EX-99.1 2 d907198dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Index    Page Number

Item 1: Condensed consolidated interim financial statements

  

Condensed consolidated income statement

   1

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

   2

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

   3

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

   4

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

   5

Notes to the Condensed consolidated interim financial statements

   6

Item 2: Operating and financial review and prospects

   29

 

 

 

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Condensed consolidated income statement

 

EUR millions

     Notes       
  First half
2020
 
 
     First half 2019 1
   

Premium income

     4        8,744        9,276 

Investment income

     5        4,034        4,083 

Fee and commission income

        1,170        1,213 

Other revenues

              2       

Total revenues

        13,951         14,575  

Income from reinsurance ceded

        1,952        1,844 

Results from financial transactions

     6        (4,962)       23,837 

Other income

              55        78 

Total income

        10,996         40,333  
   

Benefits and expenses

     7        10,700        39,701 

Impairment charges / (reversals)

     8        246        153 

Interest charges and related fees

        233        243 

Other charges

     9        101        (4)

Total charges

        11,280         40,094  
   

Share in profit / (loss) of joint ventures

        115        106 

Share in profit / (loss) of associates

              3       

Income / (loss) before tax

        (167)       349  

Income tax (expense) / benefit

     10        151        (49)

Net income / (loss)

              (16)       300  
   

Net income / (loss) attributable to:

          

Owners of Aegon N.V.

        (17)       299 

Non-controlling interests

              1       
   

Earnings per share (EUR per share)

     14          

Basic earnings per common share

        (0.02)       0.12 

Basic earnings per common share B

        -       

Diluted earnings per common share

        (0.02)       0.12 

Diluted earnings per common share B

              -       

1 Amounts have been restated to reflect the voluntary change in accounting policy related to the deferred cost of reinsurance adopted by Aegon effective January 1, 2020. Refer to note 2.3. Voluntary change in accounting policy for details about this change.

 

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Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 

EUR millions      First half
2020
       First half
2019 1
   

Net income / (loss)

     (16)      300 
   

Other comprehensive income:

       

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

       

Changes in revaluation reserve real estate held for own use

     (1)      (6)

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

     (48)      (418)

Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified

          82 
   

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

       

Gains / (losses) on revaluation of available-for-sale investments

     1,468       2,596 

Gains / (losses) transferred to the income statement on disposal and impairment of available-for-sale investments

     110       (256)

Changes in cash flow hedging reserve

     302       77 

Movement in foreign currency translation and net foreign investment hedging reserve

     (167)      39 

Equity movements of joint ventures

         

Equity movements of associates

         

Disposal of group assets

     (10)      (1)

Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified

     (406)      (519)

Other

         

Total other comprehensive income / (loss) for the period

     1,273       1,613 

Total comprehensive income / (loss)

     1,257        1,913  
   

Total comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to:

       

Owners of Aegon N.V.

     1,255       1,912 

Non-controlling interests

         

1 Amounts have been restated to reflect the voluntary change in accounting policy related to the deferred cost of reinsurance adopted by Aegon effective January 1, 2020. Refer to note 2.3. Voluntary change in accounting policy for details about this change.

 

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Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
              Jun. 30,
2020
     Dec. 31,
2019 1

EUR millions

     Notes                
   

Assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

        11,138       12,263 

Investments

     11        158,479       145,976 

Investments for account of policyholders

     12        212,926       226,374 

Derivatives

        17,663       11,157 

Investments in joint ventures

        1,989       1,983 

Investments in associates

        336       363 

Reinsurance assets

        20,455       20,253 

Deferred expenses

        10,298       10,806 

Other assets and receivables

        8,760       9,036 

Intangible assets

              1,504       1,559 

Total assets

            443,547            439,769  
   

Equity and liabilities

          

Shareholders’ equity

        23,089       21,842 

Other equity instruments

              2,557       2,571 

Issued capital and reserves attributable to owners of Aegon N.V.

        25,646        24,413  

Non-controlling interests

              22       20 

Group equity

        25,669        24,433  
   

Subordinated borrowings

        2,208       2,207 

Trust pass-through securities

        141       136 

Insurance contracts

     15        127,552       122,885 

Insurance contracts for account of policyholders

     16        128,999       135,710 

Investment contracts

        19,718       18,594 

Investment contracts for account of policyholders

     17        86,950       93,826 

Derivatives

        17,975       11,616 

Borrowings

     18        8,891       9,307 

Other liabilities

              25,445       21,056 

Total liabilities

 

             

 

417,878  

 

 

 

  

415,336  

 

Total equity and liabilities

              443,547        439,769  

1 Amounts have been restated to reflect the voluntary change in accounting policy related to the deferred cost of reinsurance adopted by Aegon effective January 1, 2020. Refer to note 2.3. Voluntary change in accounting policy for details about this change.

 

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Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity  
EUR millions   Share
capital 1
    Retained
earnings
 

  Revaluation

reserves

 

  Remeasurement
of defined

benefit plans

 

Other

  reserves

 

Other

equity

  instruments

 

Issued
  capital and

reserves 2

 

Non-

  controlling
interests

          Total 
       

Six months ended June 30, 2020

                       
       

At beginning of year

    7,536       10,386       5,868       (2,397     456       2,571       24,421       20       24,441  
       

Voluntary change in accounting policy 3

          (12                 (1           (8           (8)  

Adjusted balance at beginning of year

    7,536       10,374       5,873       (2,397     456       2,571       24,413       20       24,433  

Net income / (loss) recognized in the income statement

          (17                             (17           (16
       

Other comprehensive income:

                       

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

                       

Changes in revaluation reserve real estate held for own use

                (1                       (1           (1

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

                      (48                 (48           (48

Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified

                      8                   8             8  
       

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

                       

Gains / (losses) on revaluation of available-for-sale investments

                1,468                         1,468             1,468  

Gains / (losses) transferred to income statement on disposal and impairment of available-for-sale investments

                110                         110             110  

Changes in cash flow hedging reserve

                302                         302             302  

Movement in foreign currency translation and net foreign investment hedging reserves

                (49     19       (137           (167           (167

Equity movements of joint ventures

                            8             8             8  

Equity movements of associates

                            7             7             7  

Disposal of group assets

                            (10           (10           (10

Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified

                (401           (4           (406           (406

Other

          1                               1             3  

Total other comprehensive income

                1,429        (22 )       (136 )             1,272              1,273   
       

Total comprehensive income / (loss) for 2020

          (16 )       1,429        (22 )       (136 )             1,255              1,257   
       

Issuance and purchase of (treasury) shares

          9                               9             9  

Coupons on perpetual securities

          (28                             (28           (28

Incentive plans

          11                          (14     (3           (3)  

At end of period

    7,536        10,351        7,302        (2,419 )       319        2,557        25,646        22        25,669   
       

Six months ended June 30, 2019

                       
       

At beginning of year

    7,808       9,657       3,436       (1,850     149       3,320       22,520       22       22,542  
       

Voluntary change in accounting policy 3

          (9     (1                       (10           (10)  

Change in accounting policies relating to new effective standards

          (44     -                         (44           (44)  
       

Adjusted balance at beginning of year

    7,808       9,604       3,435       (1,850     149       3,320       22,465       22       22,487  

Net income / (loss) recognized in the income statement

          299                               299             300  
       

Other comprehensive income:

                       

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

                       

Changes in revaluation reserve real estate held for own use

          14       (20                       (6           (6

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

                      (418                 (418           (418

Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified

                1       80                   82             82  
       

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

                       

Gains / (losses) on revaluation of available-for-sale investments

                2,596                         2,596             2,596  

Gains / (losses) transferred to income statement on disposal and impairment of available-for-sale investments

                (256                       (256           (256

Changes in cash flow hedging reserve

                77                         77             77  

Movement in foreign currency translation and net foreign investment hedging reserves

                (10     (2     51             39             39  

Equity movements of joint ventures

                            7             7             7  

Equity movements of associates

                            4             4             4  

Disposal of group assets

                            (1           (1           (1

Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified

                (514           (5           (519           (519

Other

          9                               9             9  

Total other comprehensive income    

          24       1,873       (341     57             1,613             1,613  
       

Total comprehensive income / (loss) for 2019

          323       1,873       (341     57             1,912             1,913  
       

Issuance and purchase of (treasury) shares

          155                               155             155  

Other equity instruments redeemed

          (16                       (424     (440           (440

Dividends paid on common shares

    (139     (170                             (309           (309

Issuance of non-cumulative subordinated loans

          (4                       500       496             496  

Coupons on non-cumulative subordinated notes

                                        -             -  

Coupons on perpetual securities

          (48                             (48           (48

Incentive plans

          2                         (13     (11           (11)  

At end of period

    7,669        9,846        5,308        (2,191     205        3,384        24,221        22        24,244   

1 For a breakdown of share capital please refer to note 14.

2 Issued capital and reserves attributable to owners of Aegon N.V.

3 Amounts have been restated to reflect the voluntary change in accounting policy related to the deferred cost of reinsurance adopted by Aegon effective January 1, 2020.

Refer to note 2.3. Voluntary change in accounting policy for details about this change.

 

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Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

 

 
EUR millions      First half
2020
     First half
2019
   

Income / (loss) before tax

     (167)         349     
   

Results from financial transactions

     5,222          (24,110)   

Amortization and depreciation

     268          491    

Impairment losses

     242          143    

Income from joint ventures

     (115)         (106)   

Income from associates

     (3)         (4)   

Release of cash flow hedging reserve

     (59)         (53)   

Other

     (81)          (13)   

Adjustments of non-cash items

     5,474           (23,652)   
   

Insurance and investment liabilities

     4,543          3,326    

Insurance and investment liabilities for account of policyholders

     (9,550)         18,656    

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     43          103    

Accrued income and prepayments

     (794)         (394)   

Changes in accruals

     (5,758)         21,691     
   

Purchase of investments (other than money market investments)

     (22,569)         (18,686)   

Purchase of derivatives

     479          (467)   

Disposal of investments (other than money market investments)

     14,707          20,418    

Disposal of derivatives

     2,125          1,107    

Net purchase of investments for account of policyholders

     2,461          3,386    

Net change in cash collateral

     4,840          2,523    

Net purchase of money market investments

     (2,340)         (656)   

Cash flow movements on operating items not reflected in income

     (297)         7,625     
   

Tax paid

     (53)         (47)   

Other

     8          (4)   

Net cash flows from operating activities

     (793)         5,962     
   

Purchase of individual intangible assets (other than VOBA and future servicing rights)

     (17)         (16)   

Purchase of equipment and real estate for own use

     (27)         (45)   

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash

     (14)         (1)   

Acquisition joint ventures and associates

     (20)         (51)   

Disposal of individual intangible assets (other than VOBA and future servicing rights)

     1          -    

Disposal of equipment

     1          39    

Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash

     -          137    

Disposal joint ventures and associates

     157          1    

Dividend received from joint ventures and associates

     20          24    

Net cash flows from investing activities

     101           87     
   

Issuance of perpetuals

     -          496    

Issuance of treasury shares

     20          -    

Proceeds from TRUPS1, subordinated loans and borrowings

     2,434          3,751    

Repayment of perpetuals

     -          (440)   

Repayment of TRUPS1, subordinated loans and borrowings

     (2,791)         (6,357)   

Dividends paid

     -          (170)   

Coupons on perpetual securities

     (33)         (64)   

Payment of principal portion of lease liability

     (32)         (26)   

Net cash flows from financing activities

     (401)         (2,808)   

    

                 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2

     (1,093)         3,241     
   

Net cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period

     12,263          8,744    

Effects of changes in exchange rate

     (32)         (1)   

Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period

     11,138           11,984     

1 Trust pass-through securities.

2 Included in net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents are: interest received (2020: EUR 2,509 million, 2019: EUR 2,983 million), dividends received (2020: EUR 1,187 million, 2019: EUR 1,067 million), interest paid (2020: EUR 190 million, 2019: EUR 137 million) of which payment of the interest portion of the lease liability (2020: EUR 5 million, 2019: EUR 5 million).

 

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Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Aegon N.V. (unaudited)

Amounts are in EUR millions, unless otherwise stated.

Aegon N.V., incorporated and domiciled in the Netherlands, is a public limited liability company organized under Dutch law and recorded in the Commercial Register of The Hague under number 27076669 and with its registered address at Aegonplein 50, 2591 TV, The Hague, the Netherlands. Aegon N.V. serves as the holding company for The Aegon Group and has listings of its common shares in Amsterdam and New York.

Aegon N.V. (or ‘the Company’) and its subsidiaries (collectively, ‘Aegon’ or ‘the Group’) have life insurance and pensions operations in more than 20 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia and are also active in savings and asset management operations, accident and health insurance, general insurance and - to a limited extent - banking operations. Headquarters are located in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Group employs almost 24,000 people worldwide.

Aegon Funding Company LLC

Aegon Funding Company LLC (AFC) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon that has been established as a financing vehicle to raise funds for the US subsidiaries of Aegon. AFC has been fully consolidated in the financial statements of Aegon under IFRS. If AFC issues debt securities, Aegon will fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal, any premium and any interest on those debt securities when and as these payments become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or declaration of acceleration, or otherwise. The guarantees of senior debt securities will constitute an unsecured, unsubordinated obligation of Aegon and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Aegon. The guarantees of subordinated debt securities will constitute an unsecured obligation of Aegon and will be subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of Aegon.

1. Basis of presentation

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at, and for the six-month period ended, June 30, 2020 (first half 2020), have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (hereafter ‘IFRS’). They do not include all of the information required for a full set of financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and should therefore be read together with the 2019 consolidated financial statements of Aegon N.V. as included in Aegon’s Integrated Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2019. Aegon’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2019 is available on its website (aegon.com).

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investment properties and those financial instruments (including derivatives) and financial liabilities that have been measured at fair value.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at, and for the six-month period ended, June 30, 2020, were approved by the Executive Board on August 12, 2020.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements are presented in euro (EUR) and all values are rounded to the nearest million unless otherwise stated. The consequence is that the rounded amounts may not add up to the rounded total in all cases.

The published figures in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited.

 

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Other than for SEC reporting purposes, Aegon prepares its condensed consolidated interim financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, including the decisions Aegon made with regard to the options available under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS-EU). IFRS-EU differs from IFRS in respect of certain paragraphs in IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ regarding hedge accounting for portfolio hedges of interest rate risk. Under IFRS-EU, Aegon applies fair value hedge accounting for portfolio hedges of interest rate risk (fair value macro hedges) in accordance with the EU ‘carve out’ version of IAS 39. Under IFRS, hedge accounting for fair value macro hedges cannot be applied to mortgage loans and ineffectiveness arises whenever the revised estimate of the amount of cash flows in scheduled time buckets is either more or less than the original designated amount of that bucket.

This information is prepared by reversing the hedge accounting impacts that are applied under the EU ‘carve out’ version of IAS 39. Financial information under IFRS accordingly does not take account of the possibility that had Aegon applied IFRS as its primary accounting framework it might have applied alternative hedge strategies where those alternative hedge strategies could have qualified for IFRS compliant hedge accounting. These decisions could have resulted in different shareholders’ equity and net income amounts compared with those indicated in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements on Form 6-K.

A reconciliation between IFRS and IFRS-EU is included in the table below:

 

     

 

Shareholders’ equity    

    Net income  
      per June 30     First half     First half  
Amounts in EUR millions   

 

2020

 

   

2019

 

   

      2020

 

   

      2019

 

 

In accordance with IFRS

     23,089       20,837       (16     300  

Adjustment of EU ‘IAS 39’ carve out

     1,051       799       277       400  

Tax effect of the adjustment

     (226     (164     (59     (83

Effect of the adjustment after tax

     826       635       218       317  

In accordance with IFRS-EU

     23,914       21,472       202       617  

2. Significant accounting policies

All accounting policies and methods of computation applied in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied in the 2019 consolidated financial statements, except for new IFRS accounting standards (paragraph 2.1) and a voluntary accounting policy change (paragraph 2.3) that became effective per January 1, 2020.

2.1 New IFRS accounting standards effective from 2020

The following standards, interpretations, amendments to standards and interpretations became effective for Aegon from January 1, 2020:

 

Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations: Definition of a Business;

 

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: Definition of Material; and

 

Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards

None of these revised standards and interpretations are significantly impacting the financial position or the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

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2.2 Future adoption of new IFRS accounting standards and amendments

On June 25, 2020, the IASB decided to defer the effective date of IFRS 17 to annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023 (and also extend the fixed expiry date of the temporary exemption from applying IFRS 9 in IFRS 4 to annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023). Aegon welcomes this initiative and intends to align its IFRS 17 implementation date accordingly.

2.3 Voluntary change in accounting policy

Effective January 1, 2020, Aegon adopted a voluntary accounting policy change related to the deferred cost of reinsurance, which is applied retrospectively for all periods presented.

Reinsurance accounting

As of January 1, 2020, Aegon has voluntarily changed its accounting policy for the deferred cost of reinsurance. A deferred cost of reinsurance is established when Aegon enters into a reinsurance transaction, except for reinsurance transactions that are entered into as part of a plan to exit a business.

Under the previous accounting policy, the amortization of the deferred cost of reinsurance is based solely on assumptions relating to the underlying insurance contracts. Under the new accounting policy, for products sold in the Americas and Asia where the amortization is based on expected gross profit margins (EGPs), these EGPs are net of reinsurance (i.e. net of actual reinsurance cash flows that exceed expected reinsurance cash flows). Additionally, the reinsurance cash flows used to calculate the amortization rate are unlocked prospectively. The accounting policy on the amortization of similar intangibles, such as deferred policy acquisition costs, are updated accordingly.

The new policy was adopted because it better reflects the economics of Aegon’s reinsurance transactions and aligns to current market practice. The previous accounting policy would have resulted in significant income volatility in the event of incurred claims with large sums insured, despite the fact that a significant part of the losses is reinsured.

Impact of the adjustment on previous periods is provided in the following tables, including references to the notes that are impacted by the change in accounting policy.

 

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Impact of voluntary change in accounting policy on the condensed consolidated income statement

 

 
              First half 2019
(as previously
reported)
    Change in accounting policy
related to Reinsurance
Accounting
    First half 2019
(restated)
 

Income from reinsurance ceded

        1,815        28        1,844   

Benefits and expenses

        39,671        30        39,701   

Income tax benefit/(expense)

        (50           (49

Net income/(loss)

              302        (2     300   
   

Net income/(loss) attributable to:

           

- Owners of Aegon NV

        301        (2     299   

- Non-controlling interest

                     
   

Earnings per share (EUR per share)

     14           

Basic earnings per common share

        0.12              0.12   

Basic earnings per common share B

                     

Diluted earnings per common share

        0.12              0.12   

Diluted earnings per common share B

                     
   

Earnings per common share calculation

           

Net income/(loss) attributable to owner

        301        (2     299   

Coupons on perpetual securities

        (48           (48

Coupon on non-cumulative subordinated notes

                           

Earnings attributable to common shares and common shares B

        253              251   
   

Earnings attributable to common shareholders

        251        (2     250   

Earnings attributable to common shareholders B

                     
   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in million)

        2,036              2,036   

Weighted average number of common shares B outstanding (in million)

              572              572   

 

Impact of voluntary change in accounting policy on the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income  
              First half 2019
(as previously
reported)
    Change in accounting policy
related to Reinsurance
Accounting
    First half 2019
(restated)
 
   

Net income

        302        (2     300   
   

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:

                 

Gains/(losses) on revaluation of available for sale investments

        2,591              2,596   

Movement in foreign currency translation and net foreign investment hedging reserves

        39              39   

Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified

        (518     (1     (519

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

              1,911              1,913   
   

Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to:

           

- Owners of Aegon NV

        1,910              1,912   

- Non-controlling interest

                           

 

Impact of voluntary change in accounting policy on the condensed consolidated statement of financial position  
              Dec 31, 2019
(as previously
reported) 1
     Change in accounting policy
related to Reinsurance
Accounting
    Dec 31, 2019
(restated)
 
   

Assets

            

Reinsurance assets

        20,835         (582     20,253   

Deferred expenses

        10,804               10,806   

Other assets and receivables

        9,035               9,036   

Intangible assets

        1,559               1,559   

Equity and liabilities

                

Shareholders’ equity

        21,850         (8     21,842   

Insurance contracts

     15        123,454         (569     122,885   

Other liabilities

              21,058         (2     21,056   

1 As reported in Aegon’s Annual Report 2019 on Form 20F dated March 18, 2020.

 

Impact of voluntary change in accounting policy on the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity  
             June 30, 2019
(as previously
reported)
    Change in accounting policy
related to Reinsurance
Accounting
    June 30, 2019
(restated)
 

Share capital

       7,669       -       7,669  

Retained earnings

       9,857       (11     9,846  

Revaluation reserves

       5,305       3       5,308  

Remeasurement of defined benefit plans

       (2,191     -       (2,191

Other reserves

             206       -       205  

Shareholders’ equity

             20,846       (8 )      20,837  

 

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The impact of the change in accounting policy on Aegon’s net income for first half year 2020 and shareholders’ equity and Aegon’s statement of financial position at June 30, 2020 is not significant.

2.4 Judgements and critical accounting estimates

Preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions, including the likelihood, timing or amount of future transactions or events, that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. These estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from those estimates.

Uncertainty resulting from COVID-19

Over the first half of 2020 the world has seen substantial disruption caused by COVID-19. Alongside related market volatility, there is general uncertainty on how the pandemic will play out and the continued economic impact it will have.

There were no significant impacts from COVID-19 on Level-III measurements as at 30 June 2020. Note 13 Fair value provides more information on the fair valuation methods and assumptions applied, as well as movements or transfers in fair value hierarchy.

Whilst Aegon has seen, in some lines of business, lower premiums and deposits, higher incurred claims and claims handling expenses over 1H 2020, there is currently insufficient credible experience with which to update actuarial assumptions for COVID-19 specifically. In certain businesses Aegon has incurred losses related to COVID-19. In the Americas, Aegon recorded unfavorable mortality results of EUR 34 million which can be specifically attributed to COVID-19, based on the cause of death reported on the death certificate. However, actual COVID-19 related deaths will likely be higher as not all deaths are tested on COVID-19 and/ or labelled as COVID-19. In the Netherlands, there were EUR 9 million non-life claims from travel insurance and disability insurance due to the COVID-19 crisis. Going forward, Aegon expects that there will be COVID-19 related deaths allowing the release of reserves for its Pension business in the Netherlands and the LTC business in the Americas. However, this is expected to be smaller than the unfavorable mortality.

The impairment losses are higher than previous reporting periods, mainly driven by COVID-19 impacts. Impairment assessments were performed where deemed necessary, however no significant impairments were recorded. Refer to note 8 for additional information on Impairment charges/(reversals).

As a result of the uncertainty in the market and adverse impact of COVID-19, Aegon recorded impairments in the energy, energy maintenance technologies, and airlines sectors, refer to note 8 Impairment charges / (reversals) for more details. To date there is uncertainty on the full impact of the current circumstances on the allowance for credit losses on portfolios of consumer loans and other asset classes at risk as in certain cases policyholders received payment holiday for 3 to 6 months. In the first half of 2020 there were no significant contract modifications due to COVID-19, which would lead to the derecognition of the original asset or liability.

Revised sales and earnings projections have been considered in the periodic impairment assessment of non-financial assets, which has led to the write-off of EUR 14 million customer-related intangibles.

 

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Given the inherent economic uncertainty, Aegon has updated the sensitivity analysis for the impact of changes in financial assumptions on its IFRS equity and net income included in note 19 Financial risks. Due to the market turmoil it was decided to forgo the 2019 final dividend. Please refer to note 14 Share capital for more details.

Actuarial and economic assumptions

During the first half of 2020, Aegon implemented actuarial assumptions and model updates resulting in a pre-tax charge of EUR 357 million (1H 2019: EUR 64 million pre-tax charge), attributable to Aegon’s business in the Americas. Please note that Asia, which would historically have had its actuarial assumption updates reflected in the second quarter, was moved to the fourth quarter in line with the timing of the assumption changes of the other businesses included in the new reportable segment ‘International’. Refer to note 3 Segment information for a description of the individual actuarial assumptions changed in the period.

In the first half of 2020, Aegon’s economic assumptions were updated downwards to reflect the current low interest rate environment in Aegon’s long-term interest assumption. As a consequence, Aegon lowered its long-term assumption for 10-year US Treasury yields by 1.5% from 4.25% to 2.75%. Aegon also changed its assumed returns for US separate account bond fund to 3% over the next 10 years and 4% thereafter, from its previous assumptions of 4% over the next 10 years and 6% thereafter. These changes to the economic assumptions have resulted in a pre-tax charge of EUR 494 million, of which EUR 477 million recorded in the Americas and EUR 17 million in International.

