Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation	Consolidation and Basis of PresentationThe accompanying consolidated financial statements of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company ("we", "us", "our" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The consolidated financial statements include variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which we are the primary beneficiary. All of the adjustments in the consolidated financial statements are normal recurring items which are necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations on a basis consistent with the prior audited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period, including for the year ended December 31, 2023. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements requires management estimates and assumptions using subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. For further information related to a description of areas of judgment and estimates and other information necessary to understand our financial position and results of operations, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Basis of Presentation	Consolidation and Basis of PresentationThe accompanying consolidated financial statements of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company ("we", "us", "our" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The consolidated financial statements include variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which we are the primary beneficiary. All of the adjustments in the consolidated financial statements are normal recurring items which are necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations on a basis consistent with the prior audited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period, including for the year ended December 31, 2023. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements requires management estimates and assumptions using subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. For further information related to a description of areas of judgment and estimates and other information necessary to understand our financial position and results of operations, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update ("ASU") on troubled debt restructurings ("TDR") and vintage disclosures related to current period gross write-offs and recoveries. This guidance eliminates the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors and enhances disclosure requirements for certain refinancing and restructuring of loans by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The guidance also requires companies to disclosure current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2023 and will be applied prospectively. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Insurance Contracts In August 2018, the FASB issued an ASU that revises certain aspects of the measurement models and disclosure requirements for long duration insurance and investment contracts. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to improve, simplify, and enhance the accounting for long-duration contracts. The revisions include updating cash flow assumptions in the calculation of the liability for traditional life products, introducing the term ‘market risk benefit’ (“MRB”) and requiring all contract features meeting the definition of an MRB to be measured at fair value with the change in fair value recognized in net income excluding the change in fair value related to our own-credit risk which is recognized in AOCI and simplifying the method used to amortize deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements to a constant level basis over the expected term of the related contracts rather than based on actual and estimated gross profits and enhancing disclosure requirements. While this ASU was effective for us January 1, 2023, the transition date (the remeasurement date) was January 1, 2021. We adopted the guidance for the liability for future policyholder benefits, deferred acquisition costs, and deferred sales inducements on a modified retrospective basis such that those balances were adjusted to conform to ASU 2018-12 on January 1, 2021. The guidance for market risk benefits was applied retrospectively. Below are the transition date impacts for each of these items. For deferred acquisition costs, the Company removed shadow adjustments previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for the impact of unrealized gains and losses that were included in the pre-ASU 2018-12 expected gross profits amortization calculation as of the transition date.
Market Risk Benefits	Market Risk Benefits Accounting Policy Market risk benefits (MRBs) are contracts or contract features that both provide protection to the policyholder from other-than-nominal capital market risk and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk. We issue certain fixed indexed annuity and fixed rate annuity contracts that provide minimum guarantees to policyholders including guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB) and guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) that are MRBs. MRBs are measured at fair value, at the individual contract level, and can be either an asset or a liability. Contracts which contain more than one MRB feature are combined into one single MRB. The fair value is calculated using stochastic models that include a risk margin and incorporate a spread for our instrument specific credit risk. At contract inception, attributed fees are calculated based on the present value of the fees and assessments collectible from the policyholder relative to the present value of expected benefits paid attributable to the MRB. The attributed fees remain static over the life of the MRB and is used to calculate the fair value of the MRB using a risk neutral valuation method. The attributed fees cannot be negative and cannot exceed the total explicit fees collectible from the policyholder. The MRB assets and liabilities are presented separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ceded MRB assets are presented in coinsurance deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in fair value of the MRB are recognized in market risk benefits (gains) losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations each period with the exception of the portion of the change in fair value related to a changes in our nonperformance risk, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI). See Note 8 - Policyholder Liabilities for more information on MRBs.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC)	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC) and Deferred Sales Inducements (DSI) Accounting Policy The Company incurs costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal business. The portion of these costs which are incremental and direct to the acquisition of a new or renewal policy are deferred as they are incurred. DAC and DSI are amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the contracts based on projected policy counts. Contracts are grouped consistent with the grouping used in the estimating of the liability. The assumptions used in the calculation of DAC and DSI include full surrenders, partial withdrawals, mortality, utilization and reset assumptions associated with lifetime income benefit riders, and the option budget assumption. If the actual experience is different from our expectations, the amortization pattern is adjusted prospectively. See Note 7 - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements for more information on DAC and DSI.
