting and claim agreement process makes estimating liabilities for this business the most uncertain of the three categories of claims.
The following table sets forth paid and incurred loss activity by the three categories of claims for asbestos and environmental.
Paid and Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”) Development – Asbestos and Environmental
 
Asbestos [1]
Environmental [1]
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Paid
Losses &  LAE
Incurred
Losses &  LAE
Paid
Losses &  LAE
Incurred
Losses &  LAE
Gross
 
 
 
 
Direct
$
24

$
—

$
7

$
—

Assumed Reinsurance
11

—

1

—

London Market
1

—

2

—

Total
36

—

10

—

Ceded
(2
)
—

(1
)
—

Net
$
34

$
—

$
9

$
—

[1]
Excludes asbestos and environmental paid and incurred loss and LAE reported in Ongoing Operations. Total gross losses and LAE incurred in Ongoing Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $6 related to asbestos and environmental claims. Total gross losses and LAE paid in Ongoing Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $4 related to asbestos and environmental claims.

72


Uncertainties Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves
A number of factors affect the variability of estimates for asbestos and environmental reserves including assumptions with respect to the frequency of claims, the average severity of those claims settled with payment, the dismissal rate of claims with no payment, resolution of coverage disputes with our policyholders and the expense to indemnity ratio. The uncertainty with respect to the underlying reserve assumptions for asbestos and environmental adds a greater degree of variability to these reserve estimates than reserve estimates for more traditional exposures. While this variability is reflected in part in the size of the range of reserves developed by the Company, that range may still not be indicative of the potential variance between the ultimate outcome and the recorded reserves. The recorded net reserves as of March 31, 2016 of approximately $1.9 billion ($1.7 billion and $0.2 billion for asbestos and environmental, respectively) are within an estimated range, unadjusted for covariance, of $1.5 billion to $2.3 billion. The process of estimating asbestos and environmental reserves remains subject to a wide variety of uncertainties, which are detailed in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report. The Company believes that its current asbestos and environmental reserves are appropriate. However, analyses of future developments could cause the Company to change its estimates and ranges of its asbestos and environmental reserves, and the effect of these changes could be material to the Company's consolidated operating results and liquidity. Consistent with the Company's long-standing reserve practices, the Company will continue to review and monitor its reserves in Property & Casualty Other Operations regularly, including its annual reviews of asbestos liabilities, reinsurance recoverables and the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance, and environmental liabilities, and where future developments indicate, make appropriate adjustments to the reserves. In 2016, the Company will complete the annual ground-up asbestos and environmental reserve studies during the second quarter. For a discussion of the Company's reserving practices, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
In May 2016, the Company expects to pay its funding obligation arising from its participation in a 2002 settlement of asbestos liabilities of PPG Industries ("PPG"), following the consummation of the Pittsburgh Corning plan of reorganization stemming from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Company agreed to contribute to an asbestos trust established in the Pittsburgh Corning bankruptcy by virtue of several years of unaggregated coverage issued in the 1970s to PPG, which owned 50% of Pittsburgh Corning. The PPG settlement agreement allows the Company to pay approximately $367 in installments over time or to pre-pay its funding obligation at a discount. The Company expects to pre-pay its funding obligation in the amount of approximately $316 as permitted under the settlement, which approximates the amount that has been reserved for this exposure.




73


Estimated Gross Profits Used in the Valuation and Amortization of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Variable Annuity and Other Universal Life-Type Contracts
Estimated gross profits ("EGPs") are used in the amortization of the deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") asset and sales inducement assets (“SIA”). Portions of EGPs are also used in the valuation of reserves for death and other insurance benefit features on variable annuity and other universal life type contracts.
The most significant EGP based balances are as follows:
 
Talcott Resolution
 
As of March 31, 2016
As of December 31, 2015
DAC
$
1,051

$
1,180

SIA
$
54

$
56

Death and Other Insurance Benefit Reserves, net of reinsurance [1]
$
334

$
340

[1]
For additional information on death and other insurance benefit reserves, see Note 6 - Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Unlocks
The benefit to income net of tax as a result of the Unlocks is as follow:
 
Talcott Resolution
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
DAC
$
1

$
10

SIA
1

1

Death and Other Insurance Benefit Reserves
11

18

Total (before tax)
$
13

$
29

Income tax effect
4

10

Total (after-tax)
$
9

$
19

The Unlock benefit of $9 after-tax for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily driven by the effect that actual versus expected returns during the quarter had on aggregated estimated returns as well as to lower than expected lapses. The Unlock benefit, after-tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to separate account returns being above our aggregated estimated returns during the period.
An Unlock revises EGPs, on a quarterly basis, to reflect the Company’s current best estimate assumptions and market updates of policyholder account value. Modifications to the Company’s hedging programs may impact EGPs, and correspondingly impact DAC recoverability. After each quarterly Unlock, the Company also tests the aggregate recoverability of DAC by comparing the DAC balance to the present value of future EGPs. The margin between the DAC balance and the present value of future EGPs for variable annuities was 40% as of March 31, 2016. If the margin between the DAC asset and the present value of future EGPs is exhausted, then further reductions in EGPs would cause portions of DAC to be unrecoverable and the DAC asset would be written down to equal future EGPs.

74


Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences and tax carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized if there is no change in tax law. Under U.S. GAAP, we test the value of deferred tax assets for impairment on a quarterly basis at the entity level within each tax jurisdiction, consistent with our filed tax returns. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets requires management to make certain judgments and assumptions. In evaluating the ability to recover deferred tax assets, we have considered all available evidence as of March 31, 2016, including past operating results, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In the event we determine it is not more likely than not that we will not be able to realize all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an increase to the valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if it is later determined that it is more likely than not that those deferred tax assets would be realized, the previously provided valuation allowance would be reversed. Our judgments and assumptions are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future performance and specific industry and investment market conditions.
As of March 31, 2016, the deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $54 relating primarily to U.S. capital loss carryovers. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considered future taxable temporary difference reversals, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryovers, taxable income in open carry back years and other tax planning strategies. From time to time, tax planning strategies could include holding a portion of debt securities with market value losses until recovery, altering the level of tax exempt securities held, making investments which have specific tax characteristics, and business considerations such as asset-liability matching. Management views such tax planning strategies as prudent and feasible, and would implement them, if necessary, to realize the deferred tax assets.

75


KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND RATIOS
The Company considers the measures and ratios in the following discussion to be key performance indicators for its businesses. Management believes that these ratios and measures are useful in understanding the underlying trends in The Hartford’s businesses. However, these key performance indicators should only be used in conjunction with, and not in lieu of, the results presented in the segment discussions that follow in this MD&A. These ratios and measures may not be comparable to other performance measures used by the Company’s competitors.
Definitions of Non-GAAP and other Measures and Ratios
Account Value
Account value includes policyholders’ balances for investment contracts and reserves for future policy benefits for insurance contracts. Account value is a measure used by the Company because a significant portion of the Company’s fee income is based upon the level of account value. These revenues increase or decrease with a rise or fall in assets under management whether caused by changes in the market or through net flows.
Assets Under Management
Assets under management (“AUM”) include account values and mutual fund assets. AUM is a measure used by the Company because a significant portion of the Company’s revenues are based upon asset values. These revenues increase or decrease with a rise or fall in AUM whether caused by changes in the market or through net flows.
Catastrophe Ratio
The catastrophe ratio (a component of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio) represents the ratio of catastrophe losses incurred in the current calendar year (net of reinsurance) to earned premiums and includes catastrophe losses incurred for both the current and prior accident years. A catastrophe is an event that causes $25 or more in industry insured property losses and affects a significant number of property and casualty policyholders and insurers. The catastrophe ratio includes the effect of catastrophe losses, but does not include the effect of reinstatement premiums.
Combined Ratio
The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, the expense ratio and the policyholder dividend ratio. This ratio is a relative measurement that describes the related cost of losses and expenses for every $100 of earned premiums. A combined ratio below 100 demonstrates underwriting profit; a combined ratio above 100 demonstrates underwriting losses.
Combined Ratio before Catastrophes and Prior Accident Year Development
The combined ratio before catastrophes and prior accident year development, a non-GAAP financial measure, represents the combined ratio for the current accident year, excluding the impact of catastrophes. Combined ratio is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. A reconciliation of combined ratio to combined ratio before prior accident year development is set forth in MD&A - Commercial Lines and Personal Lines.
Core Earnings
Core earnings, a non-GAAP measure, is an important measure of the Company’s operating performance. The Company believes that core earnings provides investors with a valuable measure of the performance of the Company’s ongoing businesses because it reveals trends in our insurance and financial services businesses that may be obscured by including the net effect of certain realized capital gains and losses, certain restructuring and other costs, pension settlements, loss on extinguishment of debt, reinsurance gains and losses from disposal of businesses, income tax benefit from reduction in deferred income tax valuation allowance, discontinued operations, and the impact of Unlocks to DAC, SIA, and death and other insurance benefit reserve balances. Some realized capital gains and losses are primarily driven by investment decisions and external economic developments, the nature and timing of which are unrelated to the insurance and underwriting aspects of our business. Accordingly, core earnings excludes the effect of all realized gains and losses (net of tax and the effects of DAC) that tend to be highly variable from period to period based on capital market conditions. The Company believes, however, that some realized capital gains and losses are integrally related to our insurance operations, so core earnings includes net realized gains and losses such as net periodic settlements on credit derivatives. These net realized gains and losses are directly related to an offsetting item included in the income statement such as net investment income. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. Core earnings should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss) and does not reflect the overall profitability of the Company’s business. Therefore, the Company believes that it is useful for investors to evaluate both net income (loss) and core earnings when reviewing the Company’s performance.

76


A reconciliation of net income to core earnings is set forth in the following table:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Net income
$
323

$
467

Less: Unlock benefit, after-tax
9

19

Less: Net realized capital gains (losses), after-tax and DAC, excluded from core earnings
(96
)
2

Less: Restructuring and other costs, after-tax
—

(6
)
Less: Income tax benefit from reduction in valuation allowance
25

—

Core earnings
$
385

$
452

Core Earnings Margin
Core earnings margin is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company uses to evaluate, and believes is an important measure of, the Group Benefits segment’s operating performance. Core earnings margin is calculated by dividing core earnings by revenues excluding buyouts and realized gains (losses). Net income margin is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. The Company believes that core earnings margin provides investors with a valuable measure of the performance of Group Benefits because it reveals trends in the business that may be obscured by the effect of buyouts and realized gains (losses). Core earnings margin should not be considered as a substitute for net income margin and does not reflect the overall profitability of Group Benefits. Therefore, the Company believes it is important for investors to evaluate both core earnings margin and net income margin when reviewing performance. A reconciliation of net income margin to core earnings margin is set forth in the Margin section within MD&A - Group Benefits.
Current Accident Year Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Ratio before Catastrophes
The current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes is a measure of the cost of non-catastrophe claims incurred in the current accident year divided by earned premiums. Management believes that the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes is a performance measure that is useful to investors as it removes the impact of volatile and unpredictable catastrophe losses and prior accident year development.
Expense Ratio
The expense ratio for the underwriting segments of Commercial Lines and Personal Lines is the ratio of underwriting expenses to earned premiums. Underwriting expenses include the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and insurance operating costs and expenses, including certain centralized services and bad debt expense. Deferred policy acquisition costs include commissions, taxes, licenses and fees and other underwriting expenses and are amortized over the policy term.
The expense ratio for Group Benefits is expressed as the ratio of insurance operating costs and other expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, to premiums and other considerations, excluding buyout premiums.
Fee Income
Fee income is largely driven from amounts collected as a result of contractually defined percentages of assets under management. These fees are generally collected on a daily basis. Therefore, the growth in assets under management either through positive net flows or net sales, or favorable market performance will have a favorable impact on fee income. Conversely, either negative net flows or net sales, or unfavorable market performance will reduce fee income.
Full Surrender Rates
Full surrender rates are an internal measure of contract surrenders calculated using annualized full surrenders divided by a two-point average of annuity account values. The full surrender rate represents full contract liquidation and excludes partial withdrawals.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Ratio
The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is a measure of the cost of claims incurred in the calendar year divided by earned premium and includes losses incurred for both the current and prior accident years, as well as the costs of mortality and morbidity and other contractholder benefits to policyholders. Among other factors, the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio needed for the Company to achieve its targeted return on equity fluctuates from year to year based on changes in the expected investment yield over the claim settlement period, the timing of expected claim settlements and the targeted returns set by management based on the competitive environment.

77


The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is affected by claim frequency and claim severity, particularly for shorter-tail property lines of business, where the emergence of claim frequency and severity is credible and likely indicative of ultimate losses. Claim frequency represents the percentage change in the average number of reported claims per unit of exposure in the current accident year compared to that of the previous accident year. Claim severity represents the percentage change in the estimated average cost per claim in the current accident year compared to that of the previous accident year. As one of the factors used to determine pricing, the Company’s practice is to first make an overall assumption about claim frequency and severity for a given line of business and then, as part of the ratemaking process, adjust the assumption as appropriate for the particular state, product or coverage.
Loss Ratio, excluding Buyouts
The loss ratio is utilized for the Group Benefits segment and is expressed as a ratio of benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses to premiums and other considerations, excluding buyout premiums. Since Group Benefits occasionally buys a block of claims for a stated premium amount, the Company excludes this buyout from the loss ratio used for evaluating the underwriting results of the business as buyouts may distort the loss ratio. Buyout premiums represent takeover of open claim liabilities and other non-recurring premium amounts.
Mutual Fund Assets
Mutual fund assets are owned by the shareholders of those funds and not by the Company and therefore are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Mutual fund assets are a measure used by the Company because a significant portion of the Company’s revenues are based upon asset values. These revenues increase or decrease with a rise or fall in AUM whether caused by changes in the market or through net flows.
New Business Written Premium
New business written premium represents the amount of premiums charged for policies issued to customers who were not insured with the Company in the previous policy term. New business written premium plus renewal policy written premium equals total written premium.
Policies in Force
Policies in force represent the number of policies with coverage in effect as of the end of the period. The number of policies in force is a growth measure used for Personal Lines and standard commercial lines within Commercial Lines and is affected by both new business growth and policy count retention.
Policy Count Retention
Policy count retention represents the ratio of the number of policies renewed during the period divided by the number of policies available to renew. The number of policies available to renew represents the number of policies, net of any cancellations, written in the previous policy term. Policy count retention is affected by a number of factors, including the percentage of renewal policy quotes accepted and decisions by the Company to non-renew policies because of specific policy underwriting concerns or because of a decision to reduce premium writings in certain classes of business or states. Policy count retention is also affected by advertising and rate actions taken by competitors.
Policyholder Dividend Ratio
The policyholder dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholder dividends to earned premium.
Prior Accident Year Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Ratio
The prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio represents the increase (decrease) in the estimated cost of settling catastrophe and non-catastrophe claims incurred in prior accident years as recorded in the current calendar year divided by earned premiums.
Reinstatement Premiums
Reinstatement premium represents additional ceded premium paid for the reinstatement of the amount of reinsurance coverage that was reduced as a result of a reinsurance loss payment.
Renewal Earned Price Increase (Decrease)
Written premiums are earned over the policy term, which is six months for certain Personal Lines auto business and twelve months for substantially all of the remainder of the Company’s Property and Casualty business. Since the Company earns premiums over the six to twelve month term of the policies, renewal earned price increases (decreases) lag renewal written price increases (decreases) by six to twelve months.

