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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | Basis of Presentation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and include AXIS Capital and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. To facilitate comparison of information across periods, certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year's presentation. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company realigned its accident and health business by integrating this business and its operations into the Company's insurance and reinsurance segments. Through this realignment, the Company's accident and health business benefited from the greater scale and market presence of the Company's property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses and operations. Financial results relating to the Company's accident and health lines of business were previously included in the Company's insurance segment. Effective January 1, 2018, accident and health results are included in the results of both the insurance and reinsurance segments of the Company. As a result of the realignment, gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $313 million (2016: $288 million) and underwriting income for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $14 million (2016: $15 million) were reclassified from the Company's insurance segment to the Company's reinsurance segment. At December 31, 2018 the Company represented reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses separately from reinsurance recoverable on paid losses in the consolidated balance sheets. This presentation was adopted to facilitate comparison to the reconciliation of beginning and ending net reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses (refer to Note 9 'Reserve for Losses and Loss Expenses'). These reclassifications did not impact results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. Tabular dollar and share amounts are in thousands, with the exception of per share amounts. All amounts are reported in U.S. dollars. Use of Estimates The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While management believes that the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:
• | reserve for losses and loss expenses;
• | reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, including the provision for uncollectible amounts;
• | gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned;
• | fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities; and
• | other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") in the carrying value of available-for-sale securities.
The Company's significant accounting policies are as follows:
a) | Investments
Fixed Maturities, Available-for-sale, at Fair Value Fixed maturities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value (refer to Note 7 'Fair Value Measurements'). The change in fair values (net unrealized investment gains (losses)) of fixed maturities, net of tax is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") in the consolidated statement of change shareholders’ equity. Net investment income includes interest income and the amortization of market premiums and discounts and is presented net of investment expenses. Investment income is recognized when earned. Purchases and sales of fixed maturities are recorded on a trade-date basis and realized investment gains (losses) on sales of fixed maturities are determined based on the specific identification method. Realized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturities are included in net investments gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company recognizes investment income from fixed maturities based on the constant effective yield method, which includes an adjustment for estimated principal repayments, if applicable. The effective yield used to determine the amortization of fixed maturities subject to prepayment risk (e.g. asset-backed, mortgage-backed and other structured securities) is recalculated and adjusted periodically based upon historical and/or projected future cash flows. Adjustments to the yield for highly-rated prepayable fixed maturities are accounted for using the retrospective method. Adjustments to the yield for other prepayable fixed maturities are accounted for using the prospective method. A fixed maturity is impaired if the fair value of the investment is below amortized cost. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether unrealized investment losses on fixed maturities represent impairments that are other-than-temporary. The Company's impairment review process begins with a quantitative analysis to identify securities to be evaluated for potential OTTI. For identified securities, fundamental analysis is performed that considers the following quantitative and qualitative factors: (i) the duration and the extent of the decline; (ii) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer of the security; (iii) the reason for the decline (e.g. credit spread widening, credit event, foreign exchange rate movements); (iii) the historical and implied future volatility of the fair value; and (v) the collateral structure and credit support of the security, if applicable. If a fixed maturity is impaired and the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, the impairment is considered other-than-temporary. In these instances, the full amount of the impairment is charged to net income and is included in net investment gains (losses). In instances where the Company intends to hold the impaired fixed maturity, the Company estimates the anticipated credit loss on the security and recognizes this component of the impairment in net income with a corresponding adjustment to amortized cost (new cost basis) of the security. The new cost basis is adjusted for subsequent increases in fair value where the difference between the new cost basis and the expected cash flows is accreted on a quarterly basis to net investment income over the remaining life of the fixed maturity. The Company recognizes the non-credit component of the impairment (i.e. related to interest rates, market conditions, etc.) in other comprehensive income. Equity Securities, at Fair Value Following the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01 "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," (refer to 'New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018' below) Equity securities are reported at fair value (refer to Note 7 'Fair Value Measurements'). Effective January 1, 2018, following the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the change in the fair values (net unrealized investment gains (losses)) of equity securities, net of tax is recognized in net investments gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations. Net investment income includes dividend income and is presented net of investment expenses. Investment income is recognized when earned. Purchases and sales of equity securities are recorded on a trade-date basis and realized investment gains (losses) on sales of equity securities are determined based on the specific identification method. Realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities are included in net investments gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the Adoption of ASU 2016-01 Equity securities are reported at fair value. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the change in the fair values (net unrealized investment gains (losses)) of equity securities, net of tax was recognized in AOCI in the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. An equity security is impaired if the fair value of the investment is below cost. On a quarterly basis, the Company assessed whether unrealized investment losses on equity securities represented impairments that are other-than-temporary and recognized impairments on equity securities in an unrealized loss position when the Company did not have the ability and intent to hold the security for a reasonable period of time to allow for a full recovery. The full amount of the impairment was charged to net income and was included in net realized investment gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations. Upon recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charge, the new cost basis for the equity security was the cost for an equity security less the OTTI charge recognized in net income. The new cost basis was not adjusted for subsequent increases in fair value. Mortgage Loans Held-for-investment Mortgage loans held-for-investment are reported at amortized cost which is calculated as the unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, and is net of valuation allowances. Interest income and prepayment fees are recognized when earned. Interest income is recognized based on an effective yield method which gives effect to the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Other Investments Other investments are recorded at fair value (refer to Note 7 'Fair Value Measurements'), with both changes in fair value and realized investment gains (losses) reported in net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations. Equity Method Investments Investments in which the Company has significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are classified as equity method investments and are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In applying the equity method of accounting, investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on the Company’s proportionate share of net income or loss of the investee. Adjustments are based on the most recently available financial information from the investee. Changes in the carrying value of these investments are recorded in net income as interest in income (loss) of equity method investments. Short-term Investments Short-term investments primarily comprise highly-liquid debt securities with maturities greater than three months but less than one year from the date of purchase. These investments are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
b) | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include money-market funds, fixed interest deposits and reverse repurchase agreements with a maturity of under 90 days when purchased. Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term, liquid nature of these securities. Restricted cash primarily relates to funds held in trust to support of obligations in regulatory jurisdictions where the Company operates as a non-admitted carrier and to support the underwriting activities of Syndicate 1686 and Syndicate 2007 at Lloyd's.
c) | Premiums and Acquisition Costs
Premiums Insurance premiums written are recorded in accordance with the terms of the underlying policies. Reinsurance premiums are recorded at the inception of the contract and are estimated based on information received from ceding companies. For multi-year contracts where (re)insurance premiums are payable in annual installments, premiums are recorded at the inception of the contract based on management’s best estimate of total premiums to be received. However, premiums are normally recognized on an annual basis for multi-year contracts where the cedant has the ability to unilaterally commute or cancel coverage within the term of the policy. The remaining annual premiums are included as written at each successive anniversary date within the multi-year term. Any adjustments to insurance and reinsurance premium estimates are recognized in the period in which they are determined. (Re)insurance premiums are earned evenly over the period during which the Company is exposed to the underlying risk, which is generally one to two years with the exception of multi-year contracts. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written which relates to the unexpired risks under contracts in force. Reinstatement premiums are recognized and earned at the time a loss event occurs, where the coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. The accrual of reinstatement premiums is based on estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses, which reflects management’s judgment, as described in Note 2(d) 'Losses and Loss Expenses' below. Premiums receivable balances are reviewed for impairment at least quarterly and an allowance is established for amounts considered uncollectible. Acquisition Costs Acquisition costs vary with and are directly related to the successful acquisition efforts of acquiring new or renewing existing (re)insurance contracts and consist primarily of fees and commissions paid to brokers and premium taxes. Acquisition costs are shown net of commissions earned on ceded reinsurance. Net acquisition costs are deferred and charged to expense as the related premium is earned. Insurance and reinsurance premiums balance receivable is presented net of acquisition costs when contract terms provide for the right of offset. Anticipated losses and loss expenses, other costs and investment income related to these premiums are considered in assessing the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. If deferred amounts are estimated to be unrecoverable, they are expensed. Compensation expenses for personnel involved in contract acquisition, as well as advertising costs, are expensed as incurred.
d) | Losses and Loss Expenses
Reserve for losses and loss expenses represents an estimate of the unpaid portion of the ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses for (re)insured events that have occurred at or before the balance sheet date. These amounts reflect both claims that have been reported ("case reserves") and claims that have been incurred but not yet reported ("IBNR") and are reduced for estimated amounts of salvage and subrogation recoveries. The Company reviews its reserve for losses and loss expenses on a quarterly basis. Case reserves are primarily established based on amounts reported from insureds and/or their brokers. Management estimates IBNR after reviewing detailed actuarial analyses and applying informed judgment regarding qualitative factors that may not be fully captured in the actuarial estimates. A variety of actuarial methods are utilized in this process, including the Expected Loss Ratio, Chain Ladder and Bornhuetter Ferguson methods. The estimate is highly dependent on management’s judgment as to which method(s) are most appropriate for a particular accident year and line of business. Historical claims data is often supplemented with industry benchmarks when applying these methodologies. Any adjustments to reserve for losses and loss expenses estimates are recognized in the period in which they are determined. While the Company believes that its reserves for losses and loss expenses are adequate, this estimate requires significant judgment and new information, events or circumstances may result in ultimate losses that are materially greater or less than provided for in the consolidated balance sheets.
e) | Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, the Company purchases reinsurance protection to limit its ultimate losses from catastrophic events and to reduce its loss aggregation risk. The premiums paid to reinsurers (i.e. ceded premiums written) are expensed over the coverage period. Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the portion of premiums ceded which relate to the unexpired term of the contracts in force. Reinstatement premiums ceded are recognized and earned at the time a loss event occurs, where the coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. Reinsurance recoverable related to case reserves is estimated on a case-by-case basis by applying the terms of any applicable reinsurance cover to individual case reserve estimates. Reinsurance recoverable related to IBNR is generally developed as part of our loss reserving process, therefore, its estimation is subject to similar risks and uncertainties as the estimation of IBNR. Reinsurance recoverable is presented net of a provision for uncollectible amounts, reflecting the amount the Company believes ultimately will not be recovered due to reinsurer insolvency, contractual disputes and/or some other reason. The Company applies case-specific provisions against reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses that it deems unlikely to be collected in full. In addition, the Company uses a default analysis to estimate the provision for uncollectible amounts on the remainder of the reinsurance recoverable balance. The estimates of reinsurance recoverable and the associated provision for uncollectible amounts require management’s judgment and are reviewed in detail on a quarterly basis. Any adjustments to the provision for uncollectible amounts are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Retroactive Reinsurance Retroactive reinsurance reimburses a ceding company for liabilities incurred as a result of past insurable events covered under contracts subject to the reinsurance. In certain instances, reinsurance contracts cover losses both on a prospective basis and on a retroactive basis and where practical the Company bifurcates the prospective and retrospective elements of these reinsurance contracts and accounts for each element separately. Initial gains in connection with retroactive reinsurance contracts are deferred and amortized into income over the settlement period while losses are recognized immediately. When changes in the estimated amount recoverable from the reinsurer or in the timing of receipts related to that amount occur, a cumulative amortization adjustment is recognized in net income in the period of the change so that the deferred gain reflects the balance that would have existed had the revised estimate been available at the inception of the reinsurance transaction.
f) | Foreign Exchange
The functional currency of the Company and the majority of its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. All foreign currency transactions are initially measured and recorded in the Company’s functional currency using the rates of exchange prevailing at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are remeasured to functional currency at the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date with the resulting foreign currency gains (losses) generally being recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency gains (losses) related to available-for-sale investments denominated in foreign currency represent an unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the market value of the securities and are included in the relevant component of AOCI. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are not subsequently remeasured. The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries and branches where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars using the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenue and expenses are translated using the weighted average foreign exchange rates for the period. The effect of translation adjustments is reported as a separate component of AOCI in the consolidated statement of change shareholders’ equity. g) Share-based Compensation The Company is authorized to issue restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance units, stock options, stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards to its employees and directors. The Company's plan includes both share-settled and cash-settled service and performance based awards. The fair value of share-settled service and performance based awards is based on the market value of the Company's common share measured at the grant date and is expensed over the requisite service period. The fair value cash-settled service and performance based awards is also based on the fair market value of Company's common shares at the grant date and is expensed over the requisite service period. In addition, the fair value of the cash-settled service and performance based awards is recognized as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet and is remeasured at the end of each reporting period. Effective, January 1, 2017, the Company made an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur.
h) | Derivative Instruments
The Company may enter into derivative instruments such as futures, options, interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts as part of its overall foreign currency risk management strategy, to obtain exposure to a particular financial market or for yield enhancement. During 2013, the Company began to write derivative based risk management products designed to address weather and commodity price risks, with the objective of generating profits on a portfolio basis. Effective July 1, 2017, the Company no longer writes derivative-based risk management products which address weather risks. From time to time the Company may also enter into (re)insurance contracts that meet the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") definition of a derivative contract. The Company measures all derivative instruments at fair value (refer to Note 7 'Fair Value Measurements') and recognizes them as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value and any realized gains or losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
i) | Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company recognizes goodwill and other intangible assets in connection with certain acquisitions. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired in these acquisition and is not amortized. Other intangible assets with a finite life are amortized over the estimated useful live of the intangible asset. Other intangible assets with an indefinite life are not amortized. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite intangible assets for potential impairment during the fourth quarter each year and between annual tests if an event occurs or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset is impaired. Such events or circumstances may include an economic downturn in a geographic market or a change in the assessment of future operations. For the purposes of evaluating goodwill for impairment, the Company may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. If determined to be necessary, the quantitative test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" (refer to 'New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018' below) if the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For the purposes of evaluating indefinite lived intangibles for impairment, the Company may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. If the Company elects to perform a qualitative assessment, it first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired, the Company does not calculate the fair value of the intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test. For the purposes of evaluating goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. The Company may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. For other definite lived intangible asset the Company tests for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a definite lived intangible asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If goodwill or an intangible asset is impaired, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to fair value and a corresponding expense is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. j) Income Taxes Certain subsidiaries and branches of the Company operate in jurisdictions where they are subject to taxation. Current and deferred income taxes are charged or credited to net income, or in certain cases to AOCI, based upon enacted tax laws and rates applicable in the relevant jurisdiction in the period in which the tax becomes accruable or realizable. Deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences between the bases of assets and liabilities used in the consolidated balance sheets and those used in the various jurisdictional tax returns. When the assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the foreseeable future, a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets is recorded. The Company recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authorities.