Deferred Sales Inducements (DSI)	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC) and Deferred Sales Inducements (DSI) Accounting Policy The Company incurs costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal business. The portion of these costs which are incremental and direct to the acquisition of a new or renewal policy are deferred as they are incurred. DAC and DSI are amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the contracts based on projected policy counts. Contracts are grouped consistent with the grouping used in the estimating of the liability. The assumptions used in the calculation of DAC and DSI include full surrenders, partial withdrawals, mortality, utilization and reset assumptions associated with lifetime income benefit riders, and the option budget assumption. If the actual experience is different from our expectations, the amortization pattern is adjusted prospectively. See Note 7 - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements for more information on DAC and DSI.
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	Liability for Future Policy Benefits Accounting Policy A liability for future policy benefits is recorded for our traditional limited-payment insurance contracts and is generally equal to the present value of expected future policy benefit payments. The present value calculation uses assumptions for mortality, morbidity, termination, and expense. The contracts are grouped into cohorts based on issue year and product type. The liability for future policy benefits is discounted using an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yield that reflects the duration characteristics of the liabilities and maximizes the use of observable data. The discount rate is updated each reporting period and any changes in the liability resulting from changes in the upper medium grade fixed income instrument yield are recognized in AOCI. Any changes to the liability as a result of assumption changes will be recognized as remeasurement gains (losses) in insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 8 - Policyholder Liabilities for more information on the liability for future policy benefits. ASU 2018-12 also requires disaggregated roll forwards for the liability for future policy benefits, MRBs, DAC and DSI. We disaggregated the roll forwards by product type consistent with how we internally view our business.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments	We categorize our financial instruments into three levels of fair value hierarchy based on the priority of inputs used in determining fair value. The hierarchy defines the highest priority inputs (Level 1) as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The lowest priority inputs (Level 3) are our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value such as estimated future cash flows. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. We categorize financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: Level 1 –Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date. We do not adjust the quoted price for these financial instruments, even in situations where we hold a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price. Level 2 –Quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in markets that are not active; and models and other valuation methodologies using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable. Level 3 –Models and other valuation methodologies using significant inputs that are unobservable for financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in Level 3 are securities for which no market activity or data exists and for which we used discounted expected future cash flows with our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value. NAV –Our consolidated limited partnership funds are typically measured using NAV as a practical expedient in determining fair value and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. Our carrying value reflects our pro rata ownership percentage as indicated by NAV in the investment fund financial statements and is recorded on a quarter lag due to the timing of when financial statements are available. Transfers of securities among the levels occur at times and depend on the type of inputs used to determine fair value of each security.
Investments	We have a policy and process to identify securities that could potentially have credit loss. This process involves monitoring market events and other items that could impact issuers. The evaluation includes but is not limited to such factors as: •the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost; •whether the issuer is current on all payments and all contractual payments have been made as agreed; •the remaining payment terms and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; •the lack of ability to refinance due to liquidity problems in the credit market; •the fair value of any underlying collateral; •the existence of any credit protection available; •our intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not we would be required to sell prior to recovery for debt securities; •consideration of rating agency actions; and •changes in estimated cash flows of mortgage and asset backed securities. We determine whether an allowance for credit loss should be established for debt securities by assessing pertinent facts and circumstances surrounding each security. Where the decline in fair value of debt securities is attributable to changes in market interest rates or to factors such as market volatility, liquidity and spread widening, and we anticipate recovery of all contractual or expected cash flows, we do not consider these investments to have credit loss because we do not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these investments before a recovery of amortized cost, which may be maturity. If we intend to sell a debt security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, credit loss has occurred and the difference between amortized cost and fair value will be recognized as a loss in operations. If we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the debt security but also do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, a credit loss would be recognized in operations for the amount of the expected credit loss. We determine the amount of expected credit loss by calculating the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected discounted at each security's acquisition yield based on our consideration of whether the security was of high credit quality at the time of acquisition. The difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security is the amount of credit loss recognized in operations. The recognized credit loss is limited to the total unrealized loss on the security (i.e., the fair value floor). The determination of the credit loss component of a mortgage backed security is based on a number of factors. The primary consideration in this evaluation process is the issuer's ability to meet current and future interest and principal payments as contractually stated at time of purchase. Our review of these securities includes an analysis of the cash flow modeling under various default scenarios considering independent third party benchmarks, the seniority of the specific tranche within the structure of the security, the composition of the collateral and the actual default, loss severity and prepayment experience exhibited. With the input of third party assumptions for default projections, loss severity and prepayment expectations, we evaluate the cash flow projections to determine whether the security is performing in accordance with its contractual obligation. We utilize models from a leading structured product software specialist serving institutional investors. These models incorporate each security's seniority and cash flow structure. In circumstances where the analysis implies a potential for principal loss at some point in the future, we use the "best estimate" cash flow projection discounted at the security's effective yield at acquisition to determine the amount of our potential credit loss associated with this security. The discounted expected future cash flows equates to our expected recovery value. Any shortfall