78


Renewal Written Price Increase (Decrease)
Renewal written price increase (decrease) represents the combined effect of rate changes, amount of insurance and individual risk pricing decisions per unit of exposure since the prior year. The rate component represents the change in rate filings during the period and the amount of insurance represents the change in the value of the rating base, such as model year/vehicle symbol for auto, building replacement costs for property and wage inflation for workers’ compensation. A number of factors affect renewal written price increases (decreases) including expected loss costs as projected by the Company’s pricing actuaries, rate filings approved by state regulators, risk selection decisions made by the Company’s underwriters and marketplace competition. Renewal written price changes reflect the property and casualty insurance market cycle. Prices tend to increase for a particular line of business when insurance carriers have incurred significant losses in that line of business in the recent past or the industry as a whole commits less of its capital to writing exposures in that line of business. Prices tend to decrease when recent loss experience has been favorable or when competition among insurance carriers increases. Renewal written price statistics are subject to change from period to period, based on a number of factors, including changes in actuarial estimates and the effect of subsequent cancellations and non-renewals on rate achieved, and modifications made to better reflect ultimate pricing achieved.
Return on Assets (“ROA”), Core Earnings
ROA, core earnings, is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company uses to evaluate, and believes is an important measure of, certain of the segment’s operating performance. ROA is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. The Company believes that ROA, core earnings, provides investors with a valuable measure of the performance of certain of the Company’s on-going businesses because it reveals trends in our businesses that may be obscured by the effect of realized gains (losses). ROA, core earnings, should not be considered as a substitute for ROA and does not reflect the overall profitability of our businesses. Therefore, the Company believes it is important for investors to evaluate both ROA, core earnings, and ROA when reviewing the Company’s performance. ROA, core earnings is calculated by dividing core earnings by a two-point average AUM.
Underwriting Gain (Loss)
The Company's management evaluates profitability of the P&C businesses primarily on the basis of underwriting gain (loss). Underwriting gain (loss) is a before-tax measure that represents earned premiums less incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses. Underwriting gain (loss) is influenced significantly by earned premium growth and the adequacy of the Company's pricing. Underwriting profitability over time is also greatly influenced by the Company's pricing and underwriting discipline, which seeks to manage exposure to loss through favorable risk selection and diversification, its management of claims, its use of reinsurance and its ability to manage its expense ratio, which it accomplishes through economies of scale and its management of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Company believes that underwriting gain (loss) provides investors with a valuable measure of before-tax profitability derived from underwriting activities, which are managed separately from the Company's investing activities. A reconciliation of underwriting gain (loss) to net income (loss) for Commercial Lines, Personal Lines and Property & Casualty Other Operations is set forth in segment sections of MD&A.
Written and Earned Premiums
Written premium is a statutory accounting financial measure which represents the amount of premiums charged for policies issued, net of reinsurance, during a fiscal period. Earned premium is a U.S. GAAP and statutory measure. Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro rata basis over the policy period. Management believes that written premium is a performance measure that is useful to investors as it reflects current trends in the Company’s sale of property and casualty insurance products. Written and earned premium are recorded net of ceded reinsurance premium.
Traditional life insurance type products, such as those sold by Group Benefits, collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for financial protection for the policyholder from a specified insurable loss, such as death or disability. These premiums together with net investment income earned from the overall investment strategy are used to pay the contractual obligations under these insurance contracts. Two major factors, new sales and persistency, impact premium growth. Sales can increase or decrease in a given year based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, customer demand for the Company’s product offerings, pricing competition, distribution channels and the Company’s reputation and ratings. Persistency refers to the percentage of policies remaining in-force from year-to-year.

79



COMMERCIAL LINES
Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Underwriting Summary
2016
2015
Change
Written premiums
$
1,726

$
1,722

—
%
Change in unearned premium reserve
103

139

(26
%)
Earned premiums
1,623

1,583

3
%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
 
 
Current accident year before catastrophes
913

928

(2
%)
Current accident year catastrophes
44

58

(24
%)
Prior accident year development
(20
)
(2
)
NM

Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
937

984

(5
%)
Amortization of DAC
242

234

3
%
Underwriting expenses
295

295

—
%
Dividends to policyholders
4

5

(20
%)
Underwriting gain
145

65

123
%
Net servicing income [1]
4

4

—
%
Net investment income
209

257

(19
%)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
(33
)
8

NM

Other income (expense)
1

1

—
%
Income before income taxes
326

335

(3
%)
Income tax expense
98

95

3
%
Net income
$
228

$
240

(5
%)
[1]
Includes servicing revenues of $20 and $22 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Premium Measures [1]
2016
2015
New business premium
$
275

$
290

Standard commercial lines policy count retention
84
%
84
%
Standard commercial lines renewal written pricing increases
2
%
3
%
Standard commercial lines renewal earned pricing increases
2
%
5
%
Standard commercial lines policies in-force as of end of period (in thousands)
1,314

1,283

[1]
Standard commercial lines consists of small commercial and middle market. Standard commercial premium measures exclude middle market specialty programs and livestock lines of business.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Underwriting Ratios
2016
2015
Change
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
 
 
 
Current accident year before catastrophes
56.3

58.6

2.3

Current accident year catastrophes
2.7

3.7

1.0

Prior accident year development
(1.2
)
(0.1
)
1.1

Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
57.7

62.2

4.5

Expense ratio
33.1

33.4

0.3

Policyholder dividend ratio
0.2

0.3

0.1

Combined ratio
91.1

95.9

4.8

Current accident year catastrophes and prior year development
1.5

3.6

2.1

Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior year development
89.6

92.4

2.8


80


Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Overview
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, decreased primarily due to lower net investment income and a change to net realized capital losses in the current year period from net realized capital gains in the prior year period, partially offset by a higher underwriting gain. The increase in underwriting gain was primarily due to lower losses and loss adjustment expenses, as well as earned premium growth.
Revenues - Earned and Written Premiums
Earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, increased reflecting written premium growth over the preceding twelve months.
Written premiums, as compared to the prior year period, increased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as growth in small commercial was largely offset by a decrease in middle market. The written premium increase in small commercial was primarily due to higher renewal premium, including the effect of low single-digit renewal written pricing increases, as well as modest new business premium growth. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 renewal written pricing increases averaged 2% in standard commercial, which includes 3% for small commercial and 2% for middle market. The decrease in middle market written premium was primarily due to lower new business premium in workers’ compensation and property.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, decreased reflecting favorable prior accident year reserve development, lower current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes and lower current accident year catastrophes.
•
The decrease in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratios before catastrophes for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily due to lower loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in workers' compensation due to declining frequency, partially offset by modestly higher severity, as well as due to lower non-catastrophe property losses. Accordingly, the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes decreased by 2.3 points to 56.3 in 2016 from 58.6 in 2015.
•
Current accident year catastrophe losses totaled $44, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $58 before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Catastrophe losses for 2016 were primarily due to winter storms across various U.S. geographic regions and, to a lesser extent, multiple wind and hail events concentrated in the central and southern plains. Catastrophe losses for 2015 were primarily due to winter storms across various U.S. geographic regions. For additional information, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance.
•
Favorable prior accident year reserve development of $20, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to favorable reserve development of $2, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Net reserve decreases for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were primarily related to decreases in professional liability and workers' compensation reserves, partially offset by increases in reserves related to the small commercial package business, and in general liability for a class of business that insures service and maintenance contractors. Net reserve releases for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were primarily due to a release of professional and general liability reserves, partially offset by reserve strengthening in commercial auto liability. For additional information, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Reserve Roll-forwards and Development.
Underwriting Ratios
The combined ratio, before catastrophes and prior year development, decreased 2.8 points to 89.6 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from 92.4 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes.
Investment Results
Investment income decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period. For discussion of consolidated investment results, see MD&A - Investment Results, Net Investment Income (Loss) and Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
Income Taxes
The effective tax rates in 2016 and 2015 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to permanent differences related to investments in tax exempt securities. For discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 - Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

81


PERSONAL LINES
Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Underwriting Summary
2016
2015
Change
Written premiums
$
953

$
939

1
%
Change in unearned premium reserve
(22
)
(13
)
(69
%)
Earned premiums
975

952

2
%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
 

Current accident year before catastrophes
632

618

2
%
Current accident year catastrophes
47

25

88
%
Prior accident year development
52

(4
)
NM

Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
731

639

14
%
Amortization of DAC
89

90

(1
%)
Underwriting expenses
154

148

4
%
Underwriting gain
1

75

(99
%)
Net servicing income
—

1

(100
%)
Net investment income
31

35

(11
%)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
(5
)
1

NM

Other expenses
—

(1
)
100
%
Income before income taxes
27

111

(76
)%
Income tax expense
7

35

(80
%)
Net income
$
20

$
76

(74
)%
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Written Premiums
2016
2015
Change
Product Line
 
 
 
Automobile
$
690

$
671

3
%
Homeowners
263

268

(2
%)
Total
$
953

$
939

1
%
Earned Premiums
 
 

Product Line
 
 

Automobile
$
678

$
655

4
%
Homeowners
297

297

—
%
Total
$
975

$
952

2
%

82


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Premium Measures
2016
2015
Policies in-force end of period (in thousands)
 
 
Automobile
2,073

2,053

Homeowners
1,262

1,305

New business written premium
 
 
Automobile
$
110

$
101

Homeowners
$
23

$
27

Policy count retention
 
 
Automobile
84
%
84
%
Homeowners
84
%
85
%
Renewal written pricing increase
 
 
Automobile
7
%
6
%
Homeowners
9
%
8
%
Renewal earned pricing increase
 
 
Automobile
6
%
6
%
Homeowners
8
%
8
%
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Underwriting Ratios
2016
2015
Change
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
 
 
 
Current accident year before catastrophes
64.8

64.9

0.1

Current accident year catastrophes
4.8

2.6

(2.2
)
Prior year development
5.3

(0.4
)
(5.7
)
Total loss and loss adjustment expense ratio
75.0

67.1

(7.9
)
Expense ratio
24.9

25.0

0.1

Combined ratio
99.9

92.1

(7.8
)
Current accident year catastrophes and prior year development
10.1

2.2

(7.9
)
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior year development
89.7

89.9

0.2

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Product Combined Ratios
2016
2015
Change
Automobile
 
 


Combined ratio
106.6

95.4

(11.2
)
Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior year development
96.2

94.6

(1.6
)
Homeowners
 
 


Combined ratio
84.7

85.1

0.4

Combined ratio before catastrophes and prior year development
75.1

79.7

4.6


83


Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Overview
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, decreased primarily due to a lower underwriting gain driven by an increase in current accident year catastrophe losses and unfavorable prior accident year development.
Revenues - Earned and Written Premiums
Earned and written premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, increased primarily due to stable premium retention and automobile new business premium growth, partially offset by lower premium in the independent agency channel. Policy count retention for homeowners was lower for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, driven in part by renewal written pricing increases.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, increased primarily due to higher current accident year catastrophes losses and unfavorable prior accident year development.
•
Current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses before catastrophes increased for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the prior year period, as a result of the effect of an increase in earned premiums, higher severity trends in both auto liability and physical damage and higher auto liability frequency, partially offset by lower homeowners fire and non-catastrophe weather-related claims. The current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio before catastrophes of 64.8 in 2016 decreased 0.1 points from 64.9 in 2015.
•
Current accident year catastrophe losses of $47 before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $25 for the prior year period. Catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were primarily due to multiple wind and hail events across various U.S. geographic regions, concentrated in the central and southern plains. Catastrophe losses in 2015 were primarily due to winter storms across various U.S. geographic regions.
•
Unfavorable prior accident year development of $52, before tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to favorable prior accident year development of $4, before tax, for the prior year period. The net reserve increase for three months ended March 31, 2016 was largely related to increased reserves in auto liability for accident years 2014 and 2015 primarily due to higher emerged bodily injury severity and, for the third and fourth accident quarters of 2015, an increase in bodily injury frequency. The net reserve decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was largely related to a decrease in reserves for 2014 catastrophes offset by unfavorable development on accident year 2014 auto physical damage claims. For additional information, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance.
Underwriting Ratios
The combined ratio, before current accident year catastrophes and prior year development, decreased 0.2 points to 89.7 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 reflecting a decrease in the current accident year before catastrophes loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 0.1 points and a decrease in the expense ratio of 0.1 points.
Investment Results
Investment income decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period. For discussion of consolidated investment results, see MD&A - Investment Results, Net Investment Income (Loss) and Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
Income Taxes
The effective tax rates in 2016 and 2015 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to permanent differences related to investments in tax exempt securities. For discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 - Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

84


PROPERTY & CASUALTY OTHER OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Underwriting Summary
2016
2015
Change
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
 


       Prior accident year development
$
1

$
4

(75
%)
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
1

4

(75
%)
Underwriting expenses
7

6

17
%
Underwriting loss
(8
)
(10
)
20
%
Net investment income
32

35

(9
%)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
(3
)
4

(175
%)
Other income
2

1

100
%
Income before income taxes
23

30

(23
%)
Income tax expense
6

7

(14
%)
Net income
$
17

$
23

(26
%)
Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, decreased primarily due to lower net investment income and a change to net realized capital losses in the current year period from net realized capital gains in the prior year period, partially offset by lower prior accident year development.
The annual reviews of asbestos and environmental liabilities occur in the second quarter of the year. For information on asbestos and environmental reserves, see MD&A - Critical Accounting Estimates, Property & Casualty Other Operations Claims, Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance.
The effective tax rates in 2016 and 2015 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to permanent differences related to investments in tax exempt securities. For discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 - Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


85


GROUP BENEFITS
Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Operating Summary
2016
2015
Change
Premiums and other considerations
$
795

$
780

2
 %
Net investment income
88

97

(9
)%
Net realized capital gains (losses)
2

(1
)
NM

Total revenues
885

876

1
 %
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
618

598

3
 %
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
8

8

—
 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
194

200

(3
)%
Total benefits, losses and expenses
820

806

2
 %
Income before income taxes
65

70

(7
)%
Income tax expense
15

18

(17
)%
Net income
$
50

$
52

(4
)%

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Premiums and other considerations
2016
2015
Change
Fully insured – ongoing premiums
$
772

$
763

1
 %
Buyout premiums
6

—

NM

Other
17

17

—
 %
Total premiums and other considerations
$
795

$
780

2
 %
Fully insured ongoing sales, excluding buyouts
$
266

$
300

(11
)%
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Ratios, excluding buyouts
2016
2015
Change
Group disability loss ratio
82.4
%
81.8
%
(0.6)
Group life loss ratio
73.8
%
73.2
%
(0.6)
Total loss ratio
77.6
%
76.7
%
(0.9)
Expense ratio
25.6
%
26.7
%
1.1
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Margin
2016
2015
Change
Net income margin
5.7
%
5.9
%
(0.2
)
Effect of net capital realized gains (losses), net of tax on after-tax margin
0.2
%
—
%
0.2

Core earnings margin
5.5
%
5.9
%
(0.4
)

