XML 76 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Derivative Instruments | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments [Abstract] |
Derivative Instruments | Derivative Instruments Derivatives, except embedded derivatives, are carried on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets in other invested assets or other liabilities, at fair value. Embedded derivative liabilities on modified coinsurance or funds withheld arrangements are included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets with the host contract in funds withheld at interest, at fair value. Embedded derivative liabilities on indexed annuity and variable annuity products are included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets with the host contract in interest-sensitive contract liabilities, at fair value. Embedded derivative assets are included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in reinsurance ceded receivables. The following table presents the notional amounts and gross fair value of derivative instruments prior to taking into account the netting effects of master netting agreements as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
|  | June 30, 2013 |  | December 31, 2012
|  | Notional |  | Carrying Value/Fair Value |  | Notional |  | Carrying Value/Fair Value
|  | Amount |  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | Amount |  | Assets |  | Liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | $ | 1,531,811 |  |  | $ | 54,742 |  |  | $ | 16,971 |  |  | $ | 2,195,059 |  |  | $ | 123,085 |  |  | $ | 17,867 |
Interest rate options |  | 240,000 |  |  | 8,073 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Financial futures |  | 110,328 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 127,877 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Foreign currency forwards |  | 83,387 |  |  | 148 |  |  | 9,484 |  |  | 74,400 |  |  | 1,017 |  |  | 2,105 |
Consumer price index swaps |  | 74,840 |  |  | 234 |  |  | 257 |  |  | 85,135 |  |  | 1,446 |  |  | — |
Credit default swaps |  | 709,700 |  |  | 3,975 |  |  | 6,632 |  |  | 714,000 |  |  | 2,228 |  |  | 5,922 |
Equity options |  | 727,641 |  |  | 61,102 |  |  | — |  |  | 696,776 |  |  | 62,514 |  |  | — |
Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts |  | 3,469,027 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,018,073 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Embedded derivatives in: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Modified coinsurance or funds withheld arrangements |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 108,473 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 243,177 |
Indexed annuity products |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 793,586 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 740,256 |
Variable annuity products |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 84,982 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 172,105 |
Total non-hedging derivatives |  | 6,946,734 |  |  | 128,274 |  |  | 1,020,385 |  |  | 5,911,320 |  |  | 190,290 |  |  | 1,181,432 |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | 50,349 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,058 |  |  | 57,275 |  |  | 344 |  |  | 786 |
Foreign currency swaps |  | 729,890 |  |  | 18,298 |  |  | 2,498 |  |  | 629,512 |  |  | — |  |  | 27,398 |
Total hedging derivatives |  | 780,239 |  |  | 18,298 |  |  | 7,556 |  |  | 686,787 |  |  | 344 |  |  | 28,184 |
Total derivatives |  | $ | 7,726,973 |  |  | $ | 146,572 |  |  | $ | 1,027,941 |  |  | $ | 6,598,107 |  |  | $ | 190,634 |  |  | $ | 1,209,616 |
Netting Arrangements Certain of the Company’s derivatives are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and reported as a net asset or liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company nets all derivatives that are subject to such arrangements. The Company has elected to include all derivatives, except embedded derivatives, in the tables below, irrespective of whether they are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or a similar agreement. See Note 4 – "Investments" for information regarding the Company’s securities borrowing and repurchase/reverse repurchase programs. See “Embedded Derivatives” below for information regarding the Company’s bifurcated embedded derivatives. The following table provides information relating to the Company’s derivative instruments as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet |  |
|  | Gross Amounts Recognized |  | Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet |  | Net Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet |  | Financial Instruments |  | Cash Collateral Pledged/ Received |  | Net Amount
June 30, 2013: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative assets |  | $ | 146,572 |  |  | $ | (27,781 | ) |  | $ | 118,791 |  |  | $ | (17,010 | ) |  | $ | (89,829 | ) |  | $ | 11,952 |
Derivative liabilities |  | 40,900 |  |  | (27,781 | ) |  | 13,119 |  |  | (2,722 | ) |  | (6,950 | ) |  | 3,447 |
December 31, 2012: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative assets |  | $ | 190,634 |  |  | $ | (22,426 | ) |  | $ | 168,208 |  |  | $ | (22,458 | ) |  | $ | (136,414 | ) |  | $ | 9,336 |
Derivative liabilities |  | 54,078 |  |  | (22,426 | ) |  | 31,652 |  |  | (1,565 | ) |  | (27,867 | ) |  | 2,220 |