of the expected recovery when compared to the amortized cost of the security will be recorded as credit loss. The determination of the credit loss component of a corporate bond is based on the underlying financial performance of the issuer and their ability to meet their contractual obligations. Considerations in our evaluation include, but are not limited to, credit rating changes, financial statement and ratio analysis, changes in management, significant changes in credit spreads, breaches of financial covenants and a review of the economic outlook for the industry and markets in which they trade. In circumstances where an issuer appears unlikely to meet its future obligation, an estimate of credit loss is determined. Credit loss is calculated using default probabilities as derived from the credit default swaps markets in conjunction with recovery rates derived from independent third party analysis or a best estimate of credit loss. This credit loss rate is then incorporated into a present value calculation based on an expected principal loss in the future discounted at the yield at the date of purchase and compared to amortized cost to determine the amount of credit loss associated with the security. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable as we write off any accrued interest receivable balance to net investment income in a timely manner when we have concerns regarding collectability. Amounts on available for sale fixed maturities that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off and removed from the allowance for credit loss. A write-off may also occur if we intend to sell a security or when it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost.
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Loan Valuation Allowance	Loan Valuation Allowance We establish a valuation allowance to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in our mortgage loan portfolios. The valuation allowance is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated expected credit losses. The valuation allowance is based on amortized cost, which excludes accrued interest receivable. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable as we write off any uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances to net investment income in a timely manner. We did not charge off any uncollectible accrued interest receivable on our commercial, agricultural or residential mortgage loan portfolios for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 or 2022, respectively. The valuation allowances for each of our mortgage loan portfolios are estimated by deriving probability of default and recovery rate assumptions based on the characteristics of the loans in each portfolio, historical economic data and loss information, and current and forecasted economic conditions. Key loan characteristics impacting the estimate for our commercial mortgage loan portfolio include the current state of the borrower’s credit quality, which considers factors such as loan-to-value (“LTV”) and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios, loan performance, underlying collateral type, delinquency status, time to maturity, and original credit scores. Key loan characteristics impacting the estimate for our agricultural and residential mortgage loan portfolios include the current state of the borrowers' credit quality, delinquency status, time to maturity and original credit scores. Commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans are considered nonperforming when they become 90 days or more past due. When loans become nonperforming, we place them on non-accrual status and discontinue recognizing interest income. If payments are received on a nonperforming loan, interest income is recognized to the extent it would have been recognized if normal principal and interest would have been received timely. If payments are received to bring a nonperforming loan back to less than 90 days past due, we will resume accruing interest income on that loan.
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	Charge-offs include allowances that have been established on loans that were satisfied either by taking ownership of the collateral or by some other means such as discounted pay-off or loan sale. When ownership of the property is taken it is recorded at the lower of the loan's carrying value or the property's fair value (based on appraised values) less estimated costs to sell. The real estate owned is recorded as a component of Other investments and the loan is recorded as fully paid, with any allowance for credit loss that has been established charged off. Fair value of the real estate is determined by third party appraisal. There were three real estate properties totaling $876 thousand at September 30, 2023. There were no real estate properties in which ownership of the property was taken to satisfy an outstanding loan at December 31, 2022. Recoveries are situations where we have received a payment from the borrower in an amount greater than the carrying value of the loan (principal outstanding less specific allowance).
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Troubled Debt Restructuring	We consider the following factors in determining whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty: •borrower is in default, •borrower has declared bankruptcy, •there is growing concern about the borrower's ability to continue as a going concern, •borrower has insufficient cash flows to service debt, •borrower's inability to obtain funds from other sources, and •there is a breach of financial covenants by the borrower. A loan modification typically does not result in a change in valuation allowance as it is already incorporated into our allowance methodology. However, if we grant a borrower experiencing financial difficulty principal forgiveness, the amount of principal forgiven would be written off, which would reduce the amortized cost of the loan and result in an adjustment to the valuation allowance.
Commitments and Contingencies	In accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, we establish an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. As a litigation or regulatory matter is developing we, in conjunction with outside counsel, evaluate on an ongoing basis whether the matter presents a loss contingency that meets conditions indicating the need for accrual and/or disclosure, and if not, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments. If and when the loss contingency related to litigation or regulatory matters is deemed to be both probable and estimable, we will establish an accrued liability with respect to that matter and will continue to monitor the matter for further developments that may affect the amount of the accrued liability.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Consolidation and Basis of PresentationThe accompanying consolidated financial statements of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company ("we", "us", "our" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The consolidated financial statements include variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which we are the primary beneficiary. All of the adjustments in the consolidated financial statements are normal recurring items which are necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations on a basis consistent with the prior audited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period, including for the year ended December 31, 2023. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements requires management estimates and assumptions using subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. For further information related to a description of areas of judgment and estimates and other information necessary to understand our financial position and results of operations, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Basis of Presentation

