FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – STATUTORY BASIS

AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

and Supplementary Information

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

Contents

 

Report of Independent Auditors

     3  

Audited Financial Statements

  

Balance Sheets – Statutory Basis

     5  

Statements of Operations – Statutory Basis

     6  

Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus – Statutory Basis

     7  

Statements of Cash Flow – Statutory Basis

     9  

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

  

1. Organization and Nature of Business

     11  

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     11  

3. Accounting Changes and Correction of Errors

     24  

4. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

     28  

5. Investments

     37  

6. Policy and Contract Attributes

     60  

7. Reinsurance

     76  

8. Income Taxes

     79  

9. Capital and Surplus

     86  

10. Securities Lending

     87  

11. Retirement and Compensation Plans

     89  

12. Related Party Transactions

     90  

13. Managing General Agents and Third-Party Administrators

     96  

14. Commitments and Contingencies

     97  

15. Sales, Transfer, and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities

     102  

16. Subsequent Events

     104  

Appendix A – Listing of Affiliated Companies

     106  

Statutory-Basis Financial Statement Schedules

  

Summary of Investments – Other Than Investments in Related Parties

     109  

Supplementary Insurance Information

     110  

Reinsurance

     111  


LOGO

Report of Independent Auditors

To the Board of Directors of Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Opinions

We have audited the accompanying statutory basis financial statements of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (the “Company”), which comprise the balance sheets – statutory basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related statements of operations - statutory basis, of changes in capital and surplus - statutory basis, and of cash flow - statutory basis for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes and summary of investments - other than investments in related parties at December 31, 2023, supplementary insurance information at December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and reinsurance at December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).

Unmodified Opinion on Statutory Basis of Accounting

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities and capital and surplus of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division described in Note 2.

Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

In our opinion, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the “Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” section of our report, the accompanying financial statements do not present fairly, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, or the results of its operations or its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023.

Basis for Opinions

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions.

Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the financial statements are prepared by the Company on the basis of the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis of accounting described in Note 2 and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, One North Wacker, Chicago, IL 60606

T: (312) 298 2000, www.pwc.com/us


LOGO

Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division. Management is also responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date the financial statements are available to be issued.

Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with US GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.

In performing an audit in accordance with US GAAS, we:

 

   

Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

   

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

   

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

   

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.

   

Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 11, 2024

 

2


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Balance Sheets – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     December 31
     2023   2022
  

 

 

 

Admitted assets

    

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

    $ 3,305     $ 2,420  

Bonds

     46,351       51,131  

Preferred stocks

     59       61  

Common stocks

     3,877       3,251  

Mortgage loans on real estate

     9,409       9,270  

Real estate

     41       44  

Policy loans

     2,109       2,028  

Securities lending reinvested collateral assets

     2,292       2,115  

Derivatives

     1,143       2,339  

Receivable for derivative cash collateral

     361       981  

Other invested assets

     3,395       2,964  
  

 

 

 

Total cash and invested assets

     72,342       76,604  

Accrued investment income

     626       716  

Premiums deferred and uncollected

     151       169  

Net deferred income tax asset

     772       739  

Variable annuity reserve hedge offset deferral

     445       380  

Other assets

     1,649       1,596  

Separate account assets

     98,852       91,494  
  

 

 

 

Total admitted assets

    $   174,837     $   171,698  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities and capital and surplus

    

Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts

    $ 52,496     $ 57,956  

Policy and contract claim reserves

     983       1,098  

Liability for deposit-type contracts

     717       766  

Other policyholders’ funds

     46       42  

Transfers from separate accounts due or accrued

     (421     (510

Funds held under reinsurance treaties

     7,480       3,042  

Asset valuation reserve

     1,302       1,111  

Interest maintenance reserve

           407  

Derivatives

     1,214       3,629  

Payable for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

     3,098       2,271  

Borrowed money

     1,738       3,107  

Other liabilities

     1,414       1,622  

Separate account liabilities

     98,852       91,494  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     168,919       166,035  
  

 

 

 

Total capital and surplus

     5,918       5,663  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and capital and surplus

    $ 174,837     $ 171,698  
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

3


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Operations – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023     2022   2021  
  

 

 

 

Revenues

      

Premiums and other considerations

    $ 9,516     $ 19,813     $ 14,482   

Net investment income

     3,597       3,297       3,191   

Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance ceded

     329       1,075       187   

Reserve adjustment on reinsurance ceded

     (139     (147     (260)  

Consideration received on reinsurance recapture and novations

     140       210       963   

Fee revenue and other income

     2,119       1,982       2,259   
  

 

 

 

Total revenue

     15,562       26,230       20,822   

Benefits and expenses

      

Death benefits

     2,433       2,650       2,928   

Annuity benefits

     1,466       1,552       1,798   

Accident and health benefits

     1,046       1,021       945   

Surrender benefits

     14,692       20,498       18,145   

Other benefits

     257       244       292   

Net increase (decrease) in reserves

     (5,482     6,563       942   

Commissions

     1,343       1,688       1,375   

Taxes, licenses and fees

     163       153       180   

Funds withheld ceded investment income

     95       98       131   

Net transfers to (from) separate accounts

     (4,801     (10,952     (8,881)  

IMR adjustment due to reinsurance

     248       (432     (43)  

General insurance expenses and other

     1,291       1,198       1,107   
  

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

     12,751       24,281       18,919   
  

 

 

 

Gain (loss) from operations before dividends and federal income taxes

     2,811       1,949       1,903   

Dividends to policyholders

     8       10       10   
  

 

 

 

Gain (loss) from operations before federal income taxes

     2,803       1,939       1,893   

Federal income tax (benefit) expense

     75       (80     (185)  
  

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) from operations

     2,728       2,019       2,078   

Net realized capital gains (losses), after tax and amounts transferred to interest maintenance reserve

     (1,999     (4,211     (1,924)  
  

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    $     729     $    (2,192   $     154   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

4


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     Common
Stock
     Paid-in
Surplus
    Special
Surplus
Funds
    Unassigned
Surplus
    Total Capital
and Surplus
 
  

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2021

    $ 7      $ 4,562     $ (145   $ 3,686     $ 8,110   

Net income (loss)

                        154       154   

Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses, net of taxes

                  (105     555       450   

Change in net deferred income tax asset

                        123       123   

Change in nonadmitted assets

                        (73     (73)  

Change in reserve on account of change valuation basis

                        (60     (60)  

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle

                        (15     (15)  

Change in asset valuation reserve

                        (52     (52)  

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

                        (256     (256)  

Dividends to stockholders

                        (761     (761)  

Distribution of affiliate stock

                        (339     (339)  

Other changes - net

            3             (7     (4)  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

    $     7      $   4,565     $    (250   $    2,955     $    7,277   

Net income (loss)

                        (2,192     (2,192)  

Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses, net of taxes

                  630       384       1,014   

Change in net deferred income tax asset

                        702       702   

Change in nonadmitted assets

                        (834     (834)  

Change in reserve on account of change valuation basis

                        641       641   

Change in asset valuation reserve

                        139       139   

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

                        (871     (871)  

Capital contribution

            100                   100   

Dividends to stockholders

                        (425     (425)  

Other changes - net

            (1           113       112   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

    $ 7      $ 4,664     $ 380     $ 612     $ 5,663   
  

 

 

 

Continued on next page.

 

5


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     Common
Stock
     Paid-in
Surplus
     Special
Surplus
Funds
     Unassigned
Surplus
    Total Capital
and Surplus
 
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

    $ 7      $ 4,664      $ 380      $ 612     $ 5,663   

Net income (loss)

                          729       729   

Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses, net of taxes

                   136        1,148       1,284   

Change in net deferred income tax asset

                          149       149   

Change in nonadmitted assets

                          (417     (417)  

Change in asset valuation reserve

                          (191     (191)  

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

                          (435     (435)  

Dividends to stockholders

                          (858     (858)  

Other changes - net

            8               (14     (6)  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

    $     7      $   4,672      $    516      $     723     $    5,918   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

6


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Cash Flow – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31
     2023   2022   2021  
  

 

 

 

Operating activities

      

Premiums and annuity considerations

    $ 13,933     $ 14,606     $ 15,975   

Net investment income

     3,580       3,146       3,105   

Other income

     1,940       2,251       2,025   

Benefit and loss related payments

     (19,702     (26,105     (24,040)  

Net transfers from separate accounts

     4,842       11,122       9,042   

Commissions and operating expenses

     (2,787     (2,771     (2,799)  

Dividends paid to policyholders

     (5     (6     (6)  

Federal income taxes (paid) received

     18       204       148   
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    $ 1,819     $ 2,447     $ 3,450   

Investing activities

      

Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid

    $ 8,889     $ 10,356     $ 12,231   

Costs of investments acquired

     (8,332     (10,957     (14,040)  

Net change in policy loans

     (81     (35     51   
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    $ 476     $ (636   $ (1,758)  

Financing and miscellaneous activities

      

Capital and paid in surplus received (returned)

    $ 6     $ 101     $ 2   

Dividends to stockholders

     (858     (425     (761)  

Net deposits (withdrawals) on deposit-type contracts

     (45     (67     (143)  

Net change in borrowed money

     (1,354     (777     385   

Net change in funds held under reinsurance treaties

     43       41       74   
Net change in payable for collateral under securities lending and other transactions      828       (42     (443)  

Other cash (applied) provided

     (30     (348     (512)  
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing and miscellaneous activities

    $ (1,410   $ (1,517   $ (1,398)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     885       294       294   

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments:

      

Beginning of year

     2,420       2,126       1,832   
  

 

 

 

End of year

    $    3,305     $    2,420     $    2,126   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

7


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Cash Flow (supplemental) – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     Year Ended December 31  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

     2023       2022        2021  
  

 

 

 

Non-cash activities during the year not included in the Statutory Statements of

Cash Flows:

       

Receipt of bonds, other invested assets and interest related to affiliated reinsurance treaty

    $    792     $    4,706      $    —  

Increase of funds withheld related to affiliated reinsurance agreement

     (4,394             

Release of funds withheld related to affiliated reinsurance recaptures

           42        963  

Release of reinsurance payable related to affiliate reinsurance recapture

           22         

Assets transfer in for amended reinsurance treaty

                  47  

Distribution of affiliate stock

                  (339

Receipt (transfer) of assets related to nonaffiliated reinsurance

                  (1,527

See accompanying notes.

 

8


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

December 31, 2023

1.  Organization and Nature of Business

Transamerica Life Insurance Company (the Company) is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Iowa, and is owned by Commonwealth General Corporation (CGC). CGC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Aegon Ltd., a holding company organized under the laws of Bermuda.

Nature of Business

The Company sells individual life insurance, including indexed universal life, whole life, term life, and final expense whole life. It also sells variable and registered index-linked annuities. In addition, the Company offers supplemental health insurance, group life insurance, group annuity contracts and stable value solutions. The Company is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands. Sales of the Company’s products are primarily through a network of independent agents and broker-dealers, affiliated agencies, and financial institutions.

2.  Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division (IID), which differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

The IID recognizes only statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Iowa for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company, and for determining its solvency under the Iowa Insurance Law. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (NAIC SAP) has been adopted as a component of prescribed practices by the State of Iowa. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include state laws and regulations. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass accounting practices that are not prescribed. The Commissioner of Insurance has the right to permit specific practices that deviate from prescribed practices.

The following is a summary of the accounting practices permitted and prescribed by the IID and reflected in the Company’s financial statements which differs from NAIC SAP:

The State of Iowa has adopted a prescribed accounting practice that differs from that found in the NAIC SAP related to credit for reinsurance. As prescribed by Iowa Administrative Code 191-5.33 (10)(d), the Commissioner has deemed the book value of assets held in a comfort trust as acceptable security for purposes of taking reserve credit for liabilities ceded to an unauthorized reinsurer while it seeks reciprocal jurisdiction status. Under Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles (SSAP) No. 61R, Life, Deposit-Type and Accident and Health Reinsurance, the market value of trust assets is considered allowable security. Reciprocal jurisdiction status was granted in 2023.

 

9


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The State of Iowa has adopted a prescribed accounting practice that differs from that found in the NAIC SAP related to the reported value of the assets supporting the Company’s guaranteed separate accounts. As prescribed by Iowa Administrative Code 508A.1.4, the Commissioner found that the Company is entitled to value the assets of the guaranteed separate account at amortized cost, whereas the assets would be required to be reported at fair value under SSAP No. 56, Separate Accounts, of the NAIC SAP. There is no impact to the Company’s income or surplus as a result of utilizing this prescribed practice.

The State of Iowa has adopted a prescribed accounting practice that differs from that found in the NAIC SAP related to the reported value of assets supporting the Company’s registered index linked annuity (RILA). In accordance with Iowa Administrative Code 508A.1.4, the Commissioner found that the Company is entitled to use book value accounting treatment for separate account investments backing the Company’s RILA, whereas the assets would be required to be reported at fair value under SSAP No. 56 of the NAIC SAP. There is no impact to the Company’s income or surplus as a result of utilizing this prescribed practice.

Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 521A.5(1)c, the State of Iowa has allowed a permitted accounting practice that differs from that found in NAIC SAP related to the valuation of a foreign insurance subsidiary, controlled and affiliated (SCA) entity. With the explicit permission of the IID, the Company values Transamerica Life (Bermuda) Ltd. (TLB), a foreign SCA, in accordance with SSAP No. 97, Subsidiary, Controlled and Affiliated Entities, paragraph 8.b.i, as a U.S. insurance SCA entity at its underlying audited U.S. statutory equity. Absent this permitted practice, TLB would be valued in accordance with SSAP No. 97, paragraph 8.b.iv, as a foreign insurance SCA at its audited foreign statutory basis financial statements with certain adjustments. In addition, for Risk Based Capital (RBC) calculation purposes, this entity is categorized on page LR042 with Category 2 - Direct U.S. Life Subsidiaries.

 

10


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s net income (loss) and capital and surplus between NAIC SAP and practices prescribed and permitted by the State of Iowa is shown below:

 

      SSAP #    F/S Page    F/S Line    2023       2022     2021  
  

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss), State of Iowa basis

   XXX    XXX    XXX     $ 729       $ (2,192    $ 154   
State prescribed practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP:                 

None

                           —   
State permitted practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP:                 

None

                           —   
           

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss), NAIC SAP

   XXX    XXX    XXX     $ 729       $  (2,192    $ 154   
           

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Statutory surplus, state of Iowa basis

   XXX    XXX    XXX     $ 5,918       $ 5,663      $ 7,277   
State prescribed practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP:                 

Comfort trust

   61    3    1             263       —   
State permitted practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP:                 

TLB valuation

   97    2    2.2      47        72       —   
           

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Statutory surplus, NAIC SAP

   XXX    XXX    XXX     $  5,871       $  5,328      $  7,277   
           

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements of insurance companies requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

The effects of the following variances from GAAP on the accompanying statutory-basis financial statements have not been determined by the Company, but are presumed to be material. Significant accounting policies and variances from GAAP are as follows:

Investments

Investments in bonds, except those to which the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the NAIC has ascribed a NAIC designation of 6, are reported at amortized cost using the interest method. Bonds containing call provisions, except make-whole call provisions, are amortized to the call or maturity value/date which produces the lowest asset value, often referred to as yield-to-worst method. Bonds ascribed a NAIC designation of 6 are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in changes in capital and surplus. Prepayment penalty or acceleration fees received in the event a bond is liquidated prior to its scheduled termination date are reported as investment income.

 

11


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Hybrid securities, as defined by the NAIC, are securities designed with characteristics of both debt and equity and provide protection to the issuer’s senior note holders. These securities meet the definition of a bond, in accordance with SSAP No. 26R, Bonds, and therefore, are reported at amortized cost or fair value based upon their NAIC rating.

For GAAP, such fixed maturity investments would be designated at purchase as held-to-maturity, trading or available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity fixed investments would be reported at amortized cost, and the remaining fixed maturity investments would be reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in earnings for those designated as trading and as a separate component of other comprehensive income (OCI) for those designated as available-for-sale.

Single class and multi-class mortgage-backed/asset-backed securities are valued at amortized cost using the interest method, including anticipated prepayments, except for those with an initial NAIC designation of 6, which are valued at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. These securities are adjusted for the effects of changes in prepayment assumptions on the related accretion of discount or amortization of premium using either the retrospective or prospective methods. Prepayment assumptions are obtained from dealer surveys or internal estimates and are based on the current interest rate and economic environment. For statutory reporting, the retrospective adjustment method is used to value all such securities, except principal-only and interest-only securities, which are valued using the prospective method.

For GAAP, all securities purchased or retained that represent beneficial interests in securitized assets, other than high credit quality securities, are adjusted using the prospective method when there is a change in estimated future cash flows. If high credit quality securities are adjusted, the retrospective method is used.

The Company closely monitors below investment grade holdings and investment grade issuers where the Company has concerns to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has occurred. The Company also regularly monitors industry sectors. The Company considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether the impairment is other-than-temporary including: (1) the probability of the Company collecting all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security in effect at the date of acquisition; (2) the Company’s decision to sell a security prior to its maturity at an amount below its carrying amount; and (3) the Company’s ability to hold a structured security for a period of time to allow for recovery of the value to its carrying amount. Additionally, financial condition, near term prospects of the issuer and nationally recognized credit rating changes are monitored. Non-structured securities in unrealized loss positions that are considered other-than-temporary are written down to fair value. The Company will record a charge to the Statements of Operations for the amount of the impairment.

For structured securities, cash flow trends and underlying levels of collateral are monitored. An OTTI is considered to have occurred if the fair value of the structured security is less than its amortized cost basis and the entity intends to sell the security or the entity does not have the intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis. An OTTI is also considered to have occurred if the discounted estimated future cash flows are less than the amortized cost basis of the security and the security is in an unrealized loss position. Structured securities considered other-than-temporarily impaired are written down to

 

12


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

discounted estimated cash flows if the impairment is the result of cash flow analysis. If the Company has an intent to sell or lack of ability to hold a structured security, it is written down to fair value. The Company will record a charge to the Statements of Operations for the amount of the impairments.

For GAAP, if it is determined that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary and the entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and its fair value at the impairment date. If the entity does not intend to sell the security or the entity will likely not be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI should be separated into a) the amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and b) the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in OCI, net of applicable taxes.

Investments in both affiliated and unaffiliated redeemable preferred stocks in good standing (those with NAIC designations 1 to 3), are reported at cost or amortized cost, depending on the characteristics of the securities. Investments in both affiliated and unaffiliated redeemable preferred stocks not in good standing (those with NAIC designations 4 to 6), are reported at the lower of cost, amortized cost, or fair value, depending on the characteristics of the securities. Investment in perpetual preferred stocks are reported at fair value, not to exceed any currently effective call price. Investment in mandatory convertible preferred stocks (regardless if the preferred stock is redeemable or perpetual) are reported at fair value, not to exceed any currently effective call price, in the periods prior to conversion. For preferred stocks reported at fair value, the related net unrealized capital gains and losses for all NAIC designations are reported in accordance with SSAP No. 7, Asset Valuation Reserve and Interest Maintenance Reserve.

Common stocks of affiliated noninsurance subsidiaries are reported based on underlying audited GAAP equity. The net change in the subsidiaries’ equity is included in net unrealized capital gains or losses and are reported in changes in capital and surplus.

Common stocks of unaffiliated companies, which include shares of mutual funds, are reported at fair value and the related net unrealized capital gains or losses are reported in changes in capital and surplus.

The Company owns stock issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), which is only redeemable at par, and its fair value is presumed to be par, unless other-than-temporarily impaired.

If the Company determines that a decline in the fair value of a common stock or a preferred stock is other-than-temporary, the Company writes it down to fair value as the new cost basis and the amount of the write down is accounted for as a realized loss in the Statements of Operations. The Company considers the following factors in determining whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary: (a) the financial condition and prospects of the issuer; (b) whether or not the Company has made a decision to sell the investment; and (c) the length of time and extent to which the value has been below cost.

Mortgage loans are reported at unpaid principal balances, less an allowance for impairment. A mortgage loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable

 

13


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage agreement. When management determines the impairment is other-than-temporary, the mortgage loan is written down to realizable value and a realized loss is recognized. Prepayment penalty or acceleration fees received in the event a loan is liquidated prior to its scheduled termination date are reported as investment income.

Valuation allowances are established for mortgage loans, if necessary, based on the difference between the net value of the collateral, determined as the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to obtain and sell, and the recorded investment in the mortgage loan. Under GAAP, an allowance for credit loss is recognized in earnings at time of purchase or origination based on an expected lifetime credit loss, which is an amount that represents the portion of the amortized cost basis of the mortgage loans that the Company does not expect to collect.

The initial valuation allowance and subsequent changes in the allowance for mortgage loans are charged or credited directly to unassigned surplus as part of the change in asset valuation reserve (AVR), rather than being included as a component of earnings as would be required under GAAP.

Land is reported at cost. Real estate occupied by the Company is reported at depreciated cost net of encumbrances. Real estate held for the production of income is reported at depreciated cost net of encumbrances. Real estate the Company classifies as held for sale is measured at lower of carrying amount or fair value less encumbrances and estimated costs to sell. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the properties. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the Company determines that the carrying amount of the real estate is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The Company deems that the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable if the carrying amount exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and disposition. The impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value.

Investments in real estate are reported net of related obligations rather than on a gross basis as for GAAP. Real estate owned and occupied by the Company is included in investments rather than reported as an operating asset as under GAAP, and investment income and operating expenses for statutory reporting include rent for the Company’s occupancy of those properties. Changes between depreciated cost and admitted amounts are credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus rather than to income as would be required under GAAP.

The Company has interests in joint ventures and limited partnerships. The Company carries these investments based on its interest in the underlying audited GAAP equity of the investee.

For a decline in the fair value of an investment in a joint venture or limited partnership which is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company writes it down to fair value as the new cost basis and the amount of the write down is accounted for as a realized loss in the Statements of Operations. The Company considers an impairment to have occurred if it is probable that the Company will be unable to recover the carrying amount of the investment or if there is evidence indicating inability of the investee to sustain earnings which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

 

14


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties are valued at amortized cost. Tax credits are recognized in operations in the tax reporting year in which the tax credit is utilized by the Company. The carrying value is amortized over the life of the investment. Amortization is calculated as a ratio of the current year tax credits and tax benefits compared to the total expected tax credits and tax benefits over the life of the investment.

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less (principally stated at amortized cost) or money market mutual funds which are reported at fair value.

Short-term investments include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less at the time of acquisition and are principally stated at amortized cost.

Other invested assets include surplus notes which are valued at either amortized cost (those that have an NAIC designation of 1 or 2) or the lesser of amortized cost or fair value (those that have an NAIC designation of 3 through 6).

Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal balances.

Realized capital gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method and are recorded net of related federal income taxes. Changes in admitted asset carrying amounts of bonds, mortgage loans, common and preferred stocks are credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus.

Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. The Company does not accrue income on bonds in default, mortgage loans on real estate in default and/or foreclosure or which are delinquent more than twelve months, or real estate where rent is in arrears for more than three months. Income is also not accrued when collection is uncertain. Due and accrued amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off through the Statements of Operations.

Valuation Reserves

Under a formula prescribed by the NAIC, the Company defers the portion of realized capital gains and losses on sales of fixed income investments, primarily bonds and mortgage loans, attributable to changes in the general level of interest rates and amortizes those deferrals into net investment income over the remaining period to maturity of the bond or mortgage loan based on groupings of individual securities sold in five year bands. The net deferral is reported as the interest maintenance reserve (IMR) in the accompanying Balance Sheets. Realized capital gains and losses are reported in income net of federal income tax and transfers to the IMR. Under GAAP, realized capital gains and losses are reported in the Statements of Operations on a pre-tax basis in the period that the assets giving rise to the gains or losses are sold.

The AVR provides a valuation allowance for invested assets. The AVR is determined by an NAIC prescribed formula with changes reflected directly in unassigned surplus; AVR is not recognized for GAAP.

 

15


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Derivative Instruments

Overview: The Company may use various derivative instruments (options, caps, floors, swaps, forwards, and futures) to manage risks related to its ongoing business operations. On the transaction date of the derivative instrument, the Company designates the derivative as either (A) hedging (fair value, foreign currency fair value, cash flow, foreign currency cash flow, forecasted transactions, or net investment in a foreign operation), (B) replication, (C) income generation, or (D) held for other investment/risk management activities, which do not qualify for hedge accounting under SSAP No. 86, Derivatives.

 

  (A) 

Derivative instruments used in hedging transactions that meet the criteria of an effective hedge are valued and reported in a manner that is consistent with the hedged asset or liability (amortized cost or fair value). Embedded derivatives are not accounted for separately from the host contract. Derivative instruments used in hedging transactions that do not meet or no longer meet the criteria of an effective hedge are accounted for at fair value, and the changes in the fair value are recorded in unassigned surplus as unrealized gains and losses. Under GAAP, the effective and ineffective portions of a single hedge are accounted for separately, and the change in fair value for cash flow hedges is credited or charged directly to a separate component of OCI rather than to income as required for fair value hedges, and an embedded derivative within a contract that is not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and the risk of the host contract is accounted for separately from the host contract and valued and reported at fair value.

 

  (B) 

Derivative instruments are also used in replication (synthetic asset) transactions (RSAT). A replication transaction is a derivative transaction entered into in conjunction with a cash instrument to reproduce the investment characteristics of an otherwise permissible investment. In these transactions, the derivative is accounted for in a manner consistent with the cash instrument and replicated asset. For GAAP, the derivative is reported at fair value, with the changes in fair value reported in income.

 

  (C) 

Derivative instruments used in income generation relationships are accounted for on a basis that is consistent with the associated covered asset or underlying interest to which the derivative relates (amortized cost or fair value).

 

  (D) 

Derivative instruments held for other investment/risk management activities are measured at fair value with value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

Derivative instruments are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that future changes in market prices may make the instruments less valuable. The Company uses derivatives as hedges, consequently, when the value of the hedged asset or liability changes, the value of the hedging derivative is expected to move in the opposite direction. Market risk is a consideration when changes in the value of the derivative and the hedged item do not completely offset (correlation or basis risk) which is mitigated by active measuring and monitoring.

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative instruments, but it does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations given their high credit rating of ‘BBB’ or better. The credit exposure of interest

 

16


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

rate swaps and currency swaps is represented by the fair value of contracts, aggregated at a counterparty level, with a positive fair value at the reporting date. The Company has entered into collateral agreements with certain counterparties wherein the counterparty is required to post assets on the Company’s behalf. The posted amount is equal to the difference between the net positive fair value of the contracts and an agreed upon threshold that is based on the credit rating of the counterparty. Inversely, if the net fair value of all contracts with this counterparty is negative, then the Company is required to post assets instead.

Instruments:

Interest rate swaps are used in the overall asset/liability management process to modify the interest rate characteristics of the underlying asset or liability. These interest rate swaps generally provide for the exchange of the difference between fixed and floating rate amounts based on an underlying notional amount. Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the swap contract and a single net payment is exchanged each due date. Swaps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, in the financial statements. If the swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

Cross currency swaps are utilized to mitigate risks when the Company holds foreign denominated assets or liabilities; therefore, converting the asset or liability to a U.S. dollar denominated security. These cross currency swap agreements involve the exchange of two principal amounts in two different currencies at the prevailing currency rate at contract inception. During the life of the swap, the counterparties exchange fixed or floating rate interest payments in the swapped currencies. At maturity, the principal amounts are again swapped at a pre-determined rate of exchange. Each asset or liability is hedged individually where the terms of the swap must meet the terms of the hedged instrument. For swaps qualifying for hedge accounting, the premium or discount is amortized into income over the life of the contract and the foreign currency translation adjustment is recorded as unrealized gain/loss in capital and surplus. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in capital and surplus. If a swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the hedged instrument receives that treatment.

Total return swaps are used in the asset/liability management process to mitigate the market risk on minimum guarantee insurance contracts linked to an index. These total return swaps generally provide for the exchange of the difference between fixed leg (tied to the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) or other global market financial index) and floating leg (tied to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)) amounts based on an underlying notional amount (also tied to the underlying index). Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the swap contract and a single net payment is exchanged each due date. Swaps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, in the financial statements. If the swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in capital and surplus.

 

17


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Variance swaps are used in the asset/liability management process to mitigate the gamma risk created when the Company has issued minimum guarantee insurance contracts linked to an index. These variance swaps are similar to volatility options where the underlying index provides for the market value movements. Variance swaps do not accrue interest. Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of initiating the variance swap, and a single receipt or payment occurs at the maturity or termination of the contract. Variance swaps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in capital and surplus.