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. As discussed below under “Non-qualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging,” the Company uses various derivative instruments for risk management purposes that either do not qualify or have not been qualified for hedge accounting treatment, including derivatives used to economically hedge changes in the fair value of liabilities associated with the reinsurance of variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company held interest rate swaps that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company held foreign currency swaps that were designated and qualified as hedges of a portion of its net investment in its foreign operations. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company also had derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments. See Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company’s 2012 Annual Report for a detailed discussion of the accounting treatment for derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value and generally require an insignificant amount of cash at inception of the contracts. Cash Flow Hedges The Company designates and accounts for certain interest rate swaps, in which the cash flows are denominated in different currencies, commonly referred to as cross-currency swaps, as cash flow hedges when they meet the requirements of the general accounting principles for Derivatives and Hedging. The following table presents the components of AOCI, before income tax, and the condensed consolidated income statement classification where the gain or loss is recognized related to cash flow hedges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
|  | Three months ended June 30,
|  | 2013 |  | 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance beginning of period |  | $ | 1,961 |  |  | $ | (862 | )
Gains (losses) deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) on the effective portion of cash flow hedges |  | (6,797 | ) |  | 464 |
Amounts reclassified to investment income |  | (201 | ) |  | (321 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance end of period |  | $ | (5,037 | ) |  | $ | (719 | )
|  | Six months ended June 30,
|  | 2013 |  | 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance beginning of period |  | $ | 403 |  |  | $ | (828 | )
Gains (losses) deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) on the effective portion of cash flow hedges |  | (4,934 | ) |  | 787 |
Amounts reclassified to investment income |  | (506 | ) |  | (678 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance end of period |  | $ | (5,037 | ) |  | $ | (719 | )
As of June 30, 2013, the before-tax deferred net gains on derivative instruments recorded in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are $0.7 million. This expectation is based on the anticipated interest payments on hedged investments in fixed maturity securities that will occur over the next twelve months, at which time the Company will recognize the deferred net gains (losses) as an adjustment to investment income over the term of the investment cash flows. There were no hedged forecasted transactions, other than the receipt or payment of variable interest payments on existing financial instruments, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. The following table presents the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the condensed consolidated statements of income and AOCI for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships | Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI on Derivatives |  | Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Loss) |  | Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income (Loss) on Derivatives
| (Effective Portion) |  | (Effective Portion) |  | (Ineffective Portion and Amounts Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
|  |  | Investment Related Gains (Losses) |  | Investment Income |  | Investment Related Gains (Losses) |  | Investment Income
For the three months ended June 30, 2013: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps | $ | (6,797 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 201 |  |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | — |
For the three months ended June 30, 2012: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps | $ | 464 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 321 |  |  | $ | 27 |  |  | $ | — |
For the six months ended June 30, 2013: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps | $ | (4,934 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 506 |  |  | $ | 14 |  |  | $ | — |
For the six months ended June 30, 2012: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps | $ | 787 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 678 |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | — |
Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations The Company uses foreign currency swaps to hedge a portion of its net investment in certain foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The following table illustrates the Company’s net investments in foreign operations (“NIFO”) hedges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
|  | Derivative Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI
|  | For the three months ended June 30, |  | For the six months ended June 30,
Type of NIFO Hedge (1) (2) |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Foreign currency swaps |  | $ | 23,913 |  |  | $ | 6,642 |  |  | $ | 34,835 |  |  | $ | (4,003 | )
(1) | There were no sales or substantial liquidations of net investments in foreign operations that would have required the reclassification of gains or losses from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into investment income during the periods presented.
(2) | There was no ineffectiveness recognized for the Company’s hedges of net investments in foreign operations.
The cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in AOCI related to these hedges was $18.4 million and $(16.4) million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. If a foreign operation was sold or substantially liquidated, the amounts in AOCI would be reclassified to the condensed consolidated statements of income. A pro rata portion would be reclassified upon partial sale of a foreign operation. Non-qualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging The Company uses various derivative instruments for risk management purposes that either do not qualify or have not been qualified for hedge accounting treatment, including derivatives used to economically hedge changes in the fair value of liabilities associated with the reinsurance of variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits. The gain or loss related to the change in fair value for these derivative instruments is recognized in investment related gains (losses), in the condensed consolidated statements of income, except where otherwise noted. The Company recognized investment related gains (losses) of $52.4 million and $82.1 million, for the three months, and $(112.8) million and $(11.3) million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to derivatives (not including embedded derivatives) that do not qualify or have not been qualified for hedge accounting. A summary of the effect of non-hedging derivatives, including embedded derivatives, on the Company’s income statement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (dollars in thousands):
|  |  |  | Gain (Loss) for the Three Months Ended June 30,
Type of Non-hedging Derivative |  | Income Statement Location of Gain (Loss) |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Interest rate swaps |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | $ | (38,415 | ) |  | $ | 73,342 |
Interest rate options |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (7,981 | ) |  | — |
Financial futures |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 714 |  |  | 11,074 |
Foreign currency forwards |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (2,958 | ) |  | 516 |
CPI swaps |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (1,117 | ) |  | (1,431 | )
Credit default swaps |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 2,427 |  |  | (4,795 | )
Equity options |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (5,049 | ) |  | 3,367 |
Embedded derivatives in: |  |  |  |  |  |
Modco or funds withheld arrangements |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 47,717 |  |  | (4,453 | )
Indexed annuity products |  | Policy acquisition costs and other insurance expenses |  | — |  |  | 859 |
Indexed annuity products |  | Interest credited |  | (28,019 | ) |  | 26,279 |
Variable annuity products |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 35,809 |  |  | (74,929 | )
Total non-hedging derivatives |  |  |  | $ | 3,128 |  |  | $ | 29,829 |
|  |  |  | Gain (Loss) for the Six Months Ended June 30,
Type of Non-hedging Derivative |  | Income Statement Location of Gain (Loss) |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Interest rate swaps |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | $ | (60,679 | ) |  | $ | 25,990 |
Interest rate options |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (5,998 | ) |  | — |
Financial futures |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (6,167 | ) |  | (6,335 | )
Foreign currency forwards |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (8,617 | ) |  | (1,093 | )
CPI swaps |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (1,988 | ) |  | (2,233 | )
Credit default swaps |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 6,332 |  |  | 7,019 |
Equity options |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | (35,672 | ) |  | (34,616 | )
Embedded derivatives in: |  |  |  |  |  |
Modco or funds withheld arrangements |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 137,974 |  |  | (13,881 | )
Indexed annuity products |  | Policy acquisition costs and other insurance expenses |  | — |  |  | (139 | )
Indexed annuity products |  | Interest credited |  | (61,015 | ) |  | 7,538 |
Variable annuity products |  | Investment related gains (losses), net |  | 87,123 |  |  | 71,446 |
Total non-hedging derivatives |  |  |  | $ | 51,293 |  |  | $ | 53,696 |
Types of Derivatives Used by the Company Interest Rate Swaps Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches). With an interest rate swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between two rates, which can be either fixed-rate or floating-rate interest amounts, tied to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. These transactions are executed pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment or individual gross payments at each due date. Interest Rate Options Interest rate options, commonly referred to as swaptions, are used by the Company primarily to hedge living benefit guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products. A swaption, used to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates, is an option to enter into a swap with a forward starting effective date. The Company pays an upfront premium for the right to exercise this option in the future. Financial Futures Exchange-traded