86


Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Net income decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, due to higher benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses and lower net investment income, partially offset by higher premiums and other considerations, lower insurance operating costs and higher net realized capital gains.
Premiums and other considerations for the three months ended March 31, 2016, increased 2% compared to the prior year period. Fully insured ongoing premiums increased 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the prior year period due to strong persistency and improved pricing. Insurance operating costs and other expenses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the prior year period, due to lower administrative expenses and the impact of premium tax credits.
Fully insured ongoing sales, excluding buyouts, decreased by 11% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, due to a decrease in the sale of large and mid-size case accounts.
The total loss ratio increased 0.9 points to 77.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a higher group life loss ratio and a higher group disability loss ratio. The group life loss ratio increased 0.6 points due to higher accidental death losses. The group disability loss ratio increased 0.6 points due to an increase in long term disability claim severity, partially offset by continued improvements in pricing and incidence trends.
The expense ratio improved 1.1 points for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year period, reflecting premium growth and lower expenses.
Investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased as compared to the prior year period. For discussion of consolidated investment results, see MD&A - Investment Results, Investment Income (Loss) and Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
The effective tax rates in 2016 and 2015 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to permanent differences related to investments in tax exempt securities. For discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 - Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

87


MUTUAL FUNDS
Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Operating Summary
2016
2015
Change
Fee income and other
$
167

$
179

(7
)%
Total revenues
167

179

(7
)%
Amortization of DAC
5

5

—
 %
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
131

140

(6
)%
Total benefits, losses and expenses
136

145

(6
)%
Income before income taxes
31

34

(9
)%
Income tax expense
11

12

(8
)%
Net income
$
20

$
22

(9
)%
 
 
 
 
Average Total Mutual Funds segment AUM
$
91,188

$
94,778

(4
)%
Return on Assets
 
 
 
Net income
8.8

9.3

(5
)%
Core earnings
8.8

9.3

(5
)%
 
 
 
 
Mutual Funds segment AUM
 
 
 
 Mutual Fund AUM - beginning of period
$
74,413

$
73,035

2
 %
Sales
4,699

4,710

—
 %
Redemptions
(4,885
)
(4,181
)
(17
)%
Net Flows
(186
)
529

(135
)%
Change in market value and other
(608
)
2,132

(129
)%
 Mutual Fund AUM - end of period
$
73,619

$
75,696

(3
)%
Talcott AUM [1]
$
16,795

$
20,240

(17
)%
Total Mutual Funds segment AUM
$
90,414

$
95,936

(6
)%
 
 
 
 
Mutual Fund AUM by Asset Class
 
 
 
Equity
$
46,455

$
47,131

(1
)%
Fixed Income
12,389

14,267

(13
)%
Multi-Strategy Investments [2]
14,775

14,298

3
 %
Mutual Fund AUM
$
73,619

$
75,696

(3
)%
[1]
Talcott AUM consists of Company-sponsored mutual fund assets held in separate accounts supporting variable insurance and investment products.
[2]
Includes balanced, allocation, and alternative investment products.

Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the prior year period, decreased due to lower average AUM resulting in a decrease in investment management fee revenue, partially offset by a decrease in variable sub-advisory fees and distribution costs. Average total Mutual Funds segment AUM decreased to $91.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $94.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to market depreciation coupled with the continued runoff of Talcott AUM.

88


TALCOTT RESOLUTION
Results of Operations

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Operating Summary
2016
2015
Change
Earned premiums
$
28

$
24

17
%
Fee income and other
241

261

(8
%)
Net investment income
325

382

(15
%)
Realized capital gains (losses):
 
 


Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
(7
)
(5
)
(40
%)
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
(105
)
(20
)
NM

Net realized capital gains (losses)
(112
)
(25
)
NM

Total revenues
482

642

(25
%)
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses
354

338

5
%
Amortization of DAC
30

50

(40
%)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses
105

121

(13
%)
Total benefits, losses and expenses
489

509

(4
%)
Income (loss) before income taxes
(7
)
133

(105
%)
Income tax (benefit) expense
(24
)
22

NM

Net income
$
17

$
111

(85
%)
Assets Under Management (end of period)
 
 

Variable annuity account value
$
42,500

$
51,500

(17
%)
Fixed market value adjusted and payout annuities
8,014

8,666

(8
%)
Institutional annuity account value
15,169

15,663

(3
%)
Other account value [1]
86,762

91,009

(5
%)
Total account value
$
152,445

$
166,838

(9
%)
Variable Annuity Account Value
 
 

Account value, beginning of period
$
44,245

$
52,861

(16
%)
Net outflows
(1,466
)
(2,296
)
36
%
Change in market value and other
(279
)
935

(130
%)
Account value, end of period
$
42,500

$
51,500

(17
%)
[1]
Other account value included $31.9 billion, $14.5 billion, and $40.4 billion as of March 31, 2016 for the Retirement Plans, Individual Life and Private Placement Life Insurance businesses, respectively. Other account value included $36.0 billion, $15.0 billion, and $40.0 billion at March 31, 2015 for the Retirement Plans, Individual Life and Private Placement Life Insurance businesses, respectively. Account values associated with the Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses no longer generate asset-based fee income due to the sales of these businesses through reinsurance transactions.

89


Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, decreased primarily due to higher net realized capital losses driven by GMWB derivative losses, net trading losses and equity portfolio hedge losses due to rising markets since the date the trades were initiated. In addition, lower fee income due to the continued runoff of the variable annuity block and lower net investment income due to a decrease in income from limited partnerships and alternative investments contributed to the decrease in net income. This was partially offset by lower DAC amortization and lower insurance operating costs and other expenses due to the continued run off of the variable annuity block.
Account values for Talcott Resolution decreased to approximately $152 billion at March 31, 2016 from approximately $167 billion at March 31, 2015 primarily due to net outflows and market value depreciation in variable annuity account value and a reduction in Retirement Plans' account value. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, variable annuity net outflows were approximately $1.5 billion due to the continued runoff of the business.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the annualized full surrender rate on variable annuities declined to 6.7% compared to 10.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to lower surrender activity and no in-force management initiatives in 2016. Lower surrender activity was due to market declines in the first two months of 2016 resulting in increased value of guarantees.
Contract counts decreased 10% for variable annuities at March 31, 2016 compared to March 31, 2015 primarily due to the continued aging of the block.
The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily due to the $140 decrease in income before income taxes and the effect of permanent items. The effective tax rates in 2016 and 2015 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to permanent differences related to investments in separate account DRD. For discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 - Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

90


CORPORATE
Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Operating Summary
2016
2015
Change
Fee income [1]
$
1

$
2

(50
%)
Net investment income
11

3

NM

Net realized capital gains (losses)
(4
)
18

(122
%)
Total revenues
8

23

(65
%)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses [1]
6

17

(65
%)
Interest expense
86

94

(9
%)
Total benefits, losses and expenses
92

111

(17
%)
Loss before income taxes
(84
)
(88
)
5
%
Income tax benefit
(55
)
(31
)
(77
%)
Net loss
$
(29
)
$
(57
)
49
%
[1]
Fee income includes the income associated with the sales of non-proprietary insurance products in the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries that has an offsetting commission expense included in insurance operating costs and other expenses.
Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015
Net loss decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year period primarily due to an increase in federal income tax benefit of $25 related to the partial reduction of the deferred tax valuation allowance on capital loss carryovers due to taxable gains on the termination of certain derivatives during the period. For discussion of income taxes, see Note 7 Income Taxes of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For a discussion of investment results, see MD&A - Investment Results, Net Investment Income (loss) and Net Realized Capital Gains (losses).

91


ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company has an enterprise risk management function (“ERM”) that is charged with providing analysis of the Company’s risks on an individual and aggregated basis and with ensuring that the Company’s risks remain within its risk appetite and tolerances. The Company has established the Enterprise Risk and Capital Committee (“ERCC”) that includes the Company’s CEO, President, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”), Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and others as deemed necessary by the committee chair. The ERCC is responsible for managing the Company’s risks and overseeing the enterprise risk management program.
The Company categorizes its main risks as follows:
•
Insurance Risk
•
Operational Risk
•
Financial Risk
Refer to the MD&A in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report for an explanation of the Company’s Operational Risk.
Insurance Risk Management
The Company categorizes its insurance risks across both property-casualty and life products. The Company establishes risk limits to control potential loss and actively monitors the risk exposures as a percent of statutory surplus. The Company also uses reinsurance to transfer insurance risk to well-established and financially secure reinsurers.
Reinsurance as a Risk Management Strategy
The Company utilizes reinsurance to transfer risk to affiliated and unaffiliated insurers. Reinsurance is used to manage aggregation of risk as well as to transfer certain risk to reinsurance companies based on specific geographic or risk concentrations. Such arrangements do not relieve the Company of its primary liability to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company.
The Company is a member of and participates in several reinsurance pools and associations. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and concentrations of credit risk. Reinsurance is placed with reinsurers that meet strict financial criteria established by the Company.
Reinsurance for Catastrophes
The Company has several catastrophe reinsurance programs, including reinsurance treaties that cover property and workers' compensation losses aggregating from single catastrophe events. The following table summarizes the primary catastrophe treaty reinsurance coverages that the Company has in place as of March 31, 2016:
Coverage
Treaty Term
% of Layer(s) Reinsurance
Per Occurrence Limit
 
Retention
Principal property catastrophe program covering property catastrophe losses from a single event [1]
1/1/2016 to 1/1/2017
90%
$
850

 
$
350

Reinsurance with the FHCF covering Florida Personal Lines property catastrophe losses from a single event
6/1/2015 to 6/1/2016
90%
$
116

[2]
$
37

Workers compensation losses arising from a single catastrophe event [3]
7/1/2015 to 7/1/2016
80%
$
350

 
$
100

[1]
Certain aspects of our catastrophe treaty have terms that extend beyond the traditional one year term.
[2]
The per occurrence limit on the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) treaty is $116 for the 6/1/2015 to 6/1/2016 treaty year based on the Company's election to purchase the required coverage from FHCF. Coverage is based on the best available information from FHCF, which was updated in January 2016.
[3]
In addition, to the preceding limit shown, the workers compensation reinsurance includes a non-catastrophe, industrial accident layer, 80% of a $30 per event limit in excess a $20 retention.
In addition to the property catastrophe reinsurance coverage described in the above table, the Company has other catastrophe and working layer treaties and facultative reinsurance agreements that cover property catastrophe losses on an aggregate excess of loss and on a per risk basis. The principal property catastrophe reinsurance program and certain other reinsurance programs include a provision to reinstate limits in the event that a catastrophe loss exhausts limits on one or more layers under the treaties. In addition, covering the period from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016, the Company has an aggregate loss treaty in place which provides one limit of $200 over the three-year period of aggregate qualifying property catastrophe losses in excess of a net retention of $860.

92


Reinsurance Recoverables
Reinsurance Security
To manage reinsurer credit risk, a reinsurance security review committee evaluates the credit standing, financial performance, management and operational quality of each potential reinsurer. Through this process, the Company maintains a centralized list of reinsurers approved for participation in reinsurance transactions. Only reinsurers approved through this process are eligible to participate in new reinsurance transactions. The Company's approval designations reflect the differing credit exposure associated with various classes of business. Participation eligibility is categorized based upon the nature of the risk reinsured, including the expected liability payout duration. In addition to defining participation eligibility, the Company regularly monitors credit risk exposure to each reinsurance counterparty and has established limits tiered by counterparty credit rating. For further discussion on how the Company manages and mitigates third party credit risk, see MD&A - Enterprise Risk Management, Credit Risk.
Property & Casualty Insurance Product Reinsurance Recoverables
Property & Casualty insurance product reinsurance recoverables represent loss and loss adjustment expense recoverables from a number of entities, including reinsurers and pools.
The components of the gross and net reinsurance recoverables are summarized as follows:
Reinsurance Recoverables
As of March 31, 2016
As of December 31, 2015
Paid loss and loss adjustment expenses
$
102

$
119

Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses
2,615

2,662

Gross reinsurance recoverables
$
2,717

$
2,781

Less: Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance
(266
)
(266
)
Net reinsurance recoverables
$
2,451

$
2,515

Life Insurance Product Reinsurance Recoverables
Life insurance product reinsurance recoverables represent future policy benefits and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses and other policyholder funds and benefits payable that are recoverable from a number of reinsurers.
The components of the gross and net reinsurance recoverables are as follows:
Reinsurance Recoverables
As of March 31, 2016
As of December 31, 2015
Future policy benefits and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses and other policyholder funds and benefits payable
$
20,674

$
20,674

Gross reinsurance recoverables
$
20,674

$
20,674

Less: Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance [1]
—

—

Net reinsurance recoverables
$
20,674

$
20,674

[1] No allowance for uncollectible reinsurance is required as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company has reinsurance recoverables from MassMutual and Prudential of $8.5 billion and $10.9 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had reinsurance recoverables from MassMutual and Prudential of $8.6 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively. The Company's obligations to its direct policyholders that have been reinsured to Mass Mutual and Prudential are secured by invested assets held in trust. Net of invested assets held in trust, as of March 31, 2016, the Company has no reinsurance-related concentrations of credit risk greater than 10% of the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity.
For further explanation of the Company's Insurance Risk Management strategy, see MD&A Enterprise Risk Management Insurance Risk Management in The Hartford's 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Financial Risk Management
The Company identifies the following categories of financial risk:
•
Liquidity Risk
•
Interest Rate Risk
•
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
•
Equity Risk
•
Credit Risk

93


Financial risks include direct, and indirect risks to the Company’s financial objectives coming from events that impact market conditions or prices. Financial risk also includes exposure to events that may cause correlated movement in multiple risk factors. The primary source of financial risks are the Company’s general account assets and the liabilities that those assets back, together with the guarantees which the company has written over various liability products, particularly its portfolio of variable annuities. The Company assesses its financial risk on a U.S. GAAP, statutory and economic basis. The Hartford has developed a disciplined approach to financial risk management that is well integrated into the Company’s underwriting, pricing, hedging, claims, asset and liability management, new product, and capital management processes. Consistent with its risk appetite, the Company establishes financial risk limits to control potential loss. Exposures are actively monitored, and mitigated where appropriate. The Company uses various risk management strategies, including reinsurance and over-the-counter and exchange traded derivatives with counterparties meeting the appropriate regulatory and due diligence requirements. Derivatives are utilized to achieve one of four Company-approved objectives: to hedge risk arising from interest rate, equity market, commodity market, credit spread and issuer default, price or currency exchange rate risk or volatility; to manage liquidity; to control transaction costs; or to enter into synthetic replication transactions.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk to current or prospective earnings or capital arising from the Company’s inability or perceived inability to meet its contractual cash obligations at the legal entity level when they come due over given time horizons without incurring unacceptable costs and without relying on uncommitted funding sources. Liquidity risk includes the inability to manage unplanned increases or accelerations in cash outflows, decreases or changes in funding sources, and changes in market conditions that affect the ability to liquidate assets quickly to meet obligations with minimal loss in value. Components of liquidity risk include funding risk, company specific liquidity risk and market liquidity risk. Funding risk is the gap between sources and uses of cash under normal and stressed conditions taking into consideration structural, regulatory and legal entity constraints. Company specific liquidity risk represents changes in institution-specific conditions that affect the Company’s ability to sell assets or otherwise transact business without incurring a significant loss in value. Market liquidity risk represents changes in general market conditions that affect the institution’s ability to sell assets or otherwise transact business without incurring a significant loss in value.
The Company has defined ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements to assess liquidity across the enterprise under both current and stressed market conditions. The Company measures and manages liquidity risk exposures and funding needs within prescribed limits and across legal entities, taking into account legal, regulatory and operational limitations to the transferability of liquidity. The Company also monitors internal and external conditions, identifies material risk changes and emerging risks that may impact liquidity. The Company’s CFO has primary responsibility for liquidity risk.
For further discussion on liquidity see the section on Capital Resources and Liquidity.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk of financial loss due to adverse changes in the value of assets and liabilities arising from movements in interest rates. Interest rate risk encompasses exposures with respect to changes in the level of interest rates, the shape of the term structure of rates and the volatility of interest rates. Interest rate risk does not include exposure to changes in credit spreads. The Company has exposure to interest rates arising from its fixed maturity securities, interest sensitive liabilities and discount rate assumptions associated with the Company’s pension and other post retirement benefit obligations.
An increase in interest rates from current levels is generally a favorable development for the Company. Interest rate increases are expected to provide additional net investment income, reduce the cost of the variable annuity hedging program, and limit the potential risk of margin erosion due to minimum guaranteed crediting rates in certain Talcott Resolution products. However, if long-term interest rates rise dramatically within a six to twelve month time period, certain Talcott Resolution businesses may be exposed to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk refers to the risk that policyholders will surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment requiring the Company to liquidate assets in an unrealized loss position. In conjunction with the interest rate risk measurement and management techniques, certain of Talcott Resolution's fixed income product offerings have market value adjustment provisions at contract surrender. An increase in interest rates may also impact the Company’s tax planning strategies and in particular its ability to utilize tax benefits of previously recognized realized capital losses.
A decline in interest rates results in certain mortgage-backed and municipal securities being more susceptible to paydowns and prepayments or calls. During such periods, the Company generally will not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable yields. Lower interest rates will also likely result in lower net investment income, increased hedging costs associated with variable annuities and, if declines are sustained for a long period of time, it may subject the Company to reinvestment risk and possibly reduced profit margins associated with guaranteed crediting rates on certain Talcott Resolution products. Conversely, the fair value of the investment portfolio will increase when interest rates decline and the Company’s interest expense will be lower on its variable rate debt obligations.