Bond forwards are used to hedge the interest rate risk that future liability claims increase as rates decrease, leading to higher guarantee values. Bond return swaps are also used to hedge interest rate risk of the underlying liability by exchanging performance and interest of a treasury asset for a funding level plus spread.

Futures contracts are used to hedge the liability risk when the Company issues products providing the customer a return based on various global market indices. Futures are marked to market on a daily basis whereby a cash payment is made or received by the Company. These payments are recognized as realized gains or losses in the financial statements.

The Company issues products providing the customer a return based on the various global equity market indices. The Company uses options to hedge the liability option risk associated with these products. Options are marked to fair value in the Balance Sheets and fair value adjustments are recorded as capital and surplus in the financial statements. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment.

Caps are used in the asset/liability management process to mitigate the interest rate risk created due to a rapidly rising interest rate environment. The caps are similar to options where the underlying interest rate index provides for the market value movements. The caps do not accrue interest until the interest rate environment exceeds the caps strike rate. Cash is exchanged at the onset, and a single receipt or payment occurs at the maturity or termination of the contract. Caps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Caps that do not meet hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

The Company uses zero cost collars to hedge the interest rate risk associated with rising short term interest rates, whereby the exposure would otherwise adversely impact the Company’s capital generation. The collar position(s) help range bound the floating rate by combining a cap and floor position.

The Company may sell products with expected benefit payments extending beyond investment assets currently available in the market. Because assets will have to be purchased in the future to

 

18


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

fund future liability cash flows, the Company is exposed to the risk of future investments made at lower yields than what is assumed at the time of pricing. Forward-starting interest rate swaps are utilized to lock-in the current forward rate. The accrual of income begins at the forward date, rather than at the inception date. These forward-starting swaps meet hedge accounting rules and are carried at cost in the financial statements. Gains and losses realized upon termination of the forward-starting swap are deferred and used to adjust the basis of the asset purchased in the hedged forecasted period. The basis adjustment is then amortized into income as a yield adjustment to the asset over its life.

The Company issues fixed liabilities that have a guaranteed minimum crediting rate. The Company uses receiver swaptions, whereby the swaption is designed to generate cash flows to offset lower yields on assets during a low interest rate environment. The Company pays a single premium at the beginning of the contract and is amortized throughout the life of the swaption. These swaptions are marked to fair value in the Balance Sheets and the fair value adjustment is recorded in unassigned surplus. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment.

The Company replicates investment grade corporate bonds or sovereign debt by combining a highly rated security as a cash component with a written credit default swap which, in effect, converts the high quality asset into an investment grade corporate asset or a sovereign debt. The benefits of using the swap market to replicate credit include possible enhanced relative values as well as ease of executing larger transactions in a shortened time frame. Generally, a premium is received by the Company on a periodic basis and recognized in investment income. In the event the representative issuer defaults on its debt obligation referenced in the contract, a payment equal to the notional amount of the contract will be made by the Company and recognized as a capital loss.

Securities Lending Assets and Liabilities

The Company loans securities to third parties under agent-managed securities lending programs accounted for as secured borrowings. Cash collateral received which may be sold or repledged by the Company is reflected as a one-line entry on the Balance Sheets (Securities lending reinvested collateral assets) and a corresponding liability is established to record the obligation to return the cash collateral. Non-cash collateral received which may not be sold or repledged is not recorded on the Company’s Balance Sheets. Under GAAP, the reinvested collateral is included within invested assets and is not reported as a single line item.

Repurchase Agreements

For dollar repurchase agreements accounted for as secured borrowings, the Company receives cash collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities transferred by the Company in the transaction as of the transaction date. The securities transferred are not removed from the Balance Sheets, and the cash received as collateral is invested as needed or used for general corporate purposes of the Company. A liability is established to record the obligation to return the cash collateral and included in borrowed money on the Balance Sheets.

 

19


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Other Assets and Other Liabilities

Other assets consist primarily of cash surrender value of company owned life insurance, receivable from parent, subsidiaries and affiliates, general insurance accounts receivable, and reinsurance receivable.

Other liabilities consist primarily of amounts withheld by the Company, accrued expenses, reinsurance payable, remittances, payable for securities, custody offset, and municipal repurchase agreements. Municipal repurchase agreements are investment contracts issued to municipalities that pay either a fixed or floating rate of interest on the guaranteed deposit balance. The floating interest rate is based on a market index. The related liabilities are equal to the policyholder deposit and accumulated interest. These municipal repurchase agreements require a minimum of 95% of the fair value of the securities transferred to be maintained as collateral.

Separate Accounts

The majority of separate accounts held by the Company, primarily for individual policyholders as well as for group pension plans, do not have any minimum guarantees, and the investment risks associated with fair value changes are borne by the policyholder. The assets in the accounts, carried at estimated fair value, consist of underlying mutual fund shares, common stocks, long-term bonds and short-term investments.

Certain other separate accounts held by the Company provide a minimum guaranteed return of 3% of the average investment balance to policyholders. The assets consist of long-term bonds and short-term investments which are carried at amortized cost.

Certain other non-indexed guaranteed separate accounts represent funds invested by the Company for the benefit of the contract holders who are guaranteed certain returns as specified in the contracts. Separate account asset performance different than the guaranteed requirements is either transferred to or received from the general account and reported in the Statements of Operations. Non-indexed guaranteed separate account assets and liabilities are carried at fair value. These guarantees are included in the general account due to the nature of the guaranteed return.

Assets held in trust for purchases of variable life, variable universal life, variable annuity, and modified guaranteed annuity contracts and the Company’s corresponding obligation to the contract owners are shown separately in the Balance Sheets. The assets in the separate accounts are valued at fair value.

Income and gains and losses with respect to the assets in the separate accounts accrue to the benefit of the contract owners and, accordingly, the operations of the separate accounts are not included in the accompanying financial statements. The investment risks associated with fair value changes of the separate accounts are borne entirely by the policyholders except in cases where minimum guarantees exist.

Income and gains and losses with respect to the assets in the separate accounts supporting modified guaranteed annuity contracts are included in the statements of operations as a component of net transfers from separate accounts.

 

20


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Surplus funds transferred from the general account to the separate accounts, commonly referred to as seed money, and earnings accumulated on seed money are reported as surplus in the separate accounts until transferred or repatriated to the general account. The transfer of such funds between the separate account and the general account is reported as surplus contributed or withdrawn during the year.

Aggregate Reserves for Policies and Contracts

Life, annuity and accident and health benefit reserves are calculated by actuarial methods and are determined based on published tables using statutorily specified interest rates and valuation methods that will provide, in the aggregate, reserves that are greater than or equal to the minimum or guaranteed cash value, or the amount required by law. For direct business issued after October 1964, the Company waives deduction of deferred fractional premiums upon death of the insured and returns any portion of the final premium for periods beyond the month of death. For policies assumed during 1992 from former affiliates, Monumental General Insurance Company and Monumental Life Insurance Group, Inc., and for all business from company mergers occurring in 1998, the Company waives deduction of deferred fractional premium upon death of the insured and returns any portion of the final premium paid beyond the month of death. For fixed premium life insurance business resulting from company mergers occurring in 2004 and 2007, the Company waives deduction of deferred fractional premiums upon death of the insured and refunds portions of premiums unearned after the date of death. Where appropriate, the Company holds a non-deduction and/or refund reserve. The reserve for these benefits is computed using aggregate methods. The reserves are equal to the greater of the cash surrender value and the legally computed reserve.

For GAAP, policy reserves are calculated based on estimated expected experience or actual account balances.

Surrender values are not promised in excess of the legally computed reserves. For annual premium variable life insurance there is an extra premium charged to the policyholder before the premium is transferred to the Separate Accounts. An additional reserve for this policy is held in the General Account that is a multiple of the reserve that would otherwise be held. For interest sensitive whole life, the reserves held in the General Account are equal to the cash surrender value.

In accordance with SSAP No. 51R, Life Contracts, and No. 54R, Individual and Group Accident and Health Contracts, the Company reports the amount of insurance, if any, for which the gross premiums are less than the net premiums according to the valuation standards and any related premium deficiency reserve established. Anticipated investment income is not included as a factor in the health contract premium deficiency calculation.

Policy and Contract Claim Reserves

Claim reserves represent the estimated accrued liability for claims reported to the Company and claims incurred but not yet reported through the Balance Sheets date. These reserves are estimated using either individual case-basis valuations or statistical analysis techniques. These estimates are subject to the effects of trends in claim severity and frequency. The estimates are

 

21


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes available.

Deposit-Type Contracts

Deposit-type contracts do not incorporate risk from the death or disability of policyholders. These types of contracts may include guaranteed investment contracts (GICs), funding agreements and other annuity contracts. Deposits and withdrawals on these contracts are recorded as a direct increase or decrease, respectively, to the liability balance and are not reported as premiums, benefits or changes in reserves in the Statements of Operations. Interest on these policies is reflected in other benefits.

Premiums and Annuity Considerations

Revenues for life and annuity policies with mortality or morbidity risk (including annuities with purchase rate guarantees) consist of the entire premium received. Benefits incurred represent surrenders and death benefits paid and the change in policy reserves. Under GAAP, for universal life policies, premiums received in excess of policy charges would not be recognized as premium revenue and benefits would represent interest credited to the account values and the excess of benefits paid over the policy account value. Under GAAP, for all annuity policies without significant mortality risk, premiums received and benefits paid would be recorded directly to the reserve liability using deposit accounting.

Policyholder Dividends

Policyholder dividends are recognized when declared rather than over the term of the related policies as would be required under GAAP.

Reinsurance

Coinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements and reserves related to reinsured business are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Gains associated with reinsurance of in force blocks of business are included in unassigned surplus and amortized into income as earnings emerge on the reinsured block of business. Premiums ceded and recoverable losses have been reported as a reduction of premium income and benefits, respectively. Policy liabilities and accruals are reported in the accompanying financial statements net of reinsurance ceded.

Any reinsurance amounts deemed to be uncollectible have been written off through a charge to operations. In addition, a liability for reinsurance balances would be established for unsecured policy reserves ceded to reinsurers not authorized to assume such business. Changes to the liability are credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus. Under GAAP, an allowance for amounts deemed uncollectible would be established through a charge to earnings.

Losses associated with an indemnity reinsurance transaction are reported within income when incurred rather than being deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the underlying reinsured contracts as would be required under GAAP.

 

22


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Policy and contract liabilities ceded to reinsurers have been reported as reductions of the related reserves rather than as assets as would be required under GAAP.

Commissions allowed by reinsurers on business ceded are reported as income when incurred rather than being deferred and amortized with deferred policy acquisition costs as required under GAAP.

Under GAAP, for certain reinsurance agreements whereby assets are retained by the ceding insurer (such as funds withheld or modified coinsurance) and a return is paid based on the performance of underlying investments, the assets and liabilities for these reinsurance arrangements must be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the invested assets. The NAIC SAP does not contain a similar requirement.

Deferred Income Taxes

The Company computes deferred income taxes in accordance with SSAP No. 101, Income Taxes. Unlike GAAP, SSAP No. 101 does not consider state income taxes in the measurement of deferred taxes. SSAP No. 101 also requires additional testing to measure gross deferred tax assets. The additional testing limits gross deferred tax asset admission to 1) the amount of federal income taxes paid in prior years recoverable through hypothetical loss carrybacks of existing temporary differences expected to reverse during a timeframe corresponding with the Internal Revenue Service tax loss carryback provisions, not to exceed three years, plus 2) the amount of remaining gross deferred tax assets expected to be realized within three years limited to an amount that is no greater than 15% of current period’s adjusted statutory capital and surplus, plus 3) the amount of remaining gross deferred tax assets that can be offset against existing gross deferred tax liabilities after considering character (i.e. ordinary versus capital) and reversal patterns. The Company’s reported deferred tax asset or liability is the sum of gross deferred tax assets admitted through this three-part test plus the sum of all deferred tax liabilities.

Policy Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring and renewing business are expensed when incurred. Under GAAP, incremental costs directly related to the successful acquisition of insurance and investment contracts are deferred. For traditional life insurance and certain long-duration accident and health insurance, to the extent recoverable from future policy revenues, acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policy benefit reserves. For universal life insurance and investment products, to the extent recoverable from future gross profits, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized generally in proportion to the present value of expected gross profits from surrender charges and investment, mortality and expense margins.

Value of Business Acquired

Under GAAP, value of business acquired (VOBA) is an intangible asset resulting from a business combination that represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity, and investment-type contracts in-force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value of the acquired liabilities is based on projections, by each block of business, of future contracts and contract changes, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account

 

23


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

performance, surrenders, operation expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment and other factors. VOBA is not recognized under the NAIC SAP.

Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies

Investments in SCA are stated in accordance with the Purposes and Procedures Manual of the NAIC SVO, as well as SSAP No. 97.

The accounts and operations of the Company’s subsidiaries are not consolidated with the accounts and operations of the Company as would be required under GAAP. Dividends or distributions received from an investee are recognized in investment income when declared to the extent that they are not in excess of the undistributed accumulated earnings attributable to an investee. Changes in investments in SCA’s are recorded as a change to the carrying value of the investment with a corresponding amount recorded directly to unrealized gain/loss (capital and surplus).

Nonadmitted Assets

Certain assets designated as “nonadmitted”, primarily net deferred tax assets and other assets not specifically identified as an admitted asset within the NAIC SAP, are excluded from the accompanying Balance Sheets and are charged directly to unassigned surplus. Under GAAP, such assets are included in the Balance Sheets to the extent that they are not impaired.

Statements of Cash Flow

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in the Statements of Cash Flow represent cash balances and investments with initial maturities of one year or less and money market mutual funds. Under GAAP, the corresponding caption of cash and cash equivalents includes cash balances and investments with initial maturities of three months or less.

3. Accounting Changes and Correction of Errors

The Company’s policy is to disclose recently adopted accounting pronouncements with a current year effective date, that have been classified by the NAIC as a new statutory accounting principle (SAP) concept change, as well as items classified by the NAIC as SAP clarification changes that have been adopted and have had a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 10, 2024, the Statutory Accounting Principles Working Group (SAPWG) adopted INT 23-04, Scottish Re Life Reinsurance Liquidation Questions, effective for reporting periods on or after December 31, 2023. INT 23-04 provides clarity that the Scottish Re liquidation should be accounted for as a commutation or recapture and reported as such, including all relevant

 

24


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

disclosures. An impairment analysis shall be conducted and any remaining receivables in dispute or not secured by a trust shall be non-admitted. Refer to Note 7 for further detail.

On August 13, 2023, the SAPWG adopted INT 23-01, Net Negative (Disallowed) Interest Maintenance Reserve, effective immediately. INT 23-01 provides optional, limited-time guidance, which allows the admittance of net negative (disallowed) IMR if certain conditions are met, up to 10% of adjusted general account capital and surplus. Refer to Note 5 for further detail.

On August 13, 2023, the SAPWG adopted revisions to SSAP No. 26R and SSAP No. 43R, Loan-Backed and Structured Securities, for the principles-based bond definition, the accounting for bonds (issuer credit obligations and asset-backed securities), as well as revisions to various SSAPs, that have been updated to reflect the revised definition and/or SSAP references. Additional revisions were adopted on December 1, 2023 to SSAP No. 2R, Cash, Cash Equivalents, Drafts and Short-Term Investments, in relation to the bond project, with all revisions effective January 1, 2025. The Company has been monitoring the progress of the project, and will continue to do so, but the specific impact to the Company’s financials is indeterminable at this time.

Change in Valuation Basis

During 2022, the Company converted its Actuarial Guideline 36 reserve calculation for the Indexed Universal Life block of business to a new actuarial valuation system. At the same time, as a result of increased functionality to allow for more precision and to ensure consistency, the Company refined its statutory valuation rate for specific states to utilize the maximum standard valuation interest rate. This resulted in a reserve decrease of $641 as of January 1, 2022, which has been reported in the Statement of Changes in Capital and Surplus.

Change in Estimates

During 2023, the Company received approval from the IID, pursuant to SSAP No. 97 to change the valuation methodology under which it values its investments in Transamerica Pacific Reinsurance, Inc. (TPRe) and LIICA Re II, Inc. (LIICA Re II). Effective December 31, 2023, TPRe and LIICA Re II are valued at audited statutory equity, including the impacts of permitted practices, and consolidated in the Company’s Risk-Based Capital. This resulted in a $619 increase in affiliated common stock with a corresponding increase in Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses.

Correction of Error

During 2022, the Company identified an error in the way in which it recognized the receipt of certain affiliated distributions in prior years. This error resulted in prior periods’ net investment income being understated by a total of $145, with a corresponding overstatement of the change in unrealized gains/losses. This was corrected as of December 31, 2022 in accordance with SSAP No. 3, Accounting Changes and Corrections of Errors, with the correction reflected in the Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus in other changes, offset by a corresponding change in net unrealized capital gains/losses. There was no net impact to ending capital or surplus as a result of this error in any period.

 

25


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

There were additional errors identified in prior year financial statements that have been corrected in the current year financial statements in accordance with SSAP No. 3. These errors do not have a material impact on the financial statements, individually or in aggregate, and therefore have not been separately disclosed.

4. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Determination of Fair Value

The fair values of financial instruments are determined by management after taking into consideration several sources of data. When available, the Company uses quoted market prices in active markets to determine the fair value of its investments. The Company’s valuation policy utilizes a pricing hierarchy which dictates that publicly available prices are initially sought from indices and third-party pricing services. In the event that pricing is not available from these sources, those securities are submitted to brokers to obtain quotes. Lastly, securities are priced using internal cash flow modeling techniques. These valuation methodologies commonly use reported trades, bids, offers, issuer spreads, benchmark yields, estimated prepayment speeds, and/or estimated cash flows.

To understand the valuation methodologies used by third-party pricing services, the Company reviews and monitors their applicable methodology documents. Any changes to their methodologies are noted and reviewed for reasonableness. In addition, the Company performs in-depth reviews of prices received from third-party pricing services on a sample basis. The objective for such reviews is to demonstrate the Company can corroborate detailed information such as assumptions, inputs and methodologies used in pricing individual securities against documented pricing methodologies. Only third-party pricing services and brokers with a substantial presence in the market and with appropriate experience and expertise are used.

Each month, the Company performs an analysis of the information obtained from indices, third-party services, and brokers to ensure the information is reasonable and produces a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors as part of this analysis, including but not limited to, recent transactional activity for similar securities, review of pricing statistics and trends, and consideration of recent relevant market events. Other controls and procedures over pricing received from indices, third-party pricing services, or brokers include validation checks such as exception reports which highlight significant price changes, stale prices or un-priced securities.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified, for disclosure purposes, based on a hierarchy defined by SSAP No. 100R, Fair Value. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1), and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset’s or a liability’s

 

26


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level  1 -

  

Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets accessible at the measurement date.

Level  2 -

  

Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

  

a)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets

  

b)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets

  

c)  Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable

  

d)  Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means

Level  3 -

  

Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. They reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying Balance Sheets for these financial instruments is either reported at fair value or amortized cost (which approximates fair value). Cash is not included in the below tables.

Short-Term Notes Receivable from Affiliates: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying Balance Sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair value.

Bonds and Stocks: The NAIC allows insurance companies to report the fair value determined by the SVO or to determine the fair value by using a permitted valuation method. The fair values of bonds and stocks are reported or determined using the following pricing sources: indices, third-party pricing services, brokers, external fund managers and internal models.

Fair values for fixed maturity securities (including redeemable preferred stock) actively traded are determined from third-party pricing services, which are determined as discussed above in the description of Level 1 and Level 2 values within the fair value hierarchy. For fixed maturity securities (including redeemable preferred stock) not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from third-party pricing services, or are based on non-binding broker quotes or internal models. In the case of private placements, fair values are estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current market rates applicable to the coupon rate, credit and maturity of the investments.

 

27


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate: The fair values for mortgage loans on real estate are estimated utilizing discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates reflective of current market conditions and the risk characteristics of the loans.

Real Estate: Real estate held for sale is typically valued utilizing independent external appraisers in conjunction with reviews by qualified internal appraisers. Valuations are primarily based on active market prices, adjusted for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific property. If such information is not available, other valuation methods are applied, considering the value that the property’s net earning power will support, the value indicated by recent sales of comparable properties and the current cost of reproducing or replacing the property.

Other Invested Assets: The fair values for other invested assets, which include investments in surplus notes issued by other insurance companies and fixed or variable rate investments with underlying characteristics of bonds, are determined primarily by using indices, third-party pricing services and internal models.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of futures and forwards are based upon the latest quoted market price and spot rates at the Balance Sheets date. The estimated fair values of equity and interest rate options (calls, puts, caps) are based upon the latest quoted market price at the Balance Sheets date. The estimated fair values of swaps, including equity, interest rate and currency swaps, are based on pricing models or formulas using current assumptions. The estimated fair values of credit default swaps are based upon active market data, including interest rate quotes, credit spreads, and recovery rates, which are then used to calculate probabilities of default for the fair value calculation. The Company accounts for derivatives that receive and pass hedge accounting in the same manner as the underlying hedged instrument. If that instrument is held at amortized cost, then the derivative is also held at amortized cost.

Policy Loans: The book value of policy loans is considered to approximate the fair value of the loan, which is stated at unpaid principal balance.

Securities Lending Reinvested Collateral: The cash collateral from securities lending is reinvested in various short-term and long-term debt instruments. The fair values of these investments are determined using the methods described above under Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments and Bonds and Stocks.

Separate Account Assets and Annuity Liabilities: The fair value of separate account assets are based on quoted market prices when available. When not available, they are primarily valued either using third-party pricing services or are valued in the same manner as the general account assets as further described in this note. However, some separate account assets are valued using non-binding broker quotes, which cannot be corroborated by other market observable data, or internal modeling which utilizes input that are not market observable. The fair value of separate account annuity liabilities is based on the account value for separate accounts business without guarantees. For separate accounts with guarantees, fair value is based on discounted cash flows.

Investment Contract Liabilities: Fair value for the Company’s liabilities under investment contracts, which include deferred annuities and GICs, are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations. For those liabilities that are short in duration, carrying amount approximates fair

 

28


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

value. For investment contracts with no defined maturity, fair value is estimated to be the present surrender value.

Deposit-Type Contracts: The carrying amounts of deposit-type contracts reported in the accompanying Balance Sheets approximate their fair values. These are included in the investment contract liabilities.

Fair values for the Company’s insurance contracts other than investment-type contracts (including separate account universal life liabilities) are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company’s overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company’s exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

The Company accounts for its investments in affiliated common stock in accordance with SSAP No. 97, as such, they are not included in the following disclosures.

 

29


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables set forth a comparison of the estimated fair values and carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including those not measured at fair value in the Balance Sheets, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

 

     December 31, 2023  
    

Aggregate

 Fair Value 

    

 Admitted 

Value

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

 

 

 

Admitted assets

              

Cash equivalents and short-term investments, other than affiliates

    $ 3,077       $ 3,077       $ 3,075       $ 2       $ —   

Short-term notes receivable from affiliates

     250        250               250        —   

Bonds

     42,641        46,351        5,022        37,028        591   

Preferred stocks, other than affiliates

     59        59               59        —   

Common stocks, other than affiliates

     113        113        11               102   

Mortgage loans on real estate

     8,323        9,409                      8,323   

Other invested assets

     345        376               329        16   

Derivative assets:

              

Options

     100        100               100        —   

Interest rate swaps

     950        951               950        —   

Currency swaps

     83        38               83        —   

Credit default swaps

     63        38               63        —   

Equity swaps

     9        9               9        —   

Interest rate futures

     2        2        2               —   

Equity futures

     5        5        5               —   

Derivative assets total

     1,212        1,143        7        1,205        —   

Policy loans

     2,109        2,109               2,109        —   

Securities lending reinvested collateral

     1,974        1,974        1,974               —   

Separate account assets

     97,308        97,358        91,472        5,731        105   

Liabilities

                  

Investment contract liabilities

     10,224        9,878               216        10,008   

Derivative liabilities:

                  

Options

     44        44               44        —   

Interest rate swaps

     1,075        688               1,075        —   

Currency swaps

     10        6               10        —   

Credit default swaps

     20        30               20        —   

Equity swaps

     435        435               435        —   

Interest rate futures

     2        2        2               —   

Equity futures

     9        9        9               —   

Derivative liabilities total

     1,595        1,214        11        1,584        —   

Dollar repurchase agreements

     11        11               11        —   

Payable for securities lending

     2,292        2,292               2,292        —   

Payable for derivative cash collateral

     806        806               806        —   

Separate account liabilities

     87,871        87,873        2        87,802        67   

 

30


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

     December 31, 2022  
    

Aggregate

 Fair Value 

   

 Admitted 

Value

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

 

 

 

Admitted assets

            

Cash equivalents and short-term investments, other than affiliates

    $ 2,348      $ 2,346       $ 557       $ 1,791      $ —   

Bonds

     45,427       51,131        5,621        39,639       167   

Preferred stocks, other than affiliates

     61       61               61       —   

Common stocks, other than affiliates

     151       151        12        6       133   

Mortgage loans on real estate

     8,185       9,270                     8,185   

Other invested assets

     393       441               388       5   

Derivative assets:

                

Options

     86       86               86       —   

Interest rate swaps

     2,073       2,073               2,073       —   

Currency swaps

     139       67               139       —   

Credit default swaps

     28       38               28       —   

Equity swaps

     65       65               65       —   

Interest rate futures

     1       1        1              —   

Equity futures

     9       9        9              —   

Derivative assets total

     2,401       2,339        10        2,391       —   

Policy loans

     2,028       2,028               2,028       —   

Securities lending reinvested collateral

     1,738       1,738        1,096        642       —   

Separate account assets

     89,800       89,891        84,453        5,321       26   

Liabilities

            

Investment contract liabilities

     15,026       14,781               237       14,789   

Derivative liabilities:

                

Options

     47       47               47       —   

Interest rate swaps

     3,903       3,460               3,903       —   

Currency swaps

     2       1               2       —   

Credit default swaps

     (2     5               (2     —   

Equity swaps

     99       99               99       —   

Interest rate futures

     5       5        5              —   

Equity futures

     12       12        12              —   

Derivative liabilities total

     4,066       3,629        17        4,049       —   

Dollar repurchase agreements

     95       95               95       —   

Payable for securities lending

     2,115       2,115               2,115       —   

Payable for derivative cash collateral

     156       156               156       —   

Separate account liabilities

     81,449       81,494               81,440       9   

 

31


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables provide information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     2023
     Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  

Assets:

        

Bonds

        

Government

    $       $ 2       $       $ 2   

Industrial and miscellaneous

           22       1       23   

Hybrid securities

           5             5   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

           29       1       30   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

        

Industrial and miscellaneous

           58             58   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total preferred stock

           58             58   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

        

Industrial and miscellaneous

     11             100       111   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total common stock

     11                 100       111   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents and short-term investments

        

Industrial and miscellaneous

           2             2   

Money market mutual funds

     2,466                   2,466   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cash equivalents and short-term investments

       2,466       2               2,468   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

     7         1,031             1,038   

Other long term

           5             5   

Separate account assets

     91,312       4,701             96,013   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

    $ 93,796      $ 5,826      $ 101      $ 99,723   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Derivative liabilities

    $ 11      $ 604      $      $ 615   

Separate account liabilities

     2                   2   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    $ 13      $ 604      $      $ 617   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

     2022
     Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  

Assets:

        

Bonds

        

Government

    $       $ 1       $       $ 1   

Industrial and miscellaneous

           53       1       54   

Hybrid securities

           35             35   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

           89       1       90   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

        

Industrial and miscellaneous

           60             60   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total preferred stock

           60             60   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

        

Mutual funds

     1                   1   

Industrial and miscellaneous

     11       7       132       150   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total common stock

     12       7           132       151   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents and short-term investments

        

Industrial and miscellaneous

           2             2   

Money market mutual funds

     531       1,729             2,260   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cash equivalents and short-term investments

     531       1,731             2,262   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

     10       2,220             2,230   

Separate account assets

     84,377         4,689              89,066   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

    $ 84,930      $ 8,796      $ 133      $ 93,859   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Derivative liabilities

    $ 17      $ 2,957      $      $ 2,974   

Separate account liabilities

           2             2   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    $ 17      $ 2,959      $      $ 2,976   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes. Bonds classified as Level 3 are primarily those valued using non-binding broker quotes, which cannot be corroborated by other market observable data, or internal modeling which utilize significant inputs that are not market observable.

Preferred stock classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes.

Common stock classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes. Common stock classified as Level 3 are comprised primarily of shares in the FHLB of Des Moines, which are valued at par as a proxy for fair value as a result of restrictions that allow redemptions only by FHLB.

Money market mutual funds and other cash or cash equivalents classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes.

