v3.26.1
POLICY LIABILITIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]  
POLICY LIABILITIES POLICY LIABILITIES
Future Policy Benefits

The following tables present the changes in the present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type. The present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits are presented gross of internal and external ceded reinsurance.
March 31, 2026
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
(In millions)CancerMedical
and Other
Health
Life
Insurance
OtherAccidentDisabilityCritical
Care
Hospital
Indemnity
Dental/
Vision
Life
Insurance
Other
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2025
$12,207 $10,349 $4,547 $725 $2,525 $1,685 $3,945 $1,171 $202 $1,021 $1,968 
Beginning balance at original discount rate 13,201 11,511 4,772 800 2,637 1,726 4,242 1,231 208 1,051 1,835 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(147)(84)(14)(3)(23)(2)(29)(14)(2)(9)(16)
Adjusted beginning of period balance13,054 11,427 4,758 797 2,614 1,724 4,213 1,217 206 1,042 1,819 
Issuances216 14 83 1 111 109 204 90 13 94 469 
Interest accrual86 68 26 4 27 18 44 12 2 11 27 
Net premiums collected (1)
(314)(247)(179)(22)(119)(100)(143)(61)(10)(44)(50)
Foreign currency translation(272)(235)(98)(17)0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Ending balance at original discount rate12,770 11,027 4,590 763 2,633 1,751 4,318 1,258 211 1,103 2,265 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions(1,252)(1,402)(303)(86)(148)(62)(360)(75)(9)(42)65 
Balance at March 31, 2026
$11,518 $9,625 $4,287 $677 $2,485 $1,689 $3,958 $1,183 $202 $1,061 $2,330 
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2025
$34,987 $17,692 $20,894 $3,671 $3,184 $2,336 $10,845 $1,955 $438 $2,076 $2,444 
Beginning balance at original discount rate36,438 21,979 25,716 4,758 3,348 2,401 11,812 2,071 458 2,288 2,304 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(168)(101)(18)(8)(36)(5)(41)(19)(1)(13)(14)
Adjusted beginning of period balance36,270 21,878 25,698 4,750 3,312 2,396 11,771 2,052 457 2,275 2,290 
Issuances221 15 85 2 116 115 215 95 14 100 474 
Interest accrual303 134 134 22 34 25 127 22 5 23 33 
Benefit payments(638)(237)(665)(60)(126)(118)(247)(77)(15)(29)(56)
Foreign currency translation(750)(452)(525)(98)0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Ending balance at original discount rate35,406 21,338 24,727 4,616 3,336 2,418 11,866 2,092 461 2,369 2,741 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions(2,470)(4,862)(5,333)(1,181)(211)(96)(1,176)(146)(27)(251)63 
Balance at March 31, 2026
32,936 16,476 19,394 3,435 3,125 2,322 10,690 1,946 434 2,118 2,804 
Net liability for future policy benefits21,418 6,851 15,107 2,758 640 633 6,732 763 232 1,057 474 
Less: reinsurance recoverable4,142 994 316 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 20 
Net liability for future policy benefits after
  reinsurance recoverable
$17,276 $5,857 $14,791 $2,758 $640 $633 $6,732 $763 $232 $1,031 $454 
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
December 31, 2025
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
(In millions)CancerMedical
and Other
Health
Life
Insurance
OtherAccidentDisabilityCritical
Care
Hospital
Indemnity
Dental/
Vision
Life
Insurance
Other
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2024
$14,184 $11,817 $5,156 $846 $2,497 $1,635 $3,901 $1,122 $196 $909 $826 
Beginning balance at original discount rate 14,008 11,845 5,084 864 2,687 1,726 4,340 1,221 209 976 824 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(661)136 (40)18 (22)(163)(8)(10)(5)386 
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(436)(84)(62)(12)21 20 (2)16 (10)(32)146 
Adjusted beginning of period balance12,911 11,897 4,982 857 2,726 1,724 4,175 1,229 189 939 1,356 
Issuances1,114 253 405 295 341 488 211 50 246 571 
Interest accrual364 292 110 16 110 69 177 50 42 73 
Net premiums collected (1)
(1,379)(1,076)(795)(95)(487)(402)(590)(255)(39)(171)(138)
Foreign currency translation193 146 70 13 
Other(2)(1)(7)(6)(8)(4)(1)(5)(27)
Ending balance at original discount rate13,201 11,511 4,772 800 2,637 1,726 4,242 1,231 208 1,051 1,835 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions(994)(1,162)(225)(75)(112)(41)(297)(60)(6)(30)133 
Balance at December 31, 2025
$12,207 $10,349 $4,547 $725 $2,525 $1,685 $3,945 $1,171 $202 $1,021 $1,968 
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2024
$40,781 $20,606 $24,265 $4,225 $3,127 $2,330 $10,701 $1,897 $441 $1,847 $1,288 
Beginning balance at original discount rate37,856 21,957 26,330 4,765 3,386 2,466 12,013 2,073 477 2,126 1,293 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(1,130)108 (101)74 47 (46)(219)(4)(15)(17)399 
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(483)(102)(61)(21)(15)(13)(53)148 
Adjusted beginning of period balance36,243 21,963 26,168 4,818 3,442 2,425 11,779 2,077 449 2,056 1,840 
Issuances1,138 260 417 14 300 355 503 217 50 254 574 
Interest accrual1,299 564 569 91 138 99 515 87 20 87 97 
Benefit payments(2,723)(1,044)(1,753)(218)(532)(478)(985)(310)(61)(109)(207)
Foreign currency translation481 236 315 53 
Other
Ending balance at original discount rate36,438 21,979 25,716 4,758 3,348 2,401 11,812 2,071 458 2,288 2,304 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions(1,451)(4,287)(4,822)(1,087)(164)(65)(967)(116)(20)(212)140 
Balance at December 31, 2025
34,987 17,692 20,894 3,671 3,184 2,336 10,845 1,955 438 2,076 2,444 
Net liability for future policy benefits22,780 7,343 16,347 2,946 659 651 6,900 784 236 1,055 476 
Less: reinsurance recoverable4,406 1,062 25 11 
Net liability for future policy benefits after
  reinsurance recoverable
$18,374 $6,281 $16,347 $2,946 $659 $651 $6,900 $784 $236 $1,030 $465 
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
The following tables present the weighted-average interest rates and weighted-average liability duration (calculated using the original discount rate) by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
March 31, 2026
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
CancerMedical
and Other
Health
Life
Insurance
OtherAccidentDisabilityCritical
Care
Hospital
Indemnity
Dental/
Vision
Life
Insurance
Other
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.8 %2.5 %2.1 %1.8 %4.1 %4.4 %4.5 %4.5 %4.4 %4.0 %5.5 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
3.8 %4.4 %3.5 %4.1 %5.4 %5.2 %5.6 %5.5 %5.4 %5.5 %5.6 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)12.322.616.416.07.95.610.89.07.413.68.3
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.