94


The Company manages its exposure to interest rate risk by constructing investment portfolios that maintain asset allocation limits and asset/liability duration matching targets which may include the use of derivatives. The Company analyzes interest rate risk using various models including parametric models and cash flow simulation under various market scenarios of the liabilities and their supporting investment portfolios. Key metrics that the Company uses to quantify its exposure to interest rate risk inherent in its invested assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities include duration, convexity and key rate duration. Duration is the price sensitivity of a financial instrument or series of cash flows to a parallel change in the underlying yield curve used to value the financial instrument or series of cash flows. For example, a duration of 5 means the price of the security will change by approximately 5% for a 100 basis point change in interest rates. Convexity is used to approximate how the duration of a security changes as interest rates change in a parallel manner. Key rate duration analysis measures the price sensitivity of a security or series of cash flows to each point along the yield curve and enables the Company to estimate the price change of a security assuming non-parallel interest rate movements.
To calculate duration, convexity, and key rate durations, projections of asset and liability cash flows are discounted to a present value using interest rate assumptions. These cash flows are then revalued at alternative interest rate levels to determine the percentage change in fair value due to an incremental change in the entire yield curve for duration and convexity, or a particular point on the yield curve for key rate duration. Cash flows from corporate obligations are assumed to be consistent with the contractual payment streams on a yield to worst basis. Yield to worst is a basis that represents the lowest potential yield that can be received without the issuer actually defaulting. The primary assumptions used in calculating cash flow projections include expected asset payment streams taking into account prepayment speeds, issuer call options and contract holder behavior. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are modeled based on estimates of the rate of future prepayments of principal over the remaining life of the securities. These estimates are developed by incorporating collateral surveillance and anticipated future market dynamics. Actual prepayment experience may vary from these estimates.
The Company is also exposed to interest rate risk based upon the sensitivity of the present value of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit obligations to changes in liability discount rates. The discount rate assumption is based upon an interest rate yield curve that reflects high-quality fixed income investments consistent with the maturity profile of the expected liability cash flows. For further discussion of discounting pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Note 16- Employee Benefit Plans of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report. In addition, management evaluates performance of certain Talcott Resolution products based on net investment spread which is, in part, influenced by changes in interest rates.
The investments and liabilities primarily associated with interest rate risk are included in the following discussion. Certain product liabilities, including those containing GMWB or GMDB, expose the Company to interest rate risk but also have significant equity risk. These liabilities are discussed as part of the Variable Product Guarantee Risks and Risk Management section.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Foreign currency exchange risk is defined as the risk of financial loss due to changes in the relative value between currencies. The Company’s foreign currency exchange risk is related to non-U.S. dollar denominated investments, which primarily consist of fixed maturity investments, a yen denominated fixed payout annuity and changes in equity of a P&C runoff entity in the United Kingdom. In addition, Talcott Resolution formerly issued non-U.S. dollar denominated funding agreement liability contracts. A significant portion of the Company’s foreign currency exposure is mitigated through the use of derivatives.
Fixed Maturity Investments
The risk associated with the non-U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturities relates to potential decreases in value and income resulting from unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates. In order to manage currency exposures, the Company enters into foreign currency swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows as the fair value associated with certain foreign denominated fixed maturities declines. These foreign currency swaps are structured to match the foreign currency cash flows of the hedged foreign denominated securities.
Liabilities
The Company has foreign currency exchange risk associated with yen denominated fixed payout annuities under a reinsurance contract. The Company has entered into pay U.S. dollar, receive yen swap contracts to hedge the currency exposure between the U.S. dollar denominated assets and the yen denominated fixed liability reinsurance payments. In addition, during 2015, the Company entered into certain foreign currency forwards to hedge the currency impacts on changes in equity of a P&C runoff entity in the United Kingdom.
Talcott Resolution previously issued non-U.S. dollar denominated funding agreement liability contracts. The Company hedged the foreign currency risk associated with these liability contracts with currency rate swaps.
Equity Risk
Equity risk is defined as the risk of financial loss due to changes in the value of global equities or equity indices. The Company has exposure to equity risk from assets under management, embedded derivatives within the Company’s variable annuities and assets that support the Company’s pension plans and other post retirement benefit plans. Equity Risk on the Company’s variable annuity products is mitigated through various hedging programs. (See the Variable Annuity Hedging Program Section).

95

The Company's exposure to equity risk includes the potential for lower earnings associated with certain businesses such as mutual funds and variable annuities where fee income is earned based upon the value of the assets under management. For further discussion of equity risk, see the following Variable Product Guarantee Risks and Risk Management section. In addition, Talcott Resolution includes certain guaranteed benefits, primarily associated with variable annuity products, which increase the Company's potential benefit exposure in the periods that equity markets decline.
The Company is also subject to equity risk based upon the assets that support its pension plans and other post retirement benefit plans. The asset allocation mix is reviewed on a periodic basis. In order to minimize risk, the pension plans maintain a listing of permissible and prohibited investments. In addition, the pension plans have certain concentration limits and investment quality requirements imposed on permissible investment options.
Variable Product Guarantee Risks and Risk Management
The Company’s variable products are significantly influenced by the U.S. and other equity markets. Increases or declines in equity markets impact certain assets and liabilities related to the Company’s variable products and the Company’s earnings derived from those products. The Company’s variable products include variable annuity contracts and mutual funds.
Generally, declines in equity markets will:
•
reduce the value of assets under management and the amount of fee income generated from those assets;
•
increase the liability for GMWB benefits resulting in realized capital losses;
•
increase the value of derivative assets used to hedge product guarantees resulting in realized capital gains;
•
increase the costs of the hedging instruments we use in our hedging program;
•
increase the Company’s net amount at risk ("NAR") for GMDB and GMWB benefits;
•
increase the amount of required assets to be held backing variable annuity guarantees to maintain required regulatory reserve levels and targeted risk based capital ratios; and
•
decrease the Company’s estimated future gross profits, resulting in a DAC unlock charge. See Estimated Gross Profits Used in the Valuation and Amortization of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Variable Annuity Contracts within the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the MD&A for further information.
Generally, increases in equity markets will have the inverse impact of those listed in the preceding discussion. For additional information, see Risk Hedging - Variable Annuity Hedging Program section.
Variable Annuity Guaranteed Benefits
The Company’s variable annuities include GMDB and certain contracts include GMWB features. Declines in the equity markets will increase the Company’s liability for these benefits. Many contracts with a GMDB include a maximum anniversary value ("MAV"), which in rising markets resets the guarantee on anniversary to be ‘at the money’. As the MAV increases, it can increase the NAR for subsequent declines in account value. Generally, a GMWB contract is ‘in the money’ if the contractholder’s guaranteed remaining balance (“GRB”) becomes greater than the account value.
The NAR is generally defined as the guaranteed minimum benefit amount in excess of the contractholder’s current account value. Variable annuity account values with guarantee features were $42.5 billion and $44.2 billion as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
The following tables summarize the account values of the Company’s variable annuities with guarantee features and the NAR split between various guarantee features (retained net amount at risk does not take into consideration the effects of the variable annuity hedge programs in place as of each balance sheet date):
Total Variable Annuity Guarantees
As of March 31, 2016
($ in billions)
Account
Value
Gross Net
Amount at Risk
Retained Net
Amount at Risk
% of Contracts In
the Money [2]
% In the
Money [2] [3]
Variable Annuity [1]
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
$
42.5

$
4.3

$
1.1

56
%
9
%
GMWB
$
19.4

$
0.3

$
0.2

11
%
10
%

96

Total Variable Annuity Guarantees
As of December 31, 2015
($ in billions)
Account
Value
Gross Net
Amount at Risk
Retained Net
Amount at Risk
% of Contracts In
the Money [2]
% In the
Money [2] [3]
Variable Annuity [1]
 
 
 
 
 
GMDB
$
44.2

$
4.2

$
1.1

55
%
9
%
GMWB
$
20.2

$
0.2

$
0.2

11
%
9
%
[1]
Policies with a guaranteed living benefit also have a guaranteed death benefit. The NAR for each benefit is shown; however these benefits are not additive. When a policy terminates due to death, any NAR related to GMWB is released. Similarly, when a policy goes into benefit status on a GMWB, the GMDB NAR is reduced to zero.
[2]
Excludes contracts that are fully reinsured.
[3]
For all contracts that are “in the money”, this represents the percentage by which the average contract was in the money.
Many policyholders with a GMDB also have a GMWB. Policyholders that have a product that offers both guarantees can only receive the GMDB or GMWB. The GMDB NAR disclosed in the preceding tables is a point in time measurement and assumes that all participants utilize the GMDB benefit on that measurement date. For additional information on the Company’s GMDB liability, see Note 6 - Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company expects to incur GMDB payments in the future only if the policyholder has an “in the money” GMDB at their death. For policies with a GMWB rider, the Company expects to incur GMWB payments in the future only if the account value is reduced over time to a specified level through a combination of market performance and periodic withdrawals, at which point the contractholder will receive an annuity equal to the GRB which is generally equal to premiums less withdrawals. For the Company’s “life-time” GMWB products, this annuity can exceed the GRB. As the account value fluctuates with equity market returns on a daily basis and the “life-time” GMWB payments may exceed the GRB, the ultimate amount to be paid by the Company, if any, is uncertain and could be significantly more or less than the Company’s current carried liability. For additional information on the Company’s GMWB liability, see Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Variable Annuity Market Risk Exposures
The following table summarizes the broad Variable Annuity Guarantees offered by the Company and the market risks to which the guarantee is most exposed from a U.S. GAAP accounting perspective:
Variable Annuity Guarantees [1]
U.S. GAAP Treatment [1]
Primary Market Risk Exposures [1]
GMDB and life-contingent component of the GMWB
Accumulation of the portion of fees required to cover expected claims, less accumulation of actual claims paid
Equity Market Levels
GMWB (excluding life-contingent portions)
Fair Value
Equity Market Levels / Implied Volatility / Interest Rates
[1]
Each of these guarantees and the related U.S. GAAP accounting volatility will also be influenced by actual and estimated policyholder behavior.
Risk Hedging
Variable Annuity Hedging Program
The Company’s variable annuity hedging is primarily focused, through the use of reinsurance and capital market derivative instruments, on reducing the economic exposure to market risks associated with guaranteed benefits that are embedded in our variable annuity contracts. The variable annuity hedging also considers the potential impacts on statutory accounting results.
Reinsurance
The Company uses reinsurance for a portion of contracts with GMWB riders issued prior to the third quarter of 2003 and GMWB risks associated with a block of business sold between the third quarter of 2003 and the second quarter of 2006. The Company also uses reinsurance for a majority of the GMDB issued.
Capital Market Derivatives
GMWB Hedge Program
The Company enters into derivative contracts to hedge market risk exposures associated with the GMWB liabilities that are not reinsured. These derivative contracts include customized swaps, interest rate swaps and futures, and equity swaps, options, and futures, on certain indices including the S&P 500 index, EAFE index, and NASDAQ index.

97

Additionally, the Company holds customized derivative contracts to provide protection from certain capital market risks for the remaining term of specified blocks of non-reinsured GMWB riders. These customized derivative contracts are based on policyholder behavior assumptions specified at the inception of the derivative contracts. The Company retains the risk for differences between assumed and actual policyholder behavior and between the performance of the actively managed funds underlying the separate accounts and their respective indices.
While the Company actively manages this dynamic hedging program, increased U.S. GAAP earnings volatility may result from factors including, but not limited to: policyholder behavior, capital markets, divergence between the performance of the underlying funds and the hedging indices, changes in hedging positions and the relative emphasis placed on various risk management objectives.
Macro Hedge Program
The Company’s macro hedging program uses derivative instruments, such as options and futures on equities and interest rates, to provide protection against the statutory tail scenario risk arising from GMWB and GMDB liabilities on the Company’s statutory surplus. These macro hedges cover some of the residual risks not otherwise covered by the dynamic hedging program. Management assesses this residual risk under various scenarios in designing and executing the macro hedge program. The macro hedge program will result in additional U.S. GAAP earnings volatility as changes in the value of the macro hedge derivatives, which are designed to reduce statutory reserve and capital volatility, may not be closely aligned to changes in GAAP liabilities.
Variable Annuity Hedging Program Sensitivities
The underlying guaranteed living benefit liabilities (excluding the life contingent portion of GMWB contracts) and hedge assets within the GMWB hedge and Macro hedge programs are carried at fair value.
The following table presents our estimates of the potential instantaneous impacts from sudden market stresses related to equity market prices, interest rates, and implied market volatilities. The following sensitivities represent: (1) the net estimated difference between the change in the fair value of GMWB liabilities and the underlying hedge instruments and (2) the estimated change in fair value of the hedge instruments for the macro program, before the impacts of amortization of DAC and taxes. As noted in the preceding discussion, certain hedge assets are used to hedge liabilities that are not carried at fair value and will not have a liability offset in the U.S. GAAP sensitivity analysis. All sensitivities are measured as of March 31, 2016 and are related to the fair value of liabilities and hedge instruments in place at that date for the Company’s variable annuity hedge programs. The impacts presented in the table that follows are estimated individually and measured without consideration of any correlation among market risk factors.
GAAP Sensitivity Analysis
As of March 31, 2016
(before tax and DAC) [1]
GMWB
Macro
Equity Market Return
-20
 %
-10
 %
10
 %
-20
 %
-10
 %
10
 %
Potential Net Fair Value Impact
$
(27
)
$
(10
)
$
4

$
180

$
82

$
(57
)
Interest Rates
-50bps

-25bps

+25bps

-50bps

-25bps

+25bps

Potential Net Fair Value Impact
$
2

$
2

$
(3
)
$
12

$
6

$
(6
)
Implied Volatilities
10
 %
2
 %
-10
 %
10
 %
2
 %
-10
 %
Potential Net Fair Value Impact
$
(62
)
$
(12
)
$
58

$
89

$
18

$
(84
)
[1]
These sensitivities are based on the following key market levels as of March 31, 2016: 1) S&P of 2,060; 2) 10yr US swap rate of 1.67%; 3) S&P 10yr volatility of 26.76%.
The preceding sensitivity analysis is an estimate and should not be used to predict the future financial performance of the Company’s variable annuity hedge programs. The actual net changes in the fair value liability and the hedging assets illustrated in the preceding table may vary materially depending on a variety of factors which include but are not limited to:
•
The sensitivity analysis is only valid as of the measurement date and assumes instantaneous changes in the capital market factors and no ability to rebalance hedge positions prior to the market changes;
•
Changes to the underlying hedging program, policyholder behavior, and variation in underlying fund performance relative to the hedged index, which could materially impact the liability; and
•
The impact of elapsed time on liabilities or hedge assets, any non-parallel shifts in capital market factors, or correlated moves across the sensitivities.