Derivatives classified as Level 2 represent over-the-counter (OTC) contracts valued using pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows, directly observed prices from exchange-traded derivatives, other OTC trades, or external pricing services.

 

33


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Other long-term classified as Level 2 are comprised of surplus debentures, which are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes.

Separate account assets and liabilities are valued and classified in the same way as general account assets and liabilities (described above).

The following tables summarize the changes in assets classified as Level 3 for 2023 and 2022:

 

    

Beginning

Balance at

 January 1, 2023 

    

Transfers in

(Level 3)

    

Transfers

out (Level 3)

    

Total Gains

(Losses) Included

in Net income (a)

   

Total Gains

 (Losses) Included 
in Surplus (b)

 
  

 

 

 

Bonds

             

RMBS

    $       $       $       $      $ —   

Other

     1        1               (3     2   

Common stock

     132        1               (6     9   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 133       $ 2       $       $ (9    $ 11   
  

 

 

 
     Purchases      Issuances      Sales      Settlements     Ending Balance at
December 31, 2023
 
  

 

 

 

Bonds

             

RMBS

    $       $       $       $      $ —   

Other

                                1   

Common stock

     15               51              100   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 15       $       $ 51       $      $ 101   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

Recorded as a component of Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments in the Statements of Operations

(b)

Recorded as a component of Change in Net Unrealized Capital Gains (Losses) in the Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus

 

    

Beginning

Balance at

 January 1, 2022 

    

Transfers in

(Level 3)

    

Transfers

out (Level 3)

    

Total Gains

(Losses) Included

in Net income (a)

   

Total Gains

 (Losses) Included 

in Surplus (b)

 
  

 

 

 

Bonds

             

RMBS

    $       $       $       $ 1      $ (1)   

Other

     7               4              —   

Common stock

     182                      (8     (42)   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 189       $       $ 4       $ (7    $ (43)   
  

 

 

 
     Purchases      Issuances      Sales      Settlements     Ending Balance at
December 31, 2022
 
  

 

 

 

Bonds

             

RMBS

    $       $       $       $      $ —   

Other

                   2              1   

Common stock

                                132   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $       $       $ 2       $      $ 133   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

Recorded as a component of Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments in the Statements of Operations

(b)

Recorded as a component of Change in Net Unrealized Capital Gains (Losses) in the Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus

 

34


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

As indicated in Note 2, real estate held for sale is measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less encumbrances and estimated costs to sell. At December 31, 2023, the Company held no properties as held-for-sale. At December 31, 2022, the Company held one property classified as held-for-sale with a carrying amount of  $1, which was equal to fair value.

Fair value was determined by utilizing an external appraisal following the sales comparison approach. The fair value measurements are classified as Level  3 as the comparable sales and adjustments for the specific attributes of these properties are not market observable inputs.

5. Investments

Bonds and Stocks

The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of investments in bonds and stocks are as follows:

 

    

Book Adjusted

 Carrying Value 

    

Gross

 Unrealized 

Gains

    

Gross

 Unrealized 

Losses

    

 Estimated Fair 

Value

 
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

           

Bonds:

           

United States Government and agencies

    $ 5,477       $ 54       $ 941       $ 4,590   

State, municipal and other government

     3,055        19        438        2,636   

Hybrid securities

     270        10        17        263   

Industrial and miscellaneous

     31,333        671        2,731        29,273   

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     6,216        203        540        5,879   
  

 

 

 

Total unaffiliated bonds

     46,351        957        4,667        42,641   

Unaffiliated preferred stocks

     59                      59   
  

 

 

 
    $ 46,410       $ 957       $ 4,667       $ 42,700   
  

 

 

 
     Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated Fair
Value
 
  

 

 

 

Unaffiliated common stocks

    $ 105       $ 8       $       $ 113   
  

 

 

 

 

35


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

    

Book Adjusted

 Carrying Value 

    

Gross

 Unrealized 

Gains

    

Gross

 Unrealized 

Losses

    

 Estimated Fair 

Value

 
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

           

Bonds:

           

United States Government and agencies

    $ 6,180       $ 53       $ 1,010       $ 5,223   

State, municipal and other government

     3,005        7        545        2,467   

Hybrid securities

     396        16        32        380   

Industrial and miscellaneous

     35,212        446        4,183        31,475   

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     6,338        203        659        5,882   
  

 

 

 

Total unaffiliated bonds

     51,131        725        6,429        45,427   

Unaffiliated preferred stocks

     61                      61   
  

 

 

 
    $ 51,192       $ 725       $ 6,429       $ 45,488   
  

 

 

 
     Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated Fair
Value
 
  

 

 

 

Unaffiliated common stocks

    $ 144       $ 7       $       $ 151   
  

 

 

 

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of long and short-term bonds at December 31, 2023 by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     2023  
  

 

 

 
December 31:     Carrying Value         Fair Value    
  

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

    $ 1,024       $ 1,020   

Due after one year through five years

     7,395        7,358   

Due after five years through ten years

     7,296        7,054   

Due after ten years

     24,792        21,702   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     40,507        37,134   

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     6,455        6,117   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 46,962       $ 43,251   
  

 

 

 

 

36


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The estimated fair value of bonds, preferred stocks and common stocks with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:

 

                                                                                       
     2023
     Equal to or Greater than
12 Months
  Less than 12 Months
     Estimated
Fair Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

United States Government and agencies

    $ 1,582      $ 487      $ 2,155      $ 454  

State, municipal and other government

     2,051       433       214       5  

Hybrid securities

     130       16       37       1  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     15,644        2,605        3,381        125   

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     3,866       521       635       20  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

     23,273       4,062       6,422       605  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stocks-unaffiliated

     23             35        

Common stocks-unaffiliated

                 92        
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    $ 23,296      $ 4,062      $ 6,549      $ 605  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       
     2022
     Equal to or Greater than
12 Months
  Less than 12 Months
     Estimated
Fair Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

United States Government and agencies

    $ 149      $ 70      $ 4,489      $ 940  

State, municipal and other government

     330       120       1,992       425  

Hybrid securities

     79        16        223        16   

Industrial and miscellaneous

     3,475       1,312       21,368       2,871  

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     1,034       210       4,143       449  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

     5,067       1,728       32,215       4,701  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stocks-unaffiliated

     16             44        

Common stocks-unaffiliated

                 138        
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    $ 5,083      $ 1,728      $ 32,397      $ 4,701  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, there were $13, $2 and $62, of loan-backed or structured securities with a recognized OTTI due to intent to sell or lack of intent and ability to hold for a period of time to recover the amortized cost basis.

For loan-backed and structured securities with a recognized OTTI due to the Company’s cash flow analysis, in which the security is written down to estimated future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield, in 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized OTTI of $25, $1 and $7, respectively.

 

37


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following loan-backed and structured securities were held at December 31, 2023, for which an OTTI was recognized during the current reporting period:

 

CUSIP   

Amortized

Cost Before

Current

 Period OTTI 

    

Present

Value of

Projected

 Cash Flows 

    

 Recognized 

OTTI

  

 Amortized 

Cost After

OTTI

    

 Fair Value 

at Time of

OTTI

    

Date of

Financial

Statement

Where

 Reported 

 
 22944BCX4     $ 1       $ 1       $       $ 1       $ 1        3/31/2023  
 46637TAA8      13        11        2        11        11        6/30/2023  
 22944BCX4      1        1               1        1        9/30/2023  
 22944BCX4      1        1               1        1        12/31/2023  
 61762TAH9      11        10        1        10        7        12/31/2023  
 05604LAE2      20               20               6        12/31/2023  
 G4302*AA8      2               2               1        12/31/2023  
 69640GAA3      5        4        1        4        3        12/31/2023  
        

 

 

 

        
          $ 26           
        

 

 

 

        

The unrealized losses of loan-backed and structured securities where fair value is less than cost or amortized cost for which an OTTI has not been recognized in earnings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:

 

     2023   2022
    

Losses 12

 Months or 
More

  

 Losses Less 

Than 12

Months

 

Losses 12

 Months or 

More

  

 Losses Less 

Than 12

Months

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31:

          

The aggregate amount of unrealized losses

    $ 532      $ 20       $ 224      $ 449   

The aggregate related fair value of securities with unrealized losses

     3,866        863       1,034        4,121  

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for bonds and preferred stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for greater than or equal to twelve months, the Company held 3,297 and 1,012 securities with a carrying amount of $27,359 and $6,809, and an unrealized loss of $4,062 and $1,728. Of this portfolio, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, 95.6% and 92.0% were investment grade with associated unrealized losses of $3,899 and $1,621, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for bonds and preferred stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months, the Company held 856 and 3,939 securities with a carrying amount of $7,061 and $36,960, and an unrealized loss of $605 and $4,701. Of this portfolio, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, 97.8% and 95.8% were investment grade with associated unrealized losses of $597 and $4,520, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, for common stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for greater than or equal to twelve months, the Company held 4 and 7 securities, respectively, with an insignificant cost and unrealized loss.

 

38


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, for common stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months, the Company held 16 and 30 securities with a cost of $92 and $139 and an unrealized loss of $0 and $1, respectively.

The following table provides the number of 5GI securities, aggregate book adjusted carrying value and aggregate fair value by investment type:

 

                                                                          
     Number of
5GI Securities
     Book / Adjusted
Carrying Value
  Fair Value

December 31, 2023

       

Bond, amortized cost

     7       $ 46       $ 46   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

     7       $ 46      $ 46  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

       

Bond, amortized cost

     3       $ 4      $ 4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

     3       $ 4      $ 4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company did not have any offsetting assets and liabilities at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

During 2023 and 2022, respectively, the Company sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of 21 and 75 securities as a result of a callable feature which generated investment income of $1 and $28 as a result of a prepayment penalty and/or acceleration fee.

Proceeds from sales and other disposals of bonds and preferred stock and related gross realized capital gains and losses are reflected in the following table. The amounts exclude maturities and include transfers associated with reinsurance agreements, if applicable.

 

                                                                          
     Year Ended December 31
     2023   2022   2021
  

 

 

 

Proceeds

    $ 7,301      $ 8,218      $ 10,570  
  

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

    $ 184      $ 69      $ 437  

Gross realized losses

     (747     (624     (108
  

 

 

 

Net realized capital gains (losses)

    $ (563    $ (555    $ 329  
  

 

 

 

The Company had gross realized losses, which relate to losses recognized on other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of bonds and preferred stocks, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 of $106, $54 and $15, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had recorded investments in restructured securities of $14 and $0.

 

39


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Mortgage Loans

The credit quality of mortgage loans by type of property for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

                                                                          
December 31, 2023             
      Farm    Commercial    Total 
  

 

 

 

 AAA - AA

    $      $ 4,454      $ 4,454  

 A

     30        4,090        4,120   

 BBB

     7       791       798  

 BB

           37       37  
  

 

 

 

    $ 37      $ 9,372      $ 9,409  
  

 

 

 

 

                                                                          
December 31, 2022             
      Farm    Commercial    Total 
  

 

 

 

 AAA - AA

    $ 1      $ 5,139      $ 5,140  

 A

     31        3,389        3,420   

 BBB

     7       653       660  

 BB

           50       50  
  

 

 

 

    $ 39      $ 9,231      $ 9,270  
  

 

 

 

The above tables exclude residential mortgage loans.

The credit quality for commercial and farm mortgage loans was determined based on an internal credit rating model which assigns a letter rating to each mortgage loan in the portfolio as an indicator of the credit quality of the mortgage loan. The internal credit rating model was designed based on rating agency methodology, then modified for credit risk associated with the Company’s mortgage lending process, taking into account such factors as projected future cash flows, net operating income and collateral value. The model produces a credit rating score and an associated letter rating which is intended to align with S&P ratings as closely as possible. Information supporting the credit risk rating process is updated at least annually.

During 2023, the Company issued mortgage loans with a maximum interest rate of 7.01% and a minimum interest rate of 5.13% for commercial loans. The maximum percentage of any one admitted loan to the value of the security (exclusive of insured or guaranteed or purchase money mortgages) originated or acquired during the year ending December 31, 2023 at the time of origination was 72%. During 2022, the Company issued mortgage loans with a maximum interest rate of 6.05% and a minimum interest rate of 2.80% for commercial loans. The maximum percentage of any one admitted loan to the value of the security (exclusive of insured or guaranteed or purchase money mortgages) originated or acquired during the year ending December 31, 2022 at the time of origination was 65%.

During 2023, the Company did not issue any agricultural loans. During 2022, the Company issued agricultural mortgage loans with a maximum interest rate of 5.55% and a minimum interest rate of 5.55%.

 

40


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

During 2023 and 2022, the Company did not reduce the interest rate on any outstanding mortgage loans.

The age analysis of mortgage loans and identification in which the Company is a participant or co-lender in a mortgage loan agreement is as follows for December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

                                                                          
            Commercial         
     Farm      All Other      Total  

December 31, 2023

        

Recorded Investment (All)

        

Current

   $ 37      $ 9,372      $ 9,409  
Participant or Co-lender in Mortgage Loan Agreement         

Recorded Investment

   $ 33      $ 842      $ 875  

 

                                                                          
            Commercial         
     Farm      All Other      Total  

December 31, 2022

        

Recorded Investment (All)

        

Current

   $ 39      $ 9,231      $ 9,270  
Participant or Co-lender in Mortgage Loan Agreement         

Recorded Investment

   $ 14      $ 854      $ 868  

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held an immaterial amount of mortgage loans that were non-income producing for the previous 180 days. There was an insignificant amount of accrued interest related to these mortgage loans at December 31, 2023 and no amount at December 31, 2022. The Company has a mortgage or deed of trust on the property thereby creating a lien which gives it the right to take possession of the property (among other things) if the borrower fails to perform according to the terms of the loan documents. The Company requires all mortgaged properties to carry fire insurance equal to the value of the underlying property. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no taxes, assessments and other amounts advanced and not included in the mortgage loan total.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held no impaired loans with or without a related allowance for credit losses. There were no impaired mortgage loans held without an allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, that were subject to participant or co-lender mortgage loan agreement for which the Company is restricted from unilaterally foreclosing on the mortgage loans. There were no average recorded investments in impaired loans during 2023 and 2022.

The Company did not have an allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans at December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

 

41


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no mortgage loans derecognized as a result of foreclosure.

The Company accrues interest income on impaired loans to the extent deemed collectible (delinquent less than 91 days) and the loan continues to perform under its original or restructured contractual terms. Interest income on nonperforming loans generally is recognized on a cash basis. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company has recognized no interest income on impaired loans or on a cash basis.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held a mortgage loan loss reserve in the AVR of $105 and $98, respectively.

The Company’s mortgage loan portfolio is diversified by geographic region and specific collateral property type as follows:

 

Geographic Distribution  
     December 31  
     2023     2022  
              

Pacific

     28  %      29  % 

South Atlantic

     22       22  

Middle Atlantic

     13       12  

E. North Central

     11       10  

W. South Central

     8       8  

Mountain

     8       8  

W. North Central

     4       6  

E. South Central

     3       3  

New England

     3       2  
Property Type Distribution  
     December 31  
     2023     2022  
              
Apartment      53  %      53  % 
Office      14       16  
Retail      13       14  
Industrial      20       17  
 

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had mortgage loans with a total net admitted asset value of $0 and $2, respectively, which had been restructured in accordance with SSAP No. 36, Troubled Debt Restructuring. There were no realized losses during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 related to such restructurings. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors owing receivables.

Real Estate

The fair value of property is determined based on an appraisal from a third-party appraiser, along with information obtained from discussions with internal asset managers and a listing broker regarding recent comparable sales data and other relevant property information. Impairment losses of $0, $1 and $9 were taken on real estate in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, to write the book value down to the current fair value, and included in net realized capital gains (losses), within the Statements of Operations, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, there was no property classified as held for sale. As of December 31, 2022, there was one property classified as held for sale. The Company is working with an

 

42


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

external commercial real estate advisor firm to actively market the property and negotiate with potential buyers. During 2023, one property classified as held for sale were disposed, resulting in a net realized gain of $0. During 2022, seven properties classified as held for sale was disposed, resulting in a net realized gain of $2. Any associated gains and losses from these held for sale disposals were included in net realized capital gains (losses) within the Statements of Operations.

The Company disposed of other properties during 2023, 2022 and 2021 resulting in an insignificant amount of net realized gains, respectively. These gains and losses were included in net realized capital gains (losses) within the Statements of Operations.

The carrying value of the Company’s real estate assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

 

                                     
     2023      2022  
  

 

 

 

Home office properties

    $ 41      $ 43   

Properties held for sale

            1   
  

 

 

 
    $ 41      $ 44   
  

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation on real estate at December 31, 2023 and 2022, was $29 and $29, respectively.

Other Invested Assets

The Company recorded impairments of $0, $4 and $13 throughout years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These impairments were primarily related to private equity funds. The impairments were taken because the decline in fair value of the funds were deemed to be other than temporary and a recovery in value from the remaining underlying investments in the funds were not anticipated. These write-downs are included in net realized capital gains (losses) within the Statements of Operations.

Tax Credits

At December 31, 2023, the Company had ownership interests in 52 LIHTC investments with a carrying value of $75. The remaining years of unexpired tax credits ranged from one to eleven, and the properties were not subject to regulatory review. The length of time remaining for holding periods ranged from one to fourteen years. The amount of contingent equity commitments expected to be paid during the years 2024 to 2029 is $2. Tax credits expenses recognized in 2023 were $49 and other tax benefits recognized in 2023 were $3. There were no impairment losses, write-downs or reclassifications during the year related to any of these credits.

At December 31, 2022, the Company had ownership interests in 52 LIHTC investments with a carrying value of $88. The remaining years of unexpired tax credits ranged from one to eleven, and the properties were not subject to regulatory review. The length of time remaining for holding periods ranged from one to fifteen years. The amount of contingent equity commitments expected to be paid during the years 2023 to 2029 is $4. Tax credits expenses recognized in 2022 were $33

 

43


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

and other tax benefits recognized in 2022 were $2. There were no impairment losses, write-downs or reclassifications during the year related to any of these credits.

The following tables provide the carrying value of transferable state tax credits gross of any related tax liabilities and total unused transferable tax credits by state and in total as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

          December 31, 2023  
     

 

 

 
Description of State Transferable and Non-transferable Tax Credits    State      Carrying Value        Unused Amount*  

 

 

Economic Redevelopment and Growth Tax Credits

   NJ      13         19   

LIHTC

   CA      —         15   
     

 

 

 

Total

       $ 13       $ 34   
     

 

 

 

 

         December 31, 2022  
    

 

 

 
Description of State Transferable and Non-transferable Tax Credits    State     Carrying Value         Unused Amount   

 

 

Economic Redevelopment and Growth Tax Credits

   NJ     10         34   
    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 10       $ 34   
    

 

 

 

The Company did not have any non-transferable state tax credits.

The Company estimated the utilization of the remaining state transferable tax credits by projecting a future tax liability based on projected premium, tax rates and tax credits, and comparing the projected future tax liability to the availability of remaining state transferable tax credits. The Company had no impairment losses related to state transferable tax credits.

Derivatives

Amounts disclosed in this Derivatives section do not include derivatives utilized in the hedging of variable annuity guarantees in accordance with SSAP No. 108, Derivatives Hedging Variable Annuity Guarantees. Please see the subsequent section “Derivatives Hedging Variable Annuity Guarantees” for results associated with those derivatives.

The Company has entered into collateral agreements with certain counterparties wherein the counterparty is required to post assets (cash or securities) on the Company’s behalf in an amount equal to the difference between the net positive fair value of the contracts and an agreed upon threshold based on the credit rating of the counterparty. If the net fair value of all contracts with this counterparty is negative, then the Company is required to post similar assets (cash or securities). Fair value of derivative contracts, aggregated at a counterparty level at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

 

     2023     2022  
  

 

 

 

Fair value - positive

   $      322     $      409  

Fair value - negative

     (1,562     (1,324

 

44


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company has recorded unrealized gains (losses) of ($433), ($23) and ($173), respectively, for the component of derivative instruments utilized for hedging purposes that did not qualify for hedge accounting. This has been recorded directly to unassigned surplus as an unrealized gain (loss). The Company did not recognize any unrealized gains or losses during 2023, 2022 and 2021 that represented the component of derivative instruments gain or loss that was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

The maximum term over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows is approximately 20 years for forecasted hedge transactions. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, none of the Company’s cash flow hedges have been discontinued as it was probable that the original forecasted transactions would occur by the end of the originally specified time period documented at inception of the hedging relationship. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has no accumulated deferred gains related to the termination of swaps that were hedging forecasted transactions. It is expected that these gains will be used as basis adjustments on future asset purchases expected to transpire throughout 2024.

Summary of realized gains (losses) by derivative type for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

 

                                                                          
     2023   2022   2021
  

 

 

 

Options:

      

Calls

    $ 13     $     $ 6  

Puts

     (1           (6
  

 

 

 

Total options

    $ 12     $     $  
  

 

 

 

Swaps:

      

Interest rate

    $     $ (1   $ 87  

Total return

     (1,092     1,054       (1,752
  

 

 

 

Total swaps

    $ (1,092   $ 1,053     $ (1,665
  

 

 

 

Futures - net positions

     41       (376     110  
  

 

 

 

Total realized gains (losses)

    $ (1,039   $ 677     $ (1,555
  

 

 

 

The average estimated fair value of derivatives held for other than hedging purposes is presented in the following table for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

                                                                                                   
     Asset(1)      Liability(1)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2023      2022      2023     2022  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative component of RSATs

          

Credit default swaps

   $ 43      $ 29      $ (4   $  

Interest rate swaps

     7        6               

 

(1) 

Asset and liability classification is based on the positive (asset) or negative

(liability) book/adjusted carrying value (BACV) of each derivative.

 

45


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The estimated fair value of derivatives held for other than hedging purposes is presented in the following table for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

                                                                                                   
     Asset(1)    Liability(1)
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     2023    2022    2023    2022
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Derivative component of RSATs

           

Credit default swaps

    $ 63      $ 24      $ 6      $ (2

Interest rate swaps

     8        6                
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 71      $ 30      $ 6      $ (2
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Asset and liability classification is based on the positive (asset) or negative

(liability) BACV of each derivative.

The Company did not have net realized gains (losses) on derivatives held for other than hedging purposes for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

As stated in Note 2, the Company replicates investment grade corporate bonds, sovereign debt, or commercial mortgage backed securities by writing credit default swaps. As a writer of credit swaps, the Company actively monitors the underlying asset, being careful to note any events (default or similar credit event) that would require the Company to perform on the credit swap. If such events would take place, a payment equal to the notional amount of the contract, less any potential recoveries as determined by the underlying agreement, will be made by the Company to the counterparty to the swap.

 

46


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables present the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

                                                                                                               
            2023

Rating Agency Designation of

Referenced Credit Obligations (1)

   NAIC
Designation
     Estimated
Fair Value of
Credit
Default
Swaps
   Maximum
Amount of
Future
Payments
under Credit
Default
Swaps
   Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (2)
 

AAA/AA/A

     1           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

       $ 16       $ 973        3.0  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

               32        41.4   
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

        16         1,005         4.2  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

BBB

     2           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        33        1,466        2.6  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        19        1,402        2.3  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

        52        2,868        2.5  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

BB

     3           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        1        90        1.8  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

        1        90        1.8  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

B

     4           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

                       
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

                       
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Total

       $ 69       $ 3,963        2.9  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  (1) 

The rating agency designations are based on availability and the blending of the applicable ratings among Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), S&P, and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally derived rating is used.

 

 

  (2) 

The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average notional amounts.

 

 

  (3) 

Includes corporate, foreign government and state entities.

 

 

47


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

                                                                                       
            2022

Rating Agency Designation of

Referenced Credit Obligations (1)

   NAIC
Designation
     Estimated
Fair Value of
Credit
Default
Swaps
   Maximum
Amount of
Future
Payments
under Credit
Default
Swaps
   Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (2)

AAA/AA/A

     1           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

       $ 9       $ 948        3.2  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

               45        30.6  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

        9        993        4.4   
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

BBB

     2           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        6        1,801        2.4  

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        13        1,717        2.4  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

        19        3,518        2.4  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

BB

     3           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        (1      120         2.2  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

        (1      120        2.2  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

B

     4           

Single name credit default swaps (3)

               15        1.0  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

               15        1.0  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Total

       $ 27       $ 4,646        2.8  
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

(1) 

The rating agency designations are based on availability and the blending of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally derived rating is used.

 

(2) 

The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average notional amounts.

 

(3) 

Includes corporate, foreign government and state entities.

The Company may enter into credit default swaps to purchase credit protection on certain of the referenced credit obligations in the table above. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were not any potential future recoveries available to offset the $3,963 and $4,646, respectively, from the table above.

 

48


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments, shown in notional or contract amounts and fair value, are summarized as follows:

 

     Contract or Notional Amount*      Fair Value  
       2023          2022          2023          2022    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative assets:

           

Credit default swaps

    $ 3,316      $ 4,445       $ 63      $ 28  

Currency swaps

     699        747        83        139  

Equity futures

                   5        9  

Equity swaps

     448        2,169        9        65  

Interest rate swaps

     45        35        7        8  

Options

     2,102        1,859        100        86  

Derivative liabilities:

           

Credit default swaps

     1,183        733        20        (2

Currency swaps

     213        44        10        2  

Equity futures

                   9        12  

Equity swaps

     5,690        3,785        435        99  

Interest rate futures

                           

Interest rate swaps

     6,379        7,096        988        1,091  

Options

     (2,641      (2,078      44        47  

* Futures are presented in contract format. Swaps and options are presented in notional format.

Derivatives Hedging Variable Annuity Guarantees

The hedged obligation consists of guaranteed benefits on variable annuity contracts and resembles a long dated put option where claim payment is made whenever account value is less than a guaranteed amount, adjusted for applicable fees. Changes in interest rates impact the present value of future product cash flows (discount rate) as well as the value of investments comprising the account value to be assessed against the guarantee. Under this VM-21 compliant clearly defined hedging strategy, interest rate risk may be hedged by a duration matched portfolio of interest sensitive derivatives such as treasury bond forwards, treasury futures, interest rate swaps, interest rate swaptions or treasury future options. Effective October 1, 2021 the guaranteed benefits included was expanded to include variable annuity contracts with Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit and Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit riders, excluding contracts assumed via reinsurance along with the originally included Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit and Guaranteed Minimum Account Benefit riders. The Company received approval from the IID on September 28, 2021 for the expansion of the program. Total return on the designated portfolio of derivatives remains highly effective in covering the interest rate risk (rho) of the hedged obligation. Hedge effectiveness is measured in accordance with the requirements outlined under SSAP No. 108 and entails assessment of the total return on the designated portfolio of derivatives against changes in the fair value of the hedged obligation due to interest rate movements on a cumulative basis.

The Company accelerated the amortization of its SSAP 108 variable annuity deferred interest rate position reported on December 31, 2021. The Company fully amortized the $250 unamortized liability balance as of December 31, 2021 to zero, in 2022. The acceleration of the amortization of the SSAP 108 deferral is consistent with SSAP 108, Paragraph 14 Section c. i. that allows the

 

49


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

accelerating of amortization of the deferral, if consistently done between deferred assets and deferred liabilities within its hedging strategy. The Company did not change any accounting practices under SSAP 108. The Company’s Clearly Defined Hedge Strategy is not being revised.

