v3.8.0.1

Reinsurance (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract] |
Reinsurance Information | Reinsurance amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for premiums, policy charges and fee income and policyholders’ benefits for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
| 2017 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
| (in millions)
Direct premiums | $ | 31,797 |  |  | $ | 30,654 |  |  | $ | 27,996 |
Reinsurance assumed | 2,105 |  |  | 2,073 |  |  | 2,147 |
Reinsurance ceded | (1,811 | ) |  | (1,763 | ) |  | (1,622 | )
Premiums | $ | 32,091 |  |  | $ | 30,964 |  |  | $ | 28,521 |
Direct policy charges and fee income | $ | 4,541 |  |  | $ | 5,031 |  |  | $ | 5,127 |
Reinsurance assumed | 1,176 |  |  | 1,243 |  |  | 1,179 |
Reinsurance ceded | (414 | ) |  | (368 | ) |  | (334 | )
Policy charges and fee income | $ | 5,303 |  |  | $ | 5,906 |  |  | $ | 5,972 |
Direct policyholders’ benefits | $ | 33,261 |  |  | $ | 32,957 |  |  | $ | 29,242 |
Reinsurance assumed | 3,230 |  |  | 3,110 |  |  | 3,107 |
Reinsurance ceded | (2,697 | ) |  | (2,435 | ) |  | (1,722 | )
Policyholders’ benefits | $ | 33,794 |  |  | $ | 33,632 |  |  | $ | 30,627 |
Reinsurance Recoverables | Reinsurance recoverables at December 31, are as follows:
| 2017 |  | 2016
| (in millions)
Individual and group annuities(1) | $ | 698 |  |  | $ | 658 |
Life insurance(2) | 4,290 |  |  | 3,388 |
Other reinsurance | 171 |  |  | 165 |
Total reinsurance recoverables | $ | 5,159 |  |  | $ | 4,211 |
__________
(1) | Primarily represents reinsurance recoverables established under the reinsurance arrangements associated with the acquisition of the retirement business of CIGNA. The Company has recorded reinsurance recoverables related to the acquisition of the retirement business of CIGNA of $682 million and $656 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Also included is $13 million and $0 million of reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, established under the reinsurance agreement with Union Hamilton related to the ceding of certain embedded derivative liabilities associated with the Company’s guaranteed benefits.
(2) | Includes $2,145 million and $2,049 million of reinsurance recoverables established at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, under the reinsurance arrangements associated with the acquisition of the Hartford Life Business. The Company has also recorded reinsurance payables related to the Hartford Life Business acquisition of $1,301 million and $1,205 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

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