98


Financial Risk on Statutory Capital
Statutory surplus amounts and risk-based capital (“RBC”) ratios may increase or decrease in any period depending upon a variety of factors and may be compounded in extreme scenarios or if multiple factors occur at the same time. At times, the impact of changes in certain market factors or a combination of multiple factors on RBC ratios can be counterintuitive. Factors include:
•
In general, as equity market levels and interest rates decline, the amount and volatility of both our actual potential obligation, as well as the related statutory surplus and capital margin for death and living benefit guarantees associated with variable annuity contracts can be materially negatively affected, sometimes at a greater than linear rate. Other market factors that can impact statutory surplus, reserve levels and capital margin include differences in performance of variable subaccounts relative to indices and/or realized equity and interest rate volatilities. In addition, as equity market levels increase, generally surplus levels will increase. RBC ratios will also tend to increase when equity markets increase. However, as a result of a number of factors and market conditions, including the level of hedging costs and other risk transfer activities, reserve requirements for death and living benefit guarantees and RBC requirements could increase with rising equity markets, resulting in lower RBC ratios. Non-market factors, which can also impact the amount and volatility of both our actual potential obligation, as well as the related statutory surplus and capital margin, include actual and estimated policyholder behavior experience as it pertains to lapsation, partial withdrawals, and mortality.
•
As the value of certain fixed-income and equity securities in our investment portfolio decreases, due in part to credit spread widening, statutory surplus and RBC ratios may decrease.
•
As the value of certain derivative instruments that do not get hedge accounting decreases, statutory surplus and RBC ratios may decrease.
•
Our statutory surplus is also impacted by widening credit spreads as a result of the accounting for the assets and liabilities in our fixed market value adjusted "MVA" annuities. Statutory separate account assets supporting the fixed MVA annuities are recorded at fair value. In determining the statutory reserve for the fixed MVA annuities, we are required to use current crediting rates. In many capital market scenarios, current crediting rates are highly correlated with market rates implicit in the fair value of statutory separate account assets. As a result, the change in statutory reserve from period to period will likely substantially offset the change in the fair value of the statutory separate account assets. However, in periods of volatile credit markets, actual credit spreads on investment asset may increase sharply for certain sub-sectors of the overall credit market, resulting in statutory separate account asset market value losses. As actual credit spreads are not fully reflected in the current crediting rates the calculation of statutory reserves will not substantially offset the change in fair value of the statutory separate account assets resulting in reductions in statutory surplus. This has resulted and may continue to result in the need to devote significant additional capital to support the product.
•
With respect to our fixed annuity business, sustained low interest rates may result in a reduction in statutory surplus and an increase in NAIC required capital.
Most of these factors are outside of the Company’s control. The Company’s financial strength and credit ratings are significantly influenced by the statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios of our insurance company subsidiaries. In addition, rating agencies may implement changes to their internal models that have the effect of increasing or decreasing the amount of statutory capital we must hold in order to maintain our current ratings.
The Company has reinsured approximately 34% of its risk associated with GMWB and 73% of its risk associated with the aggregate GMDB exposure. These reinsurance agreements serve to reduce the Company’s exposure to changes in the statutory reserves and the related capital and RBC ratios associated with changes in the capital markets. The Company also continues to explore other solutions for mitigating the capital market risk effect on surplus, such as internal and external reinsurance solutions, modifications to our hedging program, changes in product design and expense management.

99


Credit Risk
Credit risk is defined as the risk to earnings or capital due to uncertainty of an obligor’s or counterparty’s ability or willingness to meet its obligations in accordance with contractually agreed upon terms. The majority of the Company’s credit risk is concentrated in its investment holdings but is also present in reinsurance and insurance portfolios. Credit risk is comprised of three major factors: the risk of change in credit quality, or credit migration risk; the risk of default; and the risk of a change in value due to changes in credit spread. A decline in creditworthiness is typically associated with an increase in an investment’s credit spread, potentially resulting in an increase in other-than-temporary impairments and an increased probability of a realized loss upon sale.
The objective of the Company’s enterprise credit risk management strategy is to identify, quantify, and manage credit risk on an aggregate portfolio basis and to limit potential losses in accordance with an established credit risk management policy. The Company manages to its credit risk appetite by primarily holding a diversified mix of investment grade issuers and counterparties across its investment, reinsurance, and insurance portfolios. Potential losses are also limited within portfolios by diversifying across geographic regions, asset types, and sectors.
The Company manages credit risk exposure from its inception to its maturity or sale. Both the investment and reinsurance areas have formulated procedures for counterparty approvals and authorizations. Although approval processes may vary by area and type of credit risk, approval processes establish minimum levels of creditworthiness and financial stability. Credits considered for investment are subjected to underwriting reviews. Within the investment portfolio, private securities are subject to committee review for approval.
Credit risks are managed on an on-going basis through the use of various processes and analyses. At the investment, reinsurance, and insurance product levels, fundamental credit analyses are performed at the issuer/counterparty level on a regular basis. To provide a holistic review within the investment portfolio, fundamental analyses are supported by credit ratings, assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies or internally assigned, and by quantitative credit analyses. The Company utilizes various risk tools, such as credit value at risk ("VaR") to measure spread, migration, and default risk on a monthly basis. Issuer and security level risk measures are also utilized. In the event of deterioration in credit quality, the Company maintains watch lists of problem counterparties within the investment and reinsurance portfolios. The watch lists are updated based on regular credit examinations and management reviews. The Company also performs quarterly assessments of probable expected losses in the investment portfolio. The process is conducted on a sector basis and is intended to promptly assess and identify potential problems in the portfolio and to recognize necessary impairments.
Credit risk policies at the enterprise and operation level ensure comprehensive and consistent approaches to quantifying, evaluating, and managing credit risk under expected and stressed conditions. These policies define the scope of the risk, authorities, accountabilities, terms, and limits, and are regularly reviewed and approved by senior management. Aggregate counterparty credit quality and exposure is monitored on a daily basis utilizing an enterprise-wide credit exposure information system that contains data on issuers, ratings, exposures, and credit limits. Exposures are tracked on a current and potential basis. Credit exposures are reported regularly to the Company's Asset Liability Committee ("ALCO") and the ERCC. Exposures are aggregated by ultimate parent across investments, reinsurance receivables, insurance products with credit risk, and derivative counterparties.
The Company exercises various methods to mitigate its credit risk exposure within its investment and reinsurance portfolios. Some of the reasons for mitigating credit risk include financial instability or poor credit, avoidance of arbitration or litigation, future uncertainty of the counterparty, and exposure in excess of risk tolerances. Credit risk within the investment portfolio is most commonly mitigated through asset sales or the use of derivative instruments. Counterparty credit risk is mitigated through the practice of entering into contracts only with strong creditworthy institutions and through the practice of holding and posting of collateral. In addition, transactions cleared through a central clearing house reduce risk due to their ability to require daily variation margin, monitor the Company's ability to request additional collateral in the event of a counterparty downgrade, and be an independent valuation source. Systemic credit risk is mitigated through the construction of high-quality, diverse portfolios that are subject to regular underwriting of credit risks. For further discussion of the Company’s investment and derivative instruments, see the Portfolio Risks and Risk Management section and Note 5 - Investments and Derivative Instruments of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For further discussion on managing and mitigating credit risk from the use of reinsurance via an enterprise security review process, see MD&A - Enterprise Risk Management, Insurance Risk Management, Reinsurance as a Risk Management Strategy.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had no investment exposure to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer or counterparty greater than 10% of the Company’s stockholders' equity, other than the U.S. government and certain U.S. government securities. For further discussion of concentration of credit risk in the investment portfolio, see MD&A - Enterprise Risk Management, Insurance Risk Management, Reinsurance as a Risk Management Strategy and the Concentration of Credit Risk section in Note 5 - Investments and Derivative Instruments of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

100


Derivative Instruments
The Company utilizes a variety of over-the-counter ("OTC"), OTC-cleared and exchange-traded derivative instruments as a part of its overall risk management strategy as well as to enter into replication transactions. Derivative instruments are used to manage risk associated with interest rate, equity market, commodity market, credit spread, issuer default, price, and currency exchange rate risk or volatility. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that are permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. For further information on the Company’s use of derivatives, see Note 5 - Investments and Derivative Instruments of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Derivative activities are monitored and evaluated by the Company’s compliance and risk management teams and reviewed by senior management. In addition, the Company monitors counterparty credit exposure on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with Company policies and statutory limitations. The notional amounts of derivative contracts represent the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and are not reflective of credit risk. Downgrades to the credit ratings of The Hartford’s insurance operating companies may have adverse implications for its use of derivatives including those used to hedge benefit guarantees of variable annuities. In some cases, downgrades may give derivative counterparties for OTC derivatives and clearing brokers for OTC-cleared derivatives the right to cancel and settle outstanding derivative trades or require additional collateral to be posted. In addition, downgrades may result in counterparties and clearing brokers becoming unwilling to engage in or clear additional derivatives or may require collateralization before entering into any new trades. This would restrict the supply of derivative instruments commonly used to hedge variable annuity guarantees, particularly long-dated equity derivatives and interest rate swaps.
The Company uses various derivative counterparties in executing its derivative transactions. The use of counterparties creates credit risk that the counterparty may not perform in accordance with the terms of the derivative transaction. The Company has derivative counterparty exposure policies which limit the Company’s exposure to credit risk. The Company’s policies with respect to derivative counterparty exposure establishes market-based credit limits, favors long-term financial stability and creditworthiness of the counterparty and typically requires credit enhancement/credit risk reducing agreements. The Company minimizes the credit risk of derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties primarily rated A or better, which are monitored and evaluated by the Company’s risk management team and reviewed by senior management. The Company also generally requires that OTC derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") Master Agreement, which is structured by legal entity and by counterparty and permits right of offset.
The Company has developed credit exposure thresholds which are based upon counterparty ratings. Credit exposures are measured using the market value of the derivatives, resulting in amounts owed to the Company by its counterparties or potential payment obligations from the Company to its counterparties. The Company enters into credit support annexes in conjunction with the ISDA agreements, which require daily collateral settlement based upon agreed upon thresholds. For purposes of daily derivative collateral maintenance, credit exposures are generally quantified based on the prior business day’s market value and collateral is pledged to and held by, or on behalf of, the Company to the extent the current value of the derivatives exceed the contractual thresholds. In accordance with industry standard and the contractual agreements, collateral is typically settled on the next business day. The Company has exposure to credit risk for amounts below the exposure thresholds which are uncollateralized as well as for market fluctuations that may occur between contractual settlement periods of collateral movements.
For the company’s derivative programs, the maximum uncollateralized threshold for a derivative counterparty for a single legal entity is $10. The Company currently transacts OTC derivatives in five legal entities that have a threshold greater than zero; therefore, the maximum combined threshold for a single counterparty across all legal entities that use derivatives is $50. In addition, the Company may have exposure to multiple counterparties in a single corporate family due to a common credit support provider. As of March 31, 2016, the maximum combined threshold for all counterparties under a single credit support provider across all legal entities that use derivatives was $100. Based on the contractual terms of the collateral agreements, these thresholds may be immediately reduced due to a downgrade in either party’s credit rating. For further discussion, see the Derivative Commitments section of Note 8 Commitments and Contingencies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company has incurred no losses on derivative instruments due to counterparty default.
In addition to counterparty credit risk, the Company may also introduce credit risk through the use of credit default swaps that are entered into to manage credit exposure. Credit default swaps involve a transfer of credit risk of one or many referenced entities from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments. The party that purchases credit protection will make periodic payments based on an agreed upon rate and notional amount, and for certain transactions there will also be an upfront premium payment. The second party, who assumes credit risk, will typically only make a payment if there is a credit event as defined in the contract and such payment will be typically equal to the notional value of the swap contract less the value of the referenced security issuer’s debt obligation. A credit event is generally defined as default on contractually obligated interest or principal payments or bankruptcy of the referenced entity.

101


The Company uses credit derivatives to purchase credit protection and to assume credit risk with respect to a single entity, referenced index, or asset pool. The Company purchases credit protection through credit default swaps to economically hedge and manage credit risk of certain fixed maturity investments across multiple sectors of the investment portfolio. The Company also enters into credit default swaps that assume credit risk as part of replication transactions. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that are permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. These swaps reference investment grade single corporate issuers and baskets, which include customized diversified portfolios of corporate issuers, which are established within sector concentration limits and may be divided into tranches which possess different credit ratings.
Investment Portfolio Risks and Risk Management
Investment Portfolio Composition
The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturities, AFS, by credit quality. The following average credit ratings referenced throughout this section are based on availability and are the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and Morningstar. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
Fixed Maturities by Credit Quality
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Percent of Total Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Percent of Total Fair Value
United States Government/Government agencies
$
7,793

$
8,316

13.7
%
$
7,911

$
8,179

13.8
%
AAA
7,472

7,771

12.8
%
6,980

7,195

12.2
%
AA
10,003

10,726

17.7
%
9,943

10,584

17.9
%
A
14,464

15,631

25.7
%
14,297

15,128

25.5
%
BBB
14,341

14,968

24.7
%
14,598

14,918

25.2
%
BB & below
3,305

3,281

5.4
%
3,236

3,192

5.4
%
Total fixed maturities, AFS
$
57,378

$
60,693

100
%
$
56,965

$
59,196

100
%
The value of securities in the "AAA" category increased, as compared to December 31, 2015, primarily due to purchases of asset-backed securities ("ABS") as well as upgrades of municipal bonds and collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"). Fixed maturities, FVO, are not included in the preceding table. For further discussion on FVO securities, see Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

102


The following table presents the Company’s AFS securities by type as well as fixed maturities and equity, FVO.
Securities by Type
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
ABS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer loans
$
2,277

 
$
11

 
$
(40
)
 
$
2,248

 
3.7
%
 
$
2,183

 
$
6

 
$
(40
)
 
$
2,149

 
3.6
%
Small business
122

 
12

 
(5
)
 
129

 
0.2
%
 
123

 
12

 
(4
)
 
131

 
0.2
%
Other
284

 
6

 
(2
)
 
288

 
0.5
%
 
214

 
6

 
(1
)
 
219

 
0.4
%
Collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs")
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CLOs
2,600

 
2

 
(35
)
 
2,567

 
4.2
%
 
2,514

 
4

 
(21
)
 
2,497

 
4.2
%
Commercial real estate ("CREs")
90

 
37

 
(1
)
 
126

 
0.2
%
 
91

 
42

 
(1
)
 
132

 
0.2
%
Other [1]
385

 
29

 
(1
)
 
414

 
0.7
%
 
384

 
29

 
(1
)
 
409

 
0.7
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency backed [2]
1,441

 
54

 
(18
)
 