Scheduled amortization for SSAP No. 108 derivatives as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Amortization Year    Deferred Assets     Deferred Liabilities  

 

 

 2024

   $ (66   $ 15   

 2025

     (66     15   

 2026

     (66     15   

 2027

     (66     15   

 2028

     (66     15   

 2029

     (66     15   

 2030

     (66     15   

 2031

     (66     15   

 2032

     (46     15   

 2033

     (17     11   
  

 

 

 

 Total

   $ (591   $ 146   
  

 

 

 

The following table is a reconciliation of the total deferred balance (net of tax) of SSAP No. 108 derivatives:

 

     Total Deferred
Balance
 

1. Balance at January 1, 2022

   $ (250)  

2. Amortization

     (230)  

3. Deferred Recognition

     (400)  
  

 

 

 

4. Balance at December 31, 2022 [1-(2+3)]

   $ 380   

5. Amortization

     44   

6. Deferred Recognition

     (109)  
  

 

 

 

7. Balance at December 31, 2023 [4-(5+6)]

   $ 445   
  

 

 

 

The following tables provide information regarding SSAP No. 108 hedging instruments:

 

       2023          2022    
    

 

 

Amortized cost

    $       $  

Fair value

     855        (750

 

50


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

                                                                                                   
December 31, 2023                    
     Net Investment
Income
   Realized Gain
(Loss)
   Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
   Total* 
    

 

Derivative performance

    $ (13    $ (1,725    $ 1,606      $ (132

SSAP No. 108 Adjustments

           
Portion of the derivative performance attributed to natural offset      5        717        (722       

Deferred

     8        1,008        (884      132  

*Totals shown are pre-tax

           

 

                                                                                                   
December 31, 2022                    
     Net Investment
Income
  

Realized Gain

(Loss)

   Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
   Total* 
    

 

Derivative performance

    $ (34    $ (3,736    $ (654    $ (4,424

SSAP No. 108 Adjustments

           
Portion of the derivative performance attributed to
natural offset
     84        2,275        1,559        3,918  

Deferred

     (50      1,461        (905      506  

*Totals shown are pre-tax

           

 

                                                 
     Year Ended December 31
     2023    2022
    

 

Prior year fair value of hedged item

    $ 539      $ (3,847)  

Current year fair value of hedged item

     630        938   
  

 

 

 

Change in fair value attributable to interest rates

    $ 91      $ 4,785   
  

 

 

 

Portion of the fair value change attributed to the hedged risk     $ 91      $ 4,785   
  

 

 

 

 

51


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Restricted Assets

The following tables show the pledged or restricted assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

 

                                                                                                                            
   

Gross Restricted (Admitted & Nonadmitted)

2023

 
 

 

 

 
  Restricted Asset Category   Total General
Account (G/A)
   

G/A Supporting

Separate

Account (S/A)
Activity

    Total S/A
Restricted
Assets
    S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A Activity
    Total  

 

 

Collateral held under security lending agreements

   $ 2,292     $     $     $     $ 2,292   

Subject to repurchase agreements

    157                         157   

Subject to dollar repurchase agreements

    11                         11   

FHLB capital stock

    88                         88   

On deposit with states

    38                         38   

Pledged as collateral to FHLB (including assets backing funding agreements)

    3,937                         3,937   

Pledged as collateral not captured in other categories

    2,230                         2,230   

Other restricted assets

    7,337                         7,337   
 

 

 

 

Total restricted assets

   $ 16,090     $     $     $     $ 16,090   
 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                 
    Gross (Admitted & Nonadmitted) Restricted     Percentage  
 

 

 

 
  Restricted Asset Category   Total From
Prior Year
(2022)
    Increase/
(Decrease)
    Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
    Total
Admitted
Restricted
    Gross
(Admitted &
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets
    Admitted
Restricted to
Total
Admitted
Assets
 

 

 

Collateral held under security lending agreements

   $ 2,115     $ 177     $     $ 2,292       1.30     1.31%  

Subject to repurchase agreements

    251       (94           157       0.09       0.09    

Subject to dollar repurchase agreements

    96       (85           11       0.01       0.01    

FHLB capital stock

    130       (42           88       0.05       0.05    

On deposit with states

    38                   38       0.02       0.02    

Pledged as collateral to FHLB (including assets backing funding agreements)

    5,335       (1,398           3,937       2.23       2.25    

Pledged as collateral not captured in other categories

    2,268       (38           2,230       1.26       1.27    

Other restricted assets

    5,983       1,354             7,337       4.16       4.20    
 

 

 

 

Total restricted assets

   $ 16,216     $ (126   $     $ 16,090       9.12     9.20%  
 

 

 

 

The amounts reported as other restricted assets in the table above represent assets held in trust related to reinsurance.

 

52


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables show the pledged or restricted assets in other categories as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

 

    

Gross Restricted (Admitted & Nonadmitted)

2023

 
  

 

 

 
Description of Assets   

 Total General 

Account (G/A)

     G/A
Supporting
Separate
Account (S/A)
Activity
     Total S/A
Restricted
Assets
     S/A Assets
Supporting G/A
Activity
       Total    

 

 

Derivatives

    $ 2,229      $      $      $      $ 2,229   

Secured funding agreements

     1                             1   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 2,230      $      $      $      $ 2,230   
  

 

 

 

 

    Gross (Admitted & Nonadmitted) Restricted     Percentage  
 

 

 

 
Description of Assets  

 Total From 

Prior Year

(2022)

    Increase/
(Decrease)
    Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
    Total
Admitted
Restricted
    Gross
(Admitted &
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets
    Admitted
Restricted to
Total
Admitted
Assets
 

 

 

Derivatives

  $ 2,251     $ (22   $     $ 2,229       1.26     1.27%  

Secured funding agreements

    17       (16           1       0.00       0.00    
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,268     $ (38   $     $ 2,230       1.26     1.27%  
 

 

 

 

 

53


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables show the collateral received and reflected as assets within the financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

                                                                                                           
2023  

 

 
Collateral Assets    Carrying Value      Fair Value      % of CV to
Total Assets
(Admitted and
Nonadmitted)
    % of CV to
Total Admitted
Assets
 

 

 

Cash

    $ 787      $ 787        1.01  %      1.04 %  

Securities lending collateral assets

     2,292        2,292        2.95       3.02    

Other

     30        30        0.04       0.04    
  

 

 

 

Total collateral assets

    $ 3,109      $ 3,109        4.00  %      4.10 %  
  

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                               
     Amount      % of Liability
to Total
Liabilities
           
  

 

 

 

Recognized obligation to return collateral asset

    $ 3,110        4.44%  

 

                                                                                                           
2022  

 

 
Collateral Assets    Carrying Value      Fair Value     

% of CV to
Total Assets
(Admitted

and
Nonadmitted)

    % of CV
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 

 

 

Cash

   $ 249      $ 243        0.31  %      0.31 %  

Securities lending collateral assets

     2,115        2,115        2.59       2.64    

Other

                         —    
  

 

 

 

Total collateral assets

   $ 2,364      $ 2,358        2.90  %      2.95 %  
  

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                               
     Amount      % of Liability
to Total
Liabilities
           
  

 

 

 

Recognized obligation to return collateral asset

   $ 2,367        3.17 %  

 

54


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Net Investment Income

Detail of net investment income is presented below:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023      2022      2021  
  

 

 

 

Income:

        

Bonds

    $ 2,170      $ 2,029      $ 2,151   

Preferred stocks

     5        3        4   

Common stocks

     392        343        228   

Mortgage loans on real estate

     383        415        483   

Real estate

     9        13        25   

Policy loans

     110        108        112   

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     95        26        1   

Derivatives

     403        273        89   

Other invested assets

     200        180        155   
  

 

 

 

Gross investment income

     3,767        3,390        3,248   

Less: investment expenses

     198        178        167   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income before amortization of IMR

     3,569        3,212        3,081   

Amortization of IMR

     28        85        110   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

    $   3,597      $   3,297      $   3,191   
  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company excluded investment income due and accrued of $10 and $40, respectively. There were no amounts excluded for mortgage loans or real estate for either 2023 and 2022.

The gross, nonadmitted and admitted amounts for interest income due and accrued are presented in the following table:

 

     2023      2022  
  

 

 

 

Gross

    $ 636      $ 756   

Nonadmitted

    $ 10      $ 40   

Admitted

    $    626      $    716   

At December 31, 2023, the Company had cumulative amounts for paid-in-kind interest of $1 included in the principle balance. At December 31, 2022, the Company did not report a paid-in-kind interest balance.

 

55


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Realized Capital Gains (Losses)

Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments, including OTTI, are summarized below:

 

                                                                    
     Realized  
  

 

 

 
     Year Ended December 31  
     2023     2022     2021  
  

 

 

 

Bonds

    $ (669   $ (614   $ 311   

Preferred stocks

                 2   

Common stocks

     (8     56       11   

Mortgage loans on real estate

     (1           —   

Real estate

           1       (9)  

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     (1           —   

Derivatives

     (2,043     (4,555     (2,474)  

Variable annuity reserve hedge offset

     (44     229       15   

Other invested assets

     27       169       488   
  

 

 

 

Change in realized capital gains (losses), before taxes

     (2,739     (4,714     (1,656)  

Federal income tax effect

     106       45       (122)  

Transfer from (to) IMR

     634       458       (146)  
  

 

 

 

Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments

    $   (1,999   $   (4,211   $   (1,924)  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized Capital Gains (Losses)

The changes in net unrealized capital gains and losses on investments, including the changes in net unrealized foreign capital gains and losses were as follows:

 

                                                                       
     Change in Unrealized  
  

 

 

 
     Year Ended December 31  
     2023     2022     2021  
  

 

 

 

Bonds

    $ 10     $ 197     $ 150   

Preferred stocks

     1       (11     15   

Common stocks

     1       (40     2   

Affiliated entities

     443       (278     (46)  

Derivatives

     600       1,142       262   

Other invested assets

     327       51       139   
  

 

 

 

Change in unrealized capital gains (losses), before taxes

     1,382       1,061       522   

Taxes on unrealized capital gains (losses)

     (98     (47     (72)  
  

 

 

 

Change in unrealized capital gains (losses), net of tax

    $   1,284     $   1,014     $   450   
  

 

 

 

 

56


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Admitted Disallowed IMR

The Company has admitted net negative (disallowed) IMR in accordance with the following criteria:

 

  A.

Fixed income investments generating IMR losses comply with the reporting entity’s documented investment or liability management policies.

  B.

IMR losses for fixed income related derivatives are all in accordance with prudent and documented risk management procedures, in accordance with a reporting entity’s derivative use plans and reflect symmetry with historical treatment in which unrealized derivative gains were reversed to IMR and amortized in lieu of being recognized as realized gains upon derivative termination.

  C.

Any deviation to (a) was either because of a temporary and transitory timing issue or related to a specific event, such as a reinsurance transaction, that mechanically made the cause of IMR losses not reflective of reinvestment activities.

  D.

Asset sales that were generating admitted negative IMR were not compelled by liquidity pressures (e.g., to fund significant cash outflows including, but not limited to excess withdrawals and collateral calls).

The aggregate net negative (disallowed) IMR allocation is presented in the following table for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

                                                                                                       
     Total      General
Account
     Insulated
Separate
Account
     Non-Insulated
Separate Account
 
  

 

 

 

2023

    $    7      $    7      $    —      $  

The allocation of the admitted negative (disallowed) IMR is presented in the following table for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

                                                                                                           
     Total      General
Account
     Insulated
Separate
Account
    

Non-Insulated

Separate
Account

 
  

 

 

 

2023

    $    7      $    7      $    —      $  

 

57


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The calculation of adjusted capital and surplus with consideration of the negative (disallowed) IMR is presented in the following table for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

     2023  
  

 

 

 
Prior period, as of September 30, 2023 the most recent statement filed with the IID, general account capital and surplus    $   5,731   

From prior period SAP financials:

  

Net positive goodwill (admitted)

     —   

EDP equipment & operating system software (admitted)

     —   

Net DTAs (admitted)

     748   

Net negative (disallowed) IMR (admitted)

     —   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted capital and surplus

   $ 4,983   
  

 

 

 

The admitted net negative (disallowed) IMR represents 0.14% of adjusted capital and surplus for 2023.

The Company did not have gains/losses associated with derivatives sold allocated to IMR during 2023.

 

6.

Policy and Contract Attributes

Insurance Liabilities

Policy reserves, deposit-type contracts and policy claims at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023      2022  
  

 

 

 

Life insurance reserves

    $    32,027      $    33,013   

Annuity reserves and supplementary contracts with life contingencies

     13,368        17,894   

Accident and health reserves (including long term care)

     7,101        7,049   
  

 

 

 

Total policy reserves

    $ 52,496      $ 57,956   

Deposit-type contracts

     717        766   

Policy claims

     983        1,098   
  

 

 

 

Total policy reserves, deposit-type contracts and claim liabilities

    $ 54,196      $ 59,820   
  

 

 

 

 

58


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Life Insurance Reserves

The aggregate policy reserves for life insurance policies are based upon the 1941, 1958, 1980, 2001 and 2017 Commissioner’s Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables, the 1912, 1941 and 1961 Standard Industrial Mortality Tables, the 1960 Commissioner’s Standard Group Mortality Table, the American Men, Actuaries and American Experience Mortality Tables. The reserves are calculated using interest rates ranging from 0.75 to 6.50 percent and are computed principally on the Net Level Premium Valuation and the Commissioner’s Reserve Valuation Method. Reserves for universal life policies are based on account balances adjusted for the Commissioner’s Reserve Valuation Method or Actuarial Guideline XXXVIII. Effective July 1, 2017, term insurance issued follows Valuation Manual section 20 (VM-20) reserve requirements.

Tabular interest, tabular less actual reserves released and tabular cost have been determined by formula.

The Company waives deduction of deferred fractional premiums upon death of the insured and returns any portion of the final premium for periods beyond the date of death.

Additional premiums are charged or additional mortality charges are assessed for policies issued on substandard lives according to underwriting classification. Generally, reserves are determined by computing the regular reserve for the plan at the true age and holding, in addition, the unearned portion of the extra premium charge for the year. Effective July 1, 2017, for substandard term insurance policies, per VM-20 requirements, the substandard rating is applied to the reserve mortality. For certain flexible premium and fixed premium universal life insurance products, reserves are calculated utilizing the Commissioner’s Reserve Valuation Method for universal life policies and recognizing any substandard ratings.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had insurance in force aggregating $33,976 and $39,639, respectively, in which the gross premiums are less than the net premiums required by the valuation standards established by the IID. The Company established policy reserves of $1,463 and $1,506 to cover these deficiencies as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Participating life insurance policies were issued by the Company in prior years which entitle policyholders to a share in the earnings of the participating policies, provided that a dividend distribution, which is determined annually based on mortality and persistency experience of the participating policies, is authorized by the Company. Participating insurance constituted less than 0.05% of ordinary life insurance in force at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Annuity Reserves and Supplementary Contracts Involving Life Contingencies

Deferred annuity reserves are calculated according to the Commissioner’s Annuity Reserve Valuation Method including excess interest reserves to cover situations where the future interest guarantees plus the decrease in surrender charges are in excess of the maximum valuation rates of interest.

 

59


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Reserves for immediate annuities and supplementary contracts with and without life contingencies are equal to the present value of future payments assuming interest rates ranging from 1.25 to 11.75 percent and mortality rates, where appropriate, from a variety of tables.

Annuity reserves also include GICs and funding agreements classified as life-type contracts as defined in SSAP No. 50, Classifications of Insurance or Managed Care Contracts. These liabilities have annuitization options at guaranteed rates and consist of floating interest rate and fixed interest rate contracts. The contract reserves are carried at the greater of the account balance or the value as determined for an annuity with cash settlement option, on a change in fund basis, according to the Commissioner’s Annuity Reserve Valuation Method.

For variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits and variable annuities with minimum guaranteed death benefits the Company complies with VM-21. VM-21 specifies statutory reserve requirements for variable annuity contracts with benefit guarantees (VACARVM) and without benefit guarantees and related products. The VM-21 reserve calculation covers all variable annuity products. Examples of covered guaranteed benefits include guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits, return of premium death benefits, guaranteed minimum income benefits, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and guaranteed payout annuity floors. The aggregate reserve for contracts falling within the scope of VM-21 is equal to the stochastic reserves plus the additional standard projection amount. During 2022, the Company established a voluntary reserve in addition to the reserve required under VM-21 to help manage volatility associated with unhedged base contract cashflows. The VA voluntary reserve totaled $505 as of December 31, 2023.

Both the stochastic reserves and the standard projection are determined as the conditional tail expectation (CTE)-70 of the scenario reserves. To determine the CTE-70 values, the Company used 1,000 of the pre-packaged scenarios developed by the American Academy of Actuaries (AAA) and Society of Actuaries. The stochastic reserves uses prudent estimate assumptions based on Company experience, while the standard projection uses the assumptions prescribed in VM-21 for determining the additional standard projection amount.

Accident and Health Liabilities

Accident and health policy reserves are equal to the greater of the gross unearned premiums or any required mid-terminal reserves plus net unearned premiums and the present value of amounts not yet due on both reported and unreported claims.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no premium deficiency reserve related to accident and health policies.

The Company’s primary method utilized to estimate premium adjustments for contracts subject to redetermination is to review experience periodically and to adjust premiums for differences between the experience anticipated at the time of redetermination and that underlying the original premiums. The Company has not limited its degree of discretion contractually; however, in some states it has agreed not to raise premiums in order to recoup past losses. The Company forgoes premium changes on existing policies at its option if the administrative cost and other business issues associated with the change outweigh the direct financial impact of the change. Also, the Company has extra-contractually guaranteed the current premium scale for certain policies.

 

60


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

For indeterminate premium products, a full schedule of current and anticipated premium rates is developed at the point of issue. Premium rate adjustments are considered when anticipated future experience foretells deviations from the original profit standards. The source of deviation (mortality, persistency, expense, etc.) is an important consideration in the re-rating decision as well as the potential effect of a rate change on the future experience of the existing block of business.

The Company does not write any accident and health business that is subject to the Affordable Care Act risk sharing provisions.

Liabilities for losses and loss/claim adjustment expenses for accident and health contracts are estimated using statistical claim development models to develop best estimates of liabilities for medical expense business and using tabular reserves employing mortality/morbidity tables and discount rates meeting minimum regulatory requirements for other business. Unpaid claims include amounts for losses and related adjustment expenses and are estimates of the ultimate net costs of all losses, reported and unreported. These estimates are subject to the impact of future changes in claim severity, frequency and other factors.

Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and related processing costs net of reinsurance is summarized as follows:

 

                                                                                                               
    

Unpaid Claims
Liability Beginning

of Year

    

Claims

Incurred

   

Claims

Paid

    

Unpaid Claims

Liability End of

Year

 
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

          

2023

    $       $ 1,148     $ 435       $ 713   

2022 and prior

     1,991        (82     622        1,287   
  

 

 

 
     1,991       $ 1,066     $ 1,057        2,000   
     

 

 

    

Active life reserve

    $ 5,476            $ 5,508   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total accident and health reserves

    $ 7,467            $ 7,508   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                               
     Unpaid Claims
Liability Beginning
of Year
    

Claims

Incurred

   

Claims

Paid

     Unpaid Claims
Liability End of
Year
 
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2022

          

2022

    $       $ 1,141     $ 444       $ 697   

2021 and prior

     1,941        (49     598        1,294   
  

 

 

 
     1,941       $   1,092     $   1,042        1,991   
     

 

 

    

Active life reserve

    $ 5,442            $ 5,476   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total accident and health reserves

    $ 7,383            $ 7,467   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

The change in the Company’s unpaid claims reserve was ($82) and ($49) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for health claims that were incurred prior to those Balance Sheets date. The change in 2023 and 2022 was due to better than expected experience primarily due to reduced medical claims and accidental deaths.

 

61


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Activity in the liability for unpaid claims adjustment expense is summarized as follows:

 

     Liability
Beginning of
Year
     Incurred      Paid      Liability
End of
Year
 
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

           

2023

    $      $ 38      $ 23      $ 15   

2022 and prior

     42        (12      3        27   
  

 

 

 
    $    42      $    26      $    26      $    42   
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2022

           

2022

    $      $ 25      $ 10      $ 15   

2021 and prior

     37        8        18        27   
  

 

 

 
    $ 37      $ 33      $ 28      $ 42   
  

 

 

 

The Company increased the claim adjustment expense provision for insured events of prior years during 2023.

Premium and Annuity Considerations Deferred and Uncollected

Reserves on the Company’s traditional life insurance products are computed using mean and interpolated or mid-terminal reserving methodologies. The mean methodologies result in the establishment of assets for the amount of the net valuation premiums that are anticipated to be received between the policy’s paid-through date to the policy’s next anniversary date. The interpolated methodologies do not require the establishment of such assets, however, it is required to hold unearned premium liabilities. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the gross premiums and net of loading amounts related to these assets (which are reported as premiums deferred and uncollected), are as follows:

 

     2023      2022  
     Gross      Net of Loading      Gross      Net of Loading  

Life and annuity:

           

Ordinary first-year business

    $ 1        $ —        $ 1        $ —   

Ordinary renewal business

     122         96         142         115   

Group life direct business

     14         10         15         11   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $    137        $    106        $    158        $    126   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposit-type Contracts

Tabular interest on funds not involving life contingencies has been determined primarily by formula.

The Company issues certain funding agreements with well-defined class-based annuity purchase rates defining either specific or maximum purchase rate guarantees. However, these funding agreements are not issued to or for the benefit of an identifiable individual or group of individuals. These contracts are classified as deposit-type contracts in accordance with SSAP No. 50.

 

62


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Included in the liability for deposit-type contracts at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are approximately $11 and $11, respectively, of funding agreements issued to special purpose entities in conjunction with non-recourse medium-term note programs. Under these programs, the proceeds from each note series issuance are used to purchase a funding agreement from the Company which secures that particular series of notes. In general, the payment terms of the note series match the payment terms of the funding agreement that secures that series. Claims for the principal and interest for these funding agreements are afforded equal priority as other policyholders.

Withdrawal Characteristics of Annuity Reserves and Deposit Funds

A portion of the Company’s policy reserves and other policyholders’ funds (including separate account liabilities) relates to liabilities established on a variety of the Company’s annuity, deposit fund and life products. There may be certain restrictions placed upon the amount of funds that can be withdrawn without penalty. The amount of reserves on annuity and deposit fund products, by withdrawal characteristics, is summarized as follows:

 

    

December 31

2023

 
  

 

 

 
Individual Annuities:    General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
    

Separate
Account
Non-

Guaranteed

     Total      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 316      $ 714      $      $ 1,030        2 %  

At book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     919                      919        1    

At fair value

     6               58,435        58,441        84    
  

 

 

 

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     1,241        714        58,435        60,390        87    

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     6,679                      6,679        10    

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     1,723               488        2,211        3    
  

 

 

 

Total individual annuity reserves

     9,643        714        58,923        69,280        100 %  
              

 

 

 

Less reinsurance ceded

     6,228                      6,228     
  

 

 

    

Net individual annuities reserves

    $ 3,415      $ 714      $ 58,923      $ 63,052     
  

 

 

    

Amount included in book value less surrender charge above that will move to book value without adjustment in the year after the statement date

    $ 235      $      $      $ 235     
  

 

 

    

 

63


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

                                                                                    
    

December 31

2023

 
  

 

 

 
Group Annuities:    General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
    

Separate
Account
Non-

Guaranteed

     Total      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 4,104      $ 13      $      $ 4,117        11 %  

At book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     20                      20        —    

At fair value

                   28,070        28,070        72    
  

 

 

 

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     4,124        13        28,070        32,207        83    

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     4,848                      4,848        12    

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     1,846               64        1,910        5    
  

 

 

 

Total group annuities reserves

     10,818        13        28,134        38,965        100 %  
              

 

 

 

Less reinsurance ceded

     864                      864     
  

 

 

    

Net group annuities reserves

    $ 9,954      $ 13      $ 28,134      $ 38,101     
  

 

 

    

 

                                                                                    
    

December 31

2023

 
  

 

 

 
Deposit-type contracts (no life contingencies):    General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
    

Separate
Account
Non-

Guaranteed

     Total      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $      $      $      $        0 %  

Total with adjustment or at fair value

                                 0    
  

 

 

 

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     220                      220        27    

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     504        68        19        591        73    
  

 

 

 

Total deposit-type contracts

     724        68        19        811        100 %  
              

 

 

 

Less reinsurance ceded

     8                      8     
  

 

 

    

Net deposit-type contracts

    $ 716      $ 68      $ 19      $ 803     
  

 

 

    

 

64


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Reconciliation to the Annual Statement:    Amount  
  

 

 

 

Life & Accident & Health Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 5, Annuities section, total (net)

   $ 12,438  

Exhibit 5, Supp contracts with life contingencies section, total (net)

     931  

Exhibit 7, Deposit-type contracts, net balance at the end of the current year after reinsurance

     716  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     14,085  

Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 3, Annuities section, total

     87,269  

Exhibit 3, Supp contracts with life contingencies section, total

     515  

Other contract deposit funds

     87  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     87,871  
  

 

 

 

Combined total

   $ 101,956  
  

 

 

 

 

    

December 31

2022

 
  

 

 

 
Individual Annuities:    General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
    

Separate
Account
Non-

Guaranteed

     Total      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 368      $ 137      $      $ 505        1 

At book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     1,193                      1,193        1   

At fair value

     6               56,032        56,038        83   
  

 

 

 

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     1,567        137        56,032        57,736        85   

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     7,190                      7,190        11   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     2,484               408        2,892        4   
  

 

 

 

Total individual annuity reserves

     11,241        137        56,440        67,818        100 
              

 

 

 

Less reinsurance ceded

     2,736                      2,736     
  

 

 

    

Net individual annuity reserves

    $ 8,505      $ 137      $ 56,440      $  65,082     

Amount included in book value less surrender charge above that will move to book value without adjustment in the year after the statement date

    $ 2      $      $      $ 2     
  

 

 

    

 

65


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

                                                                     
    

December 31

2022

 
  

 

 

 
Group Annuities:    General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
    

Separate
Account
Non-

Guaranteed

     Total      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 3,641      $ 16      $      $ 3,657        11 

At book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     20                      20        —   

At fair value

                   24,776        24,776        71   
  

 

 

 

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     3,661        16        24,776        28,453        82   

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     4,116                      4,116        12   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     1,946               58        2,004        6   
  

 

 

 

Total group annuity reserves

     9,723        16        24,834        34,573        100 
              

 

 

 

Less reinsurance ceded

     334                      334     
  

 

 

    

Net group annuity reserves

    $ 9,389      $ 16      $ 24,834      $  34,239     
  

 

 

    

 

                                                                     
    

December 31

2022

 
  

 

 

 
Deposit-type contracts (no life contingencies):    General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
    

Separate
Account
Non-

Guaranteed

     Total      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 5      $      $      $ 5        1  %  
  

 

 

 

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     5                      5        1    

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     237                      237        28    

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     533        53        14        600        71    
  

 

 

 

Total deposit-type contracts

     775        53        14        842        100 %  
              

 

 

 

Less reinsurance ceded

     9                      9     
  

 

 

    

Net deposit-type contracts

    $ 766      $ 53      $ 14      $ 833     
  

 

 

    

 

66


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Reconciliation to the Annual Statement:    Amount  
  

 

 

 

Life & Accident & Health Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 5, Annuities section, total (net)

   $ 16,961   

Exhibit 5, Supp contracts with life contingencies section, total (net)

     933   

Exhibit 7, Deposit-type contracts, net balance at the end of the current year after reinsurance

     766   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     18,660   

Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 3, Annuities section, total

     80,995   

Exhibit 3, Supp contracts with life contingencies section, total

     432   

Other contract deposit funds

     67   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     81,494   
  

 

 

 

Combined total

   $ 100,154   
  

 

 

 

The amount of reserves on life products, by withdrawal characteristics, is summarized as follows:

 

    

December 31

2023

 
  

 

 

 
     General Account  
  

 

 

 
     Account Value      Cash Value      Reserve  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

        

Term policies with cash value

    $      $ 319      $ 462   

Universal life

     13,359        12,668        15,050   

Universal life with secondary guarantees

     5,929        5,819        12,845   

Indexed universal life with secondary guarantees

     7,773        5,385        6,486   

Other permanent cash value life insurance

     2        4,755        7,192   

Variable universal life

     681        680        1,002   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal or no cash values

        

Term policies without cash value

                   8,024   

Accidental death benefits

                   48   

Disability - active lives

                   37   

Disability - disabled lives

                   160   

Miscellaneous reserves

                   1,604   
  

 

 

 

Total (gross)

     27,744        29,626        52,910   

Reinsurance ceded

     5,065        4,914        21,387   
  

 

 

 

Total (net)

    $   22,679      $   24,712      $   31,523   
  

 

 

 

 

67


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

     December 31  
     2023  
  

 

 

 
     Separate Account - Guaranteed  
  

 

 

 
      Account Value         Cash Value         Reserve    
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

        

Variable universal life

    $ 684      $ 684      $ 684   
  

 

 

 

Total (net)

    $ 684      $ 684      $ 684   
  

 

 

 
     December 31  
     2023  
  

 

 

 
     Separate Account - Nonguaranteed  
  

 

 

 
     Account Value      Cash Value      Reserve  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

        

Variable universal life

    $ 8,003      $ 8,000      $ 9,208   
  

 

 

 

Total (net)

    $ 8,003      $ 8,000      $ 9,208   
  

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to the Annual Statement:      Amount  
  

 

 

 

Life & Accident & Health Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 5, Life insurance section, total (net)

    $ 30,751  

Exhibit 5, Accidental death benefits section total (net)

     25   

Exhibit 5, Disability - active lives section, total (net)

     16  

Exhibit 5, Disability - disabled lives section, total (net)

     137  

Exhibit 5, Miscellaneous reserves section, total (net)

     594  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     31,523  

Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 3, Life insurance section, total

     9,892  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     9,892  
  

 

 

 

Combined total

    $ 41,415  
  

 

 

 

 

68


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

     December 31  
     2022  
  

 

 

 
     General Account  
  

 

 

 
      Account Value        Cash Value         Reserve  
    

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

        

Term policies with cash value

    $ 313      $ 313      $ 442   

Universal life

     14,590        13,706        14,639   

Universal life with secondary guarantees

     5,822        5,760        13,570   

Indexed universal life with secondary guarantees

     6,612        4,539        5,344   

Other permanent cash value life insurance

     4,698        4,698        7,148   

Variable universal life

     672        673        1,491   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal or no cash values

        

Term policies without cash value

                   8,085   

Accidental death benefits

                   50   

Disability - active lives

                   37   

Disability - disabled lives

                   163   

Miscellaneous reserves

                   1,573   
  

 

 

 

Total (gross)

     32,707        29,689        52,542   

Reinsurance ceded

     4,620        4,621        20,036   
  

 

 

 

Total (net)

    $ 28,087      $ 25,068      $ 32,506   
  

 

 

 

 

     December 31  
     2022  
  

 

 

 
     Separate Account - Guaranteed  
  

 

 

 
      Account Value         Cash Value          Reserve    
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

        

Variable universal life

    $ 677      $ 677      $ 677   
  

 

 

 

Total (net)

    $ 677      $ 677      $ 677   
  

 

 

 
     December 31  
     2022  
  

 

 

 
     Separate Account - Nonguaranteed  
  

 

 

 
     Account Value      Cash Value      Reserve  
  

 

 

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

        

Variable universal life

    $ 6,989      $ 6,983      $ 8,072   
  

 

 

 

Total (net)

    $ 6,989      $ 6,983      $ 8,072   
  

 

 

 

 

69


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Reconciliation to the Annual Statement:      Amount  
  

 

 

 

Life & Accident & Health Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 5, Life insurance section, total (net)

    $ 31,686   

Exhibit 5, Accidental death benefits section total (net)

     26  

Exhibit 5, Disability - active lives section, total (net)

     17  

Exhibit 5, Disability - disabled lives section, total (net)

     142  

Exhibit 5, Miscellaneous reserves section, total (net)

     635  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     32,506  

Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

  

Exhibit 3, Life insurance section, total

     8,749  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     8,749  
  

 

 

 

Combined total

    $    41,255  
  

 

 

 

Separate Accounts

Certain separate and variable accounts held by the Company relate to individual variable life insurance policies. The benefits provided on the policies are determined by the performance and/or fair value of the investments held in the separate account. The net investment experience of the separate account is credited directly to the policyholder and can be positive or negative. The assets of these separate accounts are carried at fair value. The life insurance policies typically provide a guaranteed minimum death benefit.