Sensitivities

Please note that the sensitivities listed in the disclosures below represent sensitivities to Aegon’s position at reporting date for the respective periods. The sensitivities reflect single shocks where other elements remain unchanged. Real world market impacts (e.g. lower interest rates and declining equity markets) may happen simultaneously which can lead to more severe combined impacts and may not be equal to the sum of the individual sensitivities presented in the disclosure.

Sensitivity on variable annuities and variable life insurance products in the United States

A 1% decrease in the expected long-term equity growth rate with regard to Aegon’s variable annuities and variable life insurance products in the United States would result in a decrease in DPAC and VOBA balances and reserve strengthening of approximately EUR 124 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 111 million). The DPAC and VOBA balances for these products in the United States amounted to EUR 2.6 billion at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: EUR 2.7 billion).

A relative increase of 10% to the mortality assumption, dependent on product and characteristics of the block of business, would reduce net income by approximately EUR 102 million (December 31, 2019: reduce net income by EUR 204 million). A relative 20% increase in the lapse rate assumption would increase net income by approximately EUR 112 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 126 million).

Any reasonably possible changes in the other assumptions (i.e. maintenance expenses) that Aegon uses to determine EGP margins would reduce net income by EUR 13 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 13 million).

 

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Sensitivity on long term care products (LTC) in the United States

After tax sensitivities of significant product liability assumptions on the LTC IFRS Gross Present Value Reserve (GPV) are indicated below. The GPV is the liability as determined on a best estimate assumption basis. There is an unlocking event in 1H 2020 on the loss recognition block of LTC with assumption updates implemented, decreasing income before tax by EUR 88 million.

A 5% increase in the incidence rates with regard to Aegon’s long term care products would result in a GPV increase of approximately EUR 182 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 178 million). A 5% decrease in the incidence rates with regard to Aegon’s long term care products would result in a GPV decrease of approximately EUR 182 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 178 million).

Removing the morbidity improvement, which is a component of the incidence assumption, would result in a GPV increase of approximately EUR 272 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 535 million), of which approximately EUR 182 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 445 million) relates to the loss recognition block. The impact for the current period has decreased due to the reduction in the morbidity improvement assumption, refer to model and assumption updates included in note 3.2.

Reducing mortality 10% would result in a GPV increase of approximately EUR 91 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 89 million). Increasing mortality 10% would result in a GPV decrease of approximately EUR 91 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 89 million).

Removing future mortality improvement would result in a GPV decrease of approximately EUR 91 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 89 million).

Sensitivity on liability adequacy test (LAT) in the Netherlands

The LAT deficit per June 30, 2020 in Aegon the Netherlands amounted to EUR 6.1 billion, which was partially offset by the shadow loss recognition of EUR 4.4 billion, resulting in a net deficit of EUR 1.6 billion (December 31, 2019: EUR 1.6 billion). Please also refer to Note 2.19f Liability adequacy testing of Aegon’s 2019 Annual Report for further details on the accounting policy.

Sensitivities of Aegon the Netherlands on interest rate, bond credit spread, mortgage spread and liquidity premium assumptions to assess the impact on the LAT test have not significantly changed compared to the sensitivities as reported in the 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

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2.5 Other

Taxes

Taxes on income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, are calculated using the tax rate that is estimated to be applicable to total annual earnings.

Exchange rates

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to the presentation currency at the closing rates on the reporting date. Income, expenses and capital transactions (such as dividends) are translated at average exchange rates or at the prevailing rates on the transaction date, if more appropriate. The following exchange rates (most important rates) are applied for the condensed consolidated interim financial statements:

Closing exchange rates

 

                      USD      GBP                

June 30, 2020

     1             EUR             1.1232             0.9090     

December 31, 2019

     1             EUR             1.1225             0.8473     

Weighted average exchange rates

 

                      USD      GBP  

Six months ended June 30, 2020

     1             EUR             1.1017             0.8737  

Six months ended June 30, 2019

     1             EUR             1.1299             0.8730  

 

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3. Segment information

3.1. Change in operating segments

As of January 1, 2020, Aegon’s activities in Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia, previously reported in two separate operating segments, have been brought together in a new operating segment, International. The objective is to integrate the two organizations, accelerate growth and leverage cross-border synergies.

The change in segment reporting does not have an impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Aegon. The tables presented in this document have been updated to reflect this change.

3.2. Income statement

 

EUR millions   Americas    

The

Netherlands

    United
Kingdom
    International    

Asset

management

    Holdings
and other
activities
    Eliminations     Segment
total
   

Joint
ventures
and
associates

eliminations

    Consolidated  

Six months ended June 30, 2020

                       
       

Underlying earnings before tax geographically

    264          321          81          75          71          (113)       1          700          10          710     

Fair value items

    (760)       1,102        89        (1)       (7)       (21)             403        (30)       372   

Realized gains / (losses) on investments

                                              16        (5)       11   

Impairment charges

    (134)       (66)             (5)             (4)             (209)             (209)  

Impairment reversals

    15                                            15              15   

Other income / (charges)

    (938)       (48)       (53)       25              (56)             (1,071)             (1,070)  

Run-off businesses

                                                           

Income / (loss) before tax

    (1,545)       1,312          117          102          64          (193)       1          (143)       (24)       (167)  

Income tax (expense) / benefit

    380        (256)       (3)       (11)       (18)       34              126        24        151   

Net income / (loss)

    (1,165)       1,056          114          91          46          (159)       1          (16)       -          (16)  

Inter-segment underlying earnings

    (18)       (45)       (44)       (18)       92        35               
       

Revenues

                           

Life insurance gross premiums

    3,617        978        2,735        611                    (3)       7,942        (416)       7,526   

Accident and health insurance

    728        169        13        150                          1,060        (37)       1,022   

Property & casualty insurance

          66              194                          260        (65)       195   

Total gross premiums

    4,345          1,212          2,748          955                4          (3)       9,262          (518)       8,744     

Investment income

    1,562        1,063        1,259        187              129        (139)       4,063        (29)       4,034   

Fee and commission income

    796        125        98        26        336              (89)       1,291        (121)       1,170   

Other revenues

                                                    (6)        

Total revenues

    6,707         2,400          4,105          1,168          340          135          (231     14,624          (673     13,951     

Inter-segment revenues

                            89        133                                   

 

EUR millions   Americas    

The

Netherlands

    United
Kingdom
    International    

Asset

management

    Holdings
and other
activities
    Eliminations     Segment
total
   

Joint
ventures

and
associates

eliminations

    Consolidated  

Six months ended June 30, 2019

                       
       

Underlying earnings before tax geographically

    577         328         70         71         60         (97)             1,008         26         1,034    

Fair value items

    157        (859)       (76)       (6)             (10)             (795)       (42)       (836)  

Realized gains / (losses) on investments

    24        230              19                          275        (1)       274   

Impairment charges

    (30)       (13)                         (10)             (54)             (53)  

Impairment reversals

    11                                            15              15   

Other income / (charges)

    (63)             (16)       24        (1)       (41)             (93)             (93)  

Run-off businesses

                                                           

Income / (loss) before tax

    686         (307)       (22)       108         59         (159)             365         (16)       349    

Income tax (expense) / benefit

    (101)       57        (23)       (11)       (16)       28              (65)       16        (49)  

Net income / (loss)

    585         (250)       (44)       98         43         (130)             300               300    

Inter-segment underlying earnings

    (33)       (56)       (42)       (10)       96        46               
       

Revenues

                       

Life insurance gross premiums

    3,619        852        3,291        694                    (4)       8,458        (374)       8,084   

Accident and health insurance

    702        164        14        148                          1,028        (32)       996   

Property & casualty insurance

          66              193                    (1)       259        (63)       196   

Total gross premiums

    4,320         1,081         3,305         1,036               6          (5)       9,745         (469)       9,276    

Investment income

    1,577        1,122        1,230        188              139        (144)       4,114        (31)       4,083   

Fee and commission income

    848        114        95        54        297              (94)       1,315        (102)       1,213   

Other revenues

                                                    (4)        

Total revenues

    6,749         2,318         4,631         1,279         300         148          (243     15,180         (606     14,575    

Inter-segment revenues

                            94        144                                   

Aegon’s segment information is prepared by consolidating on a proportionate basis Aegon’s joint ventures and associated companies.

 

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A total pre-tax charge of EUR 850 million (1H 2019: EUR 64 million pre-tax charge) has been recorded in other income/(charges) in respect of both actuarial and economic assumption updates of EUR 357 million and EUR 494 million, respectively.

The negative impact in respect of actuarial assumption updates amounted to EUR 357 million and is attributable to Aegon’s business in the Americas. This was mainly driven by assumption updates to Individual Life products for premium persistency, to reflect recent experience in customer behavior, and increase in mortality assumptions to reflect recent adverse experience. Negative impacts were also driven by updates to the surrender assumption for Variable Deferred Annuities, to reflect recent experience in customer behavior, and updates to Long Term Care for a reduction in the morbidity improvement assumption, to be consistent with industry practice. These adverse items were partially offset by gains driven by an increase in mortality assumptions for Variable Deferred Annuities, which now reflects recent experience.

The impact in respect of economic assumptions amounted to EUR 494 million, consisting of Aegon Americas of EUR 477 million and International of EUR 17 million, and is the result of lowering Aegon’s long-term interest rate assumption to 2.75% and the associated impact on separate account bond fund returns (refer to note 2.4 Judgments and critical accounting estimates for details).

3.3. Investments

Amounts included in the tables on investments are presented on an IFRS basis, which means that investments in joint ventures and associates are not consolidated on a proportionate basis. Instead, these investments are included on a single line using the equity method of accounting.

 

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EUR millions

 

June 30, 2020

  Americas     The
Netherlands
    United
Kingdom
    International     Asset
Management
    Holdings
and other
activities
    Eliminations    

 

Total

 

Investments

                 

Shares

    406        1,391        12        76              136              2,025   

Debt securities

    59,827        28,260        992        8,293        61                    97,434   

Loans

    11,029        33,418              129              40              44,616   

Other financial assets

    10,086        83        1,007        117        92        27              11,412   

Investments in real estate

    593        2,381              18                          2,992  

Investments general account

    81,941          65,532          2,011          8,632          157          204                158,479     

Shares

          7,707        14,705        155                    (3)       22,564   

Debt securities

    1,390        11,603        7,635        160                          20,788   

Unconsolidated investment funds

    102,231        665        56,450        606                          159,953    

Other financial assets

    (555)       4,539        5,118                                9,106   

Investments in real estate

                516                                516   

Investments for account of policyholders

    103,066          24,514          84,424          925                      (3)       212,926     
   

Investments on balance sheet

    185,007          90,047          86,435          9,557          157          204          (3)       371,405     

Off balance sheet investments third parties

    218,056          5,062          111,569          6,161          169,919          -          (94)       510,673     

Total revenue generating investments

    403,063          95,108          198,004          15,718          170,076          204          (97)       882,077     

Investments

                 

Available-for-sale

    67,074        23,423        1,579        8,471        74        40              100,661   

Loans

    11,029        33,418              129              40              44,616   

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

    106,311        30,825        84,340        939        83        125        (3)       222,620   

Investments in real estate

    593        2,381        516        18                          3,508   

Total investments on balance sheet

    185,007          90,047          86,435          9,557          157          204          (3)       371,405     

Investments in joint ventures

          1,199              607        183                    1,989   

Investments in associates

    58        89              33        132        25        (10)       336   

Other assets

    39,443        24,139        4,018        2,754        344        35,804        (36,684)       69,818   

Consolidated total assets

    224,509          115,473          90,461          12,951          816          36,034          (36,697)       443,547     

 

EUR millions

 

December 31, 2019

  Americas     The
Netherlands
    United
Kingdom
    International     Asset
Management
    Holdings
and other
activities
    Eliminations    

 

Total

 

Investments

                 

Shares

    499        1,443        17        84              173              2,221   

Debt securities

    54,970        22,773        1,055         7,962        93       1             86,853   

Loans

    10,922        33,460              160              48              44,591   

Other financial assets

    8,032        78        962        148        168        21              9,410   

Investments in real estate

    653        2,229              19                          2,901   

Investments general account

    75,076          59,983          2,034             8,373          266          244          -          145,976     

Shares

          8,490        16,583        218                    (4)       25,288   

Debt securities

    877        11,652        8,043        173                          20,744   

Unconsolidated investment funds

    106,926        695        61,738        680                          170,039   

Other financial assets

    161        4,653        4,898                                9,716   

Investments in real estate

                586                                586   

Investments for account of policyholders

    107,963          25,491          91,848          1,076                      (4)       226,374     
   

Investments on balance sheet

    183,039          85,474          93,882          9,449          266          244          (4)       372,350     

Off balance sheet investments third parties

    220,039          4,802          123,904          6,463          170,158                (818)       524,547     

Total revenue generating investments

    403,078          90,276          217,786          15,911          170,424          244          (822)       896,897     

Investments

                       

Available-for-sale

    59,899        19,591       1,556        8,172        153        32              89,404   

Loans

    10,922        33,460              160              48              44,591   

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

    111,565        30,193        91,740        1,098        113        164        (4)       234,867   

Investments in real estate

    653        2,229        586        19                          3,487   

Total investments on balance sheet

    183,039          85,474          93,882          9,449        266          244          (4)       372,350     

Investments in joint ventures

          1,159              668        153                    1,983   

Investments in associates

    79        106              28        129        21        (10)       363   

Other assets

    36,351        21,983        3,764        2,920        292        32,603        (32,839)       65,073   

Consolidated total assets

    219,469          108,722          97,655          13,065          840          32,871          (32,853)       439,769     

 

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4. Premium income and premiums paid to reinsurers

 

     
         
EUR millions   

First half

2020

    

First half

2019

 
   

Premium income

       

Life insurance

     7,526        8,084  

Non-life insurance

     1,217        1,192  

Total premium income

     8,744         9,276   

Accident and health insurance

     1,022        996  

Property & casualty insurance

     195        196  

Non-life Insurance premium income

     1,217         1,192   
   

Premiums paid to reinsurers 1

       

Life insurance

     1,114        1,163  

Non-life insurance

     86        73  

Total premiums paid to reinsurers

     1,200         1,236   

Accident and health insurance

     73        67  

Property & casualty insurance

     14        6  

Non-life Insurance paid to reinsurers

     86         73   

1 Premiums paid to reinsurers are recorded within Benefits and expenses in the income statement - refer to note 7 - Benefits and expenses.

5. Investment income

 

     
         
EUR millions    First half
2020
    

First half

2019

 
   

Interest income

     2,805        2,971  

Dividend income

     1,165        1,051  

Rental income

     64        60  

Total investment income

     4,034         4,083   
   

Investment income related to general account

     2,591        2,632  

Investment income for account of policyholders

     1,443        1,451  

Total

     4,034         4,083   

6. Results from financial transactions

 

     
        
EUR millions   

First half

2020

   

First half

2019

 
   

Net fair value change of general account financial investments at FVTPL other than derivatives

     (219     173  

Realized gains /(losses) on financial investments

     (3     262  

Gains /(losses) on investments in real estate

     11       89  

Net fair value change of derivatives

     (405)       1,157  

Net fair value change on for account of policyholder financial assets at FVTPL

     (4,294     22,146  

Net fair value change on investments in real estate for account of policyholders

     (36     (6

Net foreign currency gains /(losses)

     (22     14  

Net fair value change on borrowings and other financial liabilities

     5       1  

Total

     (4,962     23,837  

 

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The decrease in results from financial transactions is driven by the lower net fair value change on for account of policyholder financial assets at FVTPL for the first six months of 2020 compared to the first six months of 2019. The decrease is mainly driven by unfavorable equity markets and interest rate movements. Refer to note 2.4 Judgments and critical accounting estimates for additional information regarding equity markets and interest rate environment. Net fair value change on for accounts of policyholder financial assets at FVTPL is offset by amounts in the “Claims and benefits” line reported in note 7 Benefits and expenses.

7. Benefits and expenses

 

                  
EUR millions   

First half

2020

    

First half

2019

 

Claims and benefits

     8,726        37,907  

Employee expenses

     1,038        1,078  

Administration expenses

     822        720  

Deferred expenses

     (400)        (407)  

Amortization charges

     513        403  

Total

     10,700        39,701  

 

     
         
EUR millions   

First half

2020

    

First half

2019

 
   

Benefits and claims paid life

     6,246        9,545  

Benefits and claims paid non-life

     779        814  

Change in valuation of liabilities for insurance contracts

     1,465        20,591  

Change in valuation of liabilities for investment contracts

     (2,134)        4,587  

Other

     6        (37)  

Policyholder claims and benefits

     6,362        35,499  

Premium paid to reinsurers

     1,200        1,236  

Profit sharing and rebates

     4        8  

Commissions

     1,159        1,164  

Total

     8,726        37,907  

The lines “change in valuation of liabilities for insurance contracts” and “change in valuation of liabilities for investment contracts” reflect changes in technical provisions resulting from net fair value changes on for account of policyholder financial assets at FVTPL included in Results from financial transactions (note 6) of EUR 4,294 million negative for 1H 2020 (1H 2019: EUR 22,146 million positive). In addition, the line “change in valuation of liabilities for insurance contracts” includes an increase of technical provisions for life insurance contracts of EUR 3,704 million for 1H 2020 (1H 2019: increase of EUR 1,995 million).

 

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8. Impairment charges/(reversals)

 

    

            
EUR millions      First half
  2020
        First half
2019
   

Impairment charges / (reversals) comprise:

      

Impairment charges on financial assets, excluding receivables

     226      70 

Impairment reversals on financial assets, excluding receivables

     (15)     (15)

Impairment charges / (reversals) on non-financial assets and receivables

     36      98 

Total

     246        153   
   

Impairment charges on financial assets, excluding receivables, from:

      

Shares

        

Debt securities and money market instruments

     140      29 

Loans

     80       38 

Total

     226        70   
   

Impairment reversals on financial assets, excluding receivables, from:

      

Debt securities and money market instruments

     (15)     (11)

Loans

         (4)

Other

         (1)

Total

     (15   (15)

Impairment charges/(reversals) on financial assets in the first half 2020 were mainly driven by Americas impairments on public fixed income holdings, primarily in the energy sector, as a consequence of the weakening demand and the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19.

 

9.

Other charges

Other charges of EUR 101 million are mainly driven by a settlement in the litigation case related to monthly deduction rate adjustments on certain universal life policies in the Americas.

 

10.

Income tax

The income tax benefit for 1H 2020 amounts to EUR 151 million. In addition to the recurring beneficial impacts of exempt income (mainly US Dividend Received Deduction) and US tax credits, income tax for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 includes the one-off beneficial impacts from tax rates changes in the Netherlands (from 25% to 21.7%) and the United Kingdom (from 17% to 19%) totaling EUR 75 million.

 

11.

Investments

 

    

             
EUR millions                         Jun. 30, 2020                Dec. 31, 2019   
     

Available-for-sale (AFS)

   100,661          89,404  

Loans

   44,616          44,591  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

   10,210          9,080  

Financial assets, for general account, excluding derivatives

   155,487          143,075  

Investments in real estate

   2,992          2,901  

Total investments for general account, excluding derivatives

   158,479          145,976  

 

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Financial assets, for general account, excluding derivatives

 

 

                 
EUR millions    AFS              FVTPL              Loans              Total  
   

Shares

     331        1,693        -        2,025  

Debt securities

     91,827        5,607        -        97,434  

Money market and other short-term investments

     7,463        110        -        7,573  

Mortgages loans

     -        -        38,236        38,236  

Private loans

     -        -        4,257        4,257  

Deposits with financial institutions

     -        -        91        91  

Policy loans

     -        -        1,980        1,980  

Other

     1,040        2,799        51        3,890  

June 30, 2020

     100,661        10,210        44,616        155,487  
   
               
      AFS      FVTPL      Loans      Total  
   

Shares

     409        1,813        -        2,221  

Debt securities

     82,918        3,934        -        86,853  

Money market and other short-term investments

     5,169        158        -        5,327  

Mortgages loans

     -        -        37,750        37,750  

Private loans

     -        -        4,487        4,487  

Deposits with financial institutions

     -        -        141        141  

Policy loans

     -        -        2,024        2,024  

Other

     908        3,175        188        4,272  

December 31, 2019

     89,404        9,080        44,591        143,075  

Total investments for general account, excluding derivatives increased in the first half of 2020 by EUR 12.5 billion to EUR 158.5 billion compared to December 31, 2019 mainly due to additions and increased investment return, driven by declining interest rates in Americas and the Netherlands.

On February 3, 2020, Aegon’s subsidiary in the Americas, accepted via a letter of intent an offer to sell the Transamerica Pyramid property for a tentative consideration of EUR 635 million (USD 711 million). A purchase and sale agreement was reached on June 30, 2020 for a consideration of EUR 590 million (USD 650 million), with the sale expected to close in the second half of 2020. A total loss of EUR 64 million (USD 71 million) has been recorded in note 6 Results from financial transaction, in gains/(losses) on investments in real estate, in respect of the market revaluation of this property in the Americas.

 

12.

Investments for account of policyholders

 

     

    

         
EUR millions                                 Jun. 30, 2020             Dec. 31, 2019 
     

Shares

   22,564     25,288 

Debt securities

   20,788     20,744 

Money market and short-term investments

   1,466     1,805 

Deposits with financial institutions

   3,694     3,278 

Unconsolidated investment funds

   159,953     170,039 

Other

   3,945     4,634 

Total investments for account of policyholders at fair value through profit or loss, excluding derivatives

   212,410     225,788 

Investment in real estate

   516     586 
     

Total investments for account of policyholders

   212,926     226,374 

Investments for account of policyholders decreased in the first half of 2020 by EUR 13.4 billion to EUR 213 billion compared to December 31, 2019 mainly due to negative market movements and withdrawals in the US, and the impact of foreign currency translations.

 

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13.

Fair value

The following tables provide an analysis of financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis by level of the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

                                                                       
     
EUR millions    As at June 30, 2020      As at December 31, 2019  
      Level I      Level II      Level III      Total      Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Financial assets carried at fair value

                               

Available-for-sale investments

                               

Shares

     86        84        161        331        92        160        157        409  

Debt securities

     27,924        63,424        479        91,827        25,528        56,317        1,074        82,918  

Money markets and other short-term instruments

     1,720        5,743        -        7,463        1,255        3,914        -        5,169  

Other investments at fair value

     -        518        522        1,040        -        426        482        908  

Total Available-for-sale investments

     29,730        69,768        1,162        100,661        26,875        60,817        1,712        89,404  
         

Fair value through profit or loss

                               

Shares

     66        238        1,389        1,693        106        306        1,401        1,813  

Debt securities

     211        5,392        4        5,607        204        3,727        4        3,934  

Money markets and other short-term instruments

     17        94        -        110        19        139        -        158  

Other investments at fair value

     1        785        2,013        2,799        1        1,125        2,049        3,175  

Investments for account of policyholders 1

     113,220        97,517        1,673        212,410        120,271        103,712        1,805        225,788  

Derivatives

     54        17,515        94        17,663        96        11,006        56        11,157  

Total Fair value through profit or loss

     113,569        121,541        5,173        240,283        120,696        120,014        5,314        246,024  

Total financial assets at fair value

     143,299        191,310        6,336        340,944        147,571        180,831        7,026        335,429  
         

Financial liabilities carried at fair value

                               

Investment contracts for account of policyholders 2

     -        56,414        165        56,579        -        59,759        197        59,956  

Borrowings 3

     -        456        -        456        -        461        -        461  

Derivatives

     142        11,197        6,636        17,975        59        8,476        3,081        11,616  

Total financial liabilities at fair value

     142        68,066        6,801        75,010        59        68,696        3,278        72,033  

 

  1

The investments for account of policyholders included in the table above represents only those investments carried at fair value through profit or loss.

  2

The investment contracts for account of policyholders included in the table above represents only those investment contracts carried at fair value.

  3

Total borrowings on the statement of financial position contain borrowings carried at amortized cost that are not included in the above schedule.

Significant transfers between Level I, Level II and Level III

There have been no significant transfers between Level I and II for financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

Movements in Level III financial instruments measured at fair value

The following table summarizes the change of all assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (‘Level III’), including realized and unrealized gains (losses) of all assets and liabilities and unrealized gains (losses) of all assets and liabilities still held at the end of the respective period.

EUR 635 million of investments were reported in level III as they were being internally modeled, priced by a fund manager or priced by uncorroborated broker quotes. As of June 30, 2020, these are primarily priced by a pricing service and are reported in level II.