1,477

 
2.4
%
 
1,224

 
34

 
(8
)
 
1,250

 
2.1
%
Bonds
2,917

 
90

 
(25
)
 
2,982

 
4.9
%
 
2,725

 
58

 
(29
)
 
2,754

 
4.7
%
Interest only (“IOs”)
774

 
11

 
(20
)
 
765

 
1.3
%
 
719

 
13

 
(19
)
 
713

 
1.2
%
Corporate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic industry
1,093

 
70

 
(18
)
 
1,145

 
1.9
%
 
1,161

 
55

 
(45
)
 
1,171

 
2.0
%
Capital goods
1,700

 
142

 
(4
)
 
1,838

 
3.0
%
 
1,781

 
110

 
(15
)
 
1,876

 
3.2
%
Consumer cyclical
1,842

 
111

 
(11
)
 
1,942

 
3.2
%
 
1,848

 
68

 
(24
)
 
1,892

 
3.2
%
Consumer non-cyclical
3,821

 
315

 
(6
)
 
4,130

 
6.8
%
 
3,735

 
196

 
(24
)
 
3,907

 
6.6
%
Energy
2,056

 
85

 
(59
)
 
2,082

 
3.4
%
 
2,276

 
84

 
(111
)
 
2,249

 
3.8
%
Financial services
5,994

 
300

 
(75
)
 
6,219

 
10.2
%
 
6,083

 
246

 
(63
)
 
6,266

 
10.6
%
Tech./comm.
3,516

 
331

 
(35
)
 
3,812

 
6.3
%
 
3,553

 
229

 
(62
)
 
3,720

 
6.3
%
Transportation
883

 
61

 
(5
)
 
939

 
1.5
%
 
869

 
43

 
(10
)
 
902

 
1.5
%
Utilities
4,592

 
390

 
(29
)
 
4,953

 
8.2
%
 
4,395

 
299

 
(60
)
 
4,634

 
7.8
%
Other
226

 
13

 
(2
)
 
237

 
0.4
%
 
175

 
12

 
(2
)
 
185

 
0.3
%
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
1,146

 
57

 
(14
)
 
1,189

 
2.0
%
 
1,321

 
34

 
(47
)
 
1,308

 
2.2
%
Municipal bonds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
1,347

 
145

 
(4
)
 
1,488

 
2.5
%
 
1,315

 
92

 
(9
)
 
1,398

 
2.4
%
Tax-exempt
9,839

 
979

 
(3
)
 
10,815

 
17.8
%
 
9,809

 
916

 
(2
)
 
10,723

 
18.1
%
RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
2,182

 
88

 
(1
)
 
2,269

 
3.7
%
 
2,206

 
64

 
(6
)
 
2,264

 
3.8
%
Non-agency
100

 
2

 
—

 
102

 
0.2
%
 
89

 
2

 
—

 
91

 
0.2
%
Alt-A
94

 
1

 
(1
)
 
94

 
0.2
%
 
68

 
1

 
—

 
69

 
0.1
%
Sub-prime
1,887

 
12

 
(26
)
 
1,873

 
3.1
%
 
1,623

 
15

 
(16
)
 
1,622

 
2.7
%
U.S. Treasuries
4,170

 
403

 
(3
)
 
4,570

 
7.5
%
 
4,481

 
222

 
(38
)
 
4,665

 
7.9
%
Fixed maturities, AFS
57,378

 
3,757

 
(443
)
 
60,693

 
100
%
 
56,965

 
2,892

 
(658
)
 
59,196

 
100
%
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial services
145

 
2

 
(1
)
 
146

 
18.3
%
 
159

 
1

 
(2
)
 
158

 
18.8
%
Other
622

 
54

 
(24
)
 
652

 
81.7
%
 
683

 
37

 
(39
)
 
681

 
81.2
%
Equity securities, AFS
767

 
56

 
(25
)
 
798

 
100
%
 
842

 
38

 
(41
)
 
839

 
100
%
Total AFS securities
$
58,145

 
$
3,813

 
$
(468
)
 
$
61,491

 
 
 
$
57,807

 
$
2,930

 
$
(699
)
 
$
60,035

 
 
Fixed maturities, FVO
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
486

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
503

 
 
Equity, FVO [3]
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
348

 
 
[1]
Gross unrealized gains (losses) exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities. Changes in value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).
[2]
Includes securities with pools of loans issued by the Small Business Administration which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
[3]
Included in equity securities, AFS on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company did not hold any equity securities, FVO as of March 31, 2016.

103



The increase in the fair value of AFS securities, as compared to December 31, 2015, is primarily attributable to a decline in interest rates as well as reinvestment from other asset classes. The CMBS and RMBS sectors also reflect an increase as a result of net purchases.
 
 
Financial Services
The Company’s investment in the financial services sector is predominantly through investment grade banking and insurance institutions. The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturities and equity, AFS securities in the financial services sector that are included in the preceding Securities by Type table.
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
 
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
AAA
$
40

$
43

$
3

 
$
40

$
42

$
2

AA
780

806

26

 
747

763

16

A
2,696

2,843

147

 
2,922

3,025

103

BBB
2,222

2,280

58

 
2,133

2,188

55

BB & below
401

393

(8
)
 
400

406

6

Total [1]
$
6,139

$
6,365

$
226

 
$
6,242

$
6,424

$
182

[1]
Included equity, AFS securities with an amortized cost and fair value of $145 and $146, respectively as of March 31, 2016 and an amortized cost and fair value of $159 and $158, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 included in the AFS by type table above.
The Company's investment in the financial services sector decreased, as compared to December 31, 2015, due to sales, partially offset by an increase in valuations as a result of a decline in interest rates.
Commercial Real Estate
The following table presents the Company’s exposure to CMBS bonds by current credit quality and vintage year included in the preceding Securities by Type table. Credit protection represents the current weighted average percentage of the outstanding capital structure subordinated to the Company’s investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar loss of principal and excludes any equity interest or property value in excess of outstanding debt.
CMBS – Bonds [1]
March 31, 2016
 
AAA
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
BB and Below
 
Total
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
2005 & Prior
$
116

 
$
128

 
$
66

 
$
75

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
194

 
$
215

2006
103

 
105

 
102

 
103

 
124

 
125

 
61

 
61

 
22

 
22

 
412

 
416

2007
241

 
245

 
123

 
129

 
111

 
113

 
19

 
19

 
21

 
21

 
515

 
527

2008
36

 
38

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
36

 
38

2009
11

 
11

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

 
11

2010
18

 
20

 
8

 
8

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
26

 
28

2011
55

 
61

 
—

 
—

 
5

 
5

 
20

 
19

 
—

 
—

 
80

 
85

2012
40

 
41

 
6

 
6

 
30

 
29

 
38

 
37

 
—

 
—

 
114

 
113

2013
16

 
16

 
95

 
99

 
100

 
102

 
15

 
16

 
1

 
1

 
227

 
234

2014
330

 
345

 
67

 
68

 
75

 
73

 
7

 
7

 
2

 
2

 
481

 
495

2015
201

 
206

 
169

 
169

 
199

 
194

 
82

 
76

 
—

 
—

 
651

 
645

2016
45

 
47

 
35

 
35

 
74

 
76

 
16

 
17

 
—

 
—

 
170

 
175

Total
$
1,212

 
$
1,263

 
$
671

 
$
692

 
$
723

 
$
722

 
$
263

 
$
257

 
$
48

 
$
48

 
$
2,917

 
$
2,982

Credit  protection
33.2%
 
23.9%
 
18.2%
 
15.7%
 
25.0%
 
25.6%

104


December 31, 2015
 
AAA
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
BB and Below
 
Total
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
2005 & Prior
$
110

 
$
119

 
$
77

 
$
83

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
199

 
$
214

2006
149

 
151

 
102

 
104

 
140

 
141

 
61

 
62

 
22

 
22

 
474

 
480

2007
202

 
206

 
170

 
178

 
81

 
83

 
20

 
20

 
51

 
52

 
524

 
539

2008
37

 
38

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
37

 
38

2009
11

 
11

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

 
11

2010
18

 
19

 
8

 
8

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
26

 
27

2011
55

 
59

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
23

 
23

 
—

 
—

 
78

 
82

2012
40

 
40

 
6

 
6

 
26

 
26

 
33

 
32

 
—

 
—

 
105

 
104

2013
16

 
16

 
95

 
97

 
79

 
80

 
9

 
10

 
1

 
1

 
200

 
204

2014
329

 
335

 
58

 
58

 
69

 
68

 
6

 
6

 
2

 
2

 
464

 
469

2015
201

 
197

 
163

 
158

 
172

 
165

 
71

 
66

 
—

 
—

 
607

 
586

Total
$
1,168

 
$
1,191

 
$
679

 
$
692

 
$
572

 
$
568

 
$
228

 
$
224

 
$
78

 
$
79

 
$
2,725

 
$
2,754

Credit 
protection
32.9%
 
25.8%
 
18.4%
 
16.6%
 
18.7%
 
26.3%
[1]
The vintage year represents the year the pool of loans was originated.
The Company also has exposure to CRE CDOs with an amortized cost and fair value of $90 and $126, respectively, as of March 31, 2016, and $91 and $132 respectively, as of December 31, 2015. These securities are comprised of diversified pools of commercial mortgage loans or equity positions of other CMBS securitizations. We continue to monitor these investments as economic and market uncertainties regarding future performance impact market liquidity and security premiums.
In addition to CMBS bonds and CRE CDOs, the Company has exposure to commercial mortgage loans as presented in the following table. These loans are collateralized by a variety of commercial properties and are diversified both geographically throughout the United States and by property type. These loans are primarily in the form of whole loans, where the Company is the sole lender, but may include participations. Loan participations are loans that the Company has purchased or retained a portion of an outstanding loan or package of loans and participates on a pro-rata basis in collecting interest and principal pursuant to the terms of the participation agreement. In general, A-Note participations have senior payment priority, followed by B-Note participations and then mezzanine loan participations. As of March 31, 2016, loans within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio that have had extensions or restructurings, other than what is allowable under the original terms of the contract, are immaterial.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost [1]
 
Valuation Allowance
 
Carrying Value
 
Amortized Cost [1]
 
Valuation Allowance
 
Carrying Value
Agricultural
$
25

 
$
(6
)
 
$
19

 
$
33

 
$
(7
)
 
$
26

Whole loans
5,496

 
(16
)
 
5,480

 
5,458

 
(16
)
 
5,442

A-Note participations
138

 
—

 
138

 
139

 
—

 
139

B-Note participations
—

 
—

 
—

 
17

 
—

 
17

Total
$
5,659

 
$
(22
)
 
$
5,637

 
$
5,647

 
$
(23
)
 
$
5,624

[1]
Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.
The Company funded $98 of commercial whole loans with a weighted average loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio of 69% and a weighted average yield of 3.95% during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The Company continues to originate commercial whole loans within primary markets, such as office, industrial and multi-family, focusing on loans with strong LTV ratios and high quality property collateral. There were no mortgage loans held for sale as of March 31, 2016, or December 31, 2015.

105


Municipal Bonds
The following table summarizes the amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average credit quality of the Company's available-for-sale investments in municipal bonds.
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted Average Credit Quality
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted Average Credit Quality
General Obligation
$
1,936

 
$
2,129

 
AA
 
$
2,069

 
$
2,243

 
AA
Pre-Refunded [1]
887

 
947

 
AAA
 
850

 
903

 
AAA
Revenue


 


 

 


 


 

Transportation
1,612

 
1,820

 
A+
 
1,566

 
1,744

 
A+
Health Care
1,439

 
1,578

 
AA-
 
1,371

 
1,499

 
AA-
Water & Sewer
1,259

 
1,364

 
AA
 
1,228

 
1,324

 
AA
Education
1,148

 
1,255

 
AA+
 
1,109

 
1,205

 
AA
Sales Tax
693

 
784

 
AA-
 
692

 
779

 
AA-
Leasing [2]
761

 
850

 
AA-
 
728

 
803

 
AA-
Power
613

 
671

 
A+
 
658

 
709

 
A+
Housing
107

 
111

 
AA-
 
91

 
94

 
AA
Other
731

 
794

 
AA-
 
762

 
818

 
AA-
Total Revenue
8,363

 
9,227

 
AA-
 
8,205

 
8,975

 
AA-
Total Municipal
$
11,186

 
$
12,303

 
AA-
 
$
11,124

 
$
12,121

 
AA-
[1]
Pre-Refunded bonds are bonds for which an irrevocable trust containing sufficient U.S. Treasury, agency, or other securities has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest.
[2]
Leasing revenue bonds are generally the obligations of a financing authority established by the municipality that leases facilities back to a municipality. The notes are typically secured by lease payments made by the municipality that is leasing the facilities financed by the issue. Lease payments may be subject to annual appropriation by the municipality or the municipality may be obligated to appropriate general tax revenues to make lease payments.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the largest issuer concentrations were the state of California, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the New York Dormitory Authority, which each comprised less than 3% of the municipal bond portfolio and were comprised of general obligation and revenue bonds.
Limited Partnerships and Other Alternative Investments
The following table presents the Company’s investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments which include hedge funds, real estate funds, and private equity and other funds. Hedge funds are comprised of approximately half credit and equity-related funds and approximately half global macro and market neutral focus funds. Real estate funds consist of investments primarily in real estate equity funds, including some funds with public market exposure, and real estate joint ventures. Private equity and other funds primarily consist of investments in funds whose assets typically consist of a diversified pool of investments in small to mid-sized non-public businesses with high growth potential as well as limited exposure to public markets.
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amount
Percent
 
Amount
Percent
Hedge funds
$
800

30.1
%
 
$
1,034

36.0
%
Real estate funds
580

21.9
%
 
576

20.0
%
Private equity and other funds
1,274

48.0
%
 
1,264

44.0
%
Total
$
2,654

100
%
 
$
2,874

100
%

106


Available-for-Sale Securities — Unrealized Loss Aging
Total gross unrealized losses were $468 as of March 31, 2016 and have decreased $231, or 33%, from December 31, 2015 primarily due to lower interest rates. As of March 31, 2016, $403 of the gross unrealized losses were associated with securities depressed less than 20% of cost or amortized cost. The remaining $65 of gross unrealized losses were associated with securities depressed greater than 20%. The securities depressed more than 20% are primarily corporate securities and securities with exposure to commercial real estate, which are depressed primarily due to wider credit spreads and/or higher interest rates since the securities were purchased.
As part of the Company’s ongoing security monitoring process, the Company has reviewed its AFS securities in an unrealized loss position and concluded that these securities are temporarily depressed and are expected to recover in value as the securities approach maturity or as market spreads tighten. For these securities in an unrealized loss position where a credit impairment has not been recorded, the Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows are sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of the security. Furthermore, the Company neither has an intention to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell these securities. For further information regarding the Company’s impairment analysis, see Other-Than-Temporary Impairments in the Investment Portfolio Risks and Risk Management section of this MD&A.
The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities by length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Consecutive Months
Items
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss [1]
 
Items
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss [1]
Three months or less
939

 
$
2,898

 
$
2,865

 
$
(34
)
 
2,094

 
$
10,535

 
$
10,398

 
$
(137
)
Greater than three to six months
767

 
2,631

 
2,567

 
(64
)
 
819

 
2,837

 
2,735

 
(102
)
Greater than six to nine months
524

 
1,611

 
1,546

 
(65
)
 
933

 
4,421

 
4,194

 
(227
)
Greater than nine to eleven months
564

 
2,636

 
2,530

 
(106
)
 
329

 
1,302

 
1,242

 
(60
)
Twelve months or more
737

 
3,551

 
3,352

 
(199
)
 
675

 
3,072

 
2,896

 
(173
)
Total
3,531

 
$
13,327

 
$
12,860

 
$
(468
)
 
4,850

 
$
22,167

 
$
21,465

 
$
(699
)
[1]
Unrealized losses exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities as changes in value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).
The following table presents the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities continuously depressed over 20% by length of time (included in the preceding table):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Consecutive Months
Items
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss [1]
 
Items
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss [1]
Three months or less
125

 
$
63

 
$
44

 
$
(19
)
 
240

 
$
288

 
$
212

 
$
(76
)
Greater than three to six months
90

 
47

 
31

 
(16
)
 
130

 
77

 
51

 
(26
)
Greater than six to nine months
12

 
49

 
34

 
(15
)
 
5

 
3

 
2

 
(1
)
Greater than nine to eleven months
5

 
3

 
1

 
(2
)
 
6

 
12

 
8

 
(4
)
Twelve months or more
46

 
37

 
24

 
(13
)
 
50

 
28

 
18

 
(10
)
Total
278

 
$
199

 
$
134

 
$
(65
)
 
431

 
$
408

 
$
291

 
$
(117
)
[1]
Unrealized losses exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities as changes in value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).