 

70


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Certain separate accounts held by the Company represent funds which are administered for pension plans. The assets consist primarily of fixed maturities and equity securities and are carried at fair value. The Company provides a minimum guaranteed return to policyholders of certain separate accounts. Certain other separate accounts do not have any minimum guarantees and the investment risks associated with fair value changes are borne entirely by the policyholder. Information regarding the separate accounts of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:

 

    

 Guaranteed 

Indexed

     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than or
Equal to 4%
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Greater
Than 4%
     Nonguaranteed
Separate
Accounts
     Total  
  

 

 

 

Premiums, deposits and other considerations for the year ended December 31, 2023

    $      $      $ 10      $ 6,075      $ 6,085   
  

 

 

 

Reserves for separate accounts as of December 31, 2023 with assets at:

              

Fair value

    $ 710      $ 85      $      $ 96,283      $   97,078   

Amortized cost

            684                      684   
  

 

 

 

Total as of December 31, 2023

    $ 710      $ 769      $      $ 96,283      $ 97,762   
  

 

 

 

Reserves for separate accounts by withdrawal characteristics as of December 31, 2023:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 710      $ 18      $      $      $ 728   

At fair value

                          95,712        95,712   
  

 

 

 

At book value without fair value adjustment and with current surrender charge of less than 5%

            684                      684   

Subtotal

     710        702               95,712        97,124   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

            68               571        639   
  

 

 

 

Total separate account reserve liabilities at December 31, 2023

    $ 710      $ 770      $      $ 96,283      $ 97,763   
  

 

 

 

 

71


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

    

 Guaranteed 

Indexed

     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than or
Equal to 4%
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Greater
Than 4%
     Nonguaranteed
Separate
Accounts
     Total  
  

 

 

 

Premiums, deposits and other considerations for the year ended December 31, 2022

    $      $      $ 10      $ 7,663      $ 7,673   
  

 

 

 

Reserves for separate accounts as of December 31, 2022 with assets at:

              

Fair value

    $ 132      $ 75      $      $ 89,360      $ 89,567   

Amortized cost

            677                      677   
  

 

 

 

Total as of December 31, 2022

    $ 132      $ 752      $      $ 89,360      $   90,244   
  

 

 

 

Reserves for separate accounts by withdrawal characteristics as of December 31, 2022:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $ 132      $ 22      $      $      $ 154   

At fair value

                          88,880        88,880   

At book value without fair value adjustment and with current surrender charge of less than 5%

            677                      677   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     132        699               88,880        89,711   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

            53               479        532   
  

 

 

 

Total separate account reserve liabilities at December 31, 2022

    $ 132      $ 752      $      $ 89,359      $ 90,243   
  

 

 

 

 

72


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

    

 Guaranteed 

Indexed

     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than or
Equal to 4%
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Greater
Than 4%
     Nonguaranteed
Separate
Accounts
     Total  
  

 

 

 

Premiums, deposits and other considerations for the year ended December 31, 2021

    $      $      $ 11      $ 8,076      $ 8,087   
  

 

 

 

Reserves for separate accounts as of December 31, 2021 with assets at:

              

Fair value

    $      $ 93      $      $ 123,046      $ 123,139   

Amortized cost

            669                      669   
  

 

 

 

Total as of December 31, 2021

    $      $ 762      $      $ 123,046      $   123,808   
  

 

 

 

Reserves for separate accounts by withdrawal characteristics as of December 31, 2021:

              

With fair value adjustment

    $      $ 26      $      $      $ 26   

At fair value

                          122,404        122,404   

At book value without fair value adjustment and with current surrender charge of less than 5%

            669                      669   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

            695               122,404        123,099   

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

            66               643        709   
  

 

 

 

Total separate account reserve liabilities at December 31, 2021

    $      $ 761      $      $ 123,047      $ 123,808   
  

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the amounts transferred to and from the Company’s separate accounts is presented below:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023     2022     2021  
  

 

 

 

Transfer as reported in the Summary of Operations of the separate accounts statement:

      

Transfers to separate accounts

    $ 6,167     $ 7,757     $ 8,164   

Transfers from separate accounts

        (10,944       (18,692       (17,029)  
  

 

 

 

Net transfers from separate accounts

     (4,777     (10,935     (8,865)  

Miscellaneous reconciling adjustments

     (24     (17     (16)  
  

 

 

 

Net transfers as reported in the Summary of Operations of the life, accident and health annual statement

    $ (4,801   $ (10,952   $ (8,881)  
  

 

 

 

 

73


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The legal insulation of separate account assets prevents such assets from being generally available to satisfy claims resulting from the general account. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s separate account statement included legally insulated assets of $98,092 and $91,338, respectively. The assets legally insulated from general account claims at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are attributed to the following products:

 

       2023          2022    
  

 

 

 

Group annuities

    $ 25,977      $ 22,949   

Variable annuities

     61,550        58,923   

Fixed universal life

     725        717   

Variable universal life

     8,484        7,584   

Variable life

     1,277        1,105   

Modified separate accounts

     78        47   

Registered market value annuity product - SPL

     1        6   

WRL asset accumulator

            7   
  

 

 

 

Total separate account assets

    $    98,092      $    91,338   
  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held separate account assets not legally insulated from the general account in the amount of $760 and $156, respectively.

Some separate account liabilities are guaranteed by the general account. In accordance with the guarantees provided, if the investment proceeds are insufficient to cover the rate of return guaranteed for the product, the policyholder proceeds will be remitted by the general account. To compensate the general account for the risk taken, the separate account paid risk charges of $570, $584, $579, $565 and $552, to the general account in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 the general account of the Company had paid $63, $56, $45, $75 and $75 respectively, toward separate account guarantees.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company reported guaranteed separate account assets at amortized cost in the amount of $710 and $705, respectively, based upon the prescribed practice granted by the State of Iowa as described in Note 2. These assets had a fair value of $649 and $617 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which would have resulted in an unrealized gain/(loss) of ($61) and ($87), respectively, had these assets been reported at fair value.

The Company does not participate in securities lending transactions within the separate account.

7. Reinsurance

Certain premiums and benefits are assumed from and ceded to other insurance companies under various reinsurance agreements. The Company reinsures portions of the risk on certain insurance policies which exceed its established limits, thereby providing a greater diversification of risk and minimizing exposure on larger risks. The Company remains contingently liable with respect to any insurance ceded, and this would become an actual liability in the event that the assuming insurance company became unable to meet its obligation under the reinsurance treaty.

 

74


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Premiums and annuity considerations include the following reinsurance amounts:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023      2022      2021  
  

 

 

 

Direct premiums

    $    16,262      $    15,957      $ 17,591   

Reinsurance assumed - non affiliates

     866        1,017        1,272   

Reinsurance assumed - affiliates

     (10      5,366        (1)  

Reinsurance ceded - non affiliates

     (2,547      (1,819      (3,594)  

Reinsurance ceded - affiliates

     (5,055      (708      (786)  
  

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

    $ 9,516      $ 19,813      $    14,482   
  

 

 

 

The Company received reinsurance recoveries in the amount of $3,327, $3,764 and $3,824 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers that have been deducted from policy and contract claim reserves totaled $853 and $987, respectively. The aggregate reserves for policies and contracts were reduced for reserve credits for reinsurance ceded at December 31, 2023 and 2022 of $39,004 and $34,508, respectively, of which $16,868 and $12,465 were ceded to affiliates, respectively.

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, amortization of deferred gains associated with previously transacted reinsurance agreements was released into income in the amount of $684 ($429 after tax), $869 ($574 after tax) and $195 ($127 after tax), respectively.

Effective December 31, 2023, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement whereby the Company ceded fixed deferred annuity business to an affiliated entity, Transamerica Bermuda Re, Ltd. (TBRe). The Company paid a ceding commission of $138 in addition to reinsurance premiums of $4,394 in the form of a funds withheld payable and ceded $4,394 of statutory reserves. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $138, which has been included in the Statements of Operations.

Effective July 1, 2023, the Company ceded universal life with secondary guarantee (SGUL) insurance business to an unaffiliated entity. The Company paid considerations of $1,057 in assets and cash, ceded $1,436 of reserves and $555 of policy loans. After a $199 realized loss, the transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $179.

Effective July 1, 2023, the Company recaptured a specific list of policies from an affiliate, LIICA Re II. As a result, the Company received $5 in cash and $114 in policyholder reserves. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $109 which has been included in the Statements of Operations.

Effective July 1, 2023, the Company recaptured a specific list of policies from an affiliate, Transamerica Pacific Re. As a result, the Company received $12 in cash and $33 in policyholder reserves. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $21 which has been included in the Statements of Operations.

On October 31, 2022, the Company executed an affiliated coinsurance arrangement, effective July 1, 2022, under which it assumes the remaining in force universal life business from TLB net of third-party reinsurance. The Company received consideration of $4,974 in the form of cash and

 

75


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

invested assets and assumed $5,543 in policy and contract reserves along with $6 in policy loans. After establishing a $432 IMR deferral related to the asset transfers, this transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $131 which was included in the Summary of Operations. This transaction is secured by a comfort trust equal to 100% of the Company’s U.S. statutory reserves.

Effective April 1, 2022, LIICA Re II, an affiliate, executed a recapture of a specific list of policies to the Company. The Company received consideration of $186 in the form of cash and recaptured policyholder reserves of $838. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $652 which was included in the Statements of Operations.

Effective December 31, 2021, the Company ceded SGUL insurance business to an unaffiliated entity. The Company paid considerations of $1,738 in assets and cash, ceded $1,470 of reserves and $13 of policy loans. After a $55 realized gain release, the transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $243 which was included in the Statement of Operations. There was a reversal of tax timing differences and release of RBC required that offset the pre-tax loss resulting in a neutral impact to the RBC ratio.

Effective October 1, 2021, the Company recaptured a block of universal life business from an affiliate, TLIC Oakbrook Reinsurance, Inc. (TORI). The Company received consideration of $963 in the form of released funds withheld and recaptured policyholder reserves of $1,229 and claims reserves of $7. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $272 which was included in the Statements of Operations. In addition, the Company released into income a previously deferred unamortized gain resulting from the original cessions of this business to TORI in the amount of $173 with a corresponding charge to unassigned surplus.

Effective May 31, 2021, the Company amended and restated the Military Life and Affinity reinsurance agreements with Ironwood Re Corp, an affiliate, which changed the funds withheld calculation from a GAAP reserve valuation to a Gross Premium Valuation. As a result, the Company increased the funds withheld liability by $43. The transaction resulted in no pre-tax gain or loss.

In January 2018, Scottish Re Group announced a sale and restructuring plan and commenced Chapter 11 (reorganization) procedures for some of its subsidiaries. In December 2018, the Delaware Department of Insurance began oversight procedures of Scottish Re (U.S.), Inc. (SRUS), with whom the Company is a counterparty for some of its reinsurance activities. SRUS was ordered into receivership for the purposes of rehabilitation on March 6, 2019. On May 16, 2019, the IID suspended the certificate of authority for SRUS but later clarified that reserve credit could be taken on reinsurance agreements entered into prior to the revocation date if a recovery analysis could be illustrated. The Company concluded it could not support a favorable recovery analysis and therefore did not take statutory reserve credit in its year-end 2022 financial statements. A loss contingency allowance was also established for the doubtful recoveries of billed and unbilled claims in the amount of $125 as of December 31, 2022. On July 19, 2023, a Motion for Liquidation of SRUS was granted, resulting in any related treaty coverage ending on September 30, 2023. The Company does not believe sufficient information is available at this time to be able to reasonably estimate any potential loss and has therefore reversed the previously established loss contingency allowance and reported gross receivables on billed and unbilled claims of $155 and $260 as of December 31, 2023, respectively, all of which have been fully non-admitted.

 

76


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

8. Income Taxes

The net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the change from the prior year are comprised of the following components:

 

     December 31, 2023  
     Ordinary     Capital     Total  
  

 

 

 

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

    $     2,492     $       202     $     2,694   

Statutory Valuation Allowance Adjustment

                 —   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     2,492       202       2,694   

Deferred Tax Assets Nonadmitted

     1,023             1,023   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal (Net Deferred Tax Assets)

     1,469       202       1,671   

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     628       271       899   
  

 

 

 

Net Admitted Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)

    $ 841     $ (69   $ 772   
  

 

 

 
     December 31, 2022  
     Ordinary     Capital     Total  
  

 

 

 

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

    $ 2,487     $ 191     $ 2,678   

Statutory Valuation Allowance Adjustment

                 —   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     2,487       191       2,678   

Deferred Tax Assets Nonadmitted

     1,006             1,006   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal (Net Deferred Tax Assets)

     1,481       191       1,672   

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     642       291       933   
  

 

 

 

Net Admitted Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)

    $ 839     $ (100   $ 739   
  

 

 

 
           Change        
     Ordinary     Capital     Total  
  

 

 

 

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

    $ 5     $ 11     $ 16   

Statutory Valuation Allowance Adjustment

                 —   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     5       11       16   

Deferred Tax Assets Nonadmitted

     17             17   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal (Net Deferred Tax Assets)

     (12     11       (1)  

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     (14     (20     (34)  
  

 

 

 

Net Admitted Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)

    $ 2     $ 31     $ 33   
  

 

 

 

 

77


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The main components of deferred income tax amounts are as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31         
     2023      2022      Change  
  

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Assets:

        

Ordinary

        

Policyholder reserves

    $ 777      $ 830      $ (53)  

Investments

     237        257        (20)  

Deferred acquisition costs

     699        702        (3)  

Policyholder dividends accrual

     5        4        1   

Compensation and benefits accrual

     42        34        8   

Receivables - nonadmitted

     143        58        85   

Net operating loss carry-forward

     171        269        (98)  

Tax credit carry-forward

     319        231        88   

Other

     99        102        (3)  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,492        2,487        5   

Statutory valuation allowance adjustment

                   —   

Nonadmitted

     1,023        1,006        17   
  

 

 

 

Admitted ordinary deferred tax assets

     1,469        1,481        (12)  

Capital

        

Investments

     202        191        11   

Other

                   —   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     202        191        11   

Statutory valuation allowance adjustment

                   —   

Nonadmitted

                   —   
  

 

 

 

Admitted capital deferred tax assets

     202        191        11   
  

 

 

 

Admitted deferred tax assets

    $     1,671      $    1,672      $     (1)  
  

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended December 31         
     2023      2022      Change  
  

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

        

Ordinary

        

Investments

    $ 463      $ 420      $ 43   

Policyholder reserves

     146        216        (70)  

Other

     19        6        13   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     628        642        (14)  

Capital

        

Investments

     271        291        (20)  

Other

                   —   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     271        291        (20)  
  

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

     899        933        (34)  
  

 

 

 

Net admitted deferred tax assets (liabilities)

    $     772      $     739      $     33   
  

 

 

 

 

78


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

As a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the Company’s tax reserve deductible temporary difference decreased by ($396). This change results in an offsetting $396 deductible temporary difference that will be amortized into taxable income evenly over the eight years subsequent to 2017. The remaining amortizable balance is included within the Policyholder Reserves line items above.

The Inflation Reduction Act was enacted during the third quarter 2022 reporting period on August 16, 2022. The act included a provision which subjects high earning corporate taxpayers to the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT). The Company is part of an affiliated group that has determined it is a nonapplicable reporting entity for CAMT in 2023 and has not included any impacts of the CAMT in the financial statements as of December 31, 2023.

As discussed in Note 2, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company admits deferred income tax assets pursuant to SSAP No. 101. The amount of admitted adjusted gross deferred income tax assets under each component of SSAP No. 101 is as follows:

 

          December 31, 2023  
          Ordinary      Capital      Total  
     

 

 

 

Admission Calculation Components SSAP No. 101

        

2(a)

   Federal Income Taxes Paid in Prior Years Recoverable Through Loss Carrybacks     $      $      $ —   

2(b)

   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized (Excluding The Amount of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) above) After Application of the Threshold Limitation (the Lesser of 2(b)1 and 2(b)2 below)      736        36        772   
  

1.  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized Following the Balance Sheet Date

     986        48        1,034   
  

2.  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Allowed per Limitation Threshold

     XXX        XXX        772   

2(c)

   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Excluding The Amount Of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) and 2(b) above) Offset by Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities      733        166        899   
     

 

 

 

2(d)

   Deferred Tax Assets Admitted as the result of
application of SSAP No. 101, Total (2(a) + 2(b) + 2(c))
    $    1,469      $    202      $    1,671   
     

 

 

 

 

79


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

          December 31, 2022  
          Ordinary      Capital      Total  
     

 

 

 

Admission Calculation Components SSAP No. 101

        

2(a)

   Federal Income Taxes Paid in Prior Years Recoverable Through Loss Carrybacks     $      $      $ —   

2(b)

   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized (Excluding The Amount of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) above) After Application of the Threshold Limitation (the Lesser of 2(b)1 and 2(b)2 below)      717        22        739   
  

1.  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized Following the Balance Sheet Date

     1,129        22        1,151   
  

2.  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Allowed per Limitation Threshold

     XXX        XXX        739   

2(c)

   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Excluding The Amount Of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) and 2(b) above) Offset by Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities      764        169        933   
     

 

 

 

2(d)

   Deferred Tax Assets Admitted as the result of
application of SSAP No. 101, Total (2(a) + 2(b) + 2(c))
    $    1,481      $    191      $    1,672   
     

 

 

 

 

          Change  
          Ordinary     Capital     Total  
     

 

 

 

Admission Calculation Components SSAP No. 101

      

2(a)

   Federal Income Taxes Paid in Prior Years Recoverable Through Loss Carrybacks     $     $     $ —   

2(b)

   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized (Excluding The Amount of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) above) After Application of the Threshold Limitation (the Lesser of 2(b)1 and 2(b)2 below)      19       14       33   
  

1.  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized Following the Balance Sheet Date

     (143     26       (117)  
  

2.  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Allowed per Limitation Threshold

     XXX       XXX       33   

2(c)

   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Excluding The Amount Of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) and 2(b) above) Offset by Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities      (31     (3     (34)  
     

 

 

 

2(d)

   Deferred Tax Assets Admitted as the result of
application of SSAP No. 101, Total (2(a) + 2(b) + 2(c))
    $     (12   $     11     $     (1)  
     

 

 

 

 

80


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

     December 31        
     2023     2022     Change  
  

 

 

 

Ratio Percentage Used To Determine Recovery

      
  

 

 

 

Period and Threshold Limitation Amount

     722     726     (4%)  
  

 

 

 

Amount of Adjusted Capital and Surplus Used To Determine Recovery Period and

Threshold Limitation in 2(b)2 Above

      
  

 

 

 
    $    5,146     $    4,924     $    222   
  

 

 

 

The impact of tax planning strategies at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

 

     December 31, 2023  
     Ordinary      Capital      Total  
     Percent      Percent      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Impact of Tax Planning Strategies:

        

(% of Total Adjusted Gross DTAs)

     0%        0%        0%  
  

 

 

 

(% of Total Net Admitted Adjusted Gross DTAs)

         13%           0%            13%  
  

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2022  
     Ordinary      Capital      Total  
     Percent      Percent      Percent  
  

 

 

 

Impact of Tax Planning Strategies:

        

(% of Total Adjusted Gross DTAs)

         0%            0%             0%  
  

 

 

 

(% of Total Net Admitted Adjusted Gross DTAs)

         0%            0%             0%  
  

 

 

 

The Company’s tax planning strategies include the use of reinsurance-related tax planning strategies.

Current income taxes incurred consist of the following major components:

 

     Year Ended December 31        
     2023     2022     Change  
  

 

 

 

Current Income Tax

      

Federal

    $ 75     $ (80   $ 155   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     75       (80     155   

Federal income tax on net capital gains

     (106     (45     (61)  
  

 

 

 

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

    $     (31   $    (125   $      94   
  

 

 

 

 

81


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31        
     2022     2021     Change  
  

 

 

 

Current Income Tax

      

Federal

    $ (80   $ (185   $ 105   
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (80     (185     105   

Federal income tax on net capital gains

     (45     122       (167)  
  

 

 

 

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

    $     (125   $     (63   $     (62)  
  

 

 

 

The Company’s current income tax incurred and change in deferred income tax differs from the amount obtained by applying the federal statutory rate to income before tax as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023     2022     2021  
  

 

 

 

Current income taxes incurred

    $ (31   $ (125   $ (63)   

Change in deferred income taxes

     (149     (702     (123)   

(without tax on unrealized gains and losses)

      
  

 

 

 

Total income tax reported

    $ (180   $ (827   $ (186)   
  

 

 

 

Income before taxes

    $ 312     $ (3,207   $ 194    

Federal statutory tax rate

     21.00     21.00     21.00%  
  

 

 

 

Expected income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate

    $ 66     $ (673   $ 41    

Increase (decrease) in actual tax reported resulting from:

      

Pre-tax income of disregarded subsidiaries

    $ 6     $ 24     $ 15    

Dividends received deduction

     (127     (98     (94)   

Tax-exempt income

     (4     (3     (74)   

Nondeductible expenses

     3       5       5    

Pre-tax items reported net of tax

     (97     (201     (77)   

Tax credits

     (21     (29     (38)   

Prior period tax return adjustment

     (18     22       3    

Change in statutory valuation allowance

           (11     11    

Change in uncertain tax positions

                 (3)   

Deferred tax change on other items in surplus

     13       140       24    

Other

     (1     (3     1    
  

 

 

 

Total income tax reported

    $    (180   $    (827   $    (186)   
  

 

 

 

The Company’s federal income tax return is consolidated with other includible affiliated companies. Please see the listing of companies in Appendix A. The method of allocation between the companies is subject to a written tax allocation agreement. Under the terms of the tax allocation agreement, allocations are based on separate income tax return calculations. The Company is entitled to recoup federal income taxes paid in the event the future losses and credits reduce the greater of the Company’s separately computed income tax liability or the consolidated group’s income tax liability in the year generated. The Company is also entitled to recoup federal

 

82


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

income taxes paid in the event the losses and credits reduce the greater of the Company’s separately computed income tax liability or the consolidated group’s income tax liability in any carryback or carryforward year when so applied. Intercompany income tax balances are settled within thirty days of payment to or filing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A tax return has not been filed for 2023.

The amounts, origination dates and expiration dates of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards available for tax purposes:

 

Description    Amount    Origination Dates      Expiration Dates   

 

 

Operating Loss

    $ 816        12/31/2022        N/A   
  

 

 

 

     

Operating Loss Total

    $ 816        
  

 

 

 

     

Foreign Tax Credit

    $ 7        12/31/2021        12/31/2031   

Foreign Tax Credit

    $ 15        12/31/2022        12/31/2032   
  

 

 

 

     

Foreign Tax Credit Total

    $ 22        
  

 

 

 

     

General Business Credit

    $ 23        12/31/2009        12/31/2029   

General Business Credit

     26        12/31/2011        12/31/2031   

General Business Credit

     32        12/31/2012        12/31/2032   

General Business Credit

     40        12/31/2013        12/31/2033   

General Business Credit

     25        12/31/2014        12/31/2034   

General Business Credit

     56        12/31/2015        12/31/2035   

General Business Credit

     7        12/31/2016        12/31/2036   

General Business Credit

     9        12/31/2017        12/31/2037   

General Business Credit

     6        12/31/2018        12/31/2038   

General Business Credit

     8        12/31/2019        12/31/2039   

General Business Credit

     14        12/31/2020        12/31/2040   

General Business Credit

     17        12/31/2021        12/31/2041   

General Business Credit

     19        12/31/2022        12/31/2042   

General Business Credit

     14        12/31/2023        12/31/2043   
  

 

 

 

     

General Business Credit Total

    $    296        
  

 

 

 

     

The Company did not have any income tax expense available for recoupment in the event of future losses for December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the effective income tax rate:

 

     Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
  

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2022

    $ 18   

Tax positions taken during prior period

     —   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

    $ 18   

Tax positions taken during prior period

     —   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

    $      18   
  

 

 

 

 

83


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company classifies interest and penalties related to income taxes as income tax expense. The amount of interest and penalties accrued on the Balance Sheets as income taxes includes the following:

 

     Interest     Penalties      Total payable
(receivable)
 
  

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2021

    $ 9     $      $ 9   

Interest expense (benefit)

     1              1   

Cash received (paid)

     (9            (9)  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

    $ 1     $      $ 1   

Interest expense (benefit)

     1              1   

Cash received (paid)

                  —   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

    $ 2     $      $ 2   

Interest expense (benefit)

     2              2   

Cash received (paid)

     (1            (1)  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

    $      3     $      —      $      3   
  

 

 

 

The IRS completed its examination for 2009 through 2013 for which is currently at appeals with a refund pending Joint Committee on Taxation approval. The IRS opened an exam for the 2014 through 2018 amended tax returns. Federal income tax returns filed in 2019 through 2022 remain open, subject to potential future examination. The Company believes there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions established related to any open or contested tax positions.

9. Capital and Surplus

The Company has authorized 1,000,000 common stock shares at $10 per share par value of which 676,190 shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company has 42,500 Series A preferred shares authorized, of which 0 shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company repurchased its Series A preferred shares for $58,000 on December 26, 2006 and previously reported 42,500 shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding at $10 par, carried as treasury stock. It was determined that these shares were cancelled by operation of law as they were not stipulated by the Board of Directors to be treasury shares at the time they were repurchased. The cancellation and removal of the preferred stock had no impact to capital and surplus of the Company. The Company also has 250,000 Series B preferred non-voting shares authorized at $10 per share par value, of which 0 shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company is subject to limitations, imposed by the State of Iowa, on the payment of dividends to its stockholders. Generally, dividends during any twelve-month period may not be paid, without prior regulatory approval, in excess of the greater of (a) 10 percent of the Company’s statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, excluding any admitted net negative (disallowed) IMR recorded as special surplus or (b) the Company’s statutory gain from operations before net realized capital gains (losses) on investments for the preceding year. Subject to the availability of earned surplus at the time of such dividend, the maximum payment which may be made in 2024, without the prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities, is $2,728.