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures

In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update ("ASU") on troubled debt restructurings ("TDR") and vintage disclosures related to current period gross write-offs and recoveries. This guidance eliminates the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors and enhances disclosure requirements for certain refinancing and restructuring of loans by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The guidance also requires companies to disclosure current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2023 and will be applied prospectively. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Insurance Contracts

In August 2018, the FASB issued an ASU that revises certain aspects of the measurement models and disclosure requirements for long duration insurance and investment contracts. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to improve, simplify, and enhance the accounting for long-duration contracts. The revisions include updating cash flow assumptions in the calculation of the liability for traditional life products, introducing the term ‘market risk benefit’ (“MRB”) and requiring all contract features meeting the definition of an MRB to be measured at fair value with the change in fair value recognized in net income excluding the change in fair value related to our own-credit risk which is recognized in AOCI and simplifying the method used to amortize deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements to a constant level basis over the expected term of the related contracts rather than based on actual and estimated gross profits and enhancing disclosure requirements. While this ASU was effective for us January 1, 2023, the transition date (the remeasurement date) was January 1, 2021. We adopted the guidance for the liability for future policyholder benefits, deferred acquisition costs, and deferred sales inducements on a modified retrospective basis such that those balances were adjusted to conform to ASU 2018-12 on January 1, 2021. The guidance for market risk benefits was applied retrospectively. Below are the transition date impacts for each of these items.

For deferred acquisition costs, the Company removed shadow adjustments previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for the impact of unrealized gains and losses that were included in the pre-ASU 2018-12 expected gross profits amortization calculation as of the transition date.

Market Risk Benefits

Market Risk Benefits Accounting Policy

Market risk benefits (MRBs) are contracts or contract features that both provide protection to the policyholder from other-than-nominal capital market risk and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk. We issue certain fixed indexed annuity and fixed rate annuity contracts that provide minimum guarantees to policyholders including guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB) and guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) that are MRBs.

MRBs are measured at fair value, at the individual contract level, and can be either an asset or a liability. Contracts which contain more than one MRB feature are combined into one single MRB. The fair value is calculated using stochastic models that include a risk margin and incorporate a spread for our instrument specific credit risk. At contract inception, attributed fees are calculated based on the present value of the fees and assessments collectible from the policyholder relative to the present value of expected benefits paid attributable to the MRB. The attributed fees remain static over the life of the MRB and is used to calculate the fair value of the MRB using a risk neutral valuation method. The attributed fees cannot be negative and cannot exceed the total explicit fees collectible from the policyholder.