December 31, 2025
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
CancerMedical
and Other
Health
Life
Insurance
OtherAccidentDisabilityCritical
Care
Hospital
Indemnity
Dental/
Vision
Life
Insurance
Other
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.8 %2.5 %2.1 %1.8 %4.1 %4.4 %4.5 %4.5 %4.3 %3.9 %5.5 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
3.1 %3.6 %2.8 %3.4 %5.2 %5.0 %5.4 %5.3 %5.2 %5.3 %5.4 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)12.322.916.216.27.85.610.89.07.513.58.6
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the disaggregated rollforwards above to the ending liability for future policy benefits presented in the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts and the deferred reinsurance gain liability are presented together with the liability for future policy benefits in the consolidated balance sheets and have been included as reconciling items in the table below.
(In millions)March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Balances included in future policy benefits rollforward:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$21,418 $22,780 
Medical and other health6,851 7,343 
Life insurance15,107 16,347 
Other2,758 2,946 
Aflac U.S.
Accident640 659 
Disability633 651 
Critical care6,732 6,900 
Hospital indemnity763 784 
Dental/vision232 236 
Life insurance1,057 1,055 
Other474 476 
Corporate and other4,593 4,317 
Deferred profit liability2,061 2,066 
Deferred reinsurance gain liability895 757 
Intercompany eliminations (1)
(4,695)(4,997)
Total$59,519 $62,320 
(1) Elimination entry necessary due to the internal reinsurance transactions with Aflac Re and to recapture a portion of policy liabilities ceded externally as a result of the reinsurance retrocession transaction. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2025 Annual Report.

There were no changes to the inputs, judgments, assumptions or methods used in measuring the liability for future policy benefits during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

Discount Rate Methodology

The Company's discount rate methodology involves constructing a current discount rate curve separately for discounting cash flows used to calculate the Japan and U.S. LFPB, reflective of the characteristics of the insurance liabilities, such as currency and tenor. Discount rates are updated each reporting period and require estimation techniques (e.g., interpolation, extrapolation) for determination of points on the curve for which there is limited or no observable market data.