 

84


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

On December 21, 2022, the Company purchased 250,000 shares of TBRe to become its sole shareholder. TBRe received additional capital contributions from the Company of $10 and $490 on December 21, 2022 and December 29, 2023, respectively.

On December 14, 2023, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $300 to CGC.

On November 9, 2023, the Company received a return of capital of $267 from TLB.

On September 29, 2023, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $200 to CGC.

On June 21, 2023, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $300 to CGC.

On March 30, 2023, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $58 to CGC.

On December 15, 2022, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $275 to CGC.

On June 30, 2022, the Company received a return of contributed surplus of $165 from LIICA Re II.

On June 21, 2022, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $150 to CGC.

On March 29 2022, the Company received a capital contribution of $100 from CGC.

On December 15, 2021, the Company paid an ordinary dividend of $411 to CGC.

On December 13, 2021, the Company paid a common stock dividend of stock ownership of $339 to CGC.

On June 21 2021, the Company paid an ordinary common stock dividend of $350 to CGC.

Life and health insurance companies are subject to certain RBC requirements as specified by the NAIC. Under those requirements, the amount of capital and surplus maintained by a life or health insurance company is to be determined based on various risk factors. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company met the minimum RBC requirements.

The Company held special surplus funds in the amount of $445 and $380, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for derivatives hedging variable annuity guarantees as required under SSAP No. 108.

The Company held special surplus funds in the amount of $71 as of December 31, 2023 for admitted disallowed IMR as required under INT 23-01. As of December 31, 2022, there was no admitted disallowed IMR.

10. Securities Lending

The Company participates in an agent-managed securities lending program in which the Company primarily loans out US Treasuries and other bonds. The Company receives collateral equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned government or other domestic securities as of the

 

85


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

transaction date. If the fair value of the collateral is at any time less than 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities, the counterparty is mandated to deliver additional collateral, the fair value of which, together with the collateral already held in connection with the lending transaction, is at least equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned government or other domestic securities. In the event the Company loans a foreign security and the denomination of the currency of the collateral is other than the denomination of the currency of the loaned foreign security, the Company receives and maintains collateral equal to 105% of the fair value of the loaned security.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, securities with a fair value of $1,967 and $2,141 were on loan under securities lending agreements. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the collateral the Company received from securities lending activities was in the form of cash and on open terms. This cash collateral is reinvested and is not available for general corporate purposes. The reinvested cash collateral has a fair value of $2,292 and $2,115 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The contractual maturities of the securities lending collateral positions are as follows:

 

         Fair Value      
  

 

 

 
     2023      2022
  

 

 

 

Open

    $    2,292      $    2,115  

Securities received

             
  

 

 

 

Total collateral received

    $ 2,292      $ 2,115  
  

 

 

 

The Company receives primarily cash collateral in an amount in excess of the fair value of the securities lent. The Company reinvests the cash collateral into higher yielding securities than the securities which the Company has lent to other entities under the arrangement.

The maturity dates of the reinvested securities lending collateral are as follows:

 

         2023                2022    
  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

     Amortized
Cost
  

Fair

Value

 

   Amortized
Cost
  

Fair

Value

  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Open

    $ 105       $ 105         $ 99       $ 99  

30 days or less

     938        938          661        661  

31 to 60 days

     562        562          375        375  

61 to 90 days

     84        84          242        242  

91 to 120 days

     296        296          217        217  

121 to 180 days

     307        307          521        521  
  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,292        2,292          2,115        2,115  

Securities received

                             
  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total collateral reinvested

    $   2,292       $   2,292         $   2,115       $   2,115  
  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

For securities lending, the Company’s source of cash used to return the cash collateral is dependent upon the liquidity of the current market conditions. Under current conditions, the Company has securities with a par value of $2,301 (fair value of $2,292) that are currently

 

86


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

tradable securities that could be sold and used to pay for the $2,292 in collateral calls that could come due under a worst-case scenario.

11. Retirement and Compensation Plans

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company’s employees participate in a contributory defined contribution plan sponsored by Transamerica Corporation (TA Corp) which is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, employees of the Company who customarily work at least 20 hours per week and meet the other eligibility requirements are participants of the plan. Participants may elect to contribute up to 100% of eligible earnings, subject to government or other plan restrictions for certain key employees. The Company will contribute an amount up to four percent of the participant’s eligible earnings per the plan’s matching formula. Participants may direct all of their contributions and plan balances to be invested in a variety of investment options. The plan is subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended. Benefits expense of $18, $18 and $13 was allocated to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Defined Benefit Plans

The Company’s employees participate in a qualified defined benefit pension plan sponsored by TA Corp. Generally, employees of the Company who customarily work at least 20 hours per week and complete six months of continuous service and meet the other eligibility requirements are participants of the plan. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. The benefits are based on the employee’s eligible compensation. The plan provides benefits based on a cash balance formula. The plan is subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the ERISA.

TA Corp sponsors supplemental retirement plans to provide the Company’s senior management with benefits in excess of normal pension benefits. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. The plans are noncontributory. The benefits are based on the employee’s eligible compensation. The plans provide benefits based on a cash balance formula. The plans are unfunded and nonqualified under the Internal Revenue Code.

The Company recognizes pension expense equal to its allocation from TA Corp. The pension expense related to both the qualified defined pension plan and the supplemental retirement plans is allocated among the participating companies based on International Accounting Standards 19 (IAS 19), Accounting for Employee Benefits, and based upon actuarial participant benefit calculations, which is within the guidelines of SSAP No. 102, Pensions. Pension expenses were $11, $17 and $28 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

In addition to pension benefits, TA Corp sponsors unfunded plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits to retired Company employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. Portions of the medical and dental plans are contributory. The expenses of the postretirement plans are allocated among the participating companies based on IAS 19 and based upon actuarial participant benefit calculations which is within the guidelines of SSAP No. 92, Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. The

 

87


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

Company’s allocation of postretirement expenses was $4, $4 and $5 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Other Plans

TA Corp has established deferred compensation plans for certain key employees of the Company. The Company’s allocation of expense for these plans for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was insignificant.

12. Related Party Transactions

The Company shares certain officers, employees and general expenses with affiliated companies.

The Company is party to a shared services and cost sharing agreement among and between the Transamerica companies, under which various affiliated companies may perform specified administrative functions in connection with the operation of the Company, in consideration of reimbursement of actual costs of services rendered. Effective August 1, 2020, the Company, and an affiliate, Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company (TFLIC), entered into a Shared Services and Cost Sharing Agreement for both parties to provide accounting, administrative, and other advisory services in accordance with the agreement. The agreement, filed and approved by the IID, replaces prior agreements between the entities. The amount received by the Company as a result of being a party to these agreements was $621, $564 and $690 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The amount paid as a result of being a party to these agreements was $619, $605 and $679 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fees charged between affiliates approximate their cost.

The Company is party to a Management and Administrative and Advisory agreement with AEGON USA Realty Advisors (AURA), LLC whereby AURA serves as the administrator and advisor for the Company’s mortgage loan operations. The Company paid $30, $31 and $29 for these services during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company is party to an Investment Management Agreement with AEGON USA Investment Management (AUIM), LLC whereby AUIM acts as a discretionary investment manager for the Company. The Company paid $98, $89 and $89 for these services during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company has an administration service agreement with Transamerica Asset Management (TAM) to provide administrative services to the Transamerica Series Trust. The Company received $115, $130 and $168 for these services during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Transamerica Capital, Inc. provides wholesaling distribution services for the Company under a distribution agreement. The Company incurred expenses under this agreement of $10, $6 and $9 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Receivables from (payables to) affiliates and intercompany borrowings bear interest at the thirty-day commercial paper rate. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company received (paid) net interest of ($21), ($5) and $0 from (to) affiliates, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the Company reported net receivables (payables) from (to) affiliates of $629 and

 

88


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

$466. Terms of settlement require that these amounts are settled within 90 days of quarter-end per the requirements of SSAP No. 25, Affiliates and Other Related Parties.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had short-term intercompany notes receivables of $350 as follows.

 

Receivable from   Amount   Due By   Interest Rate
                 

 TA Corp

  $    175   March 27, 2024   4.61     % 

 TA Corp

        75   June 21, 2024   5.15       

 ULI Funding LLC (ULIF)

       100   December 30, 2024   5.29       

At December 31, 2022, the Company had one short-term intercompany notes receivable. On December 30, 2022, the Company issued a variable funding promissory note valued at $97 to ULIF. The terms of the loan include a 5.20% annual interest rate and maturity date at December 30, 2023.

On December 20, 2022, the Company purchased all 2,520 common shares held by Aegon International B.V. of TLB at its economic value for a total of $61. The Company now has 100% ownership of TLB.

The Company utilizes the look-through approach in valuing its investment in the following entities.

 

     Book Adjusted
 Carrying Value 
  

 

 

 

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 2, LLC

    $       1  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3, LLC

     14  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 4 HR, LLC

     187  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 4 MR, LLC

     8  

Aegon Workforce Housing Fund 2, L.P.

     199  

Aegon Workforce Housing Fund 3, L.P.

     16  

Natural Resources Alternatives Portfolio I, LLC

     329  

Natural Resources Alternatives Portfolio II, LLC

     132  

Natural Resources Alternatives Portfolio 3, LLC

     255  

TA Private Equity Assets LLC

     359  

Zero Beta Fund, LLC

     5  

TA-APOP I, LLC

     154  

TA-APOP I-A, LLC

     26  

These entity’s financial statements are not audited and the Company has limited the value of its investment in these entities to the value contained in the audited financial statements of the underlying LP/LLC investments, including adjustments required by SSAP No. 97 entities and/or non-SCA SSAP No. 48, Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies, entities owned by these entities. All liabilities, commitments, contingencies, guarantees or obligations of these entities which are required to be recorded as liabilities, commitments, contingencies, guarantees or obligations under applicable accounting guidance, are reflected in the Company’s determination of the carrying value of the investment in these entities.

 

89


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables show the disclosures for all SCA investments, except 8bi entities, Balance Sheets value (admitted and nonadmitted) and the NAIC responses for the SCA filings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

December 31, 2023  
SCA Entity   

 Percentage of 

SCA

Ownership

    Gross
 Amount 
      Admitted 
Amount
      Nonadmitted 
Amount

 SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

          

None

      %    $      $      $  

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

     XXX     $      $      $  

 SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

          

None

      %    $      $      $  

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

     XXX     $      $      $  

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

          

AEGON Direct Marketing Services, Inc.

     73  %    $      $      $  

AEGON Financial Services Group, Inc.

     100                      

Garnet Assurance Corporation

     100                      

Garnet Assurance Corporation III

     100                      

Life Investors Alliance LLC

     100                      

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3A, Inc.

     91                      

Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

     77       136        136         

Transamerica Fund Services, Inc.

     44                      

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

     XXX     $ 136      $ 136      $  

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

          

Transamerica Bermuda Re, Ltd.

     100  %    $ 415      $ 415      $  

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

     XXX     $ 415      $ 415      $  

 Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

     XXX     $ 551      $ 551      $  

 Aggregate Total

     XXX     $ 551      $ 551      $  
                                  

 

90


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

December 31, 2022  
SCA Entity   

 Percentage of 

SCA

Ownership

   

Gross

Amount

    

 Admitted 

Amount

    

 Nonadmitted 

Amount

 SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

          

None

      %    $      $      $  

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

     XXX     $      $      $  

 SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

          

None

      %    $      $      $  

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

     XXX     $      $      $  

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

          

AEGON Direct Marketing Services, Inc.

     73  %    $      $      $  

AEGON Financial Services Group, Inc.

     100                      

Garnet Assurance Corporation

     100                      

Garnet Assurance Corporation III

     100                      

Life Investors Alliance LLC

     100                      

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3A, Inc.

     91                      

Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

     77       124        124         

Transamerica Fund Services, Inc.

     44                      

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

     XXX     $ 124      $ 124      $  

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

          

Transamerica Bermuda Re, Ltd.

     100  %    $ 10      $ 10      $  

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

     XXX     $ 10      $ 10      $  

 Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

     XXX     $ 134      $ 134      $  

 Aggregate Total

     XXX     $ 134      $ 134      $  
                                  

 

91


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following table shows the NAIC responses for the SCA filings (except 8bi entities):

December 31, 2023

 

SCA Entity   

Type of

NAIC

Filing*

    

Date of

Filing to

the NAIC

     NAIC
Valuation
Amount
     NAIC
Response
Received
Y/N
     NAIC
Disallowed
Entities
Valuation
Method,
Submission
Required
Y/N
     Code**  
                                                  

 SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

                 

None

          $ —                        
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

                  $ —                        
        

 

 

          

 SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

                 

None

          $ —                        
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

                  $ —                        
        

 

 

          

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

                 

AEGON Direct Marketing Services, Inc.

     NA          $ —                       I  

AEGON Financial Services Group, Inc.

     NA           —                       I  

Garnet Assurance Corporation

     NA           —                       I  

Garnet Assurance Corporation III

     NA           —                       I  

Life Investors Alliance LLC

     NA           —                       I  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3A, Inc.

     NA           —                       I  

Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

     S2        10/25/2023        124         Y        N        I  

Transamerica Fund Services, Inc.

     NA           —                       I  
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

                  $ 124                        
        

 

 

          

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

                 

Transamerica Bermuda Re, Ltd.

     NA          $ —                       I  
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

                  $ —                        
        

 

 

          

 Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

                  $  124                        
        

 

 

          

 Aggregate Total

                  $   124                        
        

 

 

          

*S1 - Sub1, S2 - Sub2 or RDF - Resubmission of Disallowed Filing

** I - Immaterial or M - Material

(1) NAIC Valuation Amount is as of the Filing Date to the NAIC

 

92


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

December 31, 2022

 

SCA Entity    Type of
NAIC
Filing*
     Date of
Filing to
the NAIC
     NAIC
Valuation
Amount
     NAIC
Response
Received
Y/N
     NAIC
Disallowed
Entities
Valuation
Method,
Submission
Required
Y/N
     Code**  
                                                  

 SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

                 

None

          $ —                        
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

                  $ —                        
        

 

 

          

 SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

                 

None

          $ —                        
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

                  $ —                        
        

 

 

          

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

                 

AEGON Direct Marketing Services, Inc.

     NA          $ —               I  

AEGON Financial Services Group, Inc.

     NA           —               I  

Garnet Assurance Corporation

     NA           —               I  

Garnet Assurance Corporation III

     NA           —               I  

Life Investors Alliance LLC

     NA           —               I  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3A, Inc.

     NA           —               I  

Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

     S2        12/5/2022        121         Y        N        I  

Transamerica Fund Services, Inc.

     NA           —               I  
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

                  $ 121                        
        

 

 

          

 SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

                 

Transamerica Bermuda Re, Ltd.

     S1        4/6/2023       $ —         Y        N        I  
        

 

 

          

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

                  $ —                        
        

 

 

          

 Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

                  $   121                        
        

 

 

          

 Aggregate Total

                  $  121                        
        

 

 

          

*S1 - Sub1, S2 - Sub2 or RDF - Resubmission of Disallowed Filing

** I - Immaterial or M - Material

(1) NAIC Valuation Amount is as of the Filing Date to the NAIC

The Company reports an investment in the following insurance SCAs for which the reported statutory equity reflects a departure from NAIC SAP. Each of the insurance SCAs listed in the table below reflects an admitted asset, equal to the value of the excess of loss reinsurance asset provided by an unaffiliated company, whereas this would not be an admitted asset recognized by SSAP No. 4, Assets and Non Admitted Assets.

 

LIICA Re II

     

   Excess of loss reinsurance asset

TPRe

     

   Excess of loss reinsurance asset

 

93


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company has two Limited Purpose Subsidiaries (LPS) with prescribed practices whereby under Iowa Administrative Code 191-99.11(3), the LPS are entitled to admit the following assets that would not be admissible under the NAIC SAP:

 

TORI

   Credit linked note

TLIC Watertree Reinsurance, Inc. (TWRI)

   Excess of loss reinsurance asset

The monetary effect on net income and surplus as a result of using an accounting practice that differed from NAIC SAP, the amount of the investment in the insurance SCA per reported statutory equity, and amount of the investment if the insurance SCA has completed statutory financial statements in accordance with the NAIC SAP. The SCAs are valued in the Company’s financial statements at zero in accordance with SSAP No. 97.

 

    

Monetary Effect on

NAIC SAP

     Amount of Investment  

       SCA Entity

 (Investments in Insurance SCA Entities)

  

Net

Income
Increase
(Decrease)

    

Surplus

Increase
(Decrease)

    

Per

Reported
Statutory
Equity

     If the
Insurance
SCA Had
Completed
Statutory
Financial
Statements*
 

LIICA Re II

     $    —        $  (1,779)        $    361        $     —  

TPRe

            (1,363)        251         

TORI

            (3,365)        1,147         

TWRI

            (1,247)        634         

*Per AP&P Manual (without permitted or prescribed practices)

Had the above SCA entities not been permitted to recognize the excess of loss reinsurance assets or the credit linked note as admitted assets in the financial statements, the risk-based capital would have been below the mandatory control level which would have triggered a regulatory event.

Information regarding the Company’s affiliated reinsurance transactions is available in Note 7.

Information regarding the Company’s affiliated guarantees is available in Note 14.

13. Managing General Agents and Third-Party Administrators

The Company utilizes managing general agents (MGA) and third-party administrators (TPA) in its operation. There were no MGA’s/TPA’s that wrote premiums in excess of 5% of the Company’s surplus.

 

94


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

14. Commitments and Contingencies

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has mortgage loan commitments of $437 and $110, respectively.

The Company has contingent commitments of $904 and $1,038, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, to provide additional funding for joint ventures, partnerships and limited liability companies, which includes LIHTC commitments of $2 and $4, respectively.

The Company leases office buildings and equipment under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Rental expense for the years 2023 and 2022 was $11 and $13, respectively.

Private placement commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $90 and $141, respectively.

The Company sold $0 and ($63) of “to-be-announced” (TBA) securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Due to different counterparties, the receivable related to these TBAs was not reclassed.

The Company may pledge cash as collateral for derivative transactions. When cash is pledged as collateral, it is derecognized and a receivable is recorded to reflect the eventual return of that cash by the counterparty. The amount of cash collateral pledged by the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, was $361 and $981.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, securities in the amount of $87 and $27, respectively, were posted to the Company as collateral from derivative counterparties. The securities were not included on the Company’s Balance Sheets as the Company does not have the ability to sell or repledge the collateral.

The Company has provided back-stop guarantees for the performance of non-insurance affiliates or subsidiaries that are involved in the guaranteed sale of investments in low-income housing tax credit partnerships. The nature of the obligation is to provide third party investors with a minimum guaranteed annual and cumulative return on their contributed capital which is based on tax credits and tax losses generated from the low income housing tax credit partnerships. Guarantee payments arise if low income housing tax credit partnerships experience unexpected significant decreases in tax credits and tax losses or there are compliance issues with the partnerships. A significant portion of the remaining term of the guarantees is between 13-18 years. In the event the Company is required to make a payment under this guarantee, the payment would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as a decrease in net investment income. No payments are required as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The current assessment of risk of making payments under these guarantees is remote.

The Company has guaranteed to the Hong Kong Insurance Authority that it will provide the financial support to TLB for maintaining TLB’s solvency at all times so as to enable TLB to promptly meet its obligations and liabilities. If at any time the value of TLB’s assets do not exceed its liabilities by the prevailing acceptable level of solvency, the Company will increase the paid up share capital of TLB or provide financial assistance to TLB to maintain the acceptable level of solvency. An acceptable level of solvency is net assets at one hundred and fifty percent of

 

95


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

the required margin of solvency as stipulated under the Insurance Companies (Margin of Solvency) Regulation. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB is able to meet its obligations and has assets in excess of its liabilities by the prevailing level of solvency as of this date.

The Company has guaranteed that TLB will (1) maintain tangible net worth of at least equal to the greater of 165% of S&P’s Risk-Based Capital and the minimum required by regulatory authorities in all jurisdictions in which TLB operates, (2) have, at all times, sufficient cash to pay all contractual obligations in a timely manner and (3) have a maximum operating leverage ratio of 20 times. The Company can terminate this agreement upon thirty days written notice, but not until TLB attains a rating from S&P’s the same as without the support from this agreement, or the entire book of TLB business is transferred provided that it is transferred to an entity with a rating from S&P that is the same as or better than the Company’s then current rating or AA, whichever is lower. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB has adequate tangible net worth, sufficient cash to meet its obligations and an operating leverage ratio not in excess of 20 times as of this date.

The Company is not able to estimate the financial statement impact or the maximum potential amount of future payments it could be required to make under these two guarantees as they are considered to be unlimited under the provisions of SSAP No. 5R, Liabilities, Contingencies and Impairments of Assets.

The Company has provided a guarantee to TLB’s (Singapore Branch) policyholders. If TLB fails to pay a valid claim solely by reason of it becoming insolvent as defined by Bermuda law, then the Company shall pay directly to the policy owner or named beneficiary the amount of the valid claim. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, TLB holds related statutory-basis policy and claim reserves of $109 and $55, respectively, which would be the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under this guarantee. In the event the Company is required to make a payment under this guarantee, the payment would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as an increase to incurred claims. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB is not insolvent as of this date.

The Company has provided a guarantee to TLB’s (Hong Kong Branch) policyholders. If TLB fails to pay a valid claim solely by reason of it becoming insolvent as defined by Bermuda law, then the Company shall pay directly to the policy owner or named beneficiary the amount of the valid claim. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, TLB policies covered by this guarantee would have resulted in US statutory policy and claim reserves of $129 and $125, respectively, which would represent a fair measure of the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company under this guarantee based on the US statutory reserve requirements. TLB is a subsidiary of the Company and TLB has invested assets supporting these policies which mitigates this risk. In the event the Company is required to make a payment under this guarantee, the payment would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as an increase to incurred claims. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB is not insolvent as of this date.

The Company did not recognize a liability for any of the TLB guarantees due to the adoption of SSAP No. 5R, as a liability is not required for guarantees to or on behalf of a wholly-owned subsidiary. Management monitors TLB’s financial condition, and there are no indications that

 

96


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

TLB will become insolvent. As such, management feels the risk of payment under these guarantees on behalf of TLB is remote.

The Company is a party to a fee agreement with TLB whereby the Company continues to provide the guarantees with respect to TLB described in the paragraphs above. The Company received $0 and $1 under this agreement in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company has provided guarantees for the obligations of noninsurance third party assignment companies who have accepted assignments of structured settlement payment obligations from the Company and have purchased structured settlement insurance policies issued by the Company that match those obligations. The guarantees made by the Company are specific to each structured settlement contract and vary in date and duration of the obligation. These are numerous and are backed by the reserves established by the Company to represent the present value of the future payments for those contracts. The direct statutory reserve established at December 31, 2023 and 2022 for the total payout block is $4,765 and $4,880, respectively. As this reserve is already recorded on the Balance Sheets of the Company, there was no additional liability recorded due to the adoption of SSAP No. 5R.

During 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with AURA, LLC to commit to purchase certain tax credit investments up to a maximum of $100,000. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company provides certain commitments to purchase tax credit investments that are part of tax credit funds in the event certain conditions are met. The Company did not acquire any tax credit investments during 2023 or 2022 under this agreement. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there is $24 and $0 committed to these purchases.

The following table provides an aggregate compilation of guarantee obligations as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     December 31  
     2023      2022  
  

 

 

 

Aggregate maximum potential of future payments of all guarantees (undiscounted)

     $    238        $    179   
  

 

 

 

Current liability recognized in financial statements:

     

Noncontingent liabilities

            —   
  

 

 

 

Contingent liabilities

            —   
  

 

 

 

Ultimate financial statement impact if action required:

     

Incurred claims

     238        179   

Other

            —   
  

 

 

 

Total impact if action required

     $    238        $    179   
  

 

 

 

The Company is a member of the FHLB of Des Moines. Through its membership, the Company has conducted business activity (borrowings) with the FHLB. It is part of the Company’s strategy to utilize these funds for asset and liability management and spread lending purposes. The Company has determined the actual/estimated long-term maximum borrowing capacity as $5,601 and $5,585 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company calculated this amount in accordance with the terms and conditions of agreement with FHLB of Des Moines.

 

97


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company purchased/owned the following FHLB stock as part of the agreement:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2023      2022  
  

 

 

 

Membership Stock:

     

Class A

    $      $ —   

Class B

     10        10   

Activity Stock

     78        120   

Excess Stock

            —   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $     88      $     130   
  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, Membership Stock (Class A and B) Eligible for Redemption and the anticipated timeframe for redemption was as follows:

 

                                                                   
    

 Less Than 6 

Months

    

6 Months to

Less Than 1

Year

    

1 to Less

Than 3

Years

      3 to 5 Years   
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

           

Membership Stock

           

Class A

    $      $      $      $ —   

Class B

                          10   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $      $      $      $ 10   
  

 

 

 
     Less Than 6
Months
     6 Months to
Less Than 1
Year
     1 to Less
Than 3
Years
     3 to 5 Years  
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

           

Membership Stock

           

Class A

    $      $      $      $ —   

Class B

                          10   
  

 

 

 

Total

    $      $      $      $ 10   
  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of collateral pledged and the maximum amount pledged to the FHLB was as follows:

 

      Fair Value         Carry Value    
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

     

Total Collateral Pledged

    $ 3,452      $ 3,937   

Maximum Collateral Pledged

     4,803        5,290   
     Fair Value      Carry Value  
  

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

     

Total Collateral Pledged

    $ 4,704      $ 5,335   

Maximum Collateral Pledged

     4,704        5,335   

 

98


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the borrowings from the FHLB were as follows:

 

                                                                                   
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    

General

  Account  

    

Funding

Agreements

Reserves

  Established  

    

General

  Account  

    

Funding

Agreements

Reserves

  Established  

 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt 1

    $ 1,725      $ —        $ 2,995      $ —   

Funding agreements 2

            —                —   

Other

            —                —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    $ 1,725      $ —        $ 2,995      $ —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

1 The maximum amount of borrowing during 2023 was $2,300

2 The maximum amount of borrowing during 2023 was $0

As of December 31, 2023, the weighted average interest rate on FHLB advances was 4.627% with a weighted average term of 2.0 years. As of December 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate on FHLB advances was 4.550% with a weighted average term of 2.5 years.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the borrowings from the FHLB were not subject to prepayment penalties.

The Company has issued synthetic GIC contracts to benefit plan sponsors totaling $50,150 and $55,298 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. A synthetic GIC is an off-balance sheet fee-based product sold primarily to tax qualified plans, where the plan sponsor retains ownership and control of the related plan assets and the Company provides book value benefit responsiveness to qualified participant withdrawals, in the event withdrawals requested exceeds plan cash flows. In certain contracts, the Company agrees to make advances to meet benefit withdrawal needs and earns a market interest rate on these advances. A periodically adjusted contract-crediting rate is a means by which investment and benefit responsiveness experience is passed through to participants. In return for the book value benefit responsiveness guarantee, the Company receives a premium that varies based on such elements as benefit responsiveness exposure and contract size. The Company underwrites the plans for the possibility of having to make benefit payments and also must agree to the investment guidelines ensuring the appropriate credit quality and cash flow. Funding requirements to date have been minimal and management does not anticipate any future material funding requirements to have a material impact on the reported financial results. In compliance with statutory guidelines, related reserves of $2 and $10 were recorded at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company is party to legal proceedings involving a variety of issues incidental to its business, including class action lawsuits. Lawsuits may be brought in any federal or state court in the United States or in an arbitral forum. In addition, there continues to be significant federal and state regulatory activity relating to financial services companies. The Company’s legal proceedings are subject to many variables, and given their complexity and scope, outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty. Although legal proceedings sometimes include substantial

 

99


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

demands for compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief, damages arising from such demands are typically not material to the Company’s financial position.

The Company was named in two class actions relating to increases in monthly deduction rates (MDR) on universal life products in 2015 to 2016 and 2017 to 2018, respectively, as well as several individual lawsuits. The Company settled these two class actions, one in March 2019 and one in June 2021. In connection with the class actions, exposure existed related to opt out class members. The Company held provisions totaling $89 for the remaining exposure as of December 31, 2023.