The MRB assets and liabilities are presented separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ceded MRB assets are presented in coinsurance deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in fair value of the MRB are recognized in market risk benefits (gains) losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations each period with the exception of the portion of the change in fair value related to a changes in our nonperformance risk, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI). See Note 8 - Policyholder Liabilities for more information on MRBs.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC)

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC) and Deferred Sales Inducements (DSI) Accounting Policy

The Company incurs costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal business. The portion of these costs which are incremental and direct to the acquisition of a new or renewal policy are deferred as they are incurred. DAC and DSI are amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the contracts based on projected policy counts. Contracts are grouped consistent with the grouping used in the estimating of the liability. The assumptions used in the calculation of DAC and DSI include full surrenders, partial withdrawals, mortality, utilization and reset assumptions associated with lifetime income benefit riders, and the option budget assumption. If the actual experience is different from our expectations, the amortization pattern is adjusted prospectively. See Note 7 - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements for more information on DAC and DSI.

Deferred Sales Inducements (DSI)

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC) and Deferred Sales Inducements (DSI) Accounting Policy

Liability for Future Policy Benefits

Liability for Future Policy Benefits Accounting Policy

A liability for future policy benefits is recorded for our traditional limited-payment insurance contracts and is generally equal to the present value of expected future policy benefit payments. The present value calculation uses assumptions for mortality, morbidity, termination, and expense. The contracts are grouped into cohorts based on issue year and product type.

The liability for future policy benefits is discounted using an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yield that reflects the duration characteristics of the liabilities and maximizes the use of observable data. The discount rate is updated each reporting period and any changes in the liability resulting from changes in the upper medium grade fixed income instrument yield are recognized in AOCI. Any changes to the liability as a result of assumption changes will be recognized as remeasurement gains (losses) in insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 8 - Policyholder Liabilities for more information on the liability for future policy benefits.

ASU 2018-12 also requires disaggregated roll forwards for the liability for future policy benefits, MRBs, DAC and DSI. We disaggregated the roll forwards by product type consistent with how we internally view our business.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

We categorize our financial instruments into three levels of fair value hierarchy based on the priority of inputs used in determining fair value. The hierarchy defines the highest priority inputs (Level 1) as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The lowest priority inputs (Level 3) are our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value such as estimated future cash flows. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. We categorize financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Level 1 –Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date. We do not adjust the quoted price for these financial instruments, even in situations where we hold a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Level 2 –Quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in markets that are not active; and models and other valuation methodologies using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable.

Level 3 –Models and other valuation methodologies using significant inputs that are unobservable for financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in Level 3 are securities for which no market activity or data exists and for which we used discounted expected future cash flows with our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value.

NAV –Our consolidated limited partnership funds are typically measured using NAV as a practical expedient in determining fair value and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. Our carrying value reflects our pro rata ownership percentage as indicated by NAV in the investment fund financial statements and is recorded on a quarter lag due to the timing of when financial statements are available.

Transfers of securities among the levels occur at times and depend on the type of inputs used to determine fair value of each security.

Investments

We have a policy and process to identify securities that could potentially have credit loss. This process involves monitoring market events and other items that could impact issuers. The evaluation includes but is not limited to such factors as:

•the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost;

•whether the issuer is current on all payments and all contractual payments have been made as agreed;

•the remaining payment terms and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;

•the lack of ability to refinance due to liquidity problems in the credit market;

•the fair value of any underlying collateral;

•the existence of any credit protection available;

•our intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not we would be required to sell prior to recovery for debt securities;

•consideration of rating agency actions; and

•changes in estimated cash flows of mortgage and asset backed securities.

We determine whether an allowance for credit loss should be established for debt securities by assessing pertinent facts and circumstances surrounding each security. Where the decline in fair value of debt securities is attributable to changes in market interest rates or to factors such as market volatility, liquidity and spread widening, and we anticipate recovery of all contractual or expected cash flows, we do not consider these investments to have credit loss because we do not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these investments before a recovery of amortized cost, which may be maturity.

If we intend to sell a debt security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, credit loss has occurred and the difference between amortized cost and fair value will be recognized as a loss in operations.