Discount rates are determined using upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed-income instrument yields that reflect the duration characteristics of the liability. Locked-in discount rates are determined separately for each issue-year cohort as a single discount rate, calculated as the weighted-average of monthly upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed-income instrument forward curves in the calendar year, where the weights are the annualized premiums issued for each month of the cohort. The single discount rate for each issue-year cohort is determined by solving for a rate that produces an equivalent NPR to the forward curve and will remain unchanged after the calendar year of issue.

In the Aflac Japan segment, all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in Japanese yen. A significant portion of policies are characterized by tenors exceeding the availability of liquid market data in Japan for single-A rated (as a proxy for upper-medium grade) corporate Japanese yen-denominated debt. The discount rate curve is designed to prioritize the observable inputs where available, while past the last liquid point, the data is derived based on estimation techniques consistent with the fair value guidance in ASC 820. The Aflac Japan segment's curve utilizes liquid market indices tracking publicly traded Japanese yen-denominated single-A corporate debt for the initial 10-year tenor. For the bonds within these market indices where only local ratings are available, the Company prioritizes the bonds with local ratings that are equivalent to a single-A rating based on international rating standards.
For the discount rates applicable to tenors for which the Japan single-A debt market is not liquid but there is sufficient observable market data and/or the observable market data is available for similar instruments (between 10 and 30 years), the Company estimates tenor-specific single-A credit spreads and applies them to risk-free government rates. Lastly, for the tenors where there is limited or no observable single-A or similar market data or risk-free government rates (beyond 30 years), the discount curve is derived by extrapolation of risk-free rates beyond their last liquid point following the Smith-Wilson method and grading of the estimated forward credit spread anchored by the ultimate forward rate. The ultimate forward rate is based on the economic value-based solvency regime, which is consistent with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Capital Standards (ICS) (effective for Aflac Japan's 2025 fiscal year-end, which is March 31, 2026), and is adjusted for credit and inflation components.

For the Aflac U.S. segment where all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in U.S. dollars and substantially all have cash flow duration within 30 years, for which the U.S. upper-medium grade fixed-income market is liquid and observable, the Company uses data from a liquid fixed-income market index tracking single-A U.S. corporate debt. For the insignificant portion of the policies with cash flow tenors exceeding 30 years, the discount curve beyond that tenor is extrapolated following the Smith-Wilson method from year 30 to the same ultimate forward rate calculated for the Japan discount curve at year 60 and held constant thereafter. The use of the same ultimate rate for U.S. and Japan segments is based on the assumption of long-term global economic convergence.

There were no changes to the methods used to determine the discount rates during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

Cash Flow Assumptions

Cash flow assumptions include (1) mortality, (2) morbidity and (3) termination or lapses.

Mortality rate assumptions are based on industry tables and adjusted for the Company's actual or expected experience. These assumptions typically vary by age, gender, and other demographic characteristics such as smoking status.

Morbidity assumptions are based on the Company's internal data and consider emerging experience. These assumptions are reflective of the coverage and benefits provided and generally vary by age, gender, duration, and any other material policyholder characteristics. In cases where a calendar-year trend is significant, future cash flow projections may include a trend adjustment.

In Japan, separate lapse assumptions are set based on actual or expected experience. These lapse and total termination rate assumptions vary by line of business and with policyholder characteristics such as duration. In the U.S., the majority of the future cash flows are modeled using total termination rates (which include both lapse and mortality) and are adjusted for actual experience. Policy provisions, such as reaching premium paid-up status, are taken into account when setting assumptions.
The Company evaluates actual experience compared with expected experience for cash flow assumptions each quarter.

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the variance of actual experience from expected experience was primarily due to favorable variances in morbidity assumptions as compared to actual experience.
The Company performs a more detailed annual review of its assumptions annually during the third quarter.
In 2025, the Company's annual assumption review process resulted in favorable changes largely due to favorable morbidity assumptions in Japan and favorable morbidity and termination assumptions in the U.S.
Favorable morbidity experience has been reflected in the annual assumptions primarily due to lower utilization of certain cancer benefits, including reduced hospitalizations and fewer first-occurrence claims influenced by COVID-19-related behavioral changes. While recognizing ongoing uncertainty, management has reviewed these trends and incorporated elements of the observed experience into its assumptions where considered appropriate.
The following table summarizes the amount of net earned premiums recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
  