k) | Treasury Shares
Common shares repurchased by the Company and not subsequently canceled are classified as treasury shares and are recorded at cost. This results in a reduction of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. When shares are reissued from treasury, the Company uses the average cost method to determine the cost of the reissued shares.
l) | New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Fixed maturities and equity securities are reported at fair value at the balance sheet date (refer to Note 7 'Fair Value Measurements'). Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01 "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which:
• | requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, investments that are consolidated or those that meet a practicability exception) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income;
• | simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, eliminates the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost,
• | requires the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes;
• | requires separate presentation in other comprehensive income of the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the organization has elected to measure the liabilities in accordance with the fair value option;
• | requires the separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and
• | clarifies that the reporting organization should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the organization’s other deferred tax assets.
Upon adoption of this guidance, net unrealized investment gains on equity securities of $70 million, net of deferred income taxes of $13 million, were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Revenue from Contracts with Customers Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," using the modified retrospective transition approach. This guidance affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, such as accounting for insurance contracts. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company generated fee income of $32 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 which is within the scope of this ASU. These fees represent service fees earned by the Company's reinsurance segment related to services provided to strategic capital partners and are recognized when the related services have been performed. Given that the timing and measurement of revenue associated with impacted contracts did not change, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments," which addresses diversity in practice in how eight specific cash receipts and cash payments should be presented and classified on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Restricted Cash Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash," which addresses diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This guidance requires a statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will no longer be presented on the statement of cash flows. To facilitate comparison of the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company adopted this guidance utilizing the full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows now explains the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. Therefore, restricted cash is now included with cash and cash equivalents in the reconciliation of the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-09 "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification Accounting," which provides clarity and reduces diversity in practice of applying the guidance in Topic 718 to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This ASU provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The guidance states that an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met:
1. | the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified;
2. | the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.
The current disclosure requirements in Topic 718 apply regardless of whether an entity is required to apply modification accounting under the amendments in this Update. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2018-02 "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" which was a response to a financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the U.S. federal government tax bill, H.R.1, An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 ("U.S. Tax Reform"), which was enacted on December 22, 2017. U.S. GAAP currently requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be adjusted for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates with the effect included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is applicable even in situations in which the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income were originally recognized in other comprehensive income rather than in income from continuing operations. As the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate is required to be included in income from continuing operations, the tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income (referred to as stranded tax effects for purposes of this Update) do not reflect the appropriate tax rate. The amendments in this Update allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of U.S. Tax Reform, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. As a consequence of U.S. Tax Reform, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $2 million related to the revaluation of net deferred tax liabilities associated with the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, attributable to net unrealized investment gains associated with investments held by the Company's U.S. domiciled entities. Upon adoption of this guidance, the tax benefit of $2 million was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into retained earnings. Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment Effective October 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" that eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, an impairment charge will be based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on Step 1 of the current goodwill impairment test). The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
m) | Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" which provided a new comprehensive model for lease accounting. Topic 842 will require a lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842) - Targeted Improvements" which provides an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new lease guidance. A company electing this additional (and optional) transition method must provide the required Topic 840 disclosures for all periods that continue to be in accordance with Topic 840. However, these amendments do not change the existing disclosure requirements in Topic 840, in particular these amendments do not create interim disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019, by electing the additional transition method provided in ASU 2018-11. The Company will also elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance of Topic 842, which must be elected as a package and applied consistently to all leases. The package of practical expedients permits the Company not to reassess the following:
1. | whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases;
2. | the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and
3. | initial direct costs for any existing leases.
In addition to electing the package of practical expedients, the Company will make an accounting policy election not to record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (short-term) in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company will recognize expense for short-term lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2018, the Company expects the adoption of this guidance will result in the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities of approximately $149 million in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at January 1, 2019, related to existing office property and equipment leases. The adoption of this guidance will not impact the Company's results of operations and liquidity. Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instrument In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" which replaces the "incurred loss" impairment methodology with an approach based on "expected losses" to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The guidance also provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08 "Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) - Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities" which shortens the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The Company plans to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this guidance will not impact the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Changes to Disclosures on Fair Value Measurement In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" to improve the effectiveness of fair value measurement disclosures. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019. As this guidance relates solely to financial statement disclosures, the adoption of ASU 2016-18, will not impact the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the basis of presentation and significant accounting policies concepts. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 + Details
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