 

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Roll forward of Level III financial instruments

 

   EUR millions  

January 1,

2020

   

Acquisitions
through
business

combinations

    Total gains /
losses in
income
statement 1
   

Total gains /

losses in OCI 2

    Purchases     Sales     Settlements     Net
exchange
differences
    Reclassification     Transfers
from Level I
and Level II
    Transfers to
Level I and
Level II
    June 30,
2020
   

Total unrealized gains
and losses for the
period recorded in the
P&L for instruments

held at June 30,
2020 ³

Financial assets carried at fair value available-for-sale investments

                             

Shares

    157       -       -       5       4       (2     -       -       -       -       (2     161    

Debt securities

    1,074       -       2       (31     67       (6     (23     11       -       20       (635     479    

Money markets and other short-term instruments

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -    

Other investments at fair value

    482       -       (72     9       122       (3     (15     (1     -       -       -       522    
      1,712       -       (70)       (16)       193       (11)       (38)       10       -       20       (637)       1,162    

Fair value through profit or loss

                             

Shares

    1,401       -       (62     -       82       (33     -       -       -       -       -       1,389     (60)

Debt securities

    4       -       -       -       34       (33     -       -       -       -       -       4    

Other investments at fair value

    2,049       -       (121     -       198       (100     -       (1     -       1       (13     2,013     (109)

Investments for account of policyholders

    1,805       -       (80     (1     221       (246     -       (19     -       -       (7     1,673     (11)

Derivatives

    56       -       38       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       94     38 
      5,314       -       (226)       (1)       536       (411)       -       (20)       -       1       (21)       5,173     (142)

Financial liabilities carried at fair value

                             

Investment contracts for account of policyholders

    197       -       (12     -       1       (20     -       -       -       -       -       165    

Derivatives

    3,081       -       3,631       (9     2       (7     -       (61     -       -       -       6,636     463 
      3,278       -       3,618       (9)       3       (28)       -       (61)       -       -       -       6,801     465 
                                                                                                     
  EUR millions   January 1,
2019
    Acquisitions
through
business
combinations
    Total gains /
losses in
income
statement 1
    Total gains /
losses in OCI 2
    Purchases     Sales     Settlements     Net
exchange
differences
    Reclassification     Transfers
from Level I
and Level II
    Transfers to
Level I and
Level II
    December
31, 2019
    Total unrealized gains
and losses for the
period recorded in the
P&L for instruments
held at December 31,
2019 ³

Financial assets carried at fair value available-for-sale investments

                             

Shares

    241       -       -       (5     22       (100     -       4       2       -       (7     157    

Debt securities

    1,242       -       3       21       319       (317     (68     19       (2     52       (195     1,074    

Money markets and other short-term instruments

    -       -       -       -       1,061       (855     (103     -       -       126       (229     -    

Other investments at fair value

    493       -       (100     (56     183       (25     (23     9       -       -       -       482    
      1,976       -       (97)       (40)       1,584       (1,297)       (194)       32       1       178       (431)       1,712    

Fair value through profit or loss

                             

Shares

    1,226       -       72       -       368       (266     -       1       -       -       -       1,401     62 

Debt securities

    17       -       (1     -       1       (12     (1     -       (1     -       -       4    

Other investments at fair value

    1,376       -       34       -       884       (268     -       23       -       85       (86     2,049     36 

Investments for account of policyholders

    1,871       -       45       -       435       (567     -       20       -       -       -       1,805     86 

Derivatives

    35       -       19       -       35       (33     -       -       -       -       -       56     20 
      4,525       -       170       -       1,723       (1,146)       (1)       44       (1)       85       (86)       5,314     204 

Financial liabilities carried at fair value

                             

Investment contracts for account of policyholders

    206       -       9       -       4       (23     -       1       -       -       -       197     (10)

Derivatives

    2,489       -       597       4       -       (22     -       13       -       -       -       3,081     84 
      2,695       -       605       4       4       (46)       -       15       -       -       -       3,278     75 

 

  1 

Includes impairments and movements related to fair value hedges. Gains and losses are recorded in the line item results from financial transactions of the income statement.

  2 

Total gains and losses are recorded in line items Gains/ (losses) on revaluation of available-for-sale investments and (Gains)/ losses transferred to the income statement on disposal and impairment of available-for-sale investment of the statement of other comprehensive income.

  3 

Total gains / (losses) for the period during which the financial instrument was in Level III.

Fair value information about financial instruments not measured at fair value

The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities, excluding financial instruments which are carried at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

Fair value information about financial instruments not measured at fair value

 

 

       
EUR millions    Carrying amount
June 30, 2020
    Total estimated fair value
June 30, 2020
    Carrying amount
      December 31, 2019
    Total estimated fair value
December 31, 2019
 

Assets

            

Mortgage loans - held at amortized cost

     38,236       42,961       37,750       42,567  

Private loans - held at amortized cost

     4,257       5,008       4,487       5,159  

Other loans - held at amortized cost

     2,122       2,122       2,353       2,353  
     

Liabilities

            

Subordinated borrowings - held at amortized cost

     2,208       2,256       2,207       2,416  

Trust pass-through securities - held at amortized cost

     141       148       136       144  

Borrowings – held at amortized cost

     8,435       8,462       8,845       9,322  

Investment contracts - held at amortized cost

     19,535       20,127       18,382       18,964  

 

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Financial instruments for which carrying value approximates fair value

Certain financial instruments that are not carried at fair value are carried at amounts that approximate fair value, due to their short-term nature and generally negligible credit risk. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term receivables and accrued interest receivable, short-term liabilities, and accrued liabilities. These instruments are not included in the table above.

 

14.

Share capital

 

    

         
EUR millions                                 Jun. 30, 2020            Dec. 31, 2019 
     

Share capital - par value

   323     323 

Share premium

   7,213     7,213 

Total share capital

   7,536     7,536 
     

Share capital - par value

         

Balance at January 1

   323     322 

Dividend

     

Balance

   323     323 
     

Share premium

         

Balance at January 1

   7,213     7,487 

Share dividend

      (273) 

Balance

   7,213     7,213  

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

    

             
EUR millions      First half
  2020
         First half
2019
   

Earnings per share (EUR per share)

       

Basic earnings per common share

     (0.02)      0.12

Basic earnings per common share B

     -      -

Diluted earnings per common share

     (0.02)      0.12

Diluted earnings per common share B

     -      -
   

Earnings per share calculation

       

Net income / (loss) attributable to owners of Aegon N.V.

     (17)      299

Coupons on other equity instruments

     (28)      (48)

Earnings attributable to common shares and common shares B

     (45)      251
   

Earnings attributable to common shareholders

     (45)      250

Earnings attributable to common shareholders B

     -      2
   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions)

     2,040      2,036

Weighted average number of common shares B outstanding (in millions)

     560      572

 

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Final dividend 2019

Aegon proposed in its 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F, a final 2019 dividend of EUR 0.16 per common share and EUR 0.004 per common share B, absent further deterioration of the market circumstances, and based on the assessments made at that time. On April 2, 2020, due to the market turmoil, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and Dutch Central Bank (DNB) made a call to postpone all dividend distributions. Subsequently, it was decided at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 15, 2020, to forego the 2019 final dividend. Taking into account the interim dividend paid in September 2019, this resulted in a total dividend for the financial year 2019 of EUR 0.15 per common share and EUR 0.00375 per common share B, paid in September 2019.

 

15.

Insurance contracts

Insurance contracts increased by EUR 4.7 billion to EUR 127.6 billion compared to December 31, 2019 mainly due to a decrease of interest rates.

 

16.

Insurance contracts for account of policyholders

Insurance contracts for account of policyholders decreased by EUR 6.7 billion to EUR 129.0 billion compared to December 31, 2019 mainly due to interest rates movements.

 

17.

Investment contracts for account of policyholders

Investment contracts for account of policyholders decreased by EUR 6.9 billion to EUR 87.0 billion compared to December 31, 2019 mainly due to interest rate movements.

 

18.

Borrowings

 

    

               
   
EUR millions    Jun. 30, 2020        Dec. 31, 2019
           

Capital funding

     1,688        1,745

Operational funding

     7,203        7,562

Total borrowings

     8,891        9,307

Included in borrowings is EUR 456 million relating to borrowings measured at fair value (December 31, 2019: EUR 537 million). During the first six months of 2020, the operational funding decreased by EUR 0.4 billion mainly due to the redemption of ‘SAECURE 15’ of EUR 0.9 billion, partly offset by an increase in other mortgage loan funding of EUR 0.5 billion.

 

19.

Financial Risks

Results of Aegon’s sensitivity analyses are presented in the table below which shows the estimated sensitivity of net income and shareholders’ equity to various scenarios. The table below include Group sensitivities on interest rate risk, equity market risk, and also sensitivities on bond credit spreads and liquidity premium.

 

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EUR millions    June 30, 2020      December 31, 2019  
      Estimated
approximate
effects on net
income
     Estimated
approximate
effects on
shareholders’
equity
     Estimated
approximate
effects on net
income
     Estimated
approximate
effects on
shareholders’
equity
 

Sensitivity analysis of net income and shareholders’ equity to markets

               

Immediate change of

               

Equity increase 10%

     136        261        307        450  

Equity decrease 10%

     (213)        (357)        (374)        (525)  

Equity increase 25%

     241        557        721        1,083  

Equity decrease 25%

     (547)        (903)        (456)        (837)  
     

Parallel movements of yield curve

               

Immediate movements of yield curve, but not permanently

               

Shift up 100 basis points

     795        (3,127)        945        (2,688)  

Shift down 100 basis points

     (1,353)        1,045        (1,236)        1,847  
     

Bond Credit Spreads

               

Immediate shock

               

Shift up 50 basis points

     (317)        (3,076)        (205)        (2,386)  

Shift down 50 basis points

     325        1,546        198        2,117  
     

Liquidity premium

               

Shift up 5 basis points

     155        152        104        101  

Shift down 5 basis points

     (157)        (154)        (105)        (103)  

 

20.

Capital management and solvency

Aegon’s capital consists of 3 Tiers as an indication of its quality, with Tier 1 capital ranking highest. The available own funds number reflects Aegon’s interpretation of Solvency II requirements which is subject to supervisory review.

The table below provides the composition of Aegon’s available own funds across Tiers:

 

      

June 30, 2020

Available

own funds

 

 

 

    

December 31, 2019
Available

own funds

 
 

 

   

Tier 1 - unrestricted

     11,588         12,724   

Tier 1 - restricted

     2,622         2,614   

Tier 2

     2,505         2,370   

Tier 3

     786         762   

Total available own funds

     17,501         18,470   

 

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Tier 1 unrestricted capital decreased compared to December 31, 2019. The decrease in Tier 1 unrestricted capital amounted to EUR 1,136 million, and is mainly driven by the market disruption led by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half as interest rates declined considerably, compounded by the negative market impact from increase of credit spreads and widening of mortgage spreads, partly offset by the positive expected return on Aegon in-force insurance portfolio and the increase of EIOPA VA by 12 bps. The restricted Tier 1 capital slightly increased by EUR 8 million.

Tier 2 capital increased by EUR 135 million as a result of increased market value of Tier 2 instruments, due to the decrease of interest rates.

Tier 3 capital as of June 30, 2020 is comprised of deferred tax assets balances related to Solvency II entities. The increase of EUR 25 million is mainly driven by higher deferred tax assets from Aegon US non-regulated entities, partly offset by lower deferred tax assets from Aegon the Netherlands. In addition, there is an own funds eligibility haircut of EUR 38 million applied at June 30, 2020. This is driven by the Tier 3 capital which is capped at maximum 15% of SCR, therefore, the eligible own funds is EUR 38 million lower than available own funds.

 

IFRS equity compared to Solvency II own funds

 

 

        
EUR millions   

June 30, 2020

 

    

December 31, 2019

 

 
   

Shareholders’ Equity

     23,089         21,842   

IFRS adjustments for Other Equity Instruments and non controlling interests

     2,580         2,591   

Group Equity

     25,669         24,433   

Solvency II revaluations and reclassifications

     (10,037)         (7,599)   

Transferability restrictions 1

     (1,949)         (1,973)   

Excess of Assets over Liabilities

     13,683         14,861   

Availability adjustments

     4,660         4,446   

Fungibility adjustments 2

     (842)         (838)   

Available own funds

     17,501         18,470   

1 This includes the transferability restriction related to the RBC CAL conversion methodology

2 Amongst others, this contains the exclusion of Aegon Bank

The Solvency II revaluations of EUR 10,037 million negative (2019: EUR 7,599 million negative) stem from the difference in valuation between IFRS and Solvency II frameworks. The change in Solvency II revaluations per June 30, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 is mainly driven by lower interest rates and tightening credit spreads during 1H 2020, increasing the revaluation reserves in Aegon US.

The Solvency II revaluations can be grouped into four categories:

•     Items that are not recognized under Solvency II. The most relevant examples of this category for Aegon include Goodwill, DPAC and other intangible assets (EUR 2,184 million negative, December 31, 2019: EUR 1,932 million negative);

 

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•     Items that have a different valuation treatment between IFRS and Solvency II. Solvency II is a market consistent framework hence all assets and liabilities are to be presented at fair value while IFRS also includes other valuation treatments in addition to fair value. The most relevant examples of this category for Aegon Group include Loans and Mortgages, Reinsurance Recoverables, Deferred tax assets balances and Technical provisions. The revaluation difference stemming from this category amounted to EUR 3,261 million positive (December 31, 2019: EUR 3,360 million positive) compared to the IFRS Statement of Financial Position;

•     The Net Asset Value of subsidiaries that are included under the Deduction & Aggregation (D&A) method (on provisional equivalence or Standard Formula basis) in the Group Solvency II results. The revaluation difference stemming from this category amounted to EUR 7,658 million negative (2019: EUR 5,655 million negative) compared to the IFRS Statement of Financial Position.

•     Reclassification of subordinated liabilities of EUR 3,457 million negative (2019: EUR 3,372 million negative). The movement of subordinated liabilities mainly stem from the redemption of perpetual capital securities of USD 500 million, and the issuance of EUR 500 million Restricted Tier 1 perpetual contingent convertible securities during the first half of 2019.

The transferability restrictions reflect the restrictions on US Life Companies DTA and capping of Tier 1 unrestricted own funds as a consequence of the RBC CAL conversion methodology.

The availability adjustments are changes to the availability of own funds of Aegon Group in accordance with Solvency II requirements. Examples include the adjustments for subordinated liabilities, ring-fenced fund, treasury shares and foreseeable dividend.

Finally, the fungibility restrictions limit the availability of own funds on Aegon Group level as prescribed by Supervisory Authorities. These limitations refer to charitable trusts in the Americas for which the local Supervisory Authority could limit the upstream of capital to the Group, and Aegon Bank which is under a different regulatory regime but under the same Supervisory Authority and therefore excluded for Solvency II purposes.

 

21.

Commitments and contingencies

There have been no other material changes in commitments and contingencies as reported in the 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

22.

Acquisitions / divestments

On January 29, 2020, Aegon announced the completion of the sale of its 50% stake in the Japanese variable annuity joint ventures, Aegon Sony Life Insurance Co. and SA Reinsurance Ltd., to partner Sony Life. The proceeds of the sale amounted to EUR 153 million and the book gain amounted to EUR 53 million.

 

23.

Post reporting date events

On July 30, 2020, Aegon announced the completion of the expansion of its partnership with Santander in Spain. This follows the agreement signed on July 3, 2018 between Aegon and Banco Santander to expand their life and non-life insurance partnership, following Banco Santander’s acquisition of Banco Popular.

 

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Aegon’s insurance joint ventures with Banco Santander in Spain completed the acquisition of the in force term life policies previously sold through Banco Popular branches as well as the right to write new term life and selected lines of non-life policies through the former Banco Popular branches now owned by Banco Santander.

The transaction was closed following satisfaction of all closing conditions, including the termination of existing alliances of Banco Popular. For its 51% stake in the expansion of the joint venture with Banco Santander, Aegon paid an upfront amount of EUR 187 million – lower than the EUR 215 million communicated in July 2018 mainly due to the results of the in-force portfolio which accrued to Santander till closing. Furthermore, the previously agreed contingent payment of up to EUR 75 million is due in 2024, subject to the performance of the partnership.

On July 11, 2020, The Dutch Central Bank (DNB) published industry-wide guidelines regarding the treatment of banks in Solvency II ratios. As a consequence, Aegon will include Aegon Bank in the calculation of its Group Solvency II ratio from December 31, 2020. If Aegon Bank would have been consolidated in Aegon’s Group Solvency II ratio already, Aegon’s Solvency II own funds position of EUR 17.5 billion as disclosed in note 20 Capital management and solvency to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, would have increased by approximately EUR 0.7 billion or 4% to EUR 18.2 billion at June 30, 2020. Note that the Group Solvency II ratio, however, would have decreased as the Solvency Capital Requirement would have increased as well.

 

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ITEM 2: OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

2.1 Introduction

Aegon is committed to providing information on key factors that drive its business and affect its financial condition, results and value. Aegon’s disclosure practices have been developed over many years with due consideration of the needs and requirements of its stakeholders, including regulators, investors and research analysts.

Aegon has substantive supplemental information in its annual and semi-annual accounts to provide transparency of its financial results. Aegon has provided insight into its critical accounting policies and the methodologies Aegon applies to manage its risks. For a discussion of critical accounting policies see “Application of Critical Accounting Policies – IFRS Accounting Policies”. For a discussion of Aegon’s risk management methodologies see Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” as included in the Cross reference table in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 18, 2020 (the ‘2019 Form 20-F’).

2.2 Application of Critical Accounting Policies - IFRS Accounting Policies

The Operating and Financial Review and Prospects are based upon Aegon’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS).

Application of the accounting policies in the preparation of the financial statements requires management to apply judgment involving assumptions and estimates concerning future results or other developments, including the likelihood, timing or amount of future transactions or events. Those estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounting policies that are critical to the financial statement presentation and that require complex estimates or significant judgment are described in the following sections.

The description of Aegon’s methods of determining fair value and fair value hierarchy is included in the Aegon’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F (i.e. note 3 and note 44 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements). For reference purposes, note 11 Investments of the notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements in Item 1 includes a roll-forward of Level III financial instruments for the first half of 2020. Specific information on the impact of COVID-19 can be found in note 2.4 Judgments and critical accounting estimates of the notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements in Item 1.

i Valuation of assets and liabilities arising from life insurance contracts

The valuation of certain assets and liabilities arising from insurance contracts is developed using complex valuation models. The liability for life insurance contracts with guaranteed or fixed account terms is either based on current assumptions, on the assumptions established at inception of the contract, reflecting the best estimates at the time increased with a margin for adverse deviation or on the valuation assumptions (historical cost), without risk margin. All contracts are subject to liability adequacy testing which reflects management’s current estimates of future cash flows (including investment returns). To the extent that the liability is based on current assumptions, a change in assumptions will have an immediate impact on the income statement. Also, if a change in assumption results in not passing the liability adequacy test, the entire deficiency is recognized in the income statement. To the extent that the deficiency relates to unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, the additional liability is recognized in the revaluation reserve in shareholder’s equity.

 

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Aegon the Netherlands, as required locally, adjusts the outcome of the liability adequacy test for the difference between the fair value and the book value of the assets that are measured at amortized cost in the statement of financial position. Mortgage loans is the primary asset class for which the difference between the fair value and the book value of assets impacts the LAT.

Some insurance contracts without a guaranteed or fixed contractual term contain guaranteed minimum benefits. Depending on the nature of the guarantee, it may either be bifurcated and presented as a derivative or be reflected in the value of the insurance liability in accordance with local accounting principles. Given the dynamic and complex nature of these guarantees, stochastic techniques under a variety of market return scenarios are often used for measurement purposes. Such models require management to make numerous estimates based on historical experience and market expectations. Changes in these estimates will immediately affect the income statement.

In addition, certain acquisition costs related to the sale of new policies and the purchase of policies already in force are recorded as DPAC and VOBA assets respectively, and are amortized to the income statement over time. If the assumptions relating to the future profitability of these policies are not realized, the amortization of these costs could be accelerated and may require write-offs due to unrecoverability.

ii Actuarial and economic assumptions

The main assumptions used in measuring DPAC, VOBA and the liabilities for life insurance contracts with fixed or guaranteed terms relate to mortality, morbidity, investment return and future expenses. Depending on local accounting principles, surrender, lapse and utilization rates may be considered.

Mortality tables applied are generally developed based on a blend of company experience and industry wide studies, taking into consideration product characteristics, own risk selection criteria, target market and past experience. Mortality experience is monitored through regular studies, the results of which are fed into the pricing cycle for new products and reflected in the liability calculation when appropriate. For contracts insuring survivorship or mortality, allowance may be made for further longevity or mortality improvements. Morbidity assumptions are based on own claims severity and frequency experience, adjusted where appropriate for industry information.

Investment assumptions are prescribed by the local regulator, market observable or based on management’s future expectations. In the latter case, the anticipated future investment returns are set by management on a countrywide basis, considering available market information and economic indicators. A significant assumption related to estimated gross profits on variable annuities and variable life insurance products in the United States and some of the smaller countries, is the annual long-term growth rate of the underlying assets. The reconsideration of this assumption may affect the original DPAC or VOBA amortization schedule, referred to as DPAC or VOBA unlocking. The difference between the original DPAC or VOBA amortization schedule and the revised schedule, which is based on actual gross profits and estimates of future gross profits or revenues, is recognized in the income statement as an expense or a benefit in the period of determination.

Assumptions on future expenses are based on the current level of expenses, adjusted for expected expense inflation if appropriate. In Aegon the Netherlands, the expense basis makes an allowance for planned future cost savings, which are included in the liability adequacy test.

 

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Surrender and lapse rates depend on product features, policy duration and external circumstances such as the interest rate environment and competitor behavior. For policies with account value guarantees based on equity market movements, a dynamic lapse assumption is utilized to reflect policyholder behavior based on whether the guarantee is in the money. Own experience, as well as industry published data, are used in establishing assumptions. Lapse experience is correlated to mortality and morbidity levels, as higher or lower levels of surrenders may indicate future claims will be higher or lower than anticipated. Such correlations are accounted for in the mortality and morbidity assumptions based on the emerging analysis of experience.

Assumptions are reviewed periodically, in the second quarter for the US and in the fourth quarter for Europe and Asia, based on historical experience, observable market data, including market transactions such as acquisitions and reinsurance transactions, anticipated trends and legislative changes. Similarly, the models and systems used for determining Aegon’s liabilities are reviewed periodically and, if deemed necessary, updated based on emerging best practices and available technology.

During the first half of 2020, Aegon implemented actuarial and economic assumptions updates resulting in a pre-tax charge of EUR 850 million (1H 2019: EUR 64 million pre-tax charge). Refer to note 3 Segment information of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements in Item 1 for a description of the individual actuarial and economic assumptions changed in the period.

For information on sensitivities on variable annuities and variable life insurance products in the United States, Sensitivity on long term care products (LTC) in the United States and Sensitivity on liability adequacy test (LAT) in the Netherlands refer to note 2.4 Judgments and critical accounting estimates of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements in Item 1.

iii. Deferred expenses and VOBA

Deferred expenses

The movements in DPAC, deferred cost of reinsurance and deferred transaction costs over the first six months of 2020 compared with the first six months of 2019 can be summarized and compared as follows:

 

EUR millions    DPAC    

 

Deferred costs of
reinsurance

    Deferred
transaction costs
 
   

Balance at January 1, 2020

     9,974       389       442  

Costs deferred during the year

     388       -       11  

Amortizations through income statement

     (461     (9     (11

Shadow accounting adjustments

     (355     (12     -  

Net exchange differences

     (60     -       (3

Other

     (3     6       -  

At June 30, 2020

     9,483         374         440    

 

EUR millions    DPAC    

 

Deferred costs of
reinsurance

     Deferred
transaction costs
 
   

Balance at January 1, 2019

     10,461       23        431  

Costs deferred during the year

     394       -        13  

Disposal of group assets

     (35     -        -  

Amortizations through income statement

     (376     21        (11

Impairment losses

     (65     -        -  

Shadow accounting adjustments

     (498     -        -  

Net exchange differences

     42       -        2  

Other

     (3     -        -  

At June 30, 2019

     9,919         44          434    

 

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In December 2019, Aegon the Netherlands entered a longevity reinsurance contract with Canada Life Reinsurance. The contract reinsures a specified portfolio of insurance contracts against possible future mortality developments. The reinsurer will pay benefits as long as the participants live and receive fixed payments from Aegon the Netherlands. EUR 360 million is recognized as deferred cost of reinsurance regarding this reinsurance contract, which will be amortized over the duration of the underlying insurance contracts.

