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Related Party Transactions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions
William M. Rue, a former Director of the Parent, is Chairman of, and owns more than 10% of the equity of Rue Holding Company, which owns 100% of Chas. E. Rue & Son, Inc., t/a Rue Insurance, a general independent retail insurance agency ("Rue Insurance"). Rue Insurance is an appointed distribution partner of the Insurance Subsidiaries on terms and conditions similar to those of our other distribution partners, which includes the right to participate in the Agent Plan. Mr. Rue’s son is President, and an employee, of Rue Insurance, and owns more than 10% of the equity of Rue Holding Company. Mr. Rue’s daughter is an employee of Rue Insurance and owns less than 10% of the equity of Rue Holding Company. Our relationship with Rue Insurance has existed since 1928. Mr. Rue retired from the Parent's Board in May 2023.

Rue Insurance placed insurance policies with the Insurance Subsidiaries for its customers and itself. Direct premiums written associated with these policies were $15.7 million in 2023, $14.3 million in 2022, and $12.8 million in 2021. In return, the Insurance Subsidiaries paid standard market commissions, including supplemental commissions, to Rue Insurance of $2.9 million in 2023, $2.7 million in 2022, and $2.0 million in 2021. Amounts due to Rue Insurance at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $0.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively. All contracts and transactions with Rue Insurance were consummated in the ordinary course of business on an arm's-length basis.

In 2005, we established a private foundation, now named The Selective Insurance Group Foundation (the "Foundation"), under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Board of the Foundation is comprised of some of the officers of the Parent and the Insurance Subsidiaries. We did not make any contributions to the Foundation in 2023. We contributed $0.3 million in 2022 and $1.3 million in 2021.

BlackRock, Inc., a leading publicly-traded investment management firm (“BlackRock”), has purchased our common shares in the ordinary course of its investment business and has previously filed Schedules 13G/A with the SEC. On January 23, 2024, BlackRock filed a Schedule 13G/A reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2023, of 12.8% of our common stock. In connection with purchasing our common shares, BlackRock filed the necessary filings with insurance regulatory authorities. On the basis of those filings, BlackRock is deemed not to be a controlling person for the purposes of applicable insurance law.

We are required to disclose related party information for our transactions with BlackRock. BlackRock is highly regulated, serves its clients as a fiduciary, and has a diverse platform of active (alpha) and index (beta) investment strategies across asset classes that enables it to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. BlackRock also offers the BlackRock Solutions® investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin®, risk analytics, advisory, and technology services and solutions to a broad base of institutional and wealth management investors. We incurred expenses related to BlackRock for services rendered of $2.1 million in 2023, $1.8 million in 2022, and $1.8 million in 2021. Amounts payable for such services were $0.6 million at December 31, 2023, $0.8 million at December 31, 2022, and $0.5 million at December 31, 2021.

As part of our overall investment diversification, we invest in various BlackRock funds from time to time. These funds accounted for less than 1% of our invested assets at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and are predominately reflected in "Fixed income securities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. During 2023, with regard to BlackRock funds, we (i) purchased $7.9 million in securities, (ii) sold $2.8 million, (iii) recognized net realized and unrealized gains of $1.7 million, and (iv) recorded $2.5 million in income. During 2022, we (i) purchased $18.5 million in securities, (ii) sold $32.3 million, (iii) recognized net realized and unrealized losses of $6.9 million, and (iv) recorded $1.8 million in income. During 2021, we (i) purchased $16.5 million in securities, (ii) sold $32.5 million, (iii) recognized net realized and unrealized losses of $0.6 million, and (iv) recorded $0.9 million in income. There were no amounts payable on the settlement of these investment transactions at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Our Pension Plan's investment portfolio contained investments in BlackRock funds of $114.2 million at December 31, 2023 and $120.1 million at December 31, 2022. During 2023, with regard to BlackRock funds, the Pension Plan (i) purchased $19.9 million in securities, (ii) sold $35.1 million, and (iii) recorded net investment income of $9.3 million. During 2022, with regard to BlackRock funds, the Pension Plan (i) purchased $56.4 million in securities, (ii) sold $65.7 million, and (iii) recorded net investment losses of $80.5 million. During 2021, with regard to BlackRock funds, the Pension Plan (i) purchased $18.0 million in securities, (ii) sold $18.1 million, and (iii) recorded net investment income of $18.2 million. In addition, our Deferred Compensation Plan and Retirement Savings Plan may offer our employees the option to invest in various BlackRock funds. All contracts and transactions with BlackRock were consummated in the ordinary course of business on an arm's-length basis.

Vanguard, one of the world’s largest investment management companies, has purchased our common shares in the ordinary course of its investment business and has previously filed Schedules 13G/A with the SEC. Vanguard offers low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, as well as other investment related services. On February 10, 2023, Vanguard filed a Schedule 13G/A reporting beneficial ownership of 10.03% of our common stock as of January 31, 2023. In connection with
purchasing our common shares, Vanguard filed the necessary filings with insurance regulatory authorities. On the basis of those filings, we do not expect Vanguard to be deemed a controlling person for the purposes of applicable insurance law.

As part of our overall investment diversification, we may invest in various Vanguard funds from time to time. These funds accounted for less than 1% of our invested assets at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and are predominately reflected in "Equity securities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. During 2023, with regard to Vanguard funds, we (i) purchased $0.5 million in securities, (ii) sold $32.9 million, (iii) recognized net realized and unrealized gains of $0.1 million, and (iv) recorded $0.7 million in income. During 2022, we (i) purchased $3.5 million in securities, (ii) sold $125.2 million, (iii) recognized net realized and unrealized losses of $10.4 million, and (iv) recorded $4.7 million in income. During 2021, we (i) purchased $19.3 million in securities, (ii) sold $23.6 million, (iii) recognized net realized and unrealized gains of $17.7 million, and (iv) recorded $7.5 million in income. There were no amounts payable on the settlement of these investment transactions at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Our Deferred Compensation Plan offers our employees investment options based on the notional value of various Vanguard funds. Our Retirement Savings Plan offers our employees the option to invest in a Vanguard fund. All transactions with Vanguard are consummated in the ordinary course of business on an arm’s-length basis.