107


Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The following table presents the Company’s impairments recognized in earnings by security type:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
CRE CDOs
$
—

$
1

CMBS IOs
1

—

Corporate
19

5

Equity
3

1

RMBS
 
 
Sub-prime
—

1

Foreign government
—

4

Total
$
23

$
12

Three months ended March 31, 2016
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, impairments recognized in earnings were comprised of credit impairments of $18, impairments on equity securities of $3, and securities that the Company intends to sell ("intent-to-sell impairments") of $2.
Credit impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were primarily related to corporate securities in the energy sector and were identified through security specific reviews and resulted from changes in the financial condition and near term prospects of certain issuers. The Company incorporates its best estimate of future performance using internal assumptions and judgments that are informed by economic and industry specific trends as well as our expectations with respect to security specific developments. Impairments on equity securities were comprised of securities in an unrealized loss position that the Company does not expect to recover. Intent-to-sell impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were primarily comprised of securities in the corporate sector.
Non-credit impairments recognized in other comprehensive income were $4 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. These non-credit impairments represent the difference between fair value and the Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield prior to impairment, rather than at current market implied credit spreads.
Future impairments may develop as the result of changes in intent-to-sell specific securities or if actual results underperform current modeling assumptions, which may be the result of, but are not limited to, macroeconomic factors and security-specific performance below current expectations. Ultimate loss formation will be a function of macroeconomic factors and idiosyncratic security-specific performance.
Three months ended March 31, 2015
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, impairments recognized in earnings were comprised of securities the Company intends to sell of $9 and credit impairments of $3. Impairments for the the three months ended March 31, 2015 were primarily impairments on securities the Company has made the decision to sell. Credit impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were primarily identified through security specific reviews and resulted from changes in the financial condition and near term prospects of certain issuers. There were no material non-credit impairments recognized in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

108


CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The following section discusses the overall financial strength of The Hartford and its insurance operations including their ability to generate cash flows from each of their business segments, borrow funds at competitive rates and raise new capital to meet operating and growth needs over the next twelve months.
Liquidity Requirements and Sources of Capital
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (Holding Company)
The liquidity requirements of the holding company of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (“HFSG Holding Company”) have been and will continue to be met by HFSG Holding Company’s fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash, and dividends from its subsidiaries, principally its insurance operations, as well as the issuance of common stock, debt or other capital securities and borrowings from its credit facilities, as needed.
As of March 31, 2016, HFSG Holding Company held fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash of $1.8 billion. Expected liquidity requirements of the HFSG Holding Company for the next twelve months include payments of 5.5% senior notes of $275 at maturity in October 2016 and 5.375% senior notes of $416 at maturity in March 2017, interest payments on debt of approximately $330 and common stockholder dividends, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, of approximately $330.
The Hartford has an intercompany liquidity agreement that allows for short-term advances of funds among the HFSG Holding Company and certain affiliates of up to $2 billion for liquidity and other general corporate purposes. The Connecticut Insurance Department ("CTDOI") granted approval for certain affiliated insurance companies that are parties to the agreement to treat receivables from a parent, including the HFSG Holding Company, as admitted assets for statutory accounting purposes. As of March 31, 2016, there were no amounts outstanding from the HFSG Holding Company.
Debt
In 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the extension of the existing debt capital management program through December 31, 2016. Under the program, the Company expects to use the remaining authorization of approximately $180 for other debt capital management actions. Any debt capital management actions are dependent on market conditions and other factors.
Equity
The Company's total authorization for equity repurchases is $4.375 billion for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016 with $980 remaining as of March 31, 2016.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 8.4 million common shares for $350. During the period April 1, 2016 to April 27, 2015, the Company repurchased 2.3 million common shares for $105.
Dividends
On February 25, 2016, The Hartford’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per common share payable on April 1, 2016 to common shareholders of record as of March 7, 2016.
There are no current restrictions on the HFSG Holding Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders.
For a discussion of restrictions on dividends to the HFSG Holding Company from its insurance subsidiaries, see the following "Dividends from Insurance Subsidiaries" discussion. For a discussion of potential restrictions on the HFSG Holding Company's ability to pay dividends, see the risk factor "Our ability to declare and pay dividends is subject to limitations" in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
While the Company has significant discretion in making voluntary contributions to the U. S. qualified defined benefit pension plan, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 (MAP-21) and Internal Revenue Code regulations mandate minimum contributions in certain circumstances. The Company does not have a 2016 required minimum funding contribution for the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan and the funding requirements for all pension plans are expected to be immaterial. The Company has not determined whether, and to what extent, contributions may be made to the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan in 2016. The Company will monitor the funded status of the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan during 2016 to make this determination.

109


Dividends from Insurance Subsidiaries
Dividends to the HFSG Holding Company from its insurance subsidiaries are restricted by insurance regulation. The payment of dividends by Connecticut-domiciled insurers is limited under the insurance holding company laws of Connecticut. These laws require notice to and approval by the state insurance commissioner for the declaration or payment of any dividend, which, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of (i) 10% of the insurer’s policyholder surplus as of December 31 of the preceding year or (ii) net income (or net gain from operations, if such company is a life insurance company) for the twelve-month period ending on the thirty-first day of December last preceding, in each case determined under statutory insurance accounting principles. In addition, if any dividend of a Connecticut-domiciled insurer exceeds the insurer’s earned surplus, it requires the prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner. The insurance holding company laws of the other jurisdictions in which The Hartford’s insurance subsidiaries are incorporated (or deemed commercially domiciled) generally contain similar (although in certain instances somewhat more restrictive) limitations on the payment of dividends. Dividends paid to HFSG Holding Company by its life insurance subsidiaries are further dependent on cash requirements of Hartford Life, Inc. ("HLI") and other factors. In addition to statutory limitations on paying dividends, the Company also takes other items into consideration when determining dividends from subsidiaries. These considerations include, but are not limited to expected earnings and capitalization of the subsidiaries, regulatory capital requirements and liquidity requirements of the individual operating company.
In 2016, The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries are permitted to pay up to a maximum of approximately $1.6 billion in dividends to HFSG Holding Company without prior approval from the applicable insurance commissioner. During the first quarter of 2016, HFSG Holding Company received approximately $200 in dividends from its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. In 2016, HFSG Holding Company anticipates receiving additional net dividends of approximately $600 from its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries.
In 2016, Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company ("HLA") is permitted to pay up to a maximum of $165 in dividends without prior approval from the insurance commissioner. During the first quarter of 2016, HFSG Holding Company received approximately $60 in dividends from HLA. HFSG Holding Company anticipates receiving additional dividends of approximately $180 from HLA during 2016, subject to regulatory approval.
On January 29, 2016, Hartford Life Insurance Company ("HLIC") paid an extraordinary dividend of $500, based on approval received from the insurance commissioner. As a result of this dividend, HLIC has no ordinary dividend capacity for the remainder of 2016. HFSG Holding Company anticipates receiving an additional $250 of extraordinary dividends from HLIC during 2016, subject to regulatory approval.
Other Sources of Capital for the HFSG Holding Company
The Hartford endeavors to maintain a capital structure that provides financial and operational flexibility to its insurance subsidiaries, ratings that support its competitive position in the financial services marketplace (see the "Ratings" section below for further discussion), and shareholder returns. As a result, the Company may from time to time raise capital from the issuance of equity, equity-related debt or other capital securities and is continuously evaluating strategic opportunities. The issuance of debt, common equity, equity-related debt or other capital securities could result in the dilution of shareholder interests or reduced net income due to additional interest expense.
Shelf Registrations
On August 9, 2013, The Hartford filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic shelf registration statement (Registration No. 333-190506) for the potential offering and sale of debt and equity securities. The registration statement allows for the following types of securities to be offered: debt securities, junior subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, and stock purchase units. In that The Hartford is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, the registration statement went effective immediately upon filing and The Hartford may offer and sell an unlimited amount of securities under the registration statement during the three-year life of the registration statement.
Contingent Capital Facility
The Hartford is party to a put option agreement that provides The Hartford with the right to require the Glen Meadow ABC Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, at any time and from time to time, to purchase The Hartford’s junior subordinated notes in a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500. Under the Put Option Agreement, The Hartford pays the Glen Meadow ABC Trust premiums on a periodic basis, calculated with respect to the aggregate principal amount of notes that The Hartford had the right to put to the Glen Meadow ABC Trust for such period. The Hartford has agreed to reimburse the Glen Meadow ABC Trust for certain fees and ordinary expenses. The Company holds a variable interest in the Glen Meadow ABC Trust where the Company is not the primary beneficiary. As a result, the Company did not consolidate the Glen Meadow ABC Trust. As of March 31, 2016, The Hartford has not exercised its right to require Glen Meadow ABC Trust to purchase the Notes. As a result, the Notes remain a source of capital for the HFSG Holding Company.

110


Commercial Paper and Revolving Credit Facility
Commercial Paper
The Hartford’s maximum borrowings available under its commercial paper program are $1 billion. The Company is dependent upon market conditions to access short-term financing through the issuance of commercial paper to investors. As of March 31, 2016, there was no commercial paper outstanding.
Revolving Credit Facilities
The Company has a senior unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) that provides for borrowing capacity up to $1 billion of unsecured credit through October 31, 2019 available in U.S. dollars, Euro, Sterling, Canadian dollars and Japanese Yen. As of March 31, 2016, no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants within the Credit Facility.
Derivative Commitments
Certain of the Company’s derivative agreements contain provisions that are tied to the financial strength ratings, as set by nationally recognized statistical rating agencies, of the individual legal entity that entered into the derivative agreement. If the legal entity’s financial strength were to fall below certain ratings, the counterparties to the derivative agreements could demand immediate and ongoing full collateralization and in certain instances demand immediate settlement of all outstanding derivative positions traded under each impacted bilateral agreement. The settlement amount is determined by netting the derivative positions transacted under each agreement. If the termination rights were to be exercised by the counterparties, it could impact the legal entity’s ability to conduct hedging activities by increasing the associated costs and decreasing the willingness of counterparties to transact with the legal entity. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position as of March 31, 2016 is $1.4 billion. Of this $1.4 billion, the legal entities have posted collateral of $1.6 billion in the normal course of business. In addition, the Company has posted collateral of $33 associated with a customized GMWB derivative. Based on derivative market values as of March 31, 2016, a downgrade of one or two levels below the current financial strength ratings by either Moody’s or S&P would not require additional assets to be posted as collateral. These collateral amounts could change as derivative market values change, as a result of changes in our hedging activities or to the extent changes in contractual terms are negotiated. The nature of the collateral that we would post, if required, would be primarily in the form of U.S. Treasury bills, U.S. Treasury notes and government agency securities.
As of March 31, 2016, the aggregate notional amount and fair value of derivative relationships that could be subject to immediate termination in the event of rating agency downgrades to either BBB+ or Baa1 was $148 and $(14), respectively.
Insurance Operations
Current and expected patterns of claim frequency and severity or surrenders may change from period to period but continue to be within historical norms and, therefore, the Company’s insurance operations’ current liquidity position is considered to be sufficient to meet anticipated demands over the next twelve months, including any obligations related to the Company’s restructuring activities. For a discussion and tabular presentation of the Company’s current contractual obligations by period, refer to Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations within the Capital Resources and Liquidity section of the MD&A included in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
The principal sources of operating funds are premiums, fees earned from assets under management and investment income, while investing cash flows originate from maturities and sales of invested assets. The primary uses of funds are to pay claims, claim adjustment expenses, commissions and other underwriting expenses, taxes to purchase new investments and to make dividend payments to the HFSG Holding Company.
The Company’s insurance operations consist of property and casualty insurance products (collectively referred to as “Property & Casualty Operations”) and life insurance and legacy annuity products (collectively referred to as “Life Operations”).

111


Property & Casualty Operations
Property & Casualty Operations holds fixed maturity securities including a significant short-term investment position (securities with maturities of one year or less at the time of purchase) to meet liquidity needs.
As of March 31, 2016 Property & Casualty Operations’ fixed maturities, short-term investments, and cash are summarized as follows: 
Fixed maturities
$
26,554

Short-term investments
494

Cash
152

Less: Derivative collateral
220

Total
$
26,980

Liquidity requirements that are unable to be funded by Property & Casualty Operation’s short-term investments would be satisfied with current operating funds, including premiums received or through the sale of invested assets. A sale of invested assets could result in significant realized losses.
Life Operations
Life Operations’ total general account contractholder obligations are supported by $41 billion of cash and total general account invested assets, which included a significant short-term investment position to meet liquidity needs.
As of March 31, 2016 Life Operations’ fixed maturities, short-term investments, and cash are summarized as follows:
Fixed maturities
$
33,106

Short-term investments
938

Cash
326

Less: Derivative collateral
1,456

Total
$
32,914

Capital resources available to fund liquidity upon contractholder surrender or termination are a function of the legal entity in which the liquidity requirement resides. Generally, obligations of Group Benefits will be funded by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. Obligations of Talcott Resolution will generally be funded by Hartford Life Insurance Company and Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company.
HLIC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”). Membership allows HLIC access to collateralized advances, which may be used to support various spread-based businesses and enhance liquidity management. FHLBB membership requires the company to own member stock and advances require the purchase of activity stock. The amount of advances that can be taken are dependent on the asset types pledged to secure the advances. The CTDOI will permit HLIC to pledge up to $1.2 billion in qualifying assets to secure FHLBB advances for 2016. The pledge limit is recalculated annually based on statutory admitted assets and capital and surplus. HLIC would need to seek the prior approval of the CTDOI in order to exceed these limits. As of March 31, 2016, HLIC had no advances outstanding under the FHLBB facility.
 
As of
Contractholder Obligations
March 31, 2016
Total Life contractholder obligations
$
169,938

Less: Separate account assets [1]
118,361

General account contractholder obligations
$
51,577

Composition of General Account Contractholder Obligations
 
Contracts without a surrender provision and/or fixed payout dates [2]
$
25,106

U.S. Fixed MVA annuities [3]
5,478

Other [4]
20,993

General account contractholder obligations
$
51,577

[1]
In the event customers elect to surrender separate account assets, Life Operations will use the proceeds from the sale of the assets to fund the surrender, and Life Operations’ liquidity position will not be impacted. In some instances Life Operations will receive a percentage of the surrender amount as compensation for early surrender (surrender charge), increasing Life Operations’ liquidity position. In addition, a surrender of variable annuity separate account or general account assets (see the following) will decrease Life Operations’ obligation for payments on guaranteed living and death benefits.
[2]
Relates to contracts such as payout annuities or institutional notes or surrenders of term life, group benefit contracts or death and living benefit reserves for which surrenders will have no current effect on Life Operations’ liquidity requirements.