VOBA

The movement in VOBA over the first six months of 2020 compared with the first six months of 2019 can be summarized and compared as follows:

 

    
     
              
EUR millions    First half
2020
    First half
2019
 
   

At January 1

     952       1,123  

Amortization/depreciation through income statement

     (44     (37

Shadow accounting adjustments

     5       (45

Impairment losses

     -       (11

Net exchange differences

     (5     5  

At June 30

     908       1,035  

2.3 Guarantees in insurance contracts

For financial reporting purposes Aegon distinguishes between the following types of minimum guarantees:

a.

Financial guarantees: these guarantees are treated as bifurcated embedded derivatives, carried at fair value and presented as derivatives;

b.

Total return annuities: these guarantees are not bifurcated from their host contracts because they are presented and valued at fair value together with the underlying insurance contracts;

c.

Life contingent guarantees in the United States: these guarantees are not bifurcated from their host contracts, presented and valued in accordance with insurance accounting together with the underlying insurance contracts; and

d.

Minimum investment return guarantees in the Netherlands: these guarantees are not bifurcated from their host contracts, valued at fair value and presented together with the underlying insurance contracts.

In addition to the guarantees mentioned above, Aegon has traditional life insurance contracts that include minimum guarantees that are not valued explicitly; however, the adequacy of all insurance liabilities, net of VOBA and DPAC, and including all guarantees, are assessed periodically.

 

a.

Financial guarantees

In the United States and in the United Kingdom, a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) is offered directly on some variable annuity products Aegon issues and is also assumed from a ceding company. Variable annuities allow a customer to provide for the future on a tax-deferred basis and to participate in equity or bond market performance. Variable annuities allow a customer to select payout options designed to help meet the customer’s need for income upon maturity, including lump sum payment or income for life or for a period of time. This benefit guarantees that a policyholder can withdraw a certain percentage of the account value, starting at a certain age or duration, for either a fixed period or during the life of the policyholder.

 

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In the Netherlands, individual variable unit-linked products have a minimum benefit guarantee if premiums are invested in certain funds. The sum insured at maturity or upon the death of the beneficiary has a minimum guaranteed return (in the range of 3% to 4%) if the premium has been paid for a consecutive period of at least ten years and is invested in a mixed fund and/or fixed-income funds. No guarantees are given for equity investments only.

The following table provides information on the liabilities for financial guarantees for minimum benefits, net of present value of the expected future premiums that are received to cover these guarantees:

 

 
Liabilities for financial guarantees for minimum benefits  
   
EUR millions    United States 1     The Netherlands 2      Total 3  

At January 1, 2020

     1,296       1,735        3,031  

Incurred guarantee benefits 4

     3,055       453        3,509  

Paid guarantee benefits

     (1     -        (1

Net exchange differences

     (59     -        (59

At June 30, 2020

 

     4,291         2,188          6,479    

Balance at June 30, 2020

         

Account value 5

     32,798       8,678        41,476  

Net amount at risk 6

     1,757       2,669        4,426  
   

At January 1, 2019

     766       1,678        2,445  

Incurred guarantee benefits 4

     518       57        575  

Paid guarantee benefits

     (1     -        (1

Net exchange differences

     13       -        13  

At December 31, 2019

 

     1,296         1,735          3,031    

Balance at December 31, 2019

         

Account value 5

     34,503       8,626        43,130  

Net amount at risk 6

     236       2,002        2,239  

 

1

Guaranteed minimum accumulation and withdrawal benefits.

2

Fund plan and unit-linked guarantees.

3

Balances are included in the derivatives liabilities on the face of the statement of financial position.

4

Incurred guarantee benefits mainly comprise the effect of guarantees from new contracts, release guarantees and fair value movements during the reporting year.

5

Account value reflects the actual fund value for the policyholders.

6

The net amount at risk represents the sum of the positive differences between the discounted max guarantees and the account value.

The increase of incurred guarantee benefits in 2020 mainly relates to decreasing interest rates and negative equity markets offset some by widening credit spreads.

Aegon Americas mitigates the exposure from the elective guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit rider issued with a ceding company’s variable annuity contracts. The rider is essentially a return of premium guarantee, which is payable over a period of at least 14 years from the date that the policyholder elects to start withdrawals. At contract inception, the guaranteed remaining balance is equal to the premium payment. The periodic withdrawal is paid by the ceding company until the account value is insufficient to cover additional withdrawals. Once the account value is exhausted, Aegon pays the periodic withdrawals until the guaranteed remaining balance is exhausted. At June 30, 2020, the reinsured account value was EUR 1.7 billion (December 31, 2019: EUR 1.8 billion) and the guaranteed remaining balance was EUR 1.0 billion (December 31, 2019: EUR 1.1 billion).

 

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The GMWB rider Aegon assumed from the ceding company is accounted for as a derivative and is carried in Aegon’s statement of financial position at fair value. At June 30, 2020, the contract had a value of EUR 61 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 37 million). Aegon entered into a derivative program to mitigate the overall exposure to equity market and interest rate risks associated with the reinsurance contract. This program involves selling equity futures and total return swap contracts (S&P 500, Midcap, Russell 2000, and the MCSI EAFE index in accordance with Aegon’s exposure) to mitigate the effect of equity market movement on the reinsurance contract and the purchase of interest rate swaps, treasury forwards and treasury futures to mitigate the effect of movements in interest rates on the reinsurance contracts.

Aegon the Netherlands provides guarantees to its customers on expiry date for certain insurance contracts. In order to mitigate the risks related to the guarantees Aegon the Netherlands has setup a hedging program. Aegon the Netherlands does not use reinsurance in order to mitigate risks related to insurance contracts with a guarantee component. The net amount at risk represents the sum of the positive differences between the discounted maximum amount payable under the guarantees and the account value, which is the actual fund value of the policyholder.

 

b.

Total return annuities

Total Return Annuity (TRA) is an annuity product in the United States which provides customers with a pass-through of the total return on an underlying portfolio of investment securities (typically a mix of corporate and convertible bonds) subject to a cumulative minimum guarantee. Both the assets and liabilities are carried at fair value, however, due to the minimum guarantee not all the changes in the market value of the asset will be offset in the valuation of the liability. This product exists for the fixed annuity line of business and represents a closed block.

The fixed annuities product balance as of June 30, 2020, amounted to EUR 214 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 234 million).

 

c.

Life contingent guarantees in the United States

Certain variable insurance contracts in the United States also provide guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) and guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB). Under a GMDB, the beneficiaries receive the greater of the account balance or the guaranteed amount upon the death of the insured. The net amount at risk for GMDB contracts is defined as the current GMDB in excess of the capital account balance at the reporting date.

The GMIB feature provides for minimum payments if the contract holder elects to convert to an immediate payout annuity. The guaranteed amount is calculated using the total deposits made by the contract holder, less any withdrawals and sometimes includes a roll-up or step-up feature that increases the value of the guarantee with interest or with increases in the account value.

The additional liability for guaranteed minimum benefits that are not bifurcated are determined each period by estimating the expected value of benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The estimates are reviewed regularly and any resulting adjustment to the additional liability is recognized in the income statement. The benefits used in calculating the liabilities are based on the average benefits payable over a range of stochastic scenarios. Where applicable, the calculation of the liability incorporates a percentage of the potential annuitizations that may be elected by the contract holder.

 

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The following table provides information on the liabilities for guarantees for minimum benefits that are included in the valuation of the host contracts:

 

 
Liabilities for guarantees Americas  
EUR millions    GMDB 1     GMIB 2     Total 4  
   

At January 1, 2020

     448       686       1,133  

Incurred guarantee benefits 5

     194       242       436  

Paid guarantee benefits

     (38     (20     (58

Net exchange differences

     (3     (5     (8

At June 30, 2020

     601       902       1,503  
   
      GMDB 1,3     GMIB 2,3         

Balance at June 30, 2020

        

Account value 6

     51,794       5,040      

Net amount at risk 7

     1,609       809      

Average attained age of contractholders

     71       72          
   

At January 1, 2019

     519       906       1,425  

Incurred guarantee benefits 5

     (27     (210     (238

Paid guarantee benefits

     (53     (27     (81

Net exchange differences

     10       17       27  

At December 31, 2019

     448       686       1,133  
   
      GMDB 1,3     GMIB 2,3         

Balance at December 31, 2019

        

Account value 6

     54,411       5,331      

Net amount at risk 7

     1,268       688      

Average attained age of contractholders

     70       71          

 

1 

Guaranteed minimum death benefit in the United States.

2 

Guaranteed minimum income benefit in the United States.

3 

Note that the variable annuity contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; Therefore, the amounts listed are not mutually exclusive.

4 

Balances are included in the insurance liabilities on the face of the statement of financial position.

5 

Incurred guarantee benefit mainly comprise the effect of guarantees from new contracts, releases related to expired out-of-the-money guarantees and value changes as a consequence of interest movements during the reporting year.

6 

Account value reflects the actual fund value for the policyholders.

7 

The net amount at risk is defined as the present value of the minimum guaranteed annuity payments available to the contract holder determined in accordance with the terms of the contract in excess of the current account balance.

d. Minimum investment return guarantees in the Netherlands

The traditional life and pension products offered by Aegon in the Netherlands include various products that accumulate a cash value. Premiums are paid by customers at inception or over the term of the contract. The accumulation products pay benefits on the policy maturity date, subject to survival of the insured. In addition, most policies also pay death benefits if the insured dies during the term of the contract. The death benefits may be stipulated in the policy or depend on the gross premiums paid to date. Premiums and amounts insured are established at inception of the contract. The amount insured can be increased as a result of profit sharing, if provided for under the terms and conditions of the product. Minimum interest guarantees exist for all generations of traditional accumulation products written. Older generations contain a 4% guarantee; in 1999 the guarantee decreased to 3% and in 2013 the guarantee decreased to 0%.

 

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The traditional group pension contracts offered by Aegon in the Netherlands include large group insurance contracts that have an individually determined asset investment strategy underlying the pension contract. The guarantee given is that the profit sharing is the maximum of 0% and the realized return on an asset portfolio specified in the policy conditions, adjusted for technical interest rates ranging from 3% to 4%. If the adjusted return is negative, the 0% minimum is effective, but the loss in any given year is carried forward to be offset against any future surpluses within the contract period. In general, a guarantee is given for the life of the underlying employees so that their pension benefit is guaranteed. Large group contracts also share technical results (mortality risk and disability risk). The contract period is typically five years and the premiums are fixed over this period.

These guarantees are valued at fair value and are included as part of insurance liabilities with the underlying host insurance contracts.

The following table provides information on the liabilities for guarantees that are included in the valuation of the host contracts, net of the present value of the expected future premiums that are received to cover these guarantees:

 

Liabilities for guarantees The Netherlands        
EUR millions    GMI 1,2  
   

At January 1, 2020

     6,422  

Incurred guarantee benefits 3

     1,438  

At June 30, 2020

     7,860   
   

Balance at June 30, 2020

    

Account value 4

     19,927  

Net amount at risk 5

     7,848  
   

At January 1, 2019

     5,063  

Incurred guarantee benefits 3

     1,358  

At December 31, 2019

     6,422   
   

Balance at December 31, 2019

    

Account value 4

     19,985  

Net amount at risk 5

     6,335  

 

1 

Guaranteed minimum investment return in the Netherlands.

2 

Balances are included in the insurance liabilities on the face of the statement of financial position.

3 

Incurred guarantee benefits mainly comprise the effect of guarantees from new contracts, releases related to expired out-of-the-money guarantees and fair value movements during the reporting year.

4 

Account value reflects the liability value of the insurance contracts as a whole.

5 

The net amount at risk represents the sum of the differences between the guaranteed and actual amount that is credited to the policyholders. For individual policies only positive differences are included, for Group pensions contracts carry forwards of negative differences are recognized.

 

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Fair value measurement of guarantees in insurance contracts

The fair values of guarantees mentioned above (except for life contingent guarantees in the United States) are calculated as the present value of future expected payments to policyholders less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the guarantees. For further details refer to note 44 of Aegon’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

For equity volatility, Aegon uses a term structure assumption with market-based implied volatility inputs for the first five years and a long-term forward rate assumption of 25% thereafter. The volume of observable option trading from which volatilities are derived generally declines as the contracts’ term increases, therefore, the volatility curve grades from implied volatilities for five years to the ultimate rate. The resulting volatility assumption in year 20 for the S&P 500 index (expressed as a spot rate) was 24.2% at June 30, 2020, and 21.1% at December 31, 2019. Correlations of market returns across underlying indices are based on historical market returns and their inter-relationships over a number of years preceding the valuation date. Assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, such as lapses, included in the models are derived in the same way as the assumptions used to measure insurance liabilities.

These assumptions are reviewed at each valuation date, and updated based on historical experience and observable market data, including market transactions such as acquisitions and reinsurance transactions. Disclosure on interest rate risk, including interest rate risk sensitivity is included in note 4 Financial risks of the 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Aegon utilizes different risk management strategies to mitigate the financial impact of the valuation of these guarantees on the results including asset and liability management and derivative hedging strategies to hedge certain aspects of the market risks embedded in these guarantees.

Guarantees valued at fair value contributed a net gain before tax of EUR 275 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 (six months ended June 30, 2019: gain of EUR 335 million). Contributing to this net gain before tax are fair value gains on guarantee reserve hedges of EUR 5,029 million (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 2,068 million gains), a gain of EUR 272 million related to DPAC offset and other (the first six months of 2019: EUR 156 million gain) and a gain of EUR 333 million related to widening of own credit spreads (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 108 million gain). This was partly offset by negative results related to decrease in risk free rates of EUR 4,416 million (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 2,937 million loss), a loss of EUR 791 million related to increase in equity markets (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 957 million gain) and EUR 169 million loss (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 18 million gain) from increases in equity volatilities.

Guarantee reserves increased EUR 4,830 million in the first six months of 2020 (six months ended June 30, 2019: increase of EUR 1,994 million).

 

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2.4 Additional information on credit risk, unrealized losses and impairments

Debt instruments

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities, money market investments and other, included in Aegon’s available-for-sale (AFS) portfolios, are as follows as of June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019:

 

             
EUR millions    Amortized cost      Unrealized gains      Unrealized losses     Total fair value      Fair value of
instruments with
unrealized gains
     Fair value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
 

At June 30, 2020

                                                    

Debt securities, money market instruments and other

                  

United States government

     7,827        2,797        (2     10,622        10,537        86  

Dutch government

     4,850        1,635        -       6,486        6,418        68  

Other government

     9,245        3,417        (19     12,642        12,012        631  

Mortgage-backed securities

     6,619        473        (77     7,015        6,424        590  

Asset-backed securities

     4,007        105        (74     4,038        1,628        2,410  

Corporate

     45,102        6,321        (398     51,024        45,598        5,426  

Money market investments

     7,463        -        -       7,463        6,676        787  

Other

     1,101        43        (104     1,040        696        343  

Total

     86,214         14,791         (675 )       100,330         89,989         10,341   
   

Of which held by Aegon Americas and NL

     77,100        13,773        (616     90,256        81,067        9,189  
                
             
EUR millions    Amortized cost      Unrealized gains      Unrealized losses     Total fair value      Fair value of
instruments with
unrealized gains
     Fair value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
 

At December 31, 2019

                  

Debt securities, money market instruments and other

                  

United States government

     7,443        1,377        (8     8,812        8,478        334  

Dutch government

     4,869        1,448        -       6,316        6,267        49  

Other government

     8,901        2,989        (17     11,872        11,662        210  

Mortgage-backed securities

     6,366        470        (25     6,811        5,773        1,037  

Asset-backed securities

     3,776        103        (9     3,869        2,881        989  

Corporate

     40,552        4,853        (167     45,238        42,801        2,437  

Money market investments

     5,169        -        -       5,169        4,702        467  

Other

     976        49        (117     908        628        280  

Total

     78,052         11,289         (345 )       88,995         83,192         5,803   
   

Of which held by Aegon Americas and NL

     69,012        10,493        (327     79,178        74,025        5,153  

Unrealized bond losses by sector

The composition by industry category of Aegon’s AFS debt securities, money market investments and other in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, is presented in the following table:

 

Unrealized losses - debt securities, money market investments and other                              
     
EUR millions    Jun. 30, 2020    

Dec. 31, 2019

 
     
      Carrying value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
    Unrealized losses     Carrying value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
     Unrealized losses  

Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBSs)

     (321     (31     413        (18

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBSs)

     731       (36     494        (6

Asset-backed securities (ABSs) – CDOs backed by ABS, Corp. bonds, Bank loans

     1,479       (41     662        (5

ABSs – Other

     728       (26     242        (4

Financial Industry – Banking

     612       (28     349        (20

Financial Industry – Insurance

     106       (14     104        (5

Financial Industry – Other

     1,182       (27     615        (15

Industrial

     3,557       (280     1,293        (105

Utility

     251       (14     248        (10

Government

     523       (16     453        (23

Other

     343       (104     279        (117

Total held by Aegon Americas and NL

     9,189        (616 )       5,153         (327 )  

Held by other segments

     1,151       (58     650        (18

Total

     10,341        (675 )       5,803         (345 )  

As of June 30, 2020, there are EUR 13,773 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 10,493 million) of gross unrealized gains and EUR 616 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 327 million) of gross unrealized losses in the AFS debt securities, money markets and other portfolio of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands.

 

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First half 2020 was a tale of two quarters. The global spread of COVID-19 started in Q1. Stay-at-home orders started in the US in mid-March and auto production ceased at the same time. As a consequence, in Q1, the Federal Reserve rate eased by 100 bps, U.S. 10-year treasury rate fell 120 bps to 70 bps, oil dropped from USD 70 a barrel to USD 20, the S&P 500 fell 34% and credit spreads gapped wider in panicked markets. The US dollar weakened and economic growth slowed markedly, contracting by 5% in Q1 and an estimated 35% in Q2. By the end of April, however, some states started easing stay-at-home orders and businesses began reopening. Ford and GM resumed auto production in Mid-May and continuing claims for unemployment stabilized. The equity markets response was dramatic as the S&P 500 recovered to year end levels by early June, corporate bond spreads recovered 80% of March’s widening, oil rose to over USD 40 a barrel and the US dollar bounced back. US interest rates on the other hand remained roughly unchanged as the Federal Reserve signaled that policy rates would remain near zero for some time as they expect the full recovery of employment and growth to take a long time. Starting in March, the Federal Reserve began stabilizing market function, growing their balance sheet as they provided trillions of dollars of liquidity. Congress also passed legislation providing over two trillion dollars of fiscal support for both individuals and businesses. The massive support has stabilized consumption, supported asset valuations, and thus provided the underpinnings of economic recovery.

Eurozone GDP fell sharply due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns within the Eurozone and the impact of the virus on other countries, resulted in the sharpest fall in economic activity in peacetime. The pandemic has also exacerbated the divergence within Europe. Southern countries have experienced worse outbreaks and more stringent lockdowns. Tourism is also a larger share of their economies, while fiscal positions are worse. As a result, the European Commission is considering to setup a Recovery fund backed by all EU members, which would especially support those countries hit hardest.

As a reaction on the crisis, the ECB has setup a new Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme of EUR 1,350 billion and has provided favorable lending programs to the banking sector to ease financial conditions.

Governments have announced large employment retention schemes, VAT cuts and other spending measures to soften the fall in economic output. Budget deficit will soar and government debt levels will rise sharply as a result.

Impairment of financial assets

Aegon regularly monitors industry sectors and individual debt securities for indicators of impairment. These indicators may include one or more of the following: 1) deteriorating market to book ratio, 2) increasing industry risk factors, 3) deteriorating financial condition of the issuer, 4) covenant violations by the issuer, 5) high probability of bankruptcy of the issuer, or 6) downgrades by internationally recognized credit rating agency. Additionally, for asset-backed securities, cash flow trends and underlying levels of collateral are monitored. A security is impaired if there is objective evidence that a loss event has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset that has a negative impact on the estimated future cash flows.

In the sections below a description is provided on the composition of the categories of debt securities and money market investments. Individual issuers rated below investment grade in any sector which have unrealized loss positions greater than EUR 25 million are disclosed separately. Furthermore, quality ratings of investment portfolios are based on a composite of the main rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch) and Aegon’s internal rating of the counterparty.

 

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Residential mortgage-backed securities

Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands hold EUR 2,832 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 2,533 million) of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) available-for-sale, of which EUR 2,550 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 2,222 million) is held by Aegon Americas and EUR 282 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 311 million) by Aegon the Netherlands. RMBS securities are securitizations of underlying pools of non-commercial mortgages on real estate. The underlying residential mortgages have varying credit characteristics and are pooled together and sold in tranches. The following table shows the breakdown of Aegon Americas RMBS AFS portfolio.

 

AFS RMBS by quality                                                        
EUR millions    AAA      AA      A      BBB      <BBB     

Total amortized

cost

    

Total fair

value

 

GSE guaranteed

     1,206        34        -        -        -        1,240        1,275  

Prime jumbo

     5        14        1        1        17        38        45  

Alt-A

     10        96        13        9        210        338        406  

Negative amortization floaters

     -        2        -        8        365        375        423  

Other housing

     3        8        2        5        314        332        401  

At June 30, 2020

     1,224         154         17         23         905         2,323         2,550   
   

Of which insured

     -        -        15        4        84        103        52  

 

AFS RMBS by Quality                                                        
EUR millions    AAA      AA      A      BBB      <BBB     

Total amortized

cost

    

Total fair

value

 

GSE guaranteed

     735        43        -        -        -        778        782  

Prime jumbo

     6        16        1        2        32        56        62  

Alt-A

     48        59        15        10        242        373        462  

Negative amortization floaters

     -        2        -        9        382        394        468  

Other housing

     2        9        2        7        317        337        449  

At December 31, 2019

     790         129         18         28         973         1,938         2,222   
   

Of which insured

     -        -        16        4        88        109        100  

A significant part of Aegon Americas RMBS holdings are rated < BBB, as the issuances took place before the United States housing downturn that started in 2007.

Additionally, Aegon Americas has investments in RMBS of EUR 75 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 67 million), which are classified as fair value through profit or loss.

RMBS of Aegon Americas are monitored and reviewed on a monthly basis. Detailed cash flow models using the current collateral pool and capital structure on the portfolio are updated and reviewed quarterly. Model output is generated under base and stress-case scenarios. Aegon’s RMBS asset specialists utilize widely recognized industry modeling software to perform a loan-by-loan, bottom-up approach to modeling. Key assumptions used in the models are projected defaults, loss severities, and prepayments. Each of these key assumptions varies greatly based on the significantly diverse characteristics of the current collateral pool for each security. Loan-to-value, loan size, and borrower credit history are some of the key characteristics used to determine the level of assumption that is utilized. Defaults were estimated by identifying the loans that are in various delinquency buckets and defaulting a certain percentage of them over the near-term and long-term. Assumed defaults on delinquent loans are dependent on the specific security’s collateral attributes and historical performance.

 

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Prepayments and loss severity assumptions were determined by obtaining historical rates from broader market data and by adjusting those rates for vintage, specific pool performance, collateral type, mortgage insurance and estimated loan modifications. Prepayments were estimated by examining historical averages of prepayment activity on the underlying collateral. Quantitative ranges of significant assumptions within Aegon’s modeling process for Prime Jumbo, Alt-A, Negative Amortization and subprime RMBS are as follows: prepayment assumptions range from approximately 0% to 40% with a weighted average of approximately 8.5% (December 31, 2019: 8.44%). Assumed loan defaults range from 0% to 45% with a weighted average of approximately 21% (December 31, 2019: 20.42%) and are dependent on the specific security’s collateral attributes and historical performance, while loss severity assumptions range from approximately -95% to 105%, with a weighted average of approximately 49% (December 31, 2019: 50.19%).

Once the entire pool is modeled, the results are closely analyzed by Aegon’s asset specialists to determine whether or not Aegon’s particular tranche or holding is at risk for not collecting all contractual cash flows taking into account the seniority and other terms of the tranches held.

Aegon the Netherlands has mandated Aegon Asset Management to invest in RMBS transactions. Aegon Asset Management uses its own proprietary cash flow tools to analyze and stress test RMBS transactions. The key input parameters are default rates and loss given default assumptions, which are established based on historical pool characteristics and current loan level data. Cash flows for each bond are modelled in 225 scenarios of varying severity, ranging from base case to extreme stress to even unrealistic scenarios to establish breaking points of the tranche. The model takes all deal characteristics, such as waterfall or reserve funds, into account and gives us detailed insight in the risk of principal loss or deferral of contractual cash flows.

The total gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale RMBS of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands amounted to EUR 31 million (December 31, 2019: 18 million), of which EUR 29 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 18 million) relates to positions of Aegon Americas. The total net unrealized gain on available-for-sale RMBS was EUR 227 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 288 million), including a EUR 227 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 284 million) net unrealized gain relating to positions of Aegon Americas.