The Company is subject to insurance guaranty laws in the states in which it writes business. These laws provide for assessments against insurance companies for the benefit of policyholders and claimants in the event of insolvency of other insurance companies. Assessments are charged to operations when received by the Company, except where right of offset against other taxes paid is allowed by law. Amounts available for future offsets are recorded as an asset on the Company’s Balance Sheets. The future obligation for known insolvencies has been accrued based on the most recent information available from the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations. Potential future obligations for unknown insolvencies are not determinable by the Company and are not required to be accrued for financial reporting purposes. The Company has established a reserve of $8 and $8 and an offsetting premium tax benefit $6 and $6 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for its estimated share of future guaranty fund assessments related to several major insurer insolvencies. The guaranty fund (benefit) expense was $0, $3 and $3 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

15. Sales, Transfers, and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities

The Company is party to municipal repurchase agreements which were established via bilateral trades and accounted for as secured borrowings. For municipal repurchase agreements, the Company rigorously manages asset/liability risks via an integrated risk management framework. The Company’s liquidity position is monitored constantly, and factors heavily in the management of the asset portfolio. Projections comparing liquidity needs to available resources in both adverse and routine scenarios are refreshed monthly. The results of these projections on time horizons ranging from 16 months to 24 months are the basis for the near-term liquidity planning. This liquidity model excludes new business (non applicable for the spread business), renewals and other sources of cash and assumes all liabilities are paid off on the earliest dates required. Interest rate risk is carefully managed, in part through rigorously defined and monitored derivatives programs.

 

100


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables provide information on the securities sold under the municipal repurchase agreements for four quarters of 2023 and 2022:

 

December 31, 2023                            
    

First

 Quarter 

    

Second

 Quarter 

    

Third

 Quarter 

    

Fourth

 Quarter 

 
  

 

 

 

Maximum Amount

           

BACV

     XXX        XXX        XXX      $ 685   

Fair Value

    $ 273      $ 249      $ 662      $ 623   

Ending Balance

           

BACV

     XXX        XXX        XXX      $ 156   

Fair Value

    $ 198      $ 249      $ 662      $ 157   
December 31, 2022                            
     First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 
  

 

 

 

Maximum Amount

           

BACV

     XXX        XXX        XXX      $ 256   

Fair Value

    $ 167      $ 245      $ 250      $ 252   

Ending Balance

               

BACV

     XXX        XXX        XXX      $ 256   

Fair Value

    $ 167      $ 245      $ 250      $ 251   

 

     2023      2022  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
      NAIC 1        NAIC 2         Total         NAIC 1        NAIC 2         Total    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bonds - BACV

    $ 143      $ 13      $ 156       $ 217      $ 39      $ 256   

Bonds - FV

     144        13        157        211        40        251   

These securities have maturity dates that range from July 1, 2025 to May 15, 2033.

The following table provides information on the cash collateral received and liability to return collateral under the municipal repurchase agreements for four quarters of 2023 and 2022:

 

December 31, 2023                            
    

First

 Quarter 

    

Second

 Quarter 

    

Third

 Quarter 

    

Fourth

 Quarter 

 
  

 

 

 

Maximum Amount

           

Cash

    $ 147      $ 186      $ 536      $ 508   

Ending Balance (1)

           

Cash

    $ 147      $ 186      $ 536      $ 110   

(1) The remaining collateral held was greater than 90 days from contractual maturity.

 

101


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

December 31, 2022                            
    

First

 Quarter 

    

Second

 Quarter 

    

Third

 Quarter 

    

Fourth

 Quarter 

 
  

 

 

 

Maximum Amount

           

Cash

    $ 141      $ 177      $ 199      $ 106   

Ending Balance (1)

           

Cash

    $ 141      $ 177      $ 199      $ 106   

(1) The remaining collateral held was greater than 90 days from contractual maturity.

The Company enters into dollar repurchase agreements in which securities are delivered to the counterparty once adequate collateral has been received. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had dollar repurchase agreements outstanding in the amount of $11 and $95, respectively, which is included in borrowed money on the Balance Sheets. Those amounts include accrued interest of $0 and $1, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At December 31, 2023, securities with a book value of $11 and a fair value of $11 were subject to dollar repurchase agreements. These securities have maturity dates that range from May 1, 2037 to September 1, 2053. At December 31, 2022, securities with a book value of $96 and a fair value of $88 were subject to dollar repurchase agreements. The Company does not have the legal right to recall or substitute the underlying assets prior to the transaction’s scheduled termination. Upon scheduled termination, the counterparty is obligated to return substantially similar assets.

The contractual maturities of the dollar repurchase agreement positions are as follows:

 

     Fair Value  
  

 

 

 
       2023          2022    
  

 

 

 

Open

    $ 11      $ 93   

Securities received

            —   
  

 

 

 

Total collateral received

    $ 11      $ 93   
  

 

 

 

In the course of the Company’s asset management, securities are sold and reacquired within 30 days of the sale date to enhance the Company’s yield on its investment portfolio. The Company did not sell or reacquire any securities with an NAIC designation of 3 or below during 2023.

16. Subsequent Events

The financial statements are adjusted to reflect events that occurred between the Balance Sheets date and the date when the financial statements are available to be issued, provided they give evidence of conditions that existed at the Balance Sheets date (Type I). The Company has not identified any Type 1 subsequent events for the year ended December 31, 2023 through April 11, 2024.

Events that are indicative of conditions that arose after the Balance Sheets date are disclosed, but do not result in an adjustment of the financial statements themselves (Type II). The Company has identified a Type II subsequent event for the year ended December 31, 2023. In January 2024, final settlement was reached on the remaining opt out class member exposure associated with the

 

102


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share amounts)

 

MDR class action lawsuits discussed in Note 14, resulting in no further material exposure related to this matter.

 

103


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Appendix A – Listing of Affiliated Companies

 

Transamerica Corporation      
EIN: 42-1484983      
AFFILIATIONS SCHEDULE      

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

     
Entity Name     FEIN 
   

Transamerica Corporation

    42-1484983 
   

AEGON Asset Management Services Inc

    39-1884868 
   

AEGON Direct Marketing Services Inc

    42-1470697 
   

AEGON Financial Services Group Inc

    41-1479568 
   

AEGON Institutional Markets Inc

    61-1085329 
   

AEGON Management Company

    35-1113520 
   

AEGON USA Real Estate Services Inc

    61-1098396 
   

AEGON USA Realty Advisors of CA

    20-5023693 
   

AUSA Properties Inc

    27-1275705 
   

Commonwealth General Corporation

    51-0108922 
   

Creditor Resources Inc

    42-1079584 
   

CRI Solutions Inc

    52-1363611 
   

Financial Planning Services Inc

    23-2130174 
   

Garnet Assurance Corporation

    11-3674132 
   

Garnet Assurance Corporation II

    14-1893533 
   

Garnet Assurance Corporation III

    01-0947856 
   

Ironwood Re Corp

    47-1703149 
   

LIICA RE II

    20-5927773 
   

Money Services Inc

    42-1079580 
   

Monumental General Administrators Inc

    52-1243288 
   

Pearl Holdings Inc I

    20-1063558 
   

Pearl Holdings Inc II

    20-1063571 
   

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3A Inc

    20-1627078 
   

River Ridge Insurance Company

    20-0877184 
   

Stonebridge Benefit Services Inc

    75-2548428 
   

TLIC Oakbrook Reinsurance Inc.

    47-1026613 
   

TLIC Watertree Reinsurance, Inc.

    81-3715574 
   

Transamerica Affordable Housing Inc

    94-3252196 
   

Transamerica Asset Management

    59-3403585 
   

Transamerica Bermuda Re, Ltd

    98-1701849 
   

Transamerica Capital Inc

    95-3141953 
   

Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company

    31-4423946 
   

Transamerica Corporation (OREGON)

    98-6021219 

 

104


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Appendix A – Listing of Affiliated Companies

 

 

Transamerica Corporation      
EIN: 42-1484983      
AFFILIATIONS SCHEDULE      

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

     
Entity Name     FEIN 
   

Transamerica Finance Corporation

    95-1077235 
   

Transamerica Financial Advisors

    59-2476008 
   

Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company

    36-6071399 
   

Transamerica Fund Services Inc

    59-3403587 
   

Transamerica International Re (Bermuda) Ltd

    98-0199561 
   

Transamerica Investors Securities Corp

    13-3696753 
   

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

    39-0989781 
   

Transamerica Pacific Re, Inc.

    85-1028131 
   

Transamerica Resources Inc

    52-1525601 
   

Transamerica Stable Value Solutions Inc

    27-0648897 
   

Transamerica Trust Company

    42-0947998 
   

United Financial Services Inc

    52-1263786 
   

World Fin Group Ins Agency of Massachusetts Inc

    04-3182849 
   

World Financial Group Inc

    42-1518386 
   

World Financial Group Ins Agency of Hawaii Inc

    99-0277127 
   

World Financial Group Insurance Agency of WY Inc

    42-1519076 
   

Zahorik Company Inc

    95-2775959 
   

Zero Beta Fund LLC

    26-1298094 

 

105


Statutory-Basis Financial

Statement Schedules

 

106


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Summary of Investments – Other Than

Investments in Related Parties

(Dollars in Millions)

December 31, 2023

SCHEDULE I

 

 Type of Investment       Cost (1)        

Fair

   Value   

    

Amount at 

Which Shown 

in the 

Balance Sheet (2) 

 

 

 

 Fixed maturities

        

 Bonds:

        

 United States government and government agencies and authorities

    $ 4,818       $ 4,598       $ 5,485   

 States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     2,453         2,090        2,453   

 Foreign governments

     721         652        721   

 Hybrid securities

     271         263        270   

 All other corporate bonds

     37,461         35,038        37,423   

 Preferred stocks

     60         59        59   
  

 

 

 

 Total fixed maturities

     45,784         42,700        46,411   

 Equity securities

        

 Common stocks:

        

 Industrial, miscellaneous and all other

     105         113        113   
  

 

 

 

 Total equity securities

     105         113        113   

 Mortgage loans on real estate

     9,409            9,409   

 Real estate

     41            41   

 Policy loans

     2,109            2,109   

 Other long-term investments

     1,381            1,381   

 Receivable for securities

     23            23   

 Receivable for derivative cash collateral posted to counterparty

     361            361   

 Securities lending

     2,292            2,292   

 Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     3,055            3,055   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 Total investments

    $ 64,560           $ 65,195   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(1)

Equity securities are reported at original cost. Fixed maturities are reported at original cost reduced by repayments and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts.

 

(2)

Bonds of $29 are held at fair value rather than amortized cost. Preferred stock of $58 are held at fair value.

 

107


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Supplementary Insurance Information

(Dollars in Millions)

SCHEDULE III

 

    

 Future Policy 

Benefits and

Expenses

    

Unearned

  Premiums  

    

 Policy and 

Contract

Liabilities

    

  Premium  

Revenue

    

Net

 Investment 

Income*

    

Benefits,

Claims

Losses and

 Settlement 

Expenses

    

 Other   

 Operating   

 Expenses*   

 
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

                    

Individual life

    $ 29,961      $      $ 493      $ 2,410      $ 1,882      $ 2,870      $ 1,808    

Individual health

     6,083        105        317        665        382        807        221    

Group life and health

     2,455        19        124        788        134        520        370    

Annuity

     13,873               49        5,653        1,199        10,215        (4,060)   
  

 

 

 
    $ 52,372      $ 124      $ 983      $ 9,516      $ 3,597      $ 14,412      $ (1,661)   
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2022

                    

Individual life

    $ 30,960      $      $ 580      $ 8,576      $ 1,626      $ 9,716      $ 1,201    

Individual health

     5,993        112        327        710        406        822        226    

Group life and health

     2,469        21        128        806        170        509        360    

Annuity

     18,401               63        9,721        1,095        21,481        (10,034)   
  

 

 

 
    $ 57,823      $ 133      $ 1,098      $ 19,813      $ 3,297      $ 32,528      $ (8,247)   
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2021

                    

Individual life

    $ 25,206      $      $ 664      $ 1,673      $ 1,600      $ 4,243      $ 1,086    

Individual health

     5,871        115        342        737        441        703        220    

Group life and health

     2,480        22        134        801        166        530        320    

Annuity

     18,289               37        11,271        984        19,574        (7,757)   
  

 

 

 
    $ 51,846      $ 137      $ 1,177      $ 14,482      $ 3,191      $ 25,050      $ (6,131)   
  

 

 

 

*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on a number of assumptions and estimates, and the results would change if different methods were applied.

 

108


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Reinsurance

(Dollars in Millions)

SCHEDULE IV

 

    

Gross

 Amount 

    

Ceded to

Other

 Companies 

    

Assumed

From Other

Companies

    

Net

 Amount 

    

Percentage of

Amount

 Assumed to Net 

 
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

                

Life insurance in force

    $  798,119      $ 540,679      $ 262,185      $ 519,625        50       %   
  

 

 

 

Premiums:

                

Individual life

    $ 4,598      $ 3,029      $ 841      $ 2,410        35       %   

Individual health

     717        58        6        665        1     

Group life and health

     898        112        2        788        0     

Annuity

     10,049        4,403        7        5,653        0     
  

 

 

 
    $ 16,262      $ 7,602      $ 856      $ 9,516        9        %   
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2022

                

Life insurance in force

    $ 776,124      $ 616,800      $ 319,443      $ 478,767        67       %   
  

 

 

 

Premiums:

                

Individual life

    $ 4,547      $ 2,316      $ 6,345      $ 8,576        74       %   

Individual health

     758        60        12        710        2     

Group life and health

     927        135        14        806        2     

Annuity

     9,725        16        12        9,721        0     
  

 

 

 
    $ 15,957      $ 2,527      $ 6,383      $ 19,813        32       %   
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2021

                

Life insurance in force

    $ 760,949      $ 700,434      $ 367,342      $ 427,857        86       %   
  

 

 

 

Premiums:

                

Individual life

    $ 4,460      $ 4,016      $ 1,229      $ 1,673        73       %   

Individual health

     787        62        12        737        2     

Group life and health

     920        136        17        801        2     

Annuity

     11,424        166        13        11,271        0     
  

 

 

 
    $ 17,591      $ 4,380      $ 1,271      $ 14,482        9        %   
  

 

 

 

 

109


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   1

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   3

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

   4

Notes to Financial Statements

   11


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of Transamerica Life Insurance Company and the Contract Owners of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of each of the subaccounts of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account indicated in the table below as of December 31, 2023, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the subaccounts of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account as of December 31, 2023, and the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

  

BlackRock High Yield

AB Relative Value Class A Shares

  

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Sustainable Balanced

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

  

Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares

BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares

  

Davis Value

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

BlackRock Global Allocation

  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares

BlackRock Government Money Market

  

MFS® Growth Initial Class

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

  

PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Transamerica Life Insurance Company management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements of each of the subaccounts of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to each of the subaccounts of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

1


Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as of December 31, 2023 by correspondence with the transfer agents or the investee mutual funds. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 19, 2024

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the subaccounts of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account since 2014.

 

2


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2023

 

 

Subaccount   Number of Shares     Cost     Assets at Market
Value
    Due (to)/from
General Account
    Net Assets     Units Outstanding     Range of Unit Values  
AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares     222,882.952     $       13,670,511     $ 16,604,780     $ (44)     $    16,604,736       169,443     $     86.898409     $     98.015698  
AB Relative Value Class A Shares     3,198.694       90,546       94,361       1       94,362       2,387       39.524492       39.524492  
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core     788,251.038       18,932,182       20,068,871       18       20,068,889       41,153       487.666828       487.666828  
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares     364,528.669       3,590,383       3,608,834       41       3,608,875       78,217       46.139199       46.139199  
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares     421,959.777       9,750,212       8,937,108       (55)       8,937,053       66,588       134.213340       134.213340  
BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares     1,986,957.989       26,533,468       25,711,236       90       25,711,326       239,769       94.083467       107.380897  
BlackRock Capital Appreciation     615,100.540       26,692,495       28,805,158       2       28,805,160       66,342       434.189778       434.189778  
BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares     40,935.960       341,853       347,956       (27)       347,929       10,287       33.823821       33.823821  
BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares     514,112.634       5,783,719       5,465,017       4       5,465,021       55,102       99.179235       99.179235  
BlackRock Global Allocation     2,206,008.409       34,833,248       33,332,787       85       33,332,872       323,902       102.910271       102.910271  
BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares     78,137.984       1,251,249       1,274,431       (1)       1,274,430       20,175       63.169839       63.169839  
BlackRock Government Money Market     13,805,481.937       13,805,482       13,805,482       (3)       13,805,479       370,943       37.217212       37.217212  
BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares     139,529.388       139,529       139,529       (11)       139,518       10,263       13.593812       13.593812  
BlackRock High Yield     766,153.606       3,997,147       3,838,430       19,779       3,858,209       40,278       95.790342       95.790342  
BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares     719,034.350       8,216,862       7,255,057       (56)       7,255,001       250,580       25.849134       28.969661  
BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares     296,738.634       4,948,150       5,643,969       95       5,644,064       108,609       51.966712       51.966712  
BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares     409.058       5,495       5,420       (3)       5,417       116       46.815813       46.815813  
BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares     683,018.858       16,397,041       20,217,358       2       20,217,360       260,895       69.253885       77.978576  
BlackRock Sustainable Balanced     791,290.513       12,555,327       12,272,916       8       12,272,924       77,612       158.131360       158.131360  
Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares     4,596.203       57,187       158,661       92       158,753       6,553       24.227185       24.227185  
Davis Value     50,415.348       372,012       314,592       1       314,593       10,267       30.640937       30.640937  
Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares     46,005.527       2,786,126       2,712,486       81       2,712,567       73,288       21.376559       37.204219  
Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares     177,531.855       5,373,340       5,199,908       (29)       5,199,879       165,126       29.202315       31.616398  
Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares     1,795.594       64,116       61,212       (10)       61,202       3,437       17.805999       17.805999  
MFS® Growth Initial Class     194,773.008       10,390,941       11,742,865       (60)       11,742,805       131,475       79.184298       89.315778  
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class     14,840.458       158,986       136,235       62       136,297       6,733       20.243296       20.243296  

 

See accompanying notes.

   3


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                                                                                           
     AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares   AB Relative Value Class A Shares  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap

Core

  BlackRock Advantage Large Cap
Value V.I. Class I Shares
     Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 22,754,287     $ 90,588     $ 24,635,460     $ 4,423,173  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     -       1,202       220,320       59,734  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     145,733       1,138       176,053       32,913  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (145,733     64       44,267       26,821  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     1,907,553       13,677       576,168       79,863  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     1,302,623       41       (525,742     (191,483
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     3,210,176       13,718       50,426       (111,620

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (9,426,157     (18,730     (4,969,597     (297,666
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (6,215,981     (5,012     (4,919,171     (409,286

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (6,361,714     (4,948     (4,874,904     (382,465
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (2,985,363     (158     (2,575,570     (570,325
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (9,347,077     (5,106     (7,450,474     (952,790
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 13,407,210     $ 85,482     $ 17,184,986     $ 3,470,383  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     -       1,323       183,409       54,197  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     133,864       1,172       165,041       30,588  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (133,864     151       18,368       23,609  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     985,631       6,955       347,505       133,967  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     508,616       (106     (355,598     (170,406
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     1,494,247       6,849       (8,093     (36,439

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     2,998,995       1,999       4,028,419       427,962  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     4,493,242       8,848       4,020,326       391,523  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     4,359,378       8,999       4,038,694       415,132  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (1,161,852     (119     (1,154,791     (276,640
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     3,197,526       8,880       2,883,903       138,492  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 16,604,736     $ 94,362     $ 20,068,889     $ 3,608,875  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   4


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                                                                                           
     BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I.
Class I Shares
  BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I
Shares
  BlackRock Capital Appreciation   BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I.
Class I Shares
     Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 11,105,175     $ 30,596,523     $ 38,380,476     $ 387,686  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     81,732       369,859       51,729       -  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     81,527       240,712       235,693       3,784  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     205       129,147       (183,964     (3,784

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     67,417       2,514,156       2,224,401       13,314  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     (562,563     (956,794     673,699       218  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     (495,146     1,557,362       2,898,100       13,532  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (1,375,430     (3,320,667     (16,744,673     (158,673
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (1,870,576     (1,763,305     (13,846,573     (145,141

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (1,870,371     (1,634,158     (14,030,537     (148,925
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (935,239     (4,471,765     (3,664,744     (1,277
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (2,805,610     (6,105,923     (17,695,281     (150,202
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 8,299,565     $ 24,490,600     $ 20,685,195     $ 237,484  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     81,574       436,458       23,614       -  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     75,509       222,636       224,370       3,955  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     6,065       213,822       (200,756     (3,955

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     -       980,104       699,654       17,300  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     (514,064     (729,607     229,697       300  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     (514,064     250,497       929,351       17,600  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     1,905,195       3,134,185       8,973,959       97,845  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     1,391,131       3,384,682       9,903,310       115,445  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     1,397,196       3,598,504       9,702,554       111,490  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (759,708     (2,377,778     (1,582,589     (1,045
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     637,488       1,220,726       8,119,965       110,445  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 8,937,053     $ 25,711,326     $ 28,805,160     $ 347,929  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   5


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                                                                                           
     BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class
I Shares
  BlackRock Global Allocation   BlackRock Global Allocation V.I.
Class I Shares
  BlackRock Government Money
Market
     Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 5,916,423     $ 42,562,745     $ 1,582,877     $ 11,163,600  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     91,305       -       -       149,198  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     49,018       318,479       12,192       104,634  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     42,287       (318,479     (12,192     44,564  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     606,009       1,073,983       16,931       -  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     26,467       17,617       8,928       -  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     632,476       1,091,600       25,859       -  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (952,428     (7,624,705     (275,027     -  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (319,952     (6,533,105     (249,168     -  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (277,665     (6,851,584     (261,360     44,564  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (530,070     (3,370,137     (45,653     669,184  
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (807,735     (10,221,721     (307,013     713,748  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 5,108,688     $ 32,341,024     $ 1,275,864     $ 11,877,348  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     106,652       768,866       27,163       632,024  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     46,609       290,501       11,438       123,432  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     60,043       478,365       15,725       508,592  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     260,862       177,275       -       -  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     (61,579     (266,311     41,398       -  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     199,283       (89,036     41,398       -  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     307,440       3,357,727       83,824       -  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     506,723       3,268,691       125,222       -  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     566,766       3,747,056       140,947       508,592  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (210,433     (2,755,208     (142,381     1,419,539  
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     356,333       991,848       (1,434     1,928,131  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 5,465,021     $ 33,332,872     $ 1,274,430     $ 13,805,479  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   6


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                                                                                           
     BlackRock Government Money
Market V.I. Class I Shares
  BlackRock High Yield   BlackRock International V.I. Class I
Shares
  BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth
V.I. Class I Shares
     Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 127,706     $ 5,087,827     $ 9,680,457     $ 7,009,935  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     3,471       226,047       57,735       -  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     2,231       37,480       65,071       44,659  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     1,240       188,567       (7,336     (44,659

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     -       -       236,821       280,251  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     -       (87,937     (140,250     71,762  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     -       (87,937     96,571       352,013  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     -       (648,453     (2,498,916     (2,952,252
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     -       (736,390     (2,402,345     (2,600,239

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     1,240       (547,823     (2,409,681     (2,644,898
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (25,757     (772,226     (810,311     (356,797
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (24,517     (1,320,049     (3,219,992     (3,001,695
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 103,189     $ 3,767,778     $ 6,460,465     $ 4,008,240  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     7,101       237,677       60,090       -  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     1,974       33,668       62,213       44,026  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     5,127       204,009       (2,123     (44,026

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     -       -       -       95,588  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     -       (58,948     (38,942     109,737  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     -       (58,948     (38,942     205,325  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     -       277,158       1,183,681       1,843,877  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     -       218,210       1,144,739       2,049,202  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     5,127       422,219       1,142,616       2,005,176  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     31,202       (331,788     (348,080     (369,352
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     36,329       90,431       794,536       1,635,824  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 139,518     $ 3,858,209     $ 7,255,001     $ 5,644,064  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   7


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                                                                                           
     BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I.
Class I Shares
  BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I
Shares
  BlackRock Sustainable Balanced   Columbia - Select Small Cap Value
Class 1 Shares
     Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 5,565     $ 24,195,502     $ 15,003,482     $ 225,376  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     -       274,546       114,673       -  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     48       186,488       114,519       2,047  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (48     88,058       154       (2,047

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     -       852,549       127,365       -  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     (13     812,575       (352,981     35,438  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     (13     1,665,124       (225,616     35,438  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     339       (6,260,278     (2,239,523     (62,544
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     326       (4,595,154     (2,465,139     (27,106

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     278       (4,507,096     (2,464,985     (29,153
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (256     (2,316,616     (540,602     (53,637
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     22       (6,823,712     (3,005,587     (82,790
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 5,587     $ 17,371,790     $ 11,997,895     $ 142,586  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     465       255,967       196,783       -  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     49       171,006       106,744       1,984  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     416       84,961       90,039       (1,984

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     -       751,507       209,648       -  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     10       452,826       (272,259     1,457  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     10       1,204,333       (62,611     1,457  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (303     2,911,114       1,706,604       17,084  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (293     4,115,447       1,643,993       18,541  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     123       4,200,408       1,734,032       16,557  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (293     (1,354,838     (1,459,003     (390
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (170     2,845,570       275,029       16,167  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 5,417     $ 20,217,360     $ 12,272,924     $ 158,753  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   8


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                                                                                           
     Davis Value   Invesco V.I. American Franchise
Series I Shares
  Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I
Shares
  Invesco V.I. EQV International
Equity Series I Shares
         Subaccount       Subaccount   Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 395,778     $ 3,459,522     $ 6,735,578     $ 129,477  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     3,357       -       48,274       940  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     3,538       23,142       49,777       774  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (181     (23,142     (1,503     166  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     59,081       663,630       820,397       5,997  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     (9,200     112,985       (137,627     16,913  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     49,881       776,615       682,770       22,910  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (114,494     (1,823,850     (2,095,455     (37,712
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (64,613     (1,047,235     (1,412,685     (14,802

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (64,794     (1,070,377     (1,414,188     (14,636
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (90,244     (228,628     (553,558     (62,186
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (155,038     (1,299,005     (1,967,746     (76,822
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 240,740     $ 2,160,517     $ 4,767,832     $ 52,655  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

        

Reinvested Dividends

     3,819       -       36,211       114  

Investment Expense:

        

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     3,669       21,803       45,764       764  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     150       (21,803     (9,553     (650

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

        

Capital Gain Distributions

     30,507       53,511       116,854       43  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     (2,078     (27,151     (165,793     (64
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     28,429       26,360       (48,939     (21

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     45,676       797,955       1,062,029       9,388  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     74,105       824,315       1,013,090       9,367  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     74,255       802,512       1,003,537       8,717  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (402     (250,462     (571,490     (170
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     73,853       552,050       432,047       8,547  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 314,593     $ 2,712,567     $ 5,199,879     $ 61,202  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   9


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

                                                                     
       MFS® Growth Initial Class     PIMCO Total Return Administrative
Class
     Subaccount   Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

    $ 15,630,594     $ 155,056  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

    

Reinvested Dividends

     -       3,612  

Investment Expense:

    

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     102,326       1,848  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (102,326     1,764  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Capital Gain Distributions

     1,284,991       -  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     801,370       (245
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     2,086,361       (245

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (6,922,246     (25,422
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (4,835,885     (25,667

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (4,938,211     (23,903
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (1,106,545     (429
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (6,044,756     (24,332
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

    $ 9,585,838     $ 130,724  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

    

Reinvested Dividends

     -       4,692  

Investment Expense:

    

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     96,494       1,760  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (96,494     2,932  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Capital Gain Distributions

     846,448       -  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     742,765       (381
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     1,589,213       (381

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     1,697,796       3,351  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     3,287,009       2,970  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     3,190,515       5,902  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (1,033,548     (329
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     2,156,967       5,573  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

    $ 11,742,805     $ 136,297  
  

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

   10


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

1. Organization

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account (the Separate Account) is a segregated investment account of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (TLIC), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V., a holding company organized under the laws of the Netherlands.

The Separate Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Unit Investment Trust pursuant to provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. TLIC and the Separate Account are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The assets and liabilities of the Separate Account are clearly identified and distinguished from TLIC’s other assets and liabilities. The Separate Account consists of multiple investment subaccounts. Each subaccount invests exclusively in the corresponding portfolio of a Mutual Fund. Each Mutual Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Activity in these specified investment subaccounts is available to contract owners of Legacy Power, Investor Life, Investor Life Plus, Estate Investor I, and Estate Investor II.

Subaccount Investment by Mutual Fund:

 

Subaccount

  

Mutual Fund

AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

  

AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

  

AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio Class A Shares

AB Relative Value Class A Shares

  

AB Relative Value Portfolio Class A Shares

BlackRock Fund, Inc.

  

BlackRock Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Fund V.I. Class I Shares

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Global Allocation

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Government Money Market

  

BlackRock Government Money Market Fund

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock High Yield

  

BlackRock High Yield Fund

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock International V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Sustainable Balanced

  

BlackRock Sustainable Balanced Fund

 

11


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

1. Organization (continued)

 

Subaccount Investment by Mutual Fund:

 

Subaccount

  

Mutual Fund

Columbia Variable

  

Columbia Variable

Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares

  

Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Fund Class 1 Shares

Davis Variable Account Fund, Inc.