If we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the debt security but also do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, a credit loss would be recognized in operations for the amount of the expected credit loss. We determine the amount of expected credit loss by calculating the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected discounted at each security's acquisition yield based on our consideration of whether the security was of high credit quality at the time of acquisition. The difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security is the amount of credit loss recognized in operations. The recognized credit loss is limited to the total unrealized loss on the security (i.e., the fair value floor).

The determination of the credit loss component of a mortgage backed security is based on a number of factors. The primary consideration in this evaluation process is the issuer's ability to meet current and future interest and principal payments as contractually stated at time of purchase. Our review of these securities includes an analysis of the cash flow modeling under various default scenarios considering independent third party benchmarks, the seniority of the specific tranche within the structure of the security, the composition of the collateral and the actual default, loss severity and prepayment experience exhibited. With the input of third party assumptions for default projections, loss severity and prepayment expectations, we evaluate the cash flow projections to determine whether the security is performing in accordance with its contractual obligation.

We utilize models from a leading structured product software specialist serving institutional investors. These models incorporate each security's seniority and cash flow structure. In circumstances where the analysis implies a potential for principal loss at some point in the future, we use the "best estimate" cash flow projection discounted at the security's effective yield at acquisition to determine the amount of our potential credit loss associated with this security. The discounted expected future cash flows equates to our expected recovery value. Any shortfall of the expected recovery when compared to the amortized cost of the security will be recorded as credit loss.

The determination of the credit loss component of a corporate bond is based on the underlying financial performance of the issuer and their ability to meet their contractual obligations. Considerations in our evaluation include, but are not limited to, credit rating changes, financial statement and ratio analysis, changes in management, significant changes in credit spreads, breaches of financial covenants and a review of the economic outlook for the industry and markets in which they trade. In circumstances where an issuer appears unlikely to meet its future obligation, an estimate of credit loss is determined. Credit loss is calculated using default probabilities as derived from the credit default swaps markets in conjunction with recovery rates derived from independent third party analysis or a best estimate of credit loss. This credit loss rate is then incorporated into a present value calculation based on an expected principal loss in the future discounted at the yield at the date of purchase and compared to amortized cost to determine the amount of credit loss associated with the security.

We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable as we write off any accrued interest receivable balance to net investment income in a timely manner when we have concerns regarding collectability.

Amounts on available for sale fixed maturities that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off and removed from the allowance for credit loss. A write-off may also occur if we intend to sell a security or when it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Loan Valuation Allowance

Loan Valuation Allowance

We establish a valuation allowance to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in our mortgage loan portfolios. The valuation allowance is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated expected credit losses. The valuation allowance is based on amortized cost, which excludes accrued interest receivable. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable as we write off any uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances to net investment income in a timely manner. We did not charge off any uncollectible accrued interest receivable on our commercial, agricultural or residential mortgage loan portfolios for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 or 2022, respectively.

The valuation allowances for each of our mortgage loan portfolios are estimated by deriving probability of default and recovery rate assumptions based on the characteristics of the loans in each portfolio, historical economic data and loss information, and current and forecasted economic conditions. Key loan characteristics impacting the estimate for our commercial mortgage loan portfolio include the current state of the borrower’s credit quality, which considers factors such as loan-to-value (“LTV”) and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios, loan performance, underlying collateral type, delinquency status, time to maturity, and original credit scores. Key loan characteristics impacting the estimate for our agricultural and residential mortgage loan portfolios include the current state of the borrowers' credit quality, delinquency status, time to maturity and original credit scores.

Commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans are considered nonperforming when they become 90 days or more past due. When loans become nonperforming, we place them on non-accrual status and discontinue recognizing interest income. If payments are received on a nonperforming loan, interest income is recognized to the extent it would have been recognized if normal principal and interest would have been received timely. If payments are received to bring a nonperforming loan back to less than 90 days past due, we will resume accruing interest income on that loan.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure

Charge-offs include allowances that have been established on loans that were satisfied either by taking ownership of the collateral or by some other means such as discounted pay-off or loan sale. When ownership of the property is taken it is recorded at the lower of the loan's carrying value or the property's fair value (based on appraised values) less estimated