The United States’ non-agency RMBS saw significant spread widening across deal types during Q1 2020 primarily driven by pandemic-induced economic contraction, broad market volatility and mortgage REIT liquidations. Spreads have tightened substantially in Q2 facilitated by unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus. Government fiscal stimulus, temporary loan forbearance programs and accumulated home equity have moderated collateral performance deterioration, however, delinquencies could rise if government assistance terminates and unemployment levels remain elevated.

In general, the European housing market was strong at the start of the year against solid economic fundamentals. The shutdowns that followed the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis had a sharply negative impact on these economic fundamentals. Most financial assets weakened considerably in March, after which an improvement followed. This also holds for asset backed securities. Spreads on these assets rose significantly in March, after which a gradual spread normalisation followed. This recovery was helped by the ECB that increased its asset purchase program, which includes ABS. This means that spreads have fallen from their March peaks, but spreads are still higher than at the beginning of 2020, leading to a negative total return over first half 2020.

 

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There are no individual issuers rated below investment grade in this RMBS sector which have unrealized loss position greater than EUR 25 million.

The fair values of Aegon Americas’ AFS RMBS instruments were determined as follows:

 

EUR millions    Level II      Level III     

 

Jun. 30,
2020

     Level II      Level III      Dec. 31,
2019
 

RMBS

     2,522        28        2,550        2,188        34        2,222  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

As of June, 30, 2020, Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands hold EUR 3,351 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3,440 million) of AFS commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), of which EUR 3,339 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3,427 million) is held by Aegon Americas and EUR 12 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 13 million) by Aegon the Netherlands. CMBS are securitizations of underlying pools of mortgages on commercial real estate. The underlying mortgages have varying risk characteristics and are pooled together and sold in different rated tranches. The company’s CMBS include conduit, large loan, single borrower, commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations (CRE CDOs), collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), government agency, and franchise loan receivable trusts.

The total gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale CMBS of Aegon Americas amounted to EUR 36 million as of June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: EUR 6 million). The total net unrealized gain on the available-for-sale CMBS as of June 30, 2020, is EUR 119 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 157 million), of which EUR 119 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 104 million) relates to positions of Aegon Americas. With the onset of the COVID-19 crisis CMBS fundamentals have deteriorated and there has been a concentrated negative impact to both the hospitality and retail segment. Delinquency rates have been on the rise, specifically early stage delinquencies, and borrowers have been actively requesting debt service relief. Despite forced selling and uncertainty driving spread volatility in late first quarter 2020, CMBS spreads in senior parts of the capital structure have retraced and found support from the Federal Reserves’ commitment to liquidity. Although subordinated and lower quality spreads have experienced some retracing, they remain relatively wide from a historical perspective due to credit uncertainty and elevated risk of ratings migration.

The tables below summarize the credit quality of Aegon America’s AFS CMBS portfolio. Additionally, as of June 30, 2020, Aegon Americas has no investments in CMBS (December 31, 2019: EUR nil), which are classified as fair value through profit or loss.

 

CMBS by quality                                                        
EUR millions    AAA      AA      A      BBB      <BBB      Total
amortized
cost
     Total fair
value
 

CMBS

     2,373        691        116        10        30        3,220        3,339  

At June 30, 2020

     2,373        691        116        10        30        3,220        3,339  

 

CMBS by quality                                                        
EUR millions    AAA      AA      A      BBB      <BBB      Total
amortized
cost
     Total fair
value
 

CMBS

     2,540        639        109        7        29        3,323        3,427  

At June 30, 2019

     2,540        639        109        7        29        3,323        3,427  

 

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CMBS of Aegon Americas are monitored and reviewed on a monthly basis. Detailed cash flow models using the current collateral pool and capital structure on the portfolio are updated and reviewed quarterly. Model output is generated under base and several stress-case scenarios by Aegon’s internal CMBS asset specialists. For conduit securities, a widely recognized industry modeling software is used to perform a loan-by-loan, bottom-up approach. For non-conduit securities, a CMBS asset specialist works closely with Aegon’s real estate valuation group to determine underlying asset valuation and risk. Both methodologies incorporate external estimates on the property market, capital markets, property cash flows, and loan structure. Results are then closely analyzed by the asset specialist to determine whether a principal or interest loss is expected to occur.

As the remaining unrealized losses in the CMBS portfolio relate to holdings where Aegon expects to receive full principal and interest, Aegon does not consider the underlying investments to be impaired as of June 30, 2020.

There are no individual issuers rated below investment grade in the CMBS sector which have unrealized loss position greater than EUR 25 million.

The fair values of Aegon Americas AFS CMBS instruments were determined as follows:

 

EUR millions    Level II      Level III     

 

Jun. 30,
2020

     Level II      Level III      Dec. 31,
2019
 

CMBS

     3,339        -        3,339        3,427        -        3,427  

Asset-backed securities

Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands hold EUR 3,570 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3,332 million) of AFS ABS instruments of which EUR 2,203 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 2,239 million) is held by Aegon Americas and EUR 1,368 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 1,093 million) by Aegon the Netherlands. Additionally, as of June 30, 2020, Aegon Americas has investments in ABS of EUR 3 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3 million), which are classified as fair value through profit or loss. ABS are securitizations of underlying pools of credit card receivables, auto financing loans, small business loans, bank loans, and other receivables. The underlying assets of the asset backed securities have been pooled together and sold in tranches with varying credit ratings.

The total gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale ABS of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands amounted to EUR 66 million as of June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: EUR 9 million). Aegon Americas has EUR 47 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 5 million) of this gross unrealized loss and Aegon the Netherlands, EUR 19 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3 million).

In the United States, spreads of asset backed securities widened in March and April upon the emergence of the novel coronavirus and the resulting economic slowdown. However, spreads have tightened substantially in May/June, especially in on-the-run asset backed sectors, as businesses have reopened and with reduced year to date supply of new issue ABS bonds. Government-provided stimulus to the consumer has thus far mitigated collateral performance deterioration, however, Aegon expects weakness in consumer-oriented ABS sectors when the government stimulus terminates if unemployment levels remain high. In the first half of 2020, the European ABS market was shaken up by the global spread of the Coronavirus. Especially in March and the beginning of April, Aegon saw severe spread widening across all European ABS sectors. In May Aegon saw a very strong rebound in spreads across all ABS sectors in line with the strong sentiment in the broader financial markets.

 

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The strong sentiment was supported by the substantial fiscal and monetary support, slowly re-opening of the economy and the abating fear of a second wave of corona infections. Aegon’s outlook for ABS is moderately positive, as valuations are still quite attractive and Aegon remains comfortable with the fundamentals, especially as an Investment Grade investor.

The breakdown by quality of the AFS ABS portfolio of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands is as follows:

 

ABS Americas and NL

                                                              

EUR millions

     AAA        AA        A        BBB        <BBB       

Total
amortized
cost
 
 
 
    
Total fair
value
 
 

Credit cards

     83        1        -        -        -        83        98  

Autos

     33        61        27        44        43        208        207  

Small business loans

     -        -        1        5        12        19        18  

CDOs backed by ABS, Corp. bonds, Bank loans

     1,483        234        45        32        59        1,853        1,820  

Other ABS

     443        89        771        95        8        1,406        1,428  

At June 30, 2020

     2,041        385        844        177        122        3,569        3,570  

 

ABS Americas and NL

                                                              

EUR millions

     AAA        AA        A        BBB        <BBB       

Total
amortized
cost
 
 
 
    
Total fair
value
 
 

Credit cards

     66        1        -        -        -        66        77  

Autos

     147        -        72        2        -        220        222  

Small business loans

     -        -        2        6        13        21        21  

CDOs backed by ABS, Corp. bonds, Bank loans

     1,201        229        45        42        49        1,567        1,569  

Other ABS

     429        98        760        104        9        1,400        1,444  

At December 31, 2019

     1,843        329        878        154        71        3,274        3,332  

There were no individual issuers rated below investment grade in this ABS sector which has unrealized loss position greater than EUR 25 million.

The fair values of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands AFS ABS instruments were determined as follows:

 

             
EUR millions    Level II      Level III      Jun. 30, 2020      Level II      Level III      Dec. 31, 2019  

ABSs

     3,446        124        3,570        2,668        664        3,332  

Corporate - Industrial sector

The Industrial sector is further subdivided into various sub-sectors. A majority of Aegon’s available-for-sale portfolio gross unrealized loss is in the Energy sub-sectors.

Corporate – Industrial sector - Energy sub-sector

Within the Energy sub-sector, Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands hold EUR 3,891 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3,961 million) of AFS bonds, of which EUR 3,738 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 3,844 million) is held by Aegon Americas and EUR 153 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 117 million) by Aegon the Netherlands. In aggregate, the gross unrealized loss on these bonds amounted to EUR 128 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 62 million) and the net unrealized gain on these bonds amounted to EUR 248 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 367 million).

 

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The Energy sub-sector encompasses various industries including integrated oil and gas producers, independent oil and gas producers, midstream processing and transport, oil field services and drilling, and refining. Demand shocks and OPEC decisions significantly impacted cash flow and capital spending for upstream companies, and access to capital for some producers. Oil field service and drilling companies have been severely pressured by the reduced capital spending of their upstream client base as well as excess capacity that has resulted in margin compression. Refiners suffered weak throughput volumes due to COVID-19 impacts but started recovering as economies reopened. Refining margins remained weak, favoring inventory de-stocking. Midstream companies are facing lower throughput volumes from weaker refined product demand and production curtailments, however, are better financially positioned than other sub-sector peers. The electric sector continued to be relatively stable. However, some rating downgrades occurred due to the negative cash flow impacts of Tax Reform in the U.S., slowly declining allowed ROE globally (State level in US and OFGEM RIIO2 in UK) and one-off events such as the California wildfires or large project delays. Aegon evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss and applied impairments as appropriate as of June 30, 2020.

There are no individual issuers rated below investment grade in this sub-sector which have unrealized loss positions greater than EUR 25 million.

Unrealized loss by maturity

The table below shows the composition by maturity of all AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position held by Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands.

 

     

 

Jun. 30, 2020

     Dec. 31, 2019  
Debt securities    Carrying value of
securities with gross
unrealized losses
     Gross unrealized
losses
     Carrying value of
securities with gross
unrealized losses
     Gross unrealized
losses
 

One year or less

     310        (14)        247        (1)  

Over 1 through 5 years

     2,475        (114)        983        (26)  

Over 5 through 10 years

     2,773        (157)        1,175        (47)  

Over 10 years

     2,500        (227)        2,002        (135)  

Total

     8,059        (512)        4,407        (210)  

Unrealized loss by credit quality

The table below shows the composition by credit quality of debt securities, available-for-sale, in an unrealized loss position held by Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands.

 

     

 

Jun. 30, 2020

     Dec. 31, 2019  
Debt securities    Carrying value of
securities with
unrealized losses
             Unrealized losses      Carrying value of
securities with
    unrealized losses
             Unrealized losses  

AAA

     1,368        (36)        1,340        (10)  

AA

     788        (26)        452        (8)  

A

     1,876        (42)        662        (13)  

BBB

     2,293        (142)        1,345        (58)  

BB

     985        (103)        181        (17)  

B

     423        (47)        186        (25)  

Below B

     327        (116)        240        (78)  

Total

     8,059        (512)        4,407        (210)  

The table below provides the length of time an available-for-sale security has been below cost and the respective unrealized loss.

 

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      Jun. 30, 2020  
Debt securities    Investment grade
carrying value of
securities with
unrealized losses
     Below investment grade
carrying value of
securities with unrealized
losses
         Investment
grade
unrealized
loss
     Below
investment
grade
unrealized loss
 

0 – 6 months

     4,898        1,370        (154)        (149)  

6 – 12 months

     366        69        (15)        (21)  

> 12 months

     1,060        295        (77)        (97)  

Total

     6,325        1,734        (246)        (266)  

 

   
          
      Dec. 31, 2019  
Debt securities   

Investment grade
carrying value of

securities with
unrealized losses

     Below investment grade
carrying value of
securities with unrealized
losses
         Investment
grade
unrealized
loss
     Below
investment
grade
unrealized loss
 

0 – 6 months

     2,178        132        (35)        (7)  

6 – 12 months

     128        45        (2)        (4)  

> 12 months

     1,493        432        (52)        (110)  

Total

     3,799        608        (89)        (121)  

The unrealized loss decreased during the first half of 2020 mainly due to tightening credit spreads and decreasing US Treasury rates.

Aging and severity unrealized losses

The table below provides the length of time a below investment grade security has been in an unrealized loss and the percentage of carrying value (CV) to amortized cost in Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands.

 

Aging and severity unrealized losses debt securities                         
      Jun. 30, 2020     Dec. 31, 2019

 

EUR millions

  

Carrying

value

     Unrealized
losses
    Carrying
value
     Unrealized
losses

CV 70 - 100% of amortized cost

     1,320        (112     131      (6)

CV 40 - 70% of amortized cost

     46        (29     1      (1)

CV < 40% of amortized cost

     4        (8     -      -

0-6 months

     1,370        (149)       132      (7)
 

 

CV 70 - 100% of amortized cost

     56        (7     43      (3)

CV 40 - 70% of amortized cost

     11        (7     1      (1)

CV < 40% of amortized cost

     2        (7     -      -

6-12 months

     69        (21)       45      (4)
 

 

CV 70 - 100% of amortized cost

     54        (8     175      (21)

CV 40 - 70% of amortized cost

     14        (11     33      (22)

CV < 40% of amortized cost

     4        (12     4      (9)

12-24 months

     73        (31)       213      (52)
 

 

CV 70 - 100% of amortized cost

     185        (25     192      (24)

CV 40 - 70% of amortized cost

     26        (20     13      (9)

CV < 40% of amortized cost

     11        (21     14      (25)

> 24 months

 

     222        (66)       219      (58)

Total

     1,734        (266)       608      (121)

There are no individual issuers rated below investment grade which has an unrealized loss greater than EUR 25 million.

 

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Realized gains and losses on debt securities of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands

The following table provides the realized gains and losses on the debt securities of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands for the six months ended June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2019.

 

Gross realized gains and (losses)

 

        
EUR millions    Gross realized gains     Gross realized losses
   

June 30, 2020

        

Debt securities

   50   (33)
   

June 30, 2019

        

Debt securities

   290   (47)

The table below provides the length of time the security was below cost prior to the sale and the respective realized loss for assets not considered impaired.

 

Gross realized losses

 

                        
EUR millions    0-12 months             >12 months             Total  
   

June 30, 2020

                        

Debt securities

     (24     (10     (33
   

June 30, 2019

                        

Debt securities

     (25     (22     (47

Impairment losses and recoveries

The composition of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands’ bond impairment losses and recoveries by issuer for the periods ended June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2019, is presented in the table below. Those issuers with impairments or recoveries above EUR 25 million are specifically noted.

 

     

June 30,  

2020  

  

June 30,

2019

EUR millions   

(impairment)

Recovery

  

(impairment)

Recovery

     

Impairments:

         

Other (none individually greater than EUR 25 million)

   (135)    (20)

Subtotal

   (135)    (29)
     

Recoveries:

         

Total recoveries on previously impaired securities

   15    11

Subtotal

   15    11
     

Net (impairments) and recoveries

   (121)    (18)

Net (impairments) and recoveries

Net impairments for the six months ended June 30, 2020, totalled EUR 121 million (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 18 million net recoveries).

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2020, Aegon recognized EUR 15 million (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 11 million) in recoveries on previously impaired securities. In each case where a recovery was taken on structured securities, improvements in underlying cash flows for the security were documented and modeling results improved significantly. Recoveries on non-structured securities were supported by documented credit events combined with significant market value improvements.

Equity instruments classified as available-for-sale

Objective evidence of impairment of an investment in an equity instrument classified as available-for-sale includes information about significant changes with an adverse effect that have taken place in the technological, market, economic or legal environment in which the issuer operates, and indicates that the cost of the investment in the equity instrument may not be recovered. A significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of an investment in an equity instrument below its cost is also objective evidence of impairment. Significant or prolonged decline is generally defined within Aegon as an unrealized loss position for more than six months or a fair value of less than 80% of the cost price of the investment. Additionally, as part of an ongoing process, internal equity analysts actively monitor earnings releases, company fundamentals, new developments and industry trends for any signs of possible impairment.

These factors typically require significant management judgment. The impairment review process has resulted in EUR 6 million of impairment charges for the six months ended June 30, 2020 (six months ended June 30, 2019: EUR 3 million) for Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands.

As of June 30, 2020, there are EUR 45 million of gross unrealized gains and EUR 33 million of gross unrealized losses in the equity portfolio of Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands (June 30, 2019: EUR 47 million of gross unrealized gains and EUR 24 million of gross unrealized losses).

The table below represents the unrealized gains and losses on share positions held by Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands.

 

Unrealized gains and losses on shares

 

                                                              
EUR millions    Cost basis      Carrying
value
     Net
unrealized
gains /
(losses)
    

Carrying value

of securities with
gross unrealized
gains

     Gross
unrealized
gains
     Carrying value of
securities with
gross unrealized
losses
     Gross
unrealized
losses
 
   

June 30, 2020

                                                              

Shares

     229        241        12        176        45        65        (33)  
   

December 31, 2019

                                                              

Shares

     290        312        23        254        47        58        (24)  

The composition of shares by industry sector in an unrealized loss position held by Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands at June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019 is presented in the following table.

 

Unrealized losses on shares

                 
      Jun. 30, 2020      Dec. 31, 2019  
     
EUR millions    Carrying value
of instruments
with unrealized
losses
    

Gross

unrealized
losses

    

Carrying value
of instruments

with unrealized
losses

     Gross
unrealized
losses
 

Financials

     58        (14)        28        (10)  

Other

     7        (19)        30        (14)  

Total

     65        (33)        58        (24)  

 

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Impairment losses on shares

The table below provides the length of time the shares held by Aegon Americas and Aegon the Netherlands were below cost prior to their impairment during the first six months of 2020 and during the first six months of 2019.

 

Impairment losses on shares

 

        
EUR millions    0 - 6 months  
   

June 30, 2020

        

Shares

     (10)  
   

June 30, 2019

        

Shares

     (2)  

 

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2.5 Results of Operations – first half 2020 compared with first half 2019

This report includes the non-IFRS financial measure: underlying earnings before tax. The reconciliation of this measure to the most comparable IFRS measure, which is net income, is presented in the table below in addition to note 3 Segment information of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements in Item 1. This non-IFRS measure is calculated by consolidating on a proportionate basis the revenues and expenses of Aegon’s joint ventures in the Netherlands, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and China and Aegon’s associates in India, Brazil, the Netherlands and United Kingdom.

The table also includes the non-IFRS financial measure: net underlying earnings. This is the after-tax equivalent of underlying earnings before tax. The reconciliation of net underlying earnings to the most comparable IFRS measure is presented in the following table.

Aegon’s senior management is compensated based in part on Aegon’s results against targets using the non-IFRS measures presented in this report. While many other insurers in Aegon’s peer group present substantially similar non-IFRS measures, the non-IFRS measures presented in this document may nevertheless differ from the non-IFRS measures presented by other insurers. There is no standardized meaning to these measures under IFRS or any other recognized set of accounting standards and readers are cautioned to carefully consider the different ways in which Aegon and its peers present similar information before making a comparison. Aegon believes the non-IFRS measures present within this report, when read together with Aegon’s reported IFRS financial statements, provides meaningful supplemental information for the investing public about the underlying operating results of Aegon’s businesses, including insight into the financial measures that senior management uses in managing the businesses. This enables them to evaluate Aegon’s businesses after eliminating the impact of current IFRS accounting policies for financial instruments and insurance contracts, which embed a number of accounting policy alternatives that companies may select in presenting their results (as companies may use different local generally accepted accounting principles), and this may make the comparability difficult between time periods.

As of January 1, 2020, Aegon’s activities in Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia, previously reported in two separate operating segments, have been brought together in a new operating segment, International. The objective is to integrate the two organizations, accelerate growth and leverage cross-border synergies.

The change in segment reporting does not have an impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Aegon. The tables presented in this section have been updated to reflect this change.

 

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i Results 2020 worldwide

Results Worldwide    First half     First half         
Amounts in EUR millions    2020     2019     %  
   

Net underlying earnings

     589        831        (29

Tax on underlying earnings

     110        177        (37

Underlying earnings before tax geographically

        

Americas

     264        577        (54

The Netherlands

     321        328        (2

United Kingdom

     81        70        17  

International

     75        71        6  

Asset Management

     71        60        17  

Holding and other activities

     (113     (98     (14

Underlying earnings before tax

     700        1,008        (31

Fair value items

     403        (795     n.m.  

Gains / (losses) on investments

     16        275        (94

Net impairments

     (194     (39     n.m.  

Other income / (charges)

     (1,071     (93     n.m.  

Run-off businesses

                 (51

Income before tax (excluding income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates)

     (143     365        n.m.  

Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

     24        16        53  

Income tax

     126        (65     n.m.  

Of which Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

     (24     (16     (53

Net income

     (16     300        n.m.  
   

Commissions and expenses

     3,378        3,180        6  

of which operating expenses

     1,986        1,918        4  
   

New life sales

        

Americas

     185        200        (8

The Netherlands

     47        52        (10

United Kingdom

     19        21        (9

International

     128        131        (3

Total recurring plus 1/10 single

     379        405        (6
   

New premium production accident and health insurance

     124        117        6  

New premium production Property & casualty insurance

     59        65        (9
   

Gross deposits (on and off balance)

        

Americas

     22,485        21,619        4  

The Netherlands

     7,580        6,121        24  

United Kingdom

     7,295        3,602        103  

International

     163        182        (10

Asset Management

     65,043        33,481        94  

Total gross deposits

     102,566         65,005         58  

 

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Revenues geographically first half 2020

 

Worldwide revenues geographically

 

Amounts in EUR millions

  Americas    

The

Netherlands

    United
Kingdom
    International     Aegon Asset
Management
    Holdings,
other
activities
and
eliminations
    Segment
total
    Associates
and Joint
Ventures
eliminations
    Consolidated  
   

Total life insurance gross premiums

    3,617       978       2,735       611       -       1       7,942       (416     7,526  

Accident and health insurance premiums

    728       169       13       150       -       -       1,060       (37     1,022  

Property & casualty insurance premiums

    -       66       -       194       -       -       260       (65     195  

Total gross premiums

    4,345       1,212       2,748       955       -       1       9,262       (518     8,744  

Investment income

    1,562       1,063       1,259       187       3       (10     4,063       (29     4,034  

Fees and commision income

    796       125       98       26       336       (89     1,291       (121     1,170  

Other revenue

    4       -       -       1       1       2       8       (6     2  

Total revenues

    6,707       2,400       4,105       1,168       340       (96     14,624       (673     13,951  
Number of employees, including agent employees     8,506       3,534       2,276       7,290       1,519       411       23,536                  

Segment information

International covers one operating segment which covers businesses operating in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Romania, Spain and Portugal including any of the units’ activities located outside these countries. This segment reporting is based on the business as presented in internal reports that are regularly reviewed by the Executive Board which is regarded as Aegon’s chief operating decision maker.

As per of January 1, 2020, Aegon’s activities in Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia, previously reported in two separate operating segments, have been brought together in a new operating segment, International. The tables presented in this document have been updated to reflect this change. For further details, refer to note 3 Segment information of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements in Item 1.

Results first half 2020 Worldwide

Net income amounted to a loss of EUR 16 million in the first half of 2020 compared with a profit of EUR 300 million in the first half of 2019. Underlying earnings before tax decreased by 31% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 700 million in the first half of 2020. This was largely caused by lower underlying earnings before tax in the United States, which were only partly offset by higher underlying earnings before tax in the United Kingdom, International and Asset Management. Fair value items were a gain of EUR 403 million in the first half of 2020 compared with a loss of EUR 795 million in the same period last year, as last year included a EUR 1.4 billion strengthening of insurance provisions as result of a shortfall in the Liability Adequacy Test (LAT). Gains on investments declined to EUR 16 million in the first half of 2020 compared with gains of EUR 275 million in the first half of 2019, as last year included gains of EUR 224 million on the sale of bonds to optimize the investment portfolio in the Netherlands. Net impairments increased to a loss of EUR 194 million in the first half of 2020 compared with a loss of EUR 39 million in the same period last year. This increase was primarily caused by impairments in the Americas on bonds – mainly in the energy sector – and on the consumer loan portfolio in the Netherlands. Other charges increased to EUR 1,071 million in the first half of 2020 compared with a loss of EUR 93 million in the same period last year, largely caused by charges for assumption changes in the United States.