  

Davis Variable Account Fund, Inc.

Davis Value

  

Davis Value Portfolio

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

  

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Portfolio Series I Shares

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Portfolio Series I Shares

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Portfolio Series I Shares

MFS® Variable Insurance Trust

  

MFS® Variable Insurance Trust

MFS® Growth Initial Class

  

MFS® Growth Series Initial Class

PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust

  

PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust

PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class

  

PIMCO Total Return Portfolio Administrative Class

The following subaccount name changes were made effective during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

Subaccount

  

Formerly

AB Relative Value Class A Shares

  

AB Growth and Income Class A Shares

 

12


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for variable life separate accounts registered as unit investment trusts. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding matters that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments

Net purchase payments received by the Separate Account are invested in the portfolios of the Mutual Funds as selected by the contract owner. Investments are stated at the closing net asset values per share on December 31, 2023.

Realized capital gains and losses from sales of shares in the Separate Account are determined on the first-in, first-out basis. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Unrealized gains or losses from investments in the Mutual Funds are included in the Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets.

Dividend Income

Dividends received from the Mutual Fund investments are reinvested to purchase additional mutual fund shares.

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value Hierarchy

The Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC) 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the nature of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.

The Separate Account has categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy which is based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are categorized as follows:

Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.

Level 2. Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets

b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets

c) Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable

d) Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means.

Level 3. Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. They reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

All investments in the Mutual Funds included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are stated at fair value and are based upon published closing NAV per share and therefore are considered Level 1.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

13


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

3. Investments

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Subaccount    Purchases      Sales  
   

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

   $ 1,405,737      $ 1,715,796  
   

AB Relative Value Class A Shares

     8,277        1,291  
   

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

     1,063,290        1,852,213  
   

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

     530,483        649,552  
   

BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares

     359,749        1,113,354  
   

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

     2,057,675        3,241,561  
   

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

     1,414,076        2,497,771  
   

BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares

             17,300                 4,992  
   

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

     599,021        488,549  
   

BlackRock Global Allocation

     1,588,511        3,688,164  
   

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

     119,197        245,853  
   

BlackRock Government Money Market

     10,758,089        8,829,913  
   

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

     91,376        55,043  
   

BlackRock High Yield

     338,391        466,493  
   

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

     378,763        728,911  
   

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

     527,273        845,095  
   

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

     465        342  
   

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

     1,322,544        1,840,940  
   

BlackRock Sustainable Balanced

     615,179        1,774,497  
   

Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares

     -        2,384  
   

Davis Value

     34,326        4,071  
   

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

     111,269        330,048  
   

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

     275,803        739,995  
   

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares

     156        932  
   

MFS® Growth Initial Class

     898,035        1,181,582  
   

PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class

     4,692        2,090  

 

14


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

 

4. Change in Units

The change in units outstanding were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2023            Year Ended December 31, 2022  
Subaccount     Units Purchased       Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from
    Net Increase
(Decrease)
            Units Purchased       Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from
     Net Increase 
(Decrease)
 
             
AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares      5,152        (18,935     (13,783        2,088        (39,310     (37,222
             
AB Relative Value Class A Shares      -        (4     (4        -        (4     (4
             
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core      1,213        (3,859     (2,646        304        (6,356     (6,052
             
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares      8,093        (14,637     (6,544        2,270        (15,845     (13,575
             
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares      2,349        (8,623     (6,274        2,020        (9,863     (7,843
             
BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares      6,737        (30,876     (24,139        6,153        (53,697     (47,544
             
BlackRock Capital Appreciation      2,108        (6,421     (4,313        731        (11,168     (10,437
             
BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares      -        (36     (36        -        (47     (47
             
BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares      2,582        (4,779     (2,197        1,438        (7,377     (5,939
             
BlackRock Global Allocation      7,092        (35,691     (28,599        4,209        (39,187     (34,978
             
BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares      1,530        (3,941     (2,411        4        (785     (781
             
BlackRock Government Money Market      280,063        (240,118     39,945          359,908        (341,147     18,761  
             
BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares      6,355        (3,946     2,409          52,865        (54,736     (1,871
             
BlackRock High Yield      1,161        (4,848     (3,687        1,560        (10,177     (8,617
             
BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares      12,315        (24,946     (12,631        3,850        (35,270     (31,420
             
BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares      10,710        (18,953     (8,243        5,101        (13,606     (8,505
             
BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares      -        (6     (6        -        (6     (6
             
BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares      4,914        (24,284     (19,370        4,558        (41,700     (37,142
             
BlackRock Sustainable Balanced      1,489        (11,532     (10,043        6,064        (9,927     (3,863
             
Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares      -        (17     (17        -        (2,170     (2,170
             
Davis Value      -        (15     (15        -        (3,039     (3,039
             
Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares      1,716        (9,916     (8,200        1,633        (9,192     (7,559
             
Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares      4,493        (24,373     (19,880        3,909        (24,608     (20,699
             
Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares      -        (10     (10        -        (3,386     (3,386
             
MFS® Growth Initial Class      745        (13,790     (13,045        647        (15,796     (15,149
             
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class      -        (17     (17        -        (20     (20

 

15


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

 

4. Change in Unit Dollars (continued)

 

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2023            Year Ended December 31, 2022  
Subaccount     Units Purchased in
Dollars
     Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from in Dollars
    Dollar Net Increase
(Decrease)
          

 Units Purchased in

Dollars

     Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from in Dollars
     Dollar Net Increase 
(Decrease)
 
             
AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares    $ 433,916      $ (1,595,768   $ (1,161,852      $ 167,640      $ (3,153,003   $ (2,985,363
             
AB Relative Value Class A Shares      -        (119     (119        -        (158     (158
             
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core      541,673        (1,696,464     (1,154,791        126,465        (2,702,035     (2,575,570
             
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares      344,496        (621,136     (276,640        94,452        (664,777     (570,325
             
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares      285,579        (1,045,287     (759,708        229,885        (1,165,124     (935,239
             
BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares      666,503        (3,044,281     (2,377,778        555,401        (5,027,166     (4,471,765
             
BlackRock Capital Appreciation      711,733        (2,294,322     (1,582,589        237,764        (3,902,508     (3,664,744
             
BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares      -        (1,045     (1,045        -        (1,277     (1,277
             
BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares      236,395        (446,828     (210,433        130,398        (660,468     (530,070
             
BlackRock Global Allocation      687,744        (3,442,952     (2,755,208        400,396        (3,770,533     (3,370,137
             
BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares      92,094        (234,475     (142,381        245        (45,898     (45,653
             
BlackRock Government Money Market      10,166,527        (8,746,988     1,419,539          12,842,479        (12,173,295     669,184  
             
BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares      84,295        (53,093     31,202          691,822        (717,579     (25,757
             
BlackRock High Yield      104,897        (436,685     (331,788        140,029        (912,255     (772,226
             
BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares      327,291        (675,371     (348,080        89,475        (899,786     (810,311
             
BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares      435,105        (804,457     (369,352        213,113        (569,910     (356,797
             
BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares      -        (293     (293        -        (256     (256
             
BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares      336,948        (1,691,786     (1,354,838        292,723        (2,609,339     (2,316,616
             
BlackRock Sustainable Balanced      218,817        (1,677,820     (1,459,003        856,259        (1,396,861     (540,602
             
Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares      -        (390     (390        -        (53,637     (53,637
             
Davis Value      -        (402     (402        -        (90,244     (90,244
             
Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares      58,954        (309,416     (250,462        47,858        (276,486     (228,628
             
Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares      126,039        (697,529     (571,490        107,518        (661,076     (553,558
             
Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares      -        (170     (170        -        (62,186     (62,186
             
MFS® Growth Initial Class      56,162        (1,089,710     (1,033,548        47,597        (1,154,142     (1,106,545
             
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class      -        (329     (329        -        (429     (429

 

16


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

5. Financial Highlights

The Separate Account offers various death benefit options, which have differing fees that are charged against the contract owner’s account balance. These charges are discussed in more detail in the individual’s policy. Differences in the fee structures for these units result in different unit values, expense ratios, and total returns.

 

     At December 31         For the Year Ended December 31  
  

 

 

     

 

 

 
Subaccount      Units       

Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio

    

Net

Assets

        Investment
Income
Ratio*
   

Expense
Ratio**
Lowest to

Highest

    Total Return***
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
 

 

     

 

 

 

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

 

                       

  12/31/2023  

     169,443        $98.02        to        $86.90        $ 16,604,736         -  %      0.90  %      to        1.35  %      33.93  %      to        33.33  % 

12/31/2022

     183,226        73.19        to        65.17        13,407,210         -       0.90       to        1.35       (29.15     to        (29.46

12/31/2021

     220,448        103.29        to        92.39        22,754,287         -       0.90       to        1.35       27.82       to        27.26  

12/31/2020

     236,682        80.81        to        72.60        19,107,187         -       0.90       to        1.35       34.28       to        33.68  

12/31/2019

     266,804        60.18        to        54.31        16,042,961         -       0.90       to        1.35       33.49       to        32.90  

AB Relative Value Class A Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     2,387        39.52        to        39.52        94,362         1.51       1.35       to        1.35       10.54       to        10.54  

12/31/2022

     2,391        35.76        to        35.76        85,482         1.41       1.35       to        1.35       (5.47     to        (5.47

12/31/2021

     2,395        37.82        to        37.82        90,588         0.76       1.35       to        1.35       26.45       to        26.45  

12/31/2020

     4,702        29.91        to        29.91        140,641         1.59       1.35       to        1.35       1.35       to        1.35  

12/31/2019

     4,717        29.51        to        29.51        139,215         1.34       1.35       to        1.35       22.26       to        22.26  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

 

         

12/31/2023

     41,153        487.67        to        487.67        20,068,889         0.99       0.90       to        0.90       24.29       to        24.29  

12/31/2022

     43,799        392.36        to        392.36        17,184,986         1.12       0.90       to        0.90       (20.61     to        (20.61

12/31/2021

     49,851        494.18        to        494.18        24,635,460         0.83       0.90       to        0.90       27.29       to        27.29  

12/31/2020

     54,150        388.24        to        388.24        21,023,055         1.34       0.90       to        0.90       18.92       to        18.92  

12/31/2019

     62,876        326.46        to        326.46        20,526,683         1.43       0.90       to        0.90       27.94       to        27.94  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     78,217        46.14        to        46.14        3,608,875         1.58       0.90       to        0.90       12.69       to        12.69  

12/31/2022

     84,761        40.94        to        40.94        3,470,383         1.62       0.90       to        0.90       (8.98     to        (8.98

12/31/2021

     98,336        44.98        to        44.98        4,423,173         1.61       0.90       to        0.90       25.39       to        25.39  

12/31/2020

     104,254        35.87        to        35.87        3,739,776         1.73       0.90       to        0.90       2.74       to        2.74  

12/31/2019

     111,983        34.92        to        34.92        3,910,037         2.00       0.90       to        0.90       23.78       to        23.78  

BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     66,588        134.21        to        134.21        8,937,053         0.97       0.90       to        0.90       17.83       to        17.83  

12/31/2022

     72,862        113.91        to        113.91        8,299,565         0.90       0.90       to        0.90       (17.22     to        (17.22

12/31/2021

     80,705        137.60        to        137.60        11,105,175         0.88       0.90       to        0.90       12.62       to        12.62  

12/31/2020

     84,171        122.18        to        122.18        10,283,898         1.14       0.90       to        0.90       18.89       to        18.89  

12/31/2019

     107,129        102.76        to        102.76        11,008,977         1.71       0.90       to        0.90       27.83       to        27.83  

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     239,769        107.38        to        94.08        25,711,326         1.76       0.90       to        1.35       15.57       to        15.06  

12/31/2022

     263,908        92.91        to        81.77        24,490,600         1.38       0.90       to        1.35       (5.77     to        (6.18

12/31/2021

     311,452        98.60        to        87.16        30,596,523         1.27       0.90       to        1.35       20.59       to        20.06  

12/31/2020

     336,657        81.76        to        72.60        27,469,852         2.37       0.90       to        1.35       2.51       to        2.05  

12/31/2019

     376,140        79.76        to        71.14        29,945,442         2.39       0.90       to        1.35       22.81       to        22.26  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

 

         

12/31/2023

     66,342        434.19        to        434.19        28,805,160         0.09       0.90       to        0.90       48.31       to        48.31  

12/31/2022

     70,655        292.76        to        292.76        20,685,195         0.20       0.90       to        0.90       (38.14     to        (38.14

12/31/2021

     81,092        473.29        to        473.29        38,380,476         0.03       0.90       to        0.90       20.14       to        20.14  

12/31/2020

     88,073        393.97        to        393.97        34,698,013         0.03       0.90       to        0.90       38.91       to        38.91  

12/31/2019

     96,319        283.61        to        283.61        27,316,551         0.10       0.90       to        0.90       31.60       to        31.60  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     10,287        33.82        to        33.82        347,929         -       1.35       to        1.35       47.03       to        47.03  

12/31/2022

     10,323        23.01        to        23.01        237,484         -       1.35       to        1.35       (38.47     to        (38.47

12/31/2021

     10,370        37.39        to        37.39        387,686         -       1.35       to        1.35       19.54       to        19.54  

12/31/2020

     22,533        31.28        to        31.28        704,732         -       1.35       to        1.35       40.02       to        40.02  

12/31/2019

     22,610        22.34        to        22.34        505,015         -       1.35       to        1.35       30.23       to        30.23  

 

17


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

5. Financial Highlights (continued)

 

     At December 31         For the Year Ended December 31  
  

 

 

     

 

 

 
Subaccount      Units       

Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio

    

Net

Assets

        Investment
Income
Ratio*
   

Expense
Ratio**
Lowest to

Highest

    Total Return***
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
 

 

     

 

 

 

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

 

                       

  12/31/2023  

     55,102        $99.18        to        $99.18      $  5,465,021         2.04  %      0.90  %      to        0.90  %      11.24  %      to        11.24  % 

12/31/2022

     57,299        89.16        to        89.16        5,108,688         1.67       0.90       to        0.90       (4.70     to        (4.70

12/31/2021

     63,238        93.56        to        93.56        5,916,423         1.55       0.90       to        0.90       19.47       to        19.47  

12/31/2020

     73,754        78.31        to        78.31        5,775,808         2.26       0.90       to        0.90       2.99       to        2.99  

12/31/2019

     68,821        76.04        to        76.04        5,233,207         2.07       0.90       to        0.90       26.57       to        26.57  

BlackRock Global Allocation

 

         

12/31/2023

     323,902        102.91        to        102.91        33,332,872         2.37       0.90       to        0.90       12.17       to        12.17  

12/31/2022

     352,501        91.75        to        91.75        32,341,024         -       0.90       to        0.90       (16.48     to        (16.48

12/31/2021

     387,479        109.85        to        109.85        42,562,745         1.15       0.90       to        0.90       5.84       to        5.84  

12/31/2020

     421,777        103.79        to        103.79        43,775,371         1.53       0.90       to        0.90       19.79       to        19.79  

12/31/2019

     455,011        86.64        to        86.64        39,422,054         1.51       0.90       to        0.90       17.07       to        17.07  

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     20,175        63.17        to        63.17        1,274,430         2.12       0.90       to        0.90       11.82       to        11.82  

12/31/2022

     22,586        56.49        to        56.49        1,275,864         -       0.90       to        0.90       (16.61     to        (16.61

12/31/2021

     23,367        67.74        to        67.74        1,582,877         0.90       0.90       to        0.90       5.72       to        5.72  

12/31/2020

     25,409        64.07        to        64.07        1,628,079         1.30       0.90       to        0.90       19.93       to        19.93  

12/31/2019

     27,660        53.43        to        53.43        1,477,775         1.28       0.90       to        0.90       16.94       to        16.94  

BlackRock Government Money Market

 

         

12/31/2023

     370,943        37.22        to        37.22        13,805,479         4.57       0.90       to        0.90       3.72       to        3.72  

12/31/2022

     330,998        35.88        to        35.88        11,877,348         1.27       0.90       to        0.90       0.36       to        0.36  

12/31/2021

     312,237        35.75        to        35.75        11,163,600         -       0.90       to        0.90       (0.89     to        (0.89

12/31/2020

     332,993        36.07        to        36.07        12,012,101         0.28       0.90       to        0.90       (0.63     to        (0.63

12/31/2019

     326,595        36.30        to        36.30        11,856,067         1.78       0.90       to        0.90       0.87       to        0.87  

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     10,263        13.59        to        13.59        139,518         4.80       1.35       to        1.35       3.46       to        3.46  

12/31/2022

     7,854        13.14        to        13.14        103,189         2.11       1.35       to        1.35       0.06       to        0.06  

12/31/2021

     9,725        13.13        to        13.13        127,706         -       1.35       to        1.35       (1.33     to        (1.33

12/31/2020

     12,251        13.31        to        13.31        163,040         0.34       1.35       to        1.35       (1.00     to        (1.00

12/31/2019

     13,724        13.44        to        13.44        184,478         1.97       1.35       to        1.35       0.62       to        0.62  

BlackRock High Yield

 

         

12/31/2023

     40,278        95.79        to        95.79        3,858,209         6.31       0.90       to        0.90       11.77       to        11.77  

12/31/2022

     43,965        85.70        to        85.70        3,767,778         5.40       0.90       to        0.90       (11.43     to        (11.43

12/31/2021

     52,582        96.76        to        96.76        5,087,827         4.86       0.90       to        0.90       4.97       to        4.97  

12/31/2020

     57,598        92.18        to        92.18        5,309,563         5.54       0.90       to        0.90       6.87       to        6.87  

12/31/2019

     64,090        86.26        to        86.26        5,528,407         5.78       0.90       to        0.90       14.01       to        14.01  

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     250,580        28.97        to        25.85        7,255,001         0.87       0.90       to        1.35       17.96       to        17.44  

12/31/2022

     263,211        24.56        to        22.01        6,460,465         0.80       0.90       to        1.35       (25.29     to        (25.62

12/31/2021

     294,631        32.87        to        29.59        9,680,457         0.65       0.90       to        1.35       7.71       to        7.23  

12/31/2020

     332,107        30.52        to        27.60        10,129,442         0.51       0.90       to        1.35       20.24       to        19.71  

12/31/2019

     365,457        25.38        to        23.05        9,270,870         1.18       0.90       to        1.35       30.95       to        30.37  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     108,609        51.97        to        51.97        5,644,064         -       0.90       to        0.90       51.50       to        51.50  

12/31/2022

     116,852        34.30        to        34.30        4,008,240         -       0.90       to        0.90       (38.66     to        (38.66

12/31/2021

     125,357        55.92        to        55.92        7,009,935         -       0.90       to        0.90       17.03       to        17.03  

12/31/2020

     137,720        47.78        to        47.78        6,580,321         -       0.90       to        0.90       42.46       to        42.46  

12/31/2019

     148,260        33.54        to        33.54        4,972,550         -       0.90       to        0.90       31.52       to        31.52  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     116        46.82        to        46.82        5,417         8.48       0.90       to        0.90       2.28       to        2.28  

12/31/2022

     122        45.77        to        45.77        5,587         -       0.90       to        0.90       5.26       to        5.26  

12/31/2021

     128        43.48        to        43.48        5,565         0.89       0.90       to        0.90       (0.22     to        (0.22

12/31/2020

     403        43.58        to        43.58        17,541         3.87       0.90       to        0.90       2.65       to        2.65  

12/31/2019

     421        42.45        to        42.45        17,880         3.29       0.90       to        0.90       1.12       to        1.12  

 

18


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

5. Financial Highlights (continued)

 

     At December 31         For the Year Ended December 31  
  

 

 

     

 

 

 
Subaccount      Units       

Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio

    

Net

Assets

        Investment
Income
Ratio*
   

Expense
Ratio**
Lowest to

Highest

    Total Return***
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
 

 

     

 

 

 

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

 

                       

  12/31/2023  

     260,895        $77.98        to        $69.25      $  20,217,360         1.37  %      0.90  %      to        1.35  %      25.10  %      to        24.54  % 

12/31/2022

     280,265        62.33        to        55.61        17,371,790         1.37       0.90       to        1.35       (18.96     to        (19.32

12/31/2021

     317,407        76.92        to        68.92        24,195,502         1.27       0.90       to        1.35       27.39       to        26.82  

12/31/2020

     352,991        60.38        to        54.34        21,143,672         1.77       0.90       to        1.35       17.19       to        16.67  

12/31/2019

     382,002        51.52        to        46.58        19,542,838         2.22       0.90       to        1.35       30.17       to        29.59  

BlackRock Sustainable Balanced

 

         

12/31/2023

     77,612        158.13        to        158.13        12,272,924         1.65       0.90       to        0.90       15.53       to        15.53  

12/31/2022

     87,655        136.88        to        136.88        11,997,895         0.90       0.90       to        0.90       (16.51     to        (16.51

12/31/2021

     91,518        163.94        to        163.94        15,003,482         1.03       0.90       to        0.90       15.61       to        15.61  

12/31/2020

     100,428        141.80        to        141.80        14,240,684         1.64       0.90       to        0.90       14.72       to        14.72  

12/31/2019

     113,329        123.61        to        123.61        14,008,378         1.98       0.90       to        0.90       20.97       to        20.97  

Columbia - Select Small Cap Value Class 1 Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     6,553        24.23        to        24.23        158,753         -       1.35       to        1.35       11.64       to        11.64  

12/31/2022

     6,570        21.70        to        21.70        142,586         -       1.35       to        1.35       (15.84     to        (15.84

12/31/2021

     8,740        25.79        to        25.79        225,376         -       1.35       to        1.35       29.19       to        29.19  

12/31/2020

     12,300        19.96        to        19.96        245,499         -       1.35       to        1.35       7.74       to        7.74  

12/31/2019

     13,116        18.53        to        18.53        242,980         -       1.35       to        1.35       16.17       to        16.17  

Davis Value

 

         

12/31/2023

     10,267        30.64        to        30.64        314,593         1.39       1.35       to        1.35       30.87       to        30.87  

12/31/2022

     10,282        23.41        to        23.41        240,740         1.27       1.35       to        1.35       (21.19     to        (21.19

12/31/2021

     13,321        29.71        to        29.71        395,778         0.53       1.35       to        1.35       16.28       to        16.28  

12/31/2020

     15,527        25.55        to        25.55        396,710         0.75       1.35       to        1.35       10.23       to        10.23  

12/31/2019

     15,563        23.18        to        23.18        360,715         1.36       1.35       to        1.35       29.42       to        29.42  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     73,288        37.20        to        21.38        2,712,567         -       0.90       to        1.35       39.67       to        39.06  

12/31/2022

     81,488        26.64        to        15.37        2,160,517         -       0.90       to        1.35       (31.73     to        (32.03

12/31/2021

     89,047        39.01        to        22.62        3,459,522         -       0.90       to        1.35       10.93       to        10.44  

12/31/2020

     100,430        35.17        to        20.48        3,490,427         0.07       0.90       to        1.35       41.08       to        40.46  

12/31/2019

     116,169        24.93        to        14.58        2,858,494         -       0.90       to        1.35       35.54       to        34.93  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     165,126        31.62        to        29.20        5,199,879         0.72       0.90       to        1.35       22.27       to        21.73  

12/31/2022

     185,006        25.86        to        23.99        4,767,832         0.89       0.90       to        1.35       (21.25     to        (21.60

12/31/2021

     205,705        32.84        to        30.60        6,735,578         0.65       0.90       to        1.35       26.60       to        26.04  

12/31/2020

     225,731        25.94        to        24.28        5,839,112         1.31       0.90       to        1.35       12.84       to        12.33  

12/31/2019

     257,526        22.99        to        21.61        5,905,862         0.96       0.90       to        1.35       27.81       to        27.25  

Invesco V.I. EQV International Equity Series I Shares

 

         

12/31/2023

     3,437        17.81        to        17.81        61,202         0.20       1.35       to        1.35       16.58       to        16.58  

12/31/2022

     3,447        15.27        to        15.27        52,655         1.64       1.35       to        1.35       (19.39     to        (19.39

12/31/2021

     6,833        18.95        to        18.95        129,477         1.33       1.35       to        1.35       4.48       to        4.48  

12/31/2020

     8,992        18.14        to        18.14        163,080         2.44       1.35       to        1.35       12.48       to        12.48  

12/31/2019

     9,024        16.12        to        16.12        145,507         1.60       1.35       to        1.35       26.86       to        26.86  

MFS® Growth Initial Class

 

         

12/31/2023

     131,475        89.32        to        79.18        11,742,805         -       0.90       to        1.35       34.66       to        34.06  

12/31/2022

     144,520        66.33        to        59.07        9,585,838         -       0.90       to        1.35       (32.24     to        (32.54

12/31/2021

     159,669        97.89        to        87.56        15,630,594         -       0.90       to        1.35       22.43       to        21.89  

12/31/2020

     170,890        79.96        to        71.84        13,664,089         -       0.90       to        1.35       30.68       to        30.10  

12/31/2019

     184,674        61.19        to        55.22        11,299,430         -       0.90       to        1.35       36.92       to        36.31  

PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class

 

         

12/31/2023

     6,733        20.24        to        20.24        136,297         3.57       1.35       to        1.35       4.52       to        4.52  

12/31/2022

     6,750        19.37        to        19.37        130,724         2.62       1.35       to        1.35       (15.44     to        (15.44

12/31/2021

     6,770        22.90        to        22.90        155,056         1.81       1.35       to        1.35       (2.58     to        (2.58

12/31/2020

     11,434        23.51        to        23.51        268,823         2.13       1.35       to        1.35       7.20       to        7.20  

12/31/2019

     11,907        21.93        to        21.93        261,128         3.03       1.35       to        1.35       6.91       to        6.91  

 

19


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

 

5. Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

  (1) 

See Footnote 1

 

  *

These amounts represent the dividends, excluding distributions of capital gains, received by the subaccount from the Mutual Fund, net of management fees assessed by the fund manager, divided by the average net assets. These ratios exclude those expenses, such as mortality and expense charges, that are assessed against contract owner accounts either through reductions in the unit values or the redemption of units. The recognition of investment income by the subaccount is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the Mutual Fund in which the subaccounts invest.

 

  **

These amounts represent the annualized contract expenses of the subaccount, consisting primarily of mortality and expense charges, for each period indicated. These ratios include only those expenses that result in a direct reduction to unit values. Charges made directly to contract owner accounts through the redemption of units and expenses of the Mutual Fund have been excluded.

 

  ***

These amounts represent the total return for the periods indicated, including changes in the value of the Mutual Fund, and expenses assessed through the reduction of unit values. These ratios do not include any expenses assessed through the redemption of units. Investment options with a date notation indicate the effective date of that investment option in the variable account. The total return is calculated for each period indicated or from the effective date through the end of the reporting period. Total returns reflect a full twelve month period and total returns for subaccounts opened during the year have not been disclosed as they may not be indicative of a full year return. Expense ratios not in effect for the full twelve months are not reflected in the total return as they may not be indicative of a full year return.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

6. Administrative and Mortality and Expense Risk Charges

An annual charge is deducted from the unit values of the subaccounts of the Separate Account for TLIC’s assumption of certain mortality and expense risks incurred in connection with the contract owner’s account. The charge is assessed daily based on the net asset value of the account and ranges from 0.90% to 1.35%, depending on the death benefit selected. Charges reflected above are those currently assessed and may be subject to change. Contract owners should see their actual policy and any related attachments to determine their specific charges.

7. Income Tax

Operations of the Separate Account form a part of TLIC, which is taxed as a life insurance company under Subchapter L of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The operations of the Separate Account are accounted for separately from other operations of TLIC for purposes of federal income taxation. The Separate Account is not separately taxable as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and is not otherwise taxable as an entity separate from TLIC. Under existing federal income tax laws, the income of the Separate Account is not taxable to TLIC, as long as earnings are credited under the variable life contracts.

 

21


Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

8. Subsequent Events

The Separate Account has evaluated the financial statements for subsequent events through the date which the financial statements were issued. During this period, there were no subsequent events requiring recognition in the financial statements.

9. Related Parties

Transamerica Capital, Inc. (TCI), a wholesaling broker-dealer, is an affiliated entity of TLIC and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V. TCI distributes TLIC’s products through broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries.

No charges other than those disclosed in Footnote 6 are deducted for the service rendered by related parties.

Contract owners may transfer funds between available subaccount options within the Separate Account. These transfers are performed at unit value at the time of the transfer.

 

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