equity futures are used primarily to economically hedge liabilities embedded in certain variable annuity products. With exchange-traded equity futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by the relevant stock indices, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference between the daily estimated fair values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange-traded equity futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Equity Options Equity index options are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products. To hedge against adverse changes in equity indices volatility, the Company buys put options. The contracts are net settled in cash based on differentials in the indices at the time of exercise and the strike price. Consumer Price Index Swaps Consumer price index (“CPI”) swaps are used by the Company primarily to economically hedge liabilities embedded in certain insurance products where value is directly affected by changes in a designated benchmark consumer price index. With a CPI swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to exchange the actual amount of inflation realized over a specified period of time for a fixed amount of inflation determined at inception. These transactions are executed pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment or individual gross payments to be made by the counterparty at each due date. Most of these swaps will require a single payment to be made by one counterparty at the maturity date of the swap. Foreign Currency Swaps Foreign currency swaps are used by the Company to reduce the risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. With a foreign currency swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between one currency and another at a forward exchange rate calculated by reference to an agreed upon principal amount. The principal amount of each currency is exchanged at the termination of the currency swap by each party. Foreign Currency Forwards Foreign currency forwards are used by the Company to reduce the risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. With a foreign currency forward transaction, the Company agrees with another party to deliver a specified amount of an identified currency at a specified future date. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made in a different currency at the specified future date. Credit Default Swaps The Company sells protection under single name credit default swaps and credit default swap index tranches to diversify its credit risk exposure in certain portfolios and, in combination with purchasing securities, to replicate characteristics of similar investments based on the credit quality and term of the credit default swap. Credit default triggers for indexed reference entities and single name reference entities are defined in the contracts. The Company’s maximum exposure to credit loss equals the notional value for credit default swaps. In the event of default for credit default swaps, the Company is typically required to pay the protection holder the full notional value less a recovery rate determined at auction. The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of credit default swaps sold by the Company at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
|  | June 30, 2013 |  | December 31, 2012
Rating Agency Designation of Referenced Credit Obligations(1) |  | Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps |  | Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps(2) |  | Weighted Average Years to Maturity(3) |  | Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps |  | Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps(2) |  | Weighted Average Years to Maturity(3)
AAA/AA-/A+/A/A- |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Single name credit default swaps |  | $ | (1,149 | ) |  | $ | 122,500 |  |  | 5.4 |  |  | $ | (2,077 | ) |  | $ | 124,500 |  |  | 5.9 |
Credit default swaps referencing indices |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Subtotal |  | (1,149 | ) |  | 122,500 |  |  | 5.4 |  |  | (2,077 | ) |  | 124,500 |  |  | 5.9 |
BBB+/BBB/BBB- |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Single name credit default swaps |  | (3,821 | ) |  | 133,200 |  |  | 5.6 |  |  | (2,345 | ) |  | 135,500 |  |  | 5.5 |
Credit default swaps referencing indices |  | 2,551 |  |  | 430,000 |  |  | 4.5 |  |  | 937 |  |  | 430,000 |  |  | 5.0 |
Subtotal |  | (1,270 | ) |  | 563,200 |  |  | 4.7 |  |  | (1,408 | ) |  | 565,500 |  |  | 5.1 |
BB+ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Single name credit default swaps |  | (101 | ) |  | 6,000 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | (222 | ) |  | 6,000 |  |  | 4.5 |
Credit default swaps referencing indices |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Subtotal |  | (101 | ) |  | 6,000 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | (222 | ) |  | 6,000 |  |  | 4.5 |
Total |  | $ | (2,520 | ) |  | $ | 691,700 |  |  | 4.8 |  |  | $ | (3,707 | ) |  | $ | 696,000 |  |  | 5.2 |
(1) | The rating agency designations are based on ratings from Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”).
(2) | Assumes the value of the referenced credit obligations is zero.
(3) | The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average notional amounts.