 

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Net income

Net income amounted to a loss of EUR 16 million in the first half of 2020 and reflects Other charges, partly offset by underlying earnings before tax and gains on fair value items.

The gain from fair value items amounted to EUR 403 million in the first half of 2020. In the Americas, fair value items amounted to a loss of EUR 760 million. This primarily reflected a loss on fair value investments and unhedged risks. Hedges were effective for the targeted risks. The loss on hedges without an accounting match was driven by the macro equity hedge net of reserve movements, as well as unhedged risks and unhedged volatility in the Indexed Universal Life hedge program. The loss on fair value hedges with an accounting match was mainly due to unhedged risks as a result of the significant decline in interest rates and increase in volatilities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The fair value items in the Netherlands were a gain of EUR 1,102 million. This was the result of a gain on the guarantee provision, mainly due to an increase of the own credit spread used to discount liabilities, and a gain on interest rate hedges. This gain was driven by lower interest rates and was an offset against the negative impact of low interest rates on the LAT deficit. Despite the significant impact of lower interest rates, the LAT deficit increased by only EUR 44 million in the first half of 2020, as an increase in the illiquidity premium led to a significant decrease of the fair value of IFRS insurance liabilities. Fair value gains in the United Kingdom totaled EUR 89 million, largely the result of gains on equity and interest rate hedges to protect the solvency position and fee income.

Realized gains on investments amounted to EUR 16 million, reflecting normal trading activity.

Net impairments amounted to a loss of EUR 194 million. This was primarily caused by impairments in the Americas on bonds – mainly in the energy sector – and on the consumer loan portfolio in the Netherlands.

Other charges of EUR 1,071 million in the first quarter of 2020 were largely caused by assumption changes. Assumption updates in the Americas led to charges of EUR 834 million. This reflects a charge of EUR 477 million for the lowering of the long-term interest rate assumption from 4.25% to 2.75% and the corresponding adjustment of the separate account bond return assumptions. Non-economic assumption changes resulted in a charge of EUR 358 million, mainly related to Universal Life premium persistency and an increase of mortality rate assumptions, as well as a halving of the morbidity improvement assumption for Long-Term Care from 1.5% to 0.75% per year for the next 15 years. These assumption changes negatively impact underlying earnings by approximately EUR 18 million per quarter on a recurring basis, mainly in Life. Restructuring charges totalled EUR 118 million. The Netherlands incurred EUR 48 million restructuring charges for various initiatives to make the organization more efficient and effective, as well as expenses to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulation. In the United Kingdom, EUR 33 million restructuring charges were related to the agreement with Atos for administration services in the Existing Business, and for the Cofunds integration. The Americas reported EUR 31 million restructuring charges related to the operations administration partnerships with TCS and LTCG. Other charges also included a EUR 53 million provision for a settlement of class action litigation related to monthly deduction rate adjustments on certain universal life policies in the United States, as well as EUR 61 million IFRS 9 / 17 project costs in the Holding. This was partly offset by a EUR 53 million gain on the sale of Aegon’s stake in joint ventures in Japan.

Income tax

Income tax was a benefit of EUR 126 million, while income before tax was a loss of EUR 143 million. The negative effective tax rate mainly reflects the tax benefit on the net loss in the United States, as well as a beneficial tax rate impact in the Netherlands following a substantial change in the deferred tax position as a result of market movements.

 

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Underlying earnings before tax

Aegon’s underlying earnings before tax decreased by 31% from EUR 1,008 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 700 million in the first half of 2020. This was largely caused by lower underlying earnings before tax in the United States, which were only partly offset by higher underlying earnings before tax in the United Kingdom, International and Asset Management.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax from the Americas decreased by 54% from EUR 577 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 264 million in the first half of 2020. This was largely caused by EUR 150 million adverse mortality experience in Life compared with EUR 52 million in the first half of 2019, due to large claims at older ages in universal life products and elevated claims in most other products. EUR 34 million of these claims can specifically be attributed to COVID-19 as a direct cause of death. Aegon believes part of the remaining adverse mortality experience is likely attributable to the pandemic as well. Life underlying earnings before tax were also affected by EUR 97 million unfavorable intangible adjustments from lower interest rates and asset portfolio changes, and EUR 16 million adverse persistency in Life. Furthermore, underlying earnings before tax declined in Retirement Plans and Variable Annuities due to net outflows and one-off expenses, while Fixed Annuities underlying earnings before tax declined due to lower investment income. This was only partly offset by better Accident & Health underlying earnings before tax, which benefitted from favorable morbidity experience of EUR 55 million, of which the closed block in Long-Term Care contributed EUR 32 million from increased claims terminations due to higher mortality.

 

-

Aegon’s underlying earnings before tax in the Netherlands decreased by 2% from EUR 328 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 321 million in the first half of 2020. This was driven by lower Life underlying earnings before tax, mainly reflecting the negative impact from a change in the treatment of longevity and mortality results in underlying earnings before tax, as well as higher reinsurance costs following the longevity reinsurance transaction in December 2019. This was partly offset by lower operating expenses due to lower pension costs for own employees, and expense savings in the Service business.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax from the United Kingdom increased by 17% from EUR 70 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 81 million in the first half of 2020, largely as a result of higher fee income due to the continued growth of platform assets, as well as better Protection underlying earnings before tax and expense savings.

 

-

International’s underlying earnings before tax increased by 6% from EUR 71 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 75 million in the first half of 2020, reflecting higher underlying earnings before tax in Spain & Portugal, driven by a better technical result due to fewer health insurance claims because of the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sale of the loss-making variable annuity joint ventures in Japan, which closed in January 2020, also contributed to the underlying earnings before tax increase. This was partly offset by lower underlying earnings before tax at TLB, Aegon’s high-net-worth business in Asia, mainly caused by less favorable mortality claims experience.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax from Aegon Asset Management were up by 17% from EUR 60 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 71 million in the first half of 2020. This increase was the result of a strong performance in Aegon’s Chinese asset management joint venture Aegon Industrial Fund Management Company (AIFMC), more than offsetting an underlying earnings before tax decrease from Aegon’s Global Platforms.

 

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-

The result from the Holding declined from a loss of EUR 97 million in the first half of 2019 to a loss of EUR 113 million in the first half of 2020, reflecting a change in recognition of interest expenses as a result of refinancing activities. Interest expenses for the USD 925 million Tier 2 securities issued on October 16, 2019 are reported through the income statement, while the interest expenses for the USD 1 billion grandfathered Tier 1 perpetual capital securities redeemed on October 24, 2019 were recognized directly through equity, until the announcement of the redemption. This led to an unfavorable impact on underlying earnings before tax of EUR 21 million, even though the refinancing resulted in EUR 15 million lower coupons on an annualized basis.

Commissions and expenses

Commissions and expenses increased by 6% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 3,378 million in the first six months of 2020, reflecting higher commissions and operating expenses. Operating expenses increased by 4% to EUR 1,986 million in the first half of 2020 compared with the first half of 2019, largely driven by higher IFRS 9 / 17 implementation expenses and increased restructuring expenses. Excluding these items, operating expenses were stable with an increase in expenses in the United States being offset by expense reductions in other units. Elevated expenses in the United States included EUR 13 million one-off expenses in Retirement Plans, investments in customer service and technology, and pre-agreed expense increases associated with the operations administration partnerships. These were partly offset by cost synergies in the United Kingdom and the benefit from lower pension costs in the Netherlands, as employees began accruing pension benefits in a defined contribution plan instead of the now closed defined benefit plan.

Production

New life sales declined by 6% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 379 million in the first six months of 2020, due to decreases in all regions. In the Americas, lower Whole Life and Indexed Universal Life sales in the United States were only partly offset by higher sales in Brazil. The main driver for the sales decline in the Netherlands was lower individual life single premium production as Aegon exited that market in March. In the United Kingdom, Aegon saw lower Protection sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. International’s sales declined, but remained level on a constant currency basis, as higher sales in China and Turkey were offset by lower sales in TLB.

New premium production for accident and health insurance increased by 6% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 124 million in the first six months of 2020, driven by higher voluntary benefit product sales in the United States through the workplace channel and higher disability sales in the Netherlands. This was partly offset by a decline in International due to the COVID-19 related lockdowns, mainly in Spain & Portugal and in Hungary. For property & casualty insurance, new premium production decreased by 6% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 59 million in the first six months of 2020, caused by International due to the COVID-19 pandemic related lockdowns, mainly in Spain & Portugal and in Hungary.

Gross deposits increased by 58% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 103 billion in the first six months of 2020. This growth can be largely attributed to Asset Management, where gross deposits almost doubled compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 65 billion in the first six months of 2020. Aegon’s Chinese asset management joint venture, AIFMC, recorded a significant increase of gross deposits as a result of the success of new funds launched and inflows into existing funds. Furthermore, in the United Kingdom, gross deposits more than doubled compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 7.3 billion in the first six months of 2020, largely reflecting higher institutional platform net inflows. Gross deposits in the Netherlands increased by 24% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 7.6 billion in the first six months of 2020, driven by higher savings deposits at online bank Knab. In the Americas, gross deposits rose by 4% compared with the first half of 2019 to EUR 22.5 billion in the first six months of 2020, as a results of Mutual Funds deposits due to strong growth in wholesale and institutional channels.

 

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Capital management

Shareholders’ equity increased by EUR 1.2 billion compared with December 31, 2019 to EUR 23.1 billion on June 30, 2020. This was driven by higher revaluation reserves, due to lower interest rates, and retained earnings that more than offset adverse currency movements. Shareholders’ equity excluding revaluation reserves remained stable compared with December 31, 2019 at EUR 15.8 billion – or EUR 7.67 per common share – on June 30, 2020.

The gross financial leverage ratio improved by 20 basis points to 28.4% in the first half of 2020. Aegon intends to not refinance USD 500 million senior debt maturing in December 2020. This is expected to improve the gross financial leverage ratio by 1.4%-points based on the balance sheet per June 30, 2020.

Solvency II ratio

Aegon’s Group Solvency II ratio decreased from 201% to 195% during the first half of 2020 as a result of adverse market movements triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly lower interest rates in the United States. The adverse market impacts and a slight negative impact from assumption changes more than offset the positive impact from normalized capital generation and management actions in the United States.

The estimated RBC ratio in the United States decreased to 407% on June 30, 2020, compared with 470% on December 31, 2019, and remained above the bottom-end of the target range of 350%. The severe economic disruption experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to significant negative market impacts. Falling interest rates were the primary driver of the decrease in the RBC ratio. Furthermore, there was an adverse impact from falling equity markets, and limited negative impacts from widening credit spreads, defaults and rating migration. Favorable one-time items were mainly driven by a regulator-approved refinement in the application of the new variable annuity framework. By better allowing for the dynamic hedging program in place, a one-time capital gain was realized and volatility going forward will be reduced. Another positive item was the restructuring of a captive reinsurance company which will improve resilience of the RBC ratio to interest rate movements. These one-time benefits more than offset the slight adverse impact from assumption updates, mainly premium persistency and mortality, both relating to the Life business, as well as the announced settlement in the litigation case on monthly deduction rate adjustments on certain universal life insurance policies. Normalized capital generation, reflecting unfavorable mortality experience, contributed positively. The remittances from the United States in the first half of 2020 were largely paid by the US holding company. This is the normal mechanism Aegon uses for the first half year remittance to bridge the timing difference between US holding cash flows and the payment of dividends by the US life companies in the second half of the year. Had the US life companies paid these dividends directly, the RBC ratio would have been 386% instead of the reported 407%.

The estimated Solvency II ratio in the Netherlands increased to 191% on June 30, 2020, from 171% on December 31, 2019, and remained above the bottom-end of the target range of 155%. This was mainly the result of positive market variances, driven by the increase of the EIOPA volatility adjustment during the period. Other positive impacts from markets included the effect of lower interest rates due to an over-hedged position on a Solvency II basis, and widening of credit spreads on the own employee pension scheme. The main negative market impacts were from widening mortgage, corporate bond, and sovereign bond credit spreads, which lowered asset values. The negative impact of lowering the ultimate forward rate by 15 basis points was more than offset by a number of smaller items. Normalized capital generation had a positive impact and more than offset the EUR 100 million remittance to the Group in the first quarter.

 

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The estimated Solvency II ratio in the United Kingdom decreased to 154% on June 30, 2020, from 157% on December 31, 2019, and remained above the bottom-end of the target range of 145%. The decrease was caused by adverse market variances, driven mostly by lower interest rates. The adverse impact from markets more than offset the impact from normalized capital generation.

The Core Tier-1 ratio of Aegon Bank improved from 19.8% per December 31, 2019 to 21.5% on June 30, 2020. The main drivers for the increase were lower required capital caused by redemptions in the loan portfolio, combined with alignment of the basis adjustment to the overall mortgage portfolio. This was partially offset by the negative impact from spread widening on the debt security portfolio and increases in expected credit loss on unsecured consumer loans.

On July 11, 2020 the Dutch Central Bank published industry-wide guidelines regarding the treatment of banks in Solvency II ratios. Consequently, Aegon will include Aegon Bank in the calculation of its Group Solvency II ratio, ultimately by the end of 2020. This presentational change has no impact on Aegon’s capital allocation decisions. The estimated negative impact of the change, based on Aegon’s capital position per June 30, 2020, is approximately 2 percentage points on the Group Solvency II ratio.

Dividends from and capital contributions to business units

Aegon’s holding excess cash position increased from EUR 1,192 million on December 31, 2019 to EUR 1,706 million on June 30, 2020, which is above the target range of EUR 1.0 billion to EUR 1.5 billion, and reflects the decision to not pay a final 2019 dividend. The increase resulted from gross remittances from subsidiaries, which were partly offset by holding funding and operating expenses, and capital injection in subsidiaries.

The group received EUR 706 million gross remittances from subsidiaries, of which EUR 423 million came from the Americas, EUR 100 million from the Netherlands, EUR 157 million from International, mainly from the sale of Aegon’s joint ventures in Japan, and EUR 25 million from Blue Square Re, which is in wind-down. No remittances are expected from the United States in the remainder of 2020, reflecting lower underlying earnings before tax and the uncertain economic outlook due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capital injections of EUR 26 million were primarily for investments in smaller businesses in International. The remaining cash outflows of EUR 167 million mainly related to Holding funding and operating expenses.

 

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ii AMERICAS

Results Americas   

Amounts in

USD millions

           Amounts in EUR
millions
        
   
      First half     First half           First half     First half        
   
      2020     2019     %     2020     2019     %  
   

Net underlying earnings

     278        565        (51     253        500        (49

Tax on underlying earnings

     12        87        (86     11        77        (86

Underlying earnings before tax by business

              

Life

     (138     110        n.m.        (125     97        n.m.   

Accident & Health

     139        128              126        113        11   

Retirement Plans

     27        76        (65     24        68        (64

Mutual Funds

           19        (55           17        (53

Variable Annuities

     175        202        (13     159        179        (11

Fixed Annuities

     35        69        (49     32        61        (48

Stable Value Solutions

     39         43        (9     36        38        (7

Latin America

                                   10   

Underlying earnings before tax

     290        652        (55     264        577        (54
   

Fair value items

     (838)       177        n.m.        (760)       157        n.m.   

Gains / (losses) on investments

           28        (81           24        (80

Net impairments

     (131     (20)       n.m.        (119     (18)       n.m.   

Other income / (charges)

     (1,034     (71     n.m.        (938     (63     n.m.   

Run-off businesses

                 (52                 (51
Income before tax (excluding income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates)      (1,702     775        n.m.        (1,545     686        n.m.   
   
Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax                  (25                 (23
Income tax      419        (114)       n.m.        380        (101)       n.m.   
Of which Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax      (2)       (3)       25        (2)       (3)       23   

Net income

     (1,284     660        n.m.        (1,165     585        n.m.   
   

Life insurance gross premiums

     3,985        4,089        (3     3,617        3,619         
Accident and health insurance premiums      802        793              728        702        4  

Total gross premiums

     4,787        4,882        (2     4,345        4,320        1  
   

Investment income

     1,721        1,782        (3     1,562        1,577        (1

Fees and commission income

     877        959        (9     796        848        (6

Other revenues

                 32                    35  

Total revenues

     7,389        7,626        (3     6,707        6,749        (1
   

Commissions and expenses

     2,239        2,078              2,033        1,839        10  

of which operating expenses

     939        872              852        772        10  
   

New life sales

              

Life

     174        201        (13     158        178        (11

Latin America

     29        25        16        27        22        19  

Total recurring plus 1/10 single

     204        226        (10     185        200        (8
   

New premium production accident and health insurance

     104        98              94        87         
   

Gross deposits (on and off balance)

              

Life

                 18                    21   

Retirement Plans

     18,237        19,025        (4     16,554        16,837        (2

Mutual Funds

     4,626        3,205        44        4,199        2,836        48   

Variable Annuities

     1,479        1,695        (13     1,343        1,500        (10

Fixed Annuities

     341        362        (6     309        321        (4

Latin America

     84        137        (39     76        122        (37

Total gross deposits

     24,771        24,427              22,485        21,619         

 

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Exchange rates

Weighted average exchange rates:

 

                  USD  
        YTD 2020    1      EUR      1.1017  
        YTD 2019    1      EUR      1.1299  

Net income

Aegon’s businesses in the Americas report a net loss of USD 1,284 million in the first half of 2020 compared to a net income of USD 660 million in the first half of 2019. The loss was largely driven by lower underlying earnings before tax, one-time impacts from assumption changes, and COVID-19 pandemic related market impacts on fair value items.

Fair value items

The results from fair value items led to a loss of USD 838 million in the first half of 2020.

 

-

The results on fair value investments were a loss of USD 398 million, of which USD 110 million was from underperformance of real estate assets with energy exposure which are valued based on the energy prices with a quarter time lag, USD 71 million from private equity investments driven by valuation changes; USD 71 million due to a mark-to-market loss from valuation updates related to the ongoing sales process of the Pyramid building complex in San Francisco; and the remainder largely due to underperformance of hedge funds and credit derivatives following the economic downturn.

 

-

The result on fair value hedges without an accounting match under IFRS over the reporting period was a loss of USD 303 million driven by the macro hedge program as a result of increasing equity markets in the second quarter, and losses on unhedged risks and unhedged volatility in Indexed Universal Life.

 

-

The result on fair value hedges with an accounting match amounted to a loss of USD 138 million, mainly driven by unhedged risks as a result of an increase in volatility associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Realized gains on investments, net impairments, and run-off business

The run-off business reported a gain of USD 4 million in the first half of 2020. Realized gains on investments came in at USD 5 million in the first half of 2020. Gross impairments of USD 156 million were recorded in the first half of 2020 which were partly offset by recoveries primarily due to RMBS credit recoveries, resulting in net impairments of USD 131 million. Impairments were driven by fixed income assets, mainly in the energy sector.

Other charges

Other charges of USD 1,034 million in the first half of 2020 were largely driven by a charge related to assumption changes of USD 919 million. These assumption changes negatively impact underlying earnings before tax by approximately USD 20 million per quarter on a recurring basis, mainly in Life. Other charges in the first half of 2020 include the following items:

 

-

The long-term interest rate assumption was lowered from 4.25% to 2.75% while maintaining the 10-year grading period, and the related separate account bond return assumptions were adjusted correspondingly, leading to a one-time charge of USD 525 million.

 

-

Non-economic assumption changes resulted in a charge of USD 394 million, of which USD 259 million is attributed to the Life business primarily related to Universal Life premium persistency and an increase of mortality rate assumptions. In Long-Term Care, non-economic assumption changes amounted to a charge of USD 91 million, mainly from halving of the morbidity improvement assumption from 1.5% to 0.75% per year for the next 15 years. The remaining non-economic assumption changes of USD 44 million related mainly to mortality and policyholder behavior in the Variable and Fixed Annuity business.

 

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-

Other charges included a USD 58 million provision for a settlement of class action litigation related to monthly deduction rate adjustments on certain universal life policies.

 

-

Furthermore, Other charges also included USD 34 million restructuring charges related to the operations administration partnerships with LTCG and TCS.

Income tax

Income taxes in the first half of 2020 amounted to a benefit of USD 419 million, reflecting a 25% effective tax rate on the loss before tax for the first half of 2020. This is above the statutory rate due to tax exempt income and tax credits.

Underlying earnings before tax

Underlying earnings before tax from the Americas decreased by 55% to USD 290 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, due to the impact of declining interest rates, lower fees, higher expenses, as well as higher life insurance claims.

The Life business reported a loss of USD 138 million in the first half of 2020; this compares to a profit of USD 110 million in the first half of 2019. Life underlying earnings before tax were impacted by adverse mortality experience of USD 165 million in the first half of 2020, increased from USD 57 million in the first half of 2019, due to large claims at older ages in universal life products and elevated claims in most other products. USD 38 million of these claims can specifically be attributed to COVID-19 as a direct cause of death. Aegon believes part of the remaining adverse mortality experience is likely attributable to the pandemic as well. Adverse persistency in the first half of 2020 was USD 18 million, similar to the adverse persistency experience in the first half of 2019. This was mainly driven by a large block of business that reached the end of its 20-year term. Lower interest rates and changes in the asset portfolio drove unfavorable intangible adjustments of USD 107 million in the first half of 2020. Furthermore, low interest rates led to a reduction in the investment margin.

Accident & Health underlying earnings before tax increased by 9% to USD 139 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Underlying earnings before tax benefitted from favorable morbidity experience of USD 61 million in the first half of 2020, of which the closed block in Long-Term Care contributed USD 36 million from increased claims terminations due to higher mortality. In addition, restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced non-essential medical procedures which in turn reduced claims in most other health products. Claims were beginning to return to normal levels at the end of the first half year 2020. Favorable morbidity in the first half of 2020 was partially offset by higher operating expenses due to higher technology spend in the first half of 2020, while underlying earnings before tax in the first half of 2019 benefitted from one-time reserve releases.

Underlying earnings before tax from Retirement Plans decreased by USD 49 million to USD 27 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. This resulted from higher operating expenses due to one-off spend on technology and projects of USD 14 million, investments in operations and customer service, and from decreased underlying earnings before tax from net outflows. Lower fee revenues from transactions and lower average fee rates were partly offset by higher average equity markets than in the first half of 2019.

Variable Annuities underlying earnings before tax decreased by 13% to USD 175 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, which was largely driven by net outflows. Fixed Annuities underlying earnings before tax of USD 35 million were USD 34 million lower in the first half of 2020 than in the first half of 2019 mainly resulting from lower investment income and spread, and a small negative impact from intangible adjustments in comparison to a favorable contribution in the first half of 2019.

 

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The remaining lines of business contributed USD 53 million underlying earnings before tax in the first half of 2020 down by USD 13 million compared to the first half of 2019 mainly driven by lower fee revenues and higher expenses.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses increased by 8% to USD 939 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, driven by investments in customer service, an increase in restructuring charges and contractually pre-agreed increases in administration expense associated with the operations administration partnerships, and increased spend for technology. This included USD 14 million one-off spend on technology and projects in Retirement Plans in the first half of 2020. This was partly offset by lower expenses for travel, marketing, and sales activities due to COVID-19 related restrictions and cancellations.

Sales and deposits

Gross deposits increased by USD 0.3 billion or 1% to USD 24.8 billion in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, which was driven by Mutual Funds deposits benefitting from growth in both wholesale and institutional channels as increased market volatility generated sales and portfolio rebalancing activities. Gross deposits in the other lines decreased in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Retirement Plans decreased by 4% to USD 18.2 billion in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, mainly due to lower recurring deposits, partly related to contract discontinuances in 2019. Written sales in Retirement Plans decreased by 65% to USD 3.4 billion in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, mainly due to two large plan wins in 2019 and unfavorable impacts on sales from the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. Deposits decreased in Variable Annuities by USD 0.2 billion or 13% to USD 1.5 billion in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019 mainly from the exit of Vanguard as a distribution partner. Fixed Annuities, Brazil, and the other lines saw deposits decreasing by USD 0.1 billion to USD 0.4 billion in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019.

Total net outflows amounted to USD 2.5 billion in the first half of 2020 compared with USD 4.4 billion in the first half of 2019. Variable Annuities reported USD 1.4 billion net outflows in the first half of 2020, slightly less than in the first half of 2019, mainly attributed to less withdrawals in the Wholesale channel. Net outflows in Retirement Plans were USD 0.7 billion in the first half of 2020 and favorable compared to the first half of 2019 driven by lower withdrawals partly offset by lower gross deposits. Also Fixed Annuities benefitted from lower withdrawals and surrenders as product conditions remain attractive in the current low interest rate environment, and reported USD 0.4 billion net outflows in the first half of 2020, which is 38% less than in the first half of 2019. The other lines of business experienced USD 0.1 billion net outflows in the first half of 2020.