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)20262025
Net earned premiums:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$816 $839 
Medical and other health495 529 
Life insurance298 316 
Other29 32 
Aflac U.S.
Accident305 311 
Disability374 352 
Critical care444 441 
Hospital indemnity183 184 
Dental/vision58 49 
Life insurance198 169 
Other63 49 
Corporate and other182 198 
Reinsurance ceded(135)(88)
Total$3,310 $3,381 

The following table summarizes the amount of interest expense related to insurance contracts recognized in benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
  
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)20262025
Interest expense:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$217 $233 
Medical and other health66 66 
Life insurance108 114 
Other18 18 
Aflac U.S.
Accident7 
Disability7 
Critical care83 85 
Hospital indemnity10 
Dental/vision3 
Life insurance12 11 
Other6 
Total$537 $559 
The following tables present the amount of expected future gross premiums and expected future policy benefits and expenses (undiscounted and discounted at the current period discount rate) by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type. These tables are presented gross of internal and external ceded reinsurance.

Future gross premiums represent the expected amount of future premiums to be received. For limited-payment policies, the premiums are collected over a shorter period than the policy term over which benefits are provided. As a result, once the policy reaches premium paid-up status, the future gross premiums can be significantly less than the future benefit payments. Further, benefits and expenses are generally greater in the later years of a policy. These are the primary factors that result in future gross premiums lower than future benefit and expense payments for certain lines of business of the Company.
March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
(In millions)Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Undiscounted expected future gross premiums
  and expected future policy benefits and
  expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$51,004 $53,308 $52,505 $54,844 
Medical and other health31,455 33,991 32,757 35,043 
Life insurance10,468 36,171 10,781 37,340 
Other1,297 6,216 1,351 6,419 
Aflac U.S.
Accident8,545 4,638 8,560 4,660 
Disability5,720 3,055 5,697 3,033 
Critical care19,272 20,020 19,182 19,971 
Hospital indemnity4,812 3,052 4,757 3,027 
Dental/vision1,074 659 1,081 657 
Life insurance3,527 4,115 3,326 3,948 
Other4,191 4,786 3,477 4,105 
Total$141,365 $170,011 $143,474 $173,047 
March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
(In millions)Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Discounted expected future gross premiums
  and expected future policy benefits and
  expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$34,767 $32,936 $36,796 $34,987 
Medical and other health20,742 16,476 22,239 17,692 
Life insurance8,216 19,394 8,625 20,894 
Other953 3,435 1,018 3,671 
Aflac U.S.
Accident5,919 3,125 6,002 3,184 
Disability4,435 2,322 4,478 2,336 
Critical care11,865 10,690 11,988 10,845 
Hospital indemnity3,334 1,946 3,333 1,955 
Dental/vision737 434 755 438 
Life insurance2,469 2,118 2,358 2,076 
Other2,482 2,804 2,105 2,444 
Total$95,919 $95,680 $99,697 $100,522 

Loss expense as a result of NPR capping for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was immaterial.
Other Policyholders' Funds

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability was the Company's annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. The Company's annuities have fixed benefits and premiums.

The following table presents the changes in other policyholders’ funds.
(In millions)March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Other policyholders' funds:
Fixed annuities account balance, beginning of period (1)
$5,152 $5,221 
Premiums received24 97 
Transfers from WAYS conversions79 307 
Surrenders and withdrawals(19)(64)
Benefit payments(136)(513)
Interest credited12 49 
Foreign currency translation and other(107)55 
Fixed annuities account balance, end of period5,005 5,152 
Other deposit type reserves418 293 
Total$5,423 $5,445 
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities

The following table presents other policyholders’ funds balances by range of guaranteed crediting rates.
March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
(In millions)
Range of Guaranteed
Minimum Crediting
Rates (2)
At
Guaranteed
Minimum
Cash
Surrender
Value
Range of Guaranteed
Minimum Crediting
Rates (2)
At
Guaranteed
Minimum
Cash
Surrender
Value
Fixed annuities (1)
0.5% - 2.2%
$5,005$4,939
0.5% - 2.2%
$5,152$5,083
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities
(2) Weighted-average crediting rate of 1.5% at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

Aflac Japan’s fixed annuities have guaranteed fixed crediting rates which results in the policyholders' funds balances being sufficient to cover all guaranteed benefit amounts. The reserves are adequate to fully fund future benefits at any given time.

For additional information on policy liabilities, see Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2025 Annual Report.