112


[3]
Relates to annuities that are recorded in the general account under U.S. GAAP as the contractholders are subject to the Company's credit risk, although these annuities are held in a statutory separate account. In the statutory separate account, Life Operations is required to maintain invested assets with a fair value greater than or equal to the MVA surrender value of the Fixed MVA contract. In the event assets decline in value at a greater rate than the MVA surrender value of the Fixed MVA contract, Life Operations is required to contribute additional capital to the statutory separate account. Life Operations will fund these required contributions with operating cash flows or short-term investments. In the event that operating cash flows or short-term investments are not sufficient to fund required contributions, the Company may have to sell other invested assets at a loss, potentially resulting in a decrease in statutory surplus. As the fair value of invested assets in the statutory separate account are at least equal to the MVA surrender value of the Fixed MVA contract, surrender of Fixed MVA annuities will have an insignificant impact on the liquidity requirements of Life Operations.
[4]
Surrenders of, or policy loans taken from, as applicable, these general account liabilities, which include the general account option for Life Operations' individual variable annuities and the variable life contracts of the former Individual Life business, the general account option for annuities of the former Retirement Plans business and universal life contracts sold by the former Individual Life business, may be funded through operating cash flows of Life Operations, available short-term investments, or Life Operations may be required to sell fixed maturity investments to fund the surrender payment. Sales of fixed maturity investments could result in the recognition of realized losses and insufficient proceeds to fully fund the surrender amount. In this circumstance, Life Operations may need to take other actions, including enforcing certain contract provisions which could restrict surrenders and/or slow or defer payouts. The Company has ceded reinsurance in connection with the sales of its Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses in 2013 to MassMutual and Prudential, respectively. These reinsurance transactions do not extinguish the Company's primary liability on the insurance policies issued under these businesses.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes to the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements and aggregate contractual obligations since the filing of the Company’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report.
Capitalization
The capital structure of The Hartford consists of debt and stockholders’ equity, summarized as follows:
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Change
Short-term debt (includes current maturities of long-term debt)
$
690

$
275

151
 %
Long-term debt
4,633

5,084

(9
)%
Total debt [1]
5,323

5,359

(1
)%
Stockholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”)
17,858

17,971

(1
)%
AOCI, net of tax
254

(329
)
(177
)%
Total stockholders’ equity
$
18,112

$
17,642

3
 %
Total capitalization including AOCI
$
23,435

$
23,001

2
 %
Debt to stockholders’ equity
29
%
30
%
 
Debt to capitalization
23
%
23
%
 
[1]
Total debt of the Company excludes $33 and $38 of consumer notes as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Total stockholders' equity increased in the first quarter of 2016 primarily due to an increase in net unrealized capital gains from securities within AOCI. Total capitalization increased $434, or 2%, as of March 31, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015 primarily due to increases in AOCI.
For additional information on AOCI, net of tax, and unrealized capital gains from securities, see Note 10 - Changes In and Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, and Note 5 - Investments and Derivative Instruments of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

113


Cash Flows
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
2015
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
398

$
447

Net cash provided by investing activities
$
194

$
295

Net cash used for financing activities
$
(565
)
$
(619
)
Cash – end of period
$
479

$
500

Cash provided by operating activities decreased in 2016 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to a decrease in reinsurance claim recoveries and investment income received, partially offset by a decrease in claims paid.
Cash provided by investing activities in 2016 primarily relates to net proceeds from derivatives of $189 and net proceeds from partnerships of $147, partially offset by additions to property and equipment of $84. Cash provided by investing activities in 2015 primarily relates to net proceeds from short-term investments of $642, excluding proceeds reinvested in fixed maturities available-for-sale, partially offset by net payments for equity securities available-for-sale of $203.
Cash used for financing activities in 2016 consists primarily of acquisition of treasury stock of $350 and net payments for deposits, transfers and withdrawals for investments and universal life products of $199. Cash used for financing activities in 2015 consists primarily of $298 related to net activity for investments and universal life products, repayment of debt of $289, and acquisition of treasury stock of $250, partially offset $323 in proceeds from securities sold under repurchase agreements.
Operating cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 have been adequate to meet liquidity requirements.
Equity Markets
For a discussion of the potential impact of the equity markets on capital and liquidity, see the Enterprise Risk Management section of the MD&A.
Ratings
Ratings are an important factor in establishing competitive position in the insurance marketplace and impact the Company’s ability to access financing and its cost of borrowing. There can be no assurance that the Company’s ratings will continue for any given period of time, or that they will not be changed. In the event the Company’s ratings are downgraded, the Company’s competitive position, ability to access financing, and its cost of borrowing, may be adversely impacted.
The following table summarizes The Hartford’s significant member companies’ financial ratings from the major independent rating organizations as of April 26, 2016.
Insurance Financial Strength Ratings:
A.M. Best
Standard & Poor’s
Moody’s
Hartford Fire Insurance Company
A+
A+
A1
Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
A
A
A2
Hartford Life Insurance Company
A-
BBB+
Baa2
Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company
A-
BBB+
Baa2
Other Ratings:
 
 
 
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.:
 
 
 
Senior debt
a-
BBB+
Baa2
Commercial paper
AMB-1
A-2
P-2
These ratings are not a recommendation to buy or hold any of The Hartford’s securities and they may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.
The agencies consider many factors in determining the final rating of an insurance company. One consideration is the relative level of statutory capital and surplus (referred to collectively as "statutory capital") necessary to support the business written and is reported in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by the applicable state insurance department.

114


Statutory Capital
The table below sets forth statutory capital for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries.
 
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Life insurance subsidiaries
$
6,084

$
6,591

Property & casualty insurance subsidiaries
8,772

8,563

Total
$
14,856

$
15,154

Statutory capital for the life insurance subsidiaries decreased by $507 primarily due to dividends of $560.
Statutory capital for property and casualty increased by $209, primarily due to statutory net income of $345 and a decrease in non-admitted assets of $72, partially offset by dividends to HFSG Holding Company of $200.
Contingencies
Legal Proceedings – For a discussion regarding contingencies related to The Hartford’s legal proceedings, please see the information contained under “Litigation” in Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Part II, Item 1 Legal Proceedings, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Legislative and Regulatory Developments
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”)
Since it was enacted in 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act has resulted in significant changes to the regulation of the financial services industry, including changes to the rules governing derivatives, restrictions on proprietary trading by certain entities, the creation of a Federal Insurance Office within the U.S. Treasury, and enhancements to corporate governance rules, among other things. The Dodd-Frank Act requires significant rulemaking across numerous agencies within the federal government. Rulemaking, and implementation of newly-adopted rules, is ongoing and may affect our operations and governance in ways that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the "Affordable Care Act")
On March 23, 2010, the President signed the Affordable Care Act. While many of the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act have become effective, there remains uncertainty with its implementation. Federal agencies continue rulemaking for certain provisions, along with being subject to legal and legislative challenges. In addition, certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act have been amended or delayed, such as the employer mandate which will continue to be phased in during 2016. The impact of the Affordable Care Act to The Hartford as an employer is consistent with other large employers. The Hartford’s core business does not involve the issuance of health insurance and we do not issue any products that insure customers under the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. To date, there have been certain limited impacts to The Hartford's group benefits businesses including additional opportunities to market our group benefit products and services through private exchanges. While we have not observed any material impacts on the Company's workers' compensation business or group benefits business, we continue to monitor the impact of the Affordable Care Act on consumer, broker and medical provider behavior for leading indicators of changes in medical costs or loss payments primarily on the Company's workers' compensation and disability liabilities.
Budget of the United States Government
On February 9, 2016, the Obama Administration released its “Fiscal Year 2017, Budget of the U.S. Government” (the “Budget”). The Budget includes proposals that if enacted, would affect the taxation of life insurance companies and certain life insurance products. In particular, the proposals would change the method used to determine the amount of dividend income received by a life insurance company on assets held in separate accounts used to support products, including variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts, which are eligible for the DRD. The DRD reduces the amount of dividend income subject to tax and is a significant component of the difference between the Company's actual tax expense and expected amount determined using the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. If this proposal were enacted, the Company's actual tax expense could increase, reducing earnings.
United States Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule
On April 6, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued a final regulation that expands the range of activities considered to be fiduciary investment advice under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code. Implementation will be phased in, with the regulation in full effect by January 1, 2018. The regulation could have an adverse impact on our current offerings of mutual funds, along with contracts in our run-off lines of business, and may impact the way we provide investment-related information and support to financial advisors, plan sponsors, plan participants, plan beneficiaries and Individual Retirement Account owners. We are currently analyzing the potential effect of the regulation on our businesses.

115


IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For a discussion of accounting standards, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in The Hartford’s 2015 Form 10-K Annual Report and Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information contained in the Financial Risk Management section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective for the purposes set forth in the definition thereof in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of March 31, 2016.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's current fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

116


Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Litigation
The Hartford is involved in claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, both as a liability insurer defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds and as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it. The Hartford accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. Subject to the uncertainties in the following discussion under the caption “Asbestos and Environmental Claims,” management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of The Hartford.
The Hartford is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, and in addition to the matters in the following description, putative state and federal class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such putative class actions have alleged, for example, underpayment of claims or improper underwriting practices in connection with various kinds of insurance policies, such as personal and commercial automobile, property, disability, life and inland marine. The Hartford also is involved in individual actions in which punitive damages are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims or other allegedly unfair or improper business practices. Like many other insurers, The Hartford also has been joined in actions by asbestos plaintiffs asserting, among other things, that insurers had a duty to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos and that insurers committed unfair trade practices by asserting defenses on behalf of their policyholders in the underlying asbestos cases. Management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such lawsuits, after consideration of provisions made for estimated losses, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition of The Hartford. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, the outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
In addition to the inherent difficulty of predicting litigation outcomes, the Mutual Funds Litigation identified below purports to seek substantial damages for unsubstantiated conduct spanning a multi-year period based on novel applications of complex legal theories. The alleged damages are not quantified or factually supported in the complaint, and, in any event, the Company’s experience shows that demands for damages often bear little relation to a reasonable estimate of potential loss. The application of the legal standard identified by the court for assessing the potentially available damages, as described below, is inherently unpredictable, and no legal precedent has been identified that would aid in determining a reasonable estimate of potential loss. Accordingly, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.
Mutual Funds Litigation — In February 2011, a derivative action was brought on behalf of six Hartford retail mutual funds in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging that Hartford Investment Financial Services, LLC (“HIFSCO”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, received excessive advisory and distribution fees in violation of its statutory fiduciary duty under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. HIFSCO moved to dismiss and, in September 2011, the motion was granted in part and denied in part, with leave to amend the complaint. In November 2011, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on behalf of The Hartford Global Health Fund, The Hartford Conservative Allocation Fund, The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund, The Hartford Inflation Plus Fund, The Hartford Advisors Fund, and The Hartford Capital Appreciation Fund. Plaintiffs seek to rescind the investment management agreements and distribution plans between HIFSCO and these funds and to recover the total fees charged thereunder or, in the alternative, to recover any improper compensation HIFSCO received, in addition to lost earnings. HIFSCO filed a partial motion to dismiss the amended complaint and, in December 2012, the court dismissed without prejudice the claims regarding distribution fees and denied the motion with respect to the advisory fees claims. In March 2014, the plaintiffs filed a new complaint that, among other things, added as new plaintiffs The Hartford Floating Rate Fund and The Hartford Small Company Fund and named as a defendant Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company which assumed the role as advisor to the funds as of January 2013. In June 2015, HFMC and HIFSCO moved for summary judgment, and plaintiffs cross-moved for partial summary judgment with respect to The Hartford Capital Appreciation Fund. In March 2016, the court, in large part, denied summary judgment for all parties. The court granted judgment for HFMC and HIFSCO with respect to all claims made by The Hartford Small Company Fund and certain claims made by The Hartford Floating Rate Fund. The court further ruled that the appropriate measure of damages on the surviving claims is the difference, if any, between the actual advisory fees paid through trial and those that could have been paid under the applicable legal standard.

117


Asbestos and Environmental Claims – As discussed in Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Property and Casualty Insurance Product Reserves, Net of Reinsurance - Property & Casualty Other Operations Claims, The Hartford continues to receive asbestos and environmental claims that involve significant uncertainty regarding policy coverage issues. Regarding these claims, The Hartford continually reviews its overall reserve levels and reinsurance coverages, as well as the methodologies it uses to estimate its exposures. Because of the significant uncertainties that limit the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate reserves necessary for unpaid losses and related expenses, particularly those related to asbestos, the ultimate liabilities may exceed the currently recorded reserves. Any such additional liability cannot be reasonably estimated now but could be material to The Hartford’s consolidated operating results and liquidity.

118


Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in The Hartford involves risk. In deciding whether to invest in The Hartford, you should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, any of which could have a significant or material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, operating results or liquidity of The Hartford. This information should be considered carefully together with the other information contained in this report and the other reports and materials filed by The Hartford with the SEC.
Item 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The Company’s repurchase authorization permits purchases of common stock, as well as warrants or other derivative securities. Repurchases may be made in the open market, through derivative, accelerated share repurchase and other privately negotiated transactions, and through plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The timing of any future repurchases will be dependent upon several factors, including the market price of the Company’s securities, the Company’s capital position, consideration of the effect of any repurchases on the Company’s financial strength or credit ratings, and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.
The Company's total authorization for equity repurchases is $4.375 billion for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016.
The following table summarizes the Company’s repurchases of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2016:
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased [1]
Average Price
Paid Per
Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
January 1, 2016 - January 31, 2016
2,793,746

$
39.94

2,793,746

$
1,218

February 1, 2016 - February 29, 2016
2,897,641

$
40.78

2,897,641

$
1,100

March 1, 2016 - March 31, 2016
2,702,872

$
44.55

2,072,872

$
980

Total
8,394,259

$
41.72

8,394,259

 
[1]
Excludes 1,066,033 shares in net settlement of employee tax withholding obligations related to equity awards under the Company's Incentive Stock Plan. These net share settlements had the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduced the number of shares that otherwise would have been issued as a result of the vesting of equity awards. The Company paid approximately $46 million in employee tax withholding obligations related to net share settlements in the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Item 6.     EXHIBITS
See Exhibits Index on page

119


SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
Date:
April 28, 2016
/s/ Scott R. Lewis
 
 
Scott R. Lewis
 
 
Senior Vice President and Controller
 
 
(Chief accounting officer and duly
authorized signatory)

120


THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2016
FORM 10-Q
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
*10.01
 
The Hartford 2014 Incentive Stock Plan Form of Individual Award Agreement. **
 
 
15.01
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP Letter of Awareness.**
 
 
 
31.01
 
Certification of Christopher J. Swift pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
 
 
31.02
 
Certification of Beth A. Bombara pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
 
 
32.01
 
Certification of Christopher J. Swift pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
 
 
32.02
 
Certification of Beth A. Bombara pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.**
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.**
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.**
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.**
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.**
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.**
 
 
*
 
Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
 
 
**
 
Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to this report.

121