New life sales were down by 10% to USD 204 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Reported new life sales in Brazil increased by 16% to USD 29 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, while new life sales in the United States declined by 13% to USD 174 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Term life pricing actions taken in late 2019 helped to improve sales, while the sunset of legacy products in Whole Life led to a decrease in sales. Indexed Universal Life sales decreased by 6% in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019 but improved non-medical underwriting guidelines helped to improve sales performance in the second quarter of the year 2020.

New premium production for Accident & Health insurance increased by 6% to USD 104 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019 resulting from voluntary benefit product sales in the workplace solutions area, partly offset by lower individual Medicare supplement sales.

 

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iii The Netherlands

 

Results Netherlands            First half             First half         
Amounts in EUR millions    2020     2019     %  
   

Net underlying earnings

     238       254       (6

Tax on underlying earnings

     82       74       11  

Underlying earnings before tax by business

        

Life

     213       262       (19

Non-life

     13       10       32  

Service business

     33       7       n.m.  

Banking

     61       48       27  

Underlying earnings before tax

     321       328       (2
   

Fair value items

     1,102       (859     n.m.  

Gains / (losses) on investments

     2       230       (99

Net impairments

     (66     (9     n.m.  

Other income / (charges)

     (48     4       n.m.  
Income before tax (excluding income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates)         
       1,312       (307     n.m .  
Income tax      (256     57       n.m.  

Net income

     1,056       (250     n.m .  
   

Life insurance gross premiums

     978       852       15  

Accident and health insurance premiums

     169       164       3  

Property & casualty insurance

     66       66       -  

Total gross premiums

     1,212       1,081       12  
   

Investment income

     1,063       1,122       (5

Fees and commission income

     125       114       9  

Total revenues

     2,400       2,318       4  
   

Commissions and expenses

     422       431       (2

of which operating expenses

     381       389       (2
   

New life sales

        

Life

     47       52       (10

Total recurring plus 1/10 single

     47       52       (10
   

New premium production accident and health insurance

     14       10       36  

New premium production Property & casualty insurance

     7       6       17  
   

Gross deposits (on and off balance)

        

Service business

     375       371       1  

Banking

     7,205       5,750       25  

Total gross deposits

     7,580       6,121       24  

 

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Net income

Net income from Aegon’s businesses in the Netherlands amounted to EUR 1,056 million in the first half of 2020.

The gain on fair value items of EUR 1,102 million in the first half of 2020 was driven by a gain on the guarantee provision, mainly due to an increase of the own credit spread used to discount liabilities, and a gain on interest rate hedges. This gain was driven by lower interest rates and was an offset against the negative impact of low interest rates on the LAT deficit. Despite the significant impact of lower interest rates, the LAT deficit increased by only EUR 44 million in the first half of 2020, as an increase in the illiquidity premium led to a significant decrease of the fair value of IFRS insurance liabilities. Furthermore, positive real estate revaluations of EUR 68 million were more than offset by EUR 84 million negative revaluations on alternative assets.

Net impairments amounted to EUR 66 million in the first half of 2020 and mainly related to the Bank’s consumer loan portfolio and the impairment of an associate company of Aegon.

Other charges were EUR 48 million in the first half of 2020, caused by restructuring charges for various initiatives to make the organization more efficient and effective, as well as expenses to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulation.

Income tax amounted to a charge of EUR 256 million in the first half of 2020, while income before tax was EUR 1,312 million, resulting in an effective tax rate on income before tax of 19.5%. The effective tax rate mainly reflects a beneficial tax rate impact following a substantial change in the deferred tax position as a result of market movements.

Underlying earnings before tax

Underlying earnings before tax from Aegon’s operations in the Netherlands decreased by 2% to EUR 321 million in the first half of 2020 compared with EUR 328 million the first half of 2019.

Life earnings declined by 19% from EUR 262 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 213 million in the first half of 2020, largely due to the negative impact from a change in the treatment of longevity and mortality results in underlying earnings before tax, as well as higher reinsurance costs following the longevity reinsurance transaction in December 2019. Lower investment income, due to lower excess spreads, was offset by lower operating expenses, including lower pension costs for own employees. Employees began accruing pension benefits in a defined contribution plan instead of the now closed defined benefit plan.

Earnings from Non-life increased by 32% from EUR 10 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 13 million in the first half of 2020, as EUR 9 million non-life claims from travel and disability insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic were more than offset by a reserve release for sick leave insurance, reflecting better experience, and lower pension costs.

Earnings from the Service business increased to EUR 33 million in the first half of 2020 from EUR 7 million in the first half of 2019, driven by lower operating expenses, due to expense savings and lower pension costs, as well as higher fee income, reflecting portfolio growth.

 

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Banking earnings rose by 27% from EUR 48 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 61 million in the first half of 2020, driven by higher interest income, reflecting balance sheet growth, and lower operating expenses, driven by lower pension costs.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses decreased by 2% to EUR 381 million compared with EUR 389 million in the first half of 2019 mainly as a result of EUR 42 million lower pension costs as employees began accruing pension benefits in a defined contribution plan instead of the now closed defined benefit plan. This was partly offset by EUR 31 million higher restructuring expenses.

Sales and deposits

New life sales decreased by 10% to EUR 47 million in the first half of 2020 from EUR 52 million in the first half of 2019, caused by lower individual life single premium production as Aegon exited that market in March, and lower recurring premium pension sales due to the low interest rate environment. This was partly offset by higher single premium pension sales, driven by indexation premiums.

New premium production for accident and health insurance was up by 36% from EUR 10 million in the first half of 2019 to EUR 14 million in the first half of 2020, resulting from increased disability sales. New premium production for property and casualty increased by 17% to EUR 7 million, driven by higher sales of car insurance policies.

Gross deposits increased by 24% to EUR 7.6 billion in the first half of 2020 from EUR 6.1bn in the first half of 2019, driven by savings deposits at online bank Knab.

 

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iv the United Kingdom

 

Results United Kingdom    Amounts in GBP            Amounts in EUR millions         

 

Amounts in EUR millions

    
First half
2020
 
 
   
First half
2019
 
 
    %      
First half
2020
 
 
   
First half
2019
 
 
    %  
   

Net underlying earnings

     72        53        35        83        61        35   

Tax on underlying earnings

     (1           n.m.        (1           n.m.   

Underlying earnings before tax by business

              

Digital Solutions

     25        14        76        29        16        76   

Existing Business

     46        46        (1     52        53        (1

Underlying earnings before tax

     71        61        17        81        70        17   
   

Fair value items

     78        (67     n.m.        89        (76     n.m.   

Gains / (losses) on investments

                 (57                 (57

Other income / (charges)

     (47     (14     n.m.        (53     (16     n.m.   

Income before tax (excluding income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates)

     102        (19     n.m.        117        (22     n.m.   

Income tax

     (2     (20     88        (3     (23     88   

Net income

     100        (39     n.m.        114        (44     n.m.   
   

Life insurance gross premiums

     2,390        2,873        (17     2,735        3,291        (17

Accident and health insurance premiums

     11        12        (9     13        14        (9

Total gross premiums

     2,401        2,886        (17     2,748        3,305        (17
   

Investment income

     1,100        1,074              1,259        1,230         

Fees and commission income

     85        83              98        95         

Total revenues

     3,586        4,042        (11     4,105        4,631        (11
   

Commissions and expenses

     279        305        (8     319        350        (9

of which operating expenses

     206        230        (11     235        263        (11
   

New life sales

              

Digital Solutions

     17        18        (9     19        21        (9

Total recurring plus 1/10 single

     17        18        (9     19        21        (9
   

Gross deposits (on and off balance)

              

Digital Solutions

     5,529        2,184        153        6,328        2,502        153   

Existing Business

     845        960        (12     967        1,100        (12

Total gross deposits

     6,374        3,145        103        7,295        3,602        103   

 

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Net income

Net income from Aegon’s businesses in the United Kingdom amounted to GBP 100 million.

The gain from fair value items was GBP 78 million in the first half of 2020, driven by gains on equity and interest rate hedges to protect the solvency position and fee income.

Other charges amounted to GBP 47 million in the first half of 2020 and consisted of GBP 19 million transition and conversion charges related to the agreement with Atos for administration services related to the Existing Business; GBP 10 million charges for the Cofunds integration; a GBP 12 million impairment of intangibles related to the Cofunds acquisition in 2017 due to expected lower future cash flows reflecting market circumstances; and GBP 5 million policyholder taxes, which were fully offset by a tax credit in the income tax line.

Income tax was a charge of GBP 2 million in the first half of 2020, while income before tax was GBP 102 million, resulting in an effective tax rate on income before tax of 2% in the first half of 2020. The effective tax rate reflected a tax credit following a change in the deferred tax position due to a higher corporate tax rate, as well as the aforementioned policyholder tax credit of GBP 5 million.

Underlying earnings before tax

Underlying earnings before tax increased by 17% to GBP 71 million in the first half of 2020 compared with GBP 61 million in the first half of 2019.

 

-

Digital Solutions earnings increased to GBP 25 million in the first half of 2020 from GBP 14 million in the first half of 2019, driven by higher fee income as a result of continued growth in platform assets, and improved Protection earnings. Lower expenses also contributed to the earnings increase as savings from the integration of Cofunds more than offset expenses for business continuity related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

 

-

Earnings of the Existing Business declined by 1% to GBP 46 million in the first half of 2020 from GBP 46 million in the first half of 2019, due to the gradual run-off of the unit linked portfolio, offset in part by favorable mortality experience on the retained annuity book.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses decreased by 11% to GBP 206 million in the first half of 2020 compared with EUR 230 million in the first half of 2019, driven by lower restructuring expenses, and expense savings, which were only partly offset by expenses for business continuity related to the lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sales and deposits

New life sales decreased by 9% to GBP 17 million in the first half of 2020 compared with GBP 18 million in the first half of 2019, reflecting the impact on Protection sales from the lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gross deposits more than doubled to GBP 6.4 billion in the first half of 2020 compared with GBP 3.1 billion in the first half of 2019, as sales performance was robust despite volatile markets. The increase was largely driven by institutional platform net inflows, which can be lumpy.

 

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v International

 

Results International    First half         First half                 
Amounts in EUR millions    2020     2019             %  
   

Net underlying earnings

     59        53           11   

Tax on underlying earnings

     16        18           (10

Underlying earnings before tax by business / country

           

Spain & Portugal

     24        19           27   

Hungary

     23        22            

TLB

     25        30           (15

China

                          (6

Other

     (6     (9              34   

Underlying earnings before tax

     75        71                  
   

Fair value items

     (1     (6        87   

Gains / (losses) on investments

           19           (59

Net impairments

     (5     (1        n.m.   

Other income / (charges)

     25        24                  

Income before tax (excluding income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates)

     102        108           (6

Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

                    173   

Income tax

     (11     (11         

Of which Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

     (7     (2              (173

Net income

     91        98                 (7
   

Life insurance gross premiums

     611        694           (12

Accident and health insurance premiums

     150        148            

Property & casualty insurance

     194        193            

Total gross premiums

     955        1,036           (8
   

Investment income

     187        188           (1

Fees and commission income

     26        54           (52

Other revenues

                          (51

Total revenues

     1,168        1,279                 (9
   

Commissions and expenses

     340        346           (2

of which operating expenses

     198        207                 (4
   

New life sales

           

Spain & Portugal

     21        26           (19

Hungary

     10        12           (19

TLB

           19           (72

China

     60        45           33   

Other

     31        28                 10   

Total recurring plus 1/10 single

     128        131                 (3
   

New premium production accident and health insurance

     16        20           (20

New premium production Property & casualty insurance

     53        59                 (11
   

Gross deposits (on and off balance) by region

           

Spain & Portugal

                    (17

Hungary

     25        48           (48

China

                    19   

Other

     122        118                  

Total gross deposits

     163        182                 (10

 

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Exchange rates

Weighted average exchange rates for the currencies of the countries included in International segment, and which do not report in EUR, are summarized in the table below.

Weighted average exchange rates

 

            YTD 2020      YTD 2019

US dollar (USD)

   EUR      1.1017    1.1299

Pound sterling (GBP)

   EUR      0.8737    0.8730

Czech koruna (CZK)

   EUR      26.3050    25.6637

Hungarian forint (HUF)

   EUR      344.5052    319.9064

Polish zloty (PLN)

   EUR      4.4105    4.2913

Romanian leu (RON)

   EUR      4.8140    4.7399

New Turkish lira (TRY)

   EUR      7.1456    6.3519

Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)

   EUR      7.7826    7.6552

Net income

Net income from Aegon’s operations in International decreased to EUR 91 million in the first half of 2020 from EUR 98 million in the first half of 2019, as the increase in underlying earnings before tax was more than offset by lower realized gains.

Fair value items amounted to a loss of EUR 1 million for the first half of 2020. Realized gains were in the first half of 2020 EUR 8 million, driven by normal trading activity. The first half of 2019 showed EUR 19 million realized gains as a result of the divestment of assets backing insurance liabilities in Spain & Portugal. Net impairments of EUR 5 million in the first half of 2020 were the result of bankruptcies and restructurings in TLB’s asset portfolio.

Other income for the first half of 2020 amounted to EUR 25 million and was driven by the EUR 53 million gain on the sale of Aegon’s stake in the variable annuity joint ventures in Japan. This more than offset the charge resulting from the lowering of the long-term interest rate assumption in TLB of EUR 17 million. There were also EUR 10 million charges for a software impairment in Hungary and restructurings.

Income tax amounted to an EUR 11 million charge in the first half of 2020, equal to the first half of 2019.

Underlying earnings before tax

Underlying earnings before tax from International amounted to EUR 75 million in the first half of 2020, which was EUR 4 million or 6% above the underlying earnings before tax in the first half of 2019. Better results in Spain & Portugal and the sale of the loss-making variable annuity joint ventures in Japan more than offset lower results at TLB.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax from Spain & Portugal were EUR 24 million for the first half of 2020, 27% higher than the first half of 2019. This was driven by the ongoing growth of the life portfolio in the joint ventures, as well as better technical results, mainly due to fewer health insurance claims because of the lockdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

-

TLB, the high-net-worth business, recorded underlying earnings before tax of EUR 25 million in the first half of 2020, a decrease of EUR 5 million compared with the first half of 2019. This was mostly caused by less favorable mortality claims experience. Higher surrender benefits were offset by the impact of lower interest rates, which led to unfavorable intangible adjustments and a lower investment margin.

 

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-

Underlying earnings before tax from Hungary and China were stable compared to the first half of 2019, amounting to EUR 23 million and EUR 9 million respectively in the first half of 2020.

 

-

For the Others segment, underlying earnings before tax improved by EUR 3 million to a loss of EUR 6 million. This was mainly driven by the sale of Aegon’s 50% stake in the loss-making variable annuity joint ventures in Japan, which closed in January 2020.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses amounted to EUR 198 million for the first half of 2020, which is a decrease of EUR 9 million compared with the first half of 2019. The decrease was mainly driven by the sale of Aegon’s stake in the Japanese joint ventures and the depreciation of the Hungarian Forint. This more than offset an increase in operating expenses in China caused by higher personnel costs as a result of a higher production.

Sales and deposits

Total new life sales declined by 3% to EUR 128 million in the first half of 2020, compared to the first half of 2019. On a constant currency basis, total new life sales remained level, as higher sales from China and Turkey were offset by lower sales in TLB.

 

-

New life sales from China joint venture increased by EUR 15 million in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019, driven by the increased production from a partnership with a large e-commerce partner and better performance from the agency channel, driven by a new whole life product.

 

-

For TLB, new life sales decreased by EUR 14 million in the first half of 2020 when compared to the first half of 2019, due to the continuing challenging market circumstances and the COVID-19 lockdown.

 

-

Spain & Portugal were negatively impacted in the bancassurance channel by lockdown measures. Higher new life sales in the Others segment were driven by higher production in Turkey as a result of distribution growth and utilization of digital tools for the tied network and brokers.

In the first half of 2020, new premium production for accident and health insurance amounted to EUR 16 million and for property and casualty insurance amounted to EUR 53 million. Compared to the first half of 2019, Accident and Health and property and casualty insurance were impacted adversely by the impact of lockdown measures, mainly in Spain & Portugal and in Hungary.

Gross deposits were EUR 163 million in the first half of 2020. The decrease of EUR 19 million, compared to the first half of 2019, was due to the sale of non-core activities in Hungary in 2019, more than offsetting growth in pension contributions in Hungary and in Romania as part of the Others segment.

Net deposits amounted to EUR 82 million in the first half of 2020 and showed an increase of EUR 20 million compared to the first half of 2019. The main drivers were lower outflows in Hungary due to favorable conditions in the first half of 2019 leading to more customers collecting their pension savings, and in Poland, reported in the Others segment, resulting from lower pension asset balances due to adverse markets. In addition, net flows in the first half of 2020 were up driven by the growth in pension contributions compared to the first half of 2019.

 

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vi Asset Management

 

Results Asset Management    First half         First half               
Amounts in EUR millions    2020     2019           %  

Net underlying earnings

     51        44           15   

Tax on underlying earnings

     20        16           21   

Underlying earnings before tax by region

         

Global Platforms

     20        26           (23

Strategic Partnerships

     51        34           49   

Other

     -1                     (61

Underlying earnings before tax

     71        60             17   

Fair value items

     (7              n.m.   

Gains / (losses) on investments

                    n.m.   

Other income / (charges)

           (1          67   

Income before tax (excluding income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates)

     64        59            

Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

     15        10           45   

Income tax

     (18     (16        (11

Of which Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

     (15     (10          (45

Net income

     46        43              

Management fees

     250        243            

Performance fees

     25                 n.m.   

Other revenues

     31        31             (2

Total revenues*

     305        278             10   

Commissions and expenses

     270        240           13   

of which operating expenses

     232        219            

Cost / income ratio

     75.8     78.7          (4

Gross flows external third-party

         

Global Platforms

     9,414        7,734           22   

Strategic Partnerships

     55,411        25,692           116   

Other

     217        56             n.m.   

Total gross flows external third-party**

     65,043        33,481             94   

Net flows external third-party

         

Global Platforms

     (2,149     740           n.m.   

Strategic Partnerships

     2,536        2,620           (3

Other

           (119          n.m.   

Total net flows external third-party**

     395        3,241             (88

* Net fees and commissions

** Other include intragroup eliminations from internal sub-advised agreements

 

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Exchange rates

Weighted average exchange rates for the currencies of the countries included in the Asset management segment, and which do not report in EUR, are summarized in the table below.

Weighted average exchange rates

 

                  YTD 2020      YTD 2019  

US dollar (USD)

         1    EUR      1.1017    1.1299

Pound sterling (GBP)

         1    EUR      0.8737    0.8730

Hungarian Forint (HUF)

         1    EUR      344.5052    319.9064

Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)

         1    EUR      7.7826    7.6552

Net income

Net income from Asset Management increased by EUR 3 million compared to the first half of 2019, leading to EUR 46 million in the first half of 2020. Higher underlying earnings before tax were partially offset by a fair value loss in the first half of 2020 of EUR 7 million related to seed capital investments, mainly from emerging markets and high yield products.

Underlying earnings before tax

Underlying earnings before tax from Aegon Asset Management were up by 17% to EUR 71 million in the first half of 2020. Strong performance of Aegon’s Chinese asset management joint venture AIFMC, more than offset a decrease in underlying earnings before tax from Aegon’s Global Platforms.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax from Global Platforms decreased by EUR 6 million or 23% to EUR 20 million in the first half of 2020, compared with the first half of 2019. This was mainly caused by the Fixed Income Platform and primarily due to lower management fees because of outflows as a result of uncertainty in the markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and lower revenues from the general account in the United States. These more than offset the underlying earnings before tax growth in Dutch Mortgage Fund and asset backed securities. The market uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic also adversely impacted asset balances and revenues on the Equites Platform. Furthermore, the Real Assets Platform recorded lower performance fees.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax in Strategic Partnerships were up by EUR 17 million or 49% to EUR 51 million in the first half of 2020, compared with the first half of 2019, mainly driven by AIFMC. Both management fees and performance fees in AIFMC showed an increase compared to the first half of 2019. The former was driven by higher asset balances and the latter by outperformance versus the benchmark, especially in the New Horizons multi-asset fund. Performance fees net of performance-based compensation had a positive impact of EUR 7 million on underlying earnings before tax.

 

-

Underlying earnings before tax in the Others segment, consisting mainly of the asset management operations in Hungary and Spain, amounted to nil for the first half of 2020.

 

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Operating expenses

Operating expenses increased by 6% compared with the first half of 2019, to EUR 232 million in the first half of 2020. The increase mainly stems from higher performance-based compensation in AIFMC and higher expenses driven by AIFMC’s business growth. For Global Platforms, expenses were level albeit decreasing on a constant currency basis, driven by lower personnel expenses. The cost/income ratio improved by 2.9%-points, compared to the first half of 2019, to 75.8% for the first half of 2020 as higher performance fees more than offset performance-based compensation. Annualized operating expenses as a percentage of average assets under management remained level, compared with the first half of 2019, at 13 basis points for the first half of 2020.

Production

External third-party gross inflows almost doubled compared to the first half of 2019 and amounted to EUR 65 billion in the first half of 2020. This increase resulted from higher inflows in Strategic Partnerships, which increased by EUR 30 billion. This was driven by three new fund launches at AIFMC, and inflows into existing AIFMC funds as investor confidence picked up throughout the period. Global Platforms also recorded an increase of third-party inflows, mainly driven by the Fixed Income Platform from high yield funds and the Dutch Mortgage Fund.

The external third-party net inflows decreased to EUR 0.4 billion in the first half of 2020, from EUR 3.2 billion in the first half of 2019. This decrease was driven by the Global Platforms for which net flows decreased by EUR 2.9 billion, mainly attributed to redemptions in the Fixed Income and the Fiduciary Services & Multi Management Platform as a result of the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The latter also caused inflows and outflows at Strategic Partnerships. The overall positive flows from external third-parties for the first half year of 2020 add to Aegon’s 8-year track record of consecutive annual net inflows.

Assets under management

Assets under management increased by EUR 12 billion to EUR 364 billion per the end of the first half of 2020, compared with year-end 2019. This primarily resulted from positive markets increasing asset values as well as increasing net inflows in the general account driven by higher collateral, reflecting lower interest rates.

 

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2.6 Post reporting date events

Post reporting date events are disclosed in note 23 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in Item 1.

2.7 Capital and Liquidity Management

Guiding principles

The management of capital and liquidity is of vital importance for the Aegon Group, for its customers, investors in Aegon securities and for Aegon’s other stakeholders. In line with its risk tolerance, the goal of Aegon’s capital and liquidity management is to promote strong and stable capital adequacy levels for its businesses, in addition to maintaining adequate liquidity to ensure that the Company is able to meet its obligations.

Aegon follows a number of guiding principles in terms of capital and liquidity management:

 

Promoting strong capital adequacy in Aegon’s businesses and operating units;

 

Managing and allocating capital efficiently in support of the strategy and in line with its risk tolerance;

 

Maintaining an efficient capital structure, with an emphasis on optimizing Aegon’s cost of capital;

 

Maintaining adequate liquidity in the operating units and at the holding to ensure that the Company is able to meet its obligations by enforcing stringent liquidity risk policies; and

 

Maintaining continued access to international capital markets on competitive terms.

Aegon believes that the combination of these guiding principles strengthens the Company’s ability to withstand adverse market conditions, enhances its financial flexibility, and serves both the short-term and the long-term interests of the Company, its customers and other stakeholders.

The management and monitoring of capital and liquidity is firmly embedded in Aegon’s ERM framework, and is in line with Aegon’s risk tolerance. Aegon’s risk tolerance focuses on financial strength, continuity, steering the risk balance and the desired risk culture. Its core aim is to assist management in carrying out Aegon’s strategy within the Group’s capital and liquidity resources.

Management of capital

The Company’s overall capital management strategy is based on adequate solvency capital, capital quality and the use of leverage.

Capital adequacy

Aegon’s goal for both its operating units and for the Aegon Group as a whole is to maintain a strong financial position and to be able to sustain losses resulting from adverse business and market conditions. The capitalization of Aegon and its operating units is managed in accordance with the most stringent of local regulatory requirements, rating agency requirements and self-imposed criteria.

Regulatory capital requirements

For EU domiciled insurance and reinsurance entities, the Solvency II regulatory framework determines the regulatory capital requirements. In Aegon’s Non-EEA (European Economic Arena) regions, (re)insurance entities domiciled in third countries deemed (provisionally) equivalent (US, Bermuda, Mexico and Brazil), the capital requirement is based on local capital requirements.

Please note that numbers and ratios related to Solvency II as disclosed in this section represent Aegon’s estimates and are subject to supervisory review. Aegon has applied a Loss Absorbing Capacity of Deferred Taxes (LAC-DT) factor in the Netherlands of 65%, which remained unchanged from December 31, 2019. The LAC-DT factor will be recalibrated on a quarterly basis using the agreed methodology.

 

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The Solvency II capital ratios of the Group and Aegon the Netherlands do not include any contingent liability potentially arising from unit-linked products sold, issued or advised on by Aegon in the Netherlands in the past, as the potential liability cannot be reliably quantified at this point.

Adequate capitalization

To calculate its Group Solvency Ratio, Aegon applies a combination of the Group consolidation methods available under Solvency II which are the Accounting Consolidation (AC) and Deduction & Aggregation (D&A) based methods. Solvency II capital requirements are mainly used for the EEA-based insurance and reinsurance entities, applying the Accounting Consolidation method.

The methodology used to calculate the Solvency II contribution of the Aegon US insurance entities encompasses two adjustments to the local capital position. To calculate the SCR, a conversion factor is applied of 150% Risk-Based Capital Company Action Level (RBC CAL). To calculate own funds, a 100% RBC CAL haircut to own funds by decreasing Americas regulated entities deferred tax assets and subsequently reducing Tier 1 unrestricted capital is applied to reflect transferability restrictions.

The allocation of restricted Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital instruments is based on the share of AC and D&A entities in the total available own funds (OF).

As of June 30, 2020, Aegon Bank was still excluded from the Group Solvency ratio, as required by the Group Solvency II supervisor, DNB. On July 11, DNB published industry-wide guidelines regarding the treatment of banks in Solvency II ratios. Consequently, Aegon will include Aegon Bank in the calculation of its Group Solvency II ratio by the end of 2020.

On June 30, 2020, Aegon’s estimated capital position was:

 

                   
   
      June 30, 2020 1),  2), 3)     December 31, 2019 2),  3)  
   

Group own funds

     17,463       18,470  

Group SCR

     8,933       9,173  

Group Solvency II ratio

     195     201

1 The Solvency II ratios are estimates and, are not final until filed with the regulator and subject to supervisory review.

2 The Solvency II ratios are based on Aegon’s partial internal model.

3 Aegon Bank is not included in the Group Solvency II ratio .

Aegon Group own funds amounted to EUR 17,463 million at June 30, 2020. The decrease of EUR 1,007 million in own funds since December 31, 2019, is mostly driven by the negative market impact primarily from the strong decline of interest rates, increase of credit spreads and widening of mortgage spreads. The lowering of the UFR from 3.90% to 3.75% led to a decrease in Own Funds as well. Furthermore, an Own Funds eligibility haircut of EUR 38 million is applied at June 30, 2020 due to the Tier 3 Own Funds exceeded the maximum of 15% of SCR. This decrease is partly offset by the positive expected earnings on Aegon in-force insurance portfolio and the increase of EIOPA VA by 12 bps.

Aegon Group PIM SCR amounted to EUR 8,933 million at June 30, 2020. The SCR decreased by EUR 240 million since December 31, 2019 and is mainly due a decrease in equity risk due to fall in equity markets during the first quarter, decreased interest rate level risk in Aegon NL in the second quarter of 2020, offset by increased underwriting risk as a result of decreased interest rates and the movement of the EIOPA VA.

 

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As a result of the above changes in own funds and PIM SCR, the Group Solvency II ratio decreased by -6% points to 195% in first half 2020.

The capitalization levels of the most relevant country units are as follows:

 

                    
   
     

Capitalization

June 30, 2020 1), 2), 3)

    

Capitalization

December 31, 2019 2),  3)

 
   

Aegon USA (Life entities) (RBC CAL)

     407%        470%  

Aegon the Netherlands (Solvency II ratio)

     191%        171%  

Aegon United Kingdom (Solvency II ratio)

     154%        157%  

1 The Solvency II ratios are estimates and, are not final until filed with the regulator and subject to supervisory review.

2 Refer to section ‘internal capital management framework’ for Aegon’s capitalization target ranges.

3 Aegon Bank is not included in the Aegon NL Solvency II ratio

Aegon Americas

The RBC CAL ratio of Aegon Americas insurance entities decreased from 470% at December 31, 2019 to 407% mainly due to negative market impacts driven by the decline of interest rates, where the 10 year treasury rate dropped by 126 bps over the first half, resulting in a setup of reserves for Variable Annuity (VA) and Universal Life business. There were additional adverse market impacts from higher credit impairments and credit rating downward rating migrations, as well as an increase in credit spreads resulting in a setup of VA guarantee reserves. Furthermore, there were negative impacts from adverse mortality experience and the strain from new business sales, which is partly offset by the normalized capital generation and favorable one-time items mainly driven by a regulator-approved refinement in application of SSAP 108, a statutory accounting principle governing the treatment of non-economic mismatches between VA statutory reserves and associated interest rate hedges.

Aegon the Netherlands

The estimated Solvency II ratio in the Netherlands increased to 191% on June 30, 2020, from 171% at the end of 2019. The increase is mainly driven by market impacts which had a combined positive impact on the ratio relating to the decline of interest rates which led to an increase in Own Funds due to an over-hedged position and increase of the EIOPA VA by 12 bps. The favorable underwriting variance as well as the positive capital generation from expected earnings on in-force was partly offset by the adverse impact from mortgage spread widening, remittance to Group and the lowering of the UFR from 3.90% to 3.75%.

Aegon United Kingdom

The estimated Solvency II ratio in the United Kingdom decreased to 154% on June 30, 2020, from 157% on December 31, 2019, and remained above the bottom-end of the target range of 145%. The decrease was driven by adverse market variance, driven mostly by lower interest rates. The adverse impact from markets more than offsets the impact from normalized capital generation

Sensitivities

Aegon calculates sensitivities of its Solvency II ratios as part of its risk management framework. The following table provides an overview of the shocks to parameters used to assess the sensitivities, and their estimated impact on the Solvency II ratio as at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

 

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           1H2020 reported   2H2019 reported*
Sensitivity                                       Group                           US                           NL                           UK                           Group                           US                           NL                           UK             

Equity

   - 25%   -12%   -30%   -4%   -5%   -12%   -27%   -7%   -4%
     25%   6%   23%   -3%   1%   12%   33%   2%   0%

Interest Rates

   -50bps   -5%   - 8%   0%   -4%   -4%   -13%   2%   -2%
     +50bps   4%   8%   -1%   2%   4%   13%   -2%   2%

Govt spreads

   -50bps   11%   n.a.   25%   5%   10%   0%   23%   5%
     +50bps   -11%   n.a.   -24%   -5%   -9%   0%   -22%   -4%

Non- govt credit spreads

   -50bps   3%   -1%   10%   -11%   1%   -3%   8%   -9%
     +50bps   -4%   -1%   -10%   8%   -2%   4%   - 9%   4%

US credit defaults**

   ~+200bps   - 22%   - 36%   n.a.   n.a.   - 19%   - 37%   n.a.   n.a

UFR

   -15bps   -2%   n.a.   - 5%   n.a.   -2%   n.a.   - 5%   n.a

Longevity***

   +5%   -5%   - 5%   -10%   -2%   - 4%   -3%   - 8%   -3%

Mortgage spread

   -50bps   5%   n.a.   14%   n.a.   6%   n.a.   14%   n.a
     +50bps   -5%   n.a.   - 14%   n.a.   - 5%   n.a.   -14%   n.a

EIOPA VA

   -5bps   -4%   n.a.   - 10%   n.a.   - 3%   n.a.   -9%   n.a
     +5bps   4%   n.a.   9%   n.a.   3%   n.a.   9%   n.a

*   Govt and non-Govt spread sensitivities as at 2H2019 excluding VA  have been approximated for reference purposes

** US credit additional defaults for 1 year including rating migration for structured assets

*** Reduction of annual mortality rates by 5%

The Group is exposed to the risk of a fall in equity markets driven by adverse impacts on the solvency ratio in US, NL and UK. An increase in equity market values has a positive impact on the ratio for all reporting segments except UK. UK Own Funds do increase but the SCR also increases significantly resulting in a marginal impact on UK’s solvency ratio. The non-linearity in the ratio movement is owing to the equity hedges (put options) held in the General Account which are not symmetric between an equity up and down shock.

The Group is exposed to the risk of lower interest rates primarily through the increase in SCR in NL and UK, partly offset by an increase in Own Funds in NL where assets increase in value by more than the value of liabilities under the shock. The negative impact from a decrease in interest rates in the US is mainly due to the setup of reserves on products with guarantees and the pension plan, in excess of the increase in the value of assets.

Starting 2020, the non-government and government spread sensitivities are shown excluding the impact of VA arising from Aegon NL. The 2H 2019 figures for these sensitivities have been approximated for Aegon NL and Group to have a reference of the comparable position as at 2H 2019. Group is exposed to spreads widening driven by US and NL as a result of the loss on assets. In the US, Aegon included the impact of corporate credit spread movements on the pension plan, where a widening of corporate spreads results in gains from the rise in the discount rate being greater than the loss on pension plan assets. This is more than offset by the impact on the Variable Annuity block of business where a widening of corporate spreads increases guarantee reserves. NL is exposed to non-government spreads widening, which includes the impact of mortgage spreads widening, due to the loss on assets partly offset by the lower IAS19 liabilities on the pension scheme. Compared to non-government spreads, NL has higher sensitivity to government spreads since the duration of government bonds is higher than the duration of mortgages which are the primary contributor to asset movement for non-government spread sensitivity. UK is exposed to non-government spreads narrowing due to the increase in IAS19 liability on the pension scheme which outweighs the impact on assets.

Lower mortality rates increase the longevity exposed liabilities. The higher liability values decrease Own Funds in US and NL, as longevity is only partially hedged, and also increases the SCR.

 

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Rating agency ratings

Aegon’s objective is to maintain a very strong financial strength rating in its main operating units, and this plays an important role in determining the Company’s overall capital management strategy. Aegon maintains strong financial strength ratings from leading international rating agencies for its main operating units, and a strong credit rating for Aegon N.V.

 

Public ratings

 

                                   
Company public ratings as of June 30, 2020    S&P
        Global        
     Moody’s
        Investors Service        
     Fitch
        Ratings        
     A.M.
        Best        
 
   

Financial strength ratings

             
   

Aegon USA

     A+        A1        A+        A  
   

Aegon NL

     A+        —          —          —    
   

Aegon UK

     A+        —          A+        —    
   

Credit ratings

             
   

Aegon N.V. - Long-term issuer

     A-        A3        A-        —    
   

Aegon N.V. - Senior debt

     A-        A3        BBB+        —    
   

Aegon N.V. - Subordinated debt

     BBB        Baa1        BBB-        —    
   

Aegon N.V. - Restricted Tier 1

     BBB-        Baa3        BB+        —    
   

Aegon N.V. - Commercial paper

     A-2        P-2        F2        —    

* On 21 February 2020 S&P Global revised the ratings of Aegon USA and Aegon NL from AA- to A+ and changed the outlook for all Aegon’s ratings to stable.

* The Moody’s outlook for all ratings is stable.

* On 14 May 2020 Fitch changed the outlook for all Aegon’s ratings from stable to negative.

* On 12 September 2019 AM Best revised the rating of Aegon USA from A+ to A and changed the outlook from negative to stable.

Internal capital management framework

In managing the capital adequacy of the group and its operating units, Aegon’s capital management framework is built on, among other things, managing capitalizations towards target capital management zones. The capitalization target range for Aegon Group is 150% - 200% Solvency II Capital Ratio.

Under Aegon’s capital management framework the following bottom end of the target capitalization ranges are the most relevant:

 

    

 

Bottom end of capitalization target range

   

Aegon USA (Life entities)

   350% RBC Company Action Level

Aegon the Netherlands

   155% Solvency II Capital Ratio

Aegon United Kingdom

   145% Solvency II Capital Ratio

 

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The frequent monitoring of actual and forecast capitalization levels of both the Aegon Group and of its underlying businesses is an important element in Aegon’s capital framework in order to actively steer and manage towards maintaining adequate capitalization levels. Aegon’s capital framework is based on several capital management zones in which escalating management actions are called for in a timely manner to ensure there is always adequate capitalization of both the Aegon Group and its operating units.

The capital management zones and the management interventions connected to these zones are set throughout the Group.

Minimum solvency requirements

Insurance laws and regulations in local regulatory jurisdictions often contain minimum regulatory capital requirements. For insurance companies in the European Union, Solvency II formally defines a lower capital requirement, the Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR). An irreparable breach of the MCR would lead to the withdrawal of the insurance license. Similarly, for the US insurance entities the withdrawal of the insurance license is triggered by a breach of 100% of the Authorized Control Level (ACL), which is 50% of the Company Action Level (CAL).

With the introduction of Solvency II for EEA countries, Aegon views these minimum regulatory capital requirements as the level around which regulators will formally require management to provide regulatory recovery plans. For the US insurance entities this is set at 100% Company Action Level (CAL) and for insurance companies in the European Union this is set at 100% SCR.

The minimum regulatory capital requirements, as viewed by Aegon, for its main operating units and the capitalization levels on June 30, 2020, are included in the following table:

 

Capital requirements   

Minimum capital

 

requirement

   Actual capitalization     

 

Excess over minimum

 

capital requirement

 

 

 

   
     100% Company Action Level        
Aegon USA (Life entities) 1), 3)    (NAIC RBC CAL)    407%      6.0 bln  
Aegon the Netherlands 2), 3)    100% Solvency II SCR    191%      3.2 bln  
Aegon United Kingdom 3)    100% Solvency II SCR    154%      0.9 bln  

1 Capitalization for the United States represents the internally defined combined risk-based capital (“RBC”) ratio of Aegon’s life insurance subsidiaries in the United States.

The combined RBC ratio utilizes the NAIC RBC ratio excluding affiliated notes and taking into account excess or deficient amounts related to offshore life affiliates

2 Excluding Aegon Bank

3 Please note, this reflects Aegon’s estimated Capitalization levels

The capitalization level and shareholders’ equity of the operating units can be impacted by various factors (e.g. general economic conditions, capital markets risks, underwriting risk factors, changes in government regulations, legal and arbitrational proceedings). To mitigate the impact of such factors on the ability of operating units to transfer funds, the operating units hold additional capital in excess of the levels of the minimum regulatory solvency requirements.

In practice – and for upstreaming purposes – Aegon manages the capitalization of its operating units towards the capitalization target ranges as identified in Aegon’s capital framework, that are in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements contained in the applicable regulations and in excess of the minimum requirements as mentioned in the table above.

 

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Capital quality

Capital quality is a reflection of Aegon’s stability and ability to absorb future financial losses. Solvency II distinguishes between basic own funds and ancillary own funds. Aegon’s total own funds are comprised of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 basic own funds. Aegon does not currently have ancillary own funds. Tier 1 basic own funds are divided into unrestricted Tier 1 items and restricted Tier 1 items. The latter category contains own fund items subject to the restrictions of article 82 (3) of the Solvency II Delegated Regulation, which includes grandfathered Tier 1 own fund items. Based on agreements with its supervisory authorities, Aegon applies a fungibilty and transferability restriction with respect to charitable trusts within Aegon Americas, and a restriction equal to the own funds of Aegon Bank. These restrictions, applied to Aegon’s basic own funds, result in Aegon’s available own funds.

 

 

Tier 1

  

 

Tier 2

  

 

Tier 3

 

Unrestricted Tier 1

- Equity (Share capital and share premium)

- Reconciliation reserve

 

Restricted Tier 1

- Perpetual subordinated capital instruments with loss absorption

  

 

- Dated or perpetual subordinated capital instruments

- With an original maturity of at least 10 years

- Limited loss absorption

- With suspension of payments and deferral of interest

  

 

- Dated or perpetual subordinated capital instruments

- With an original maturity of at least 5 years

- Limited loss absorption

- With suspension of payments and deferral of interest

- Net deferred tax assets

The table below shows the tiering of Aegon Group’s own funds as per June 30, 2020, based on the Solvency II PIM SCR.

 

      June 30, 2020                  December 31, 2019              
     

Available

own funds

    

Eligible  

    own funds  

    

Available

            own funds

    

Eligible

    own funds

 
     

Unrestricted Tier 1

     11,588        11,588          12,724        12,724  

Restricted Tier 1

     2,622        2,576          2,614        2,614  

Tier 2

     2,505        2,551          2,370        2,370  

Tier 3

     786        748          762        762  

Total Tiers

     17,501        17,463          18,470        18,470  

Aegon’s use of leverage

Aegon uses leverage in order to lower the cost of capital that supports businesses in the Aegon Group, thereby contributing to a more effective use of capital and realizing capital efficiencies. In managing the use of financial and non-financial leverage throughout the group, Aegon has implemented a Leverage Use Framework that is part of Aegon’s broader Enterprise Risk Management framework.

Leverage metrics

In line with the guiding principles of its capital and liquidity management, Aegon N.V. monitors and manages several leverage metrics:

   

Gross financial leverage ratio;

   

Fixed charge coverage; and

   

Various rating agency leverage metrics.

 

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Aegon’s gross financial leverage ratio is calculated by dividing total financial leverage by total capitalization. Aegon defines total financial leverage as debt or debt-like funding issued for general corporate purposes and for capitalizing Aegon’s business units. Total financial leverage includes hybrid instruments, subordinated and senior debt. Aegon’s total capitalization consists of the following components:

    Shareholders’ equity, excluding revaluation reserves, cash flow hedge reserves, based on IFRS as adopted by the EU;

    Non-controlling interests and share options not yet exercised; and

    Total financial leverage.

Aegon’s fixed charge coverage is a measure of the Company’s ability to service its financial leverage. It is calculated as the sum of underlying earnings before tax and interest expenses on financial leverage divided by interest payments on financial leverage. The fixed charge coverage includes the impact of interest rate hedging.

Operational leverage

Although operational leverage is not considered part of Aegon’s total capitalization, it is an important source of liquidity and funding. Operational leverage relates primarily to financing Aegon’s mortgage portfolios through securitizations, warehouse facilities, covered bonds and the use of FHLB facilities.

Funding and back-up facilities

The majority of Aegon’s financial leverage is issued by Aegon N.V., the parent company. A limited number of other Aegon companies have also issued debt securities, but for the most part these securities are guaranteed by Aegon N.V.

Aegon N.V. has regular access to international capital markets under a USD 6 billion debt issuance program. Access to the capital market in the United States is made possible by a separate shelf registration.

Aegon also has access to domestic and international money markets through its USD 2.5 billion commercial paper programs. On June 30, 2020, Aegon had EUR 18 million outstanding under these programs.

To support its commercial paper programs and need for Letters of Credit (LOCs), and to enhance its liquidity position, Aegon maintains backup credit and LOC facilities with international lenders. The Company’s principal arrangement is a EUR 2 billion syndicated revolving credit facility that matures in 2023, and an additional LOC facility of USD 2.6 billion, which matures in 2021. In addition, Aegon also maintains various shorter-dated bilateral backup liquidity, and committed and uncommitted LOC facilities.

Liquidity management

Liquidity management is a fundamental building block of Aegon’s overall financial planning and capital allocation processes. The Company’s liquidity risk policy sets guidelines for its operating companies and the holding in order to achieve a prudent liquidity profile and to meet cash demands even under extreme conditions.

Liquidity is coordinated centrally and managed both at Aegon N.V. and at the operating unit level. Aegon maintains a liquidity policy that requires all operating units to project and assess their sources and uses of liquidity over a two-year period under normal and severe business and market scenarios. This policy ensures that liquidity is measured and managed consistently across the Company, and that liquidity stress management plans are in place.

 

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Sources and uses of liquidity

Liquidity in Aegon’s subsidiaries

Aegon’s operating units are primarily engaged in the life insurance and pensions business, which is a long-term activity with relatively illiquid liabilities and generally matching assets. Liquidity consists of liquid assets held in investment portfolios, in addition to inflows generated by premium payments and customer deposits. These are used primarily to purchase investments, as well as to fund benefit payments to policyholders, policy surrenders, operating expenses, and, if the subsidiary’s capital position allows, to pay dividends to the holding.

After investments have been made in new business to generate organic growth, capital generated by Aegon’s operating units is available for distribution to the holding company, while maintaining a capital and liquidity position in the operating units in line with Aegon’s capital management and liquidity risk policies. In addition, the ability of Aegon’s insurance subsidiaries to transfer funds to the holding company is also constrained by the need for these subsidiaries to remain adequately capitalized at the levels set by local insurance regulations, and as administered by local insurance regulatory authorities.

Aegon N.V.

At the holding company Aegon N.V., liquidity is sourced from internal dividends from operating units and through the capital markets. The main sources and uses of liquidity at the holding company Aegon N.V. are dividends from operating units, movements in debt, net expenses (including interest), funding operations, capital returns to shareholders, and the balance of acquisitions and divestitures. In addition, contingent internal and external liquidity programs are maintained to provide additional safeguards against extreme unexpected liquidity stresses.

Aegon uses cash flows from its operating units to pay for holding expenses, including funding costs. The remaining cash flow is available to execute Aegon’s strategy and to fund dividends on its shares.

When determining whether to declare or propose a dividend, Aegon’s Executive Board balances prudence with offering an attractive return to shareholders. This is particularly important during adverse economic and/or financial market conditions. Furthermore, Aegon’s operating subsidiaries are subject to local insurance regulations that could restrict dividends to be paid to the holding company. There is no requirement or assurance that Aegon will declare and pay any dividends.

Aegon’s holding excess cash

The ability of the holding company to meet its cash obligations depends on the amount of liquid assets on its balance sheet and on the ability of the operating units to pay dividends to the holding company. In order to ensure the holding company’s ability to fulfill its cash obligations and maintain sufficient management flexibility to manage capital and liquidity support for Aegon’s operating units and external dividend stability, it is the Company’s policy that the holding excess cash position, including Aegon’s centrally managed (unregulated) holding companies, is managed to a target range of EUR 1.0 to 1.5 billion.

On June 30, 2020, Aegon held a balance of EUR 1.7 billion in excess cash at the holding, compared with EUR 1.2 billion on December 31, 2019. The increase of EUR 0.5 billion reflects the net impact of dividends from subsidiaries and capital injections in subsidiaries, divestments, net interest charges, holding expenses, debt issuance and redemption and capital returns to shareholders.

 

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Aegon’s liquidity is invested in accordance with the Company’s internal risk management policies. Aegon believes that its working capital, backed by its external funding programs and facilities, is ample for the Company’s present requirements.

 

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Disclaimer

Cautionary note regarding non-IFRS measures

This document includes the following non-IFRS financial measures: underlying earnings before tax, income tax and income before tax. These non-IFRS measures are calculated by consolidating on a proportionate basis Aegon’s joint ventures and associated companies. The reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable IFRS measure is provided in note 3 ‘Segment information’ of Aegon’s Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. Aegon believes that these non-IFRS measures, together with the IFRS information, provide meaningful supplemental information about the underlying operating results of Aegon’s business including insight into the financial measures that senior management uses in managing the business.

Forward-looking statements

The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:

o  

Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom;

o  

Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to:

 

The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon’s fixed income investment portfolios;

 

The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds; and

 

The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds;

o  

Changes in the performance of Aegon’s investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon’s counterparties;

o  

Lowering of one or more of Aegon’s debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;

o  

Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries;

o  

The effect of the European Union’s Solvency II requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain;

o  

Changes affecting interest rate levels and continuing low or rapidly changing interest rate levels;

o  

Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates;

o  

Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness;

o  

Increasing levels of competition in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and emerging markets;

o  

Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon’s business;

o  

The frequency and severity of insured loss events;

o  

Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon’s insurance products;

o  

Aegon’s projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results;

o  

Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations;

o  

Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations;

o  

Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels;

o  

As Aegon’s operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which we do business may disrupt Aegon’s business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;

o  

The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon’s ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions;

o  

Aegon’s failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies as well as other cost saving and excess cash and leverage ratio management initiatives;

o  

Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments;

o  

Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business;

o  

Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon’s products;

o  

Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European monetary union in whole or in part, or the anticipated exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union;

o  

Changes in laws and regulations, particularly those affecting Aegon’s operations’ ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, and the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers;

o  

Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, and insurance industries in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates;

o  

Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon, including the designation of Aegon by the Financial Stability Board as a Global Systemically Important Insurer (G-SII);

o  

Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon’s reported results, shareholders’ equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels;

o  

The other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk factors Aegon N.V.” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company’s other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on Aegon’s website at http://aegon.com.

This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

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