The Company also purchases credit default swaps to reduce its risk against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. If a credit event, as defined by the contract, occurs, the Company is able to put the bond back to the counterparty at par. Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts The Company sells fee-based synthetic guaranteed investment contracts which include investment-only, stable value contracts, to retirement plans. The assets are owned by the trustees of such plans, who invest the assets under the terms of investment guidelines agreed to with the Company. The contracts contain a guarantee of a minimum rate of return on participant balances supported by the underlying assets, and a guarantee of liquidity to meet certain participant-initiated plan cash flow requirements. These contracts are accounted for as derivatives, recorded at fair value and classified as interest rate derivatives. Embedded Derivatives The Company has certain embedded derivatives which are required to be separated from their host contracts and reported as derivatives. Host contracts include reinsurance treaties structured on a modified coinsurance (“modco”) or funds withheld basis. Changes in fair values of embedded derivatives on modco or funds withheld treaties are net of an increase (decrease) in investment related gains (losses), net of $(0.4) million and $6.3 million for the three months, and $(2.1) million and $(57.2) million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, associated with the Company’s own credit risk. Changes in fair values of embedded derivatives on variable annuity contracts are net of an increase (decrease) in investment related gains (losses), net of $(0.2) million and $14.6 million for the three months, and $(4.9) million and $51.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, associated with the Company’s own credit risk. Additionally, the Company reinsures equity-indexed annuity and variable annuity contracts with benefits that are considered embedded derivatives, including guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits, guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits, and guaranteed minimum income benefits. The related gains (losses) and the effect on net income after amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 are reflected in the following table (dollars in thousands):
| Three months ended June 30, |  | Six months ended June 30,
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Embedded derivatives in modco or funds withheld arrangements included in investment related gains | $ | 47,717 |  |  | $ | (4,453 | ) |  | $ | 137,974 |  |  | $ | (13,881 | )
After the associated amortization of DAC and taxes, the related amounts included in net income | 13,911 |  |  | (2,598 | ) |  | 35,535 |  |  | (665 | )
Embedded derivatives in variable annuity contracts included in investment related gains | 35,809 |  |  | (74,929 | ) |  | 87,123 |  |  | 71,446 |
After the associated amortization of DAC and taxes, the related amounts included in net income | 29,082 |  |  | (16,175 | ) |  | 41,274 |  |  | (1,093 | )
Amounts related to embedded derivatives in equity-indexed annuities included in benefits and expenses | (28,019 | ) |  | 27,138 |  |  | (61,015 | ) |  | 7,399 |
After the associated amortization of DAC and taxes, the related amounts included in net income | (30,845 | ) |  | 15,378 |  |  | (60,395 | ) |  | 29,248 |
Credit Risk The Company manages its credit risk related to over-the-counter derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties, maintaining collateral arrangements and through the use of master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty to another at each due date and upon termination. As exchange-traded futures are affected through regulated exchanges, and positions are marked to market on a daily basis, the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. The Company enters into various collateral arrangements, which require both the posting and accepting of collateral in connection with its derivative instruments. Collateral agreements contain attachment thresholds that may vary depending on the posting party’s ratings. Additionally, a decline in the Company’s or the counterparty’s credit ratings to specified levels could result in potential settlement of the derivative positions under the Company’s agreements with its counterparties. The Company also has exchange-traded futures, which require the maintenance of a margin account. The Company’s credit exposure related to derivative contracts is generally limited to the fair value at the reporting date plus or minus any collateral posted or held by the Company. Information regarding the Company’s credit exposure related to its over-the-counter derivative contracts and margin account for exchange-traded futures at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are reflected in the following table (dollars in thousands):
|  | June 30, 2013 |  | December 31, 2012
Estimated fair value of derivatives in net asset position |  | $ | 105,672 |  |  | $ | 136,558 |
Cash provided as collateral(1) |  | 6,950 |  |  | 27,867 |
Securities pledged to counterparties as collateral(2) |  | 2,722 |  |  | 1,565 |
Cash pledged from counterparties as collateral(3) |  | (89,829 | ) |  | (136,414 | )
Securities pledged from counterparties as collateral(4) |  | (17,010 | ) |  | (22,458 | )
Net credit exposure |  | $ | 8,505 |  |  | $ | 7,118 |
Margin account related to exchange-traded futures(5) |  | $ | 5,251 |  |  | $ | 5,605 |
(1) | Consists of receivable from counterparty, included in other assets.
(2) | Included in other invested assets, primarily consists of U.S. Treasury securities.
(3) | Included in cash and cash equivalents, with obligation to return cash collateral recorded in other liabilities.
(4) | Consists of U.S. Treasury securities.
(5) | Included in cash and cash equivalents.

X
- Details
Name: | rga_DerivativeInstrumentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4K -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5708775-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4J -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5708773-113959 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41635-113959 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4H -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624258-113959 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80748-113994 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4E -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624181-113959 Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80784-113994 Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41620-113959 Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959 Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959 Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959 Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579240-113959 Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41641-113959 Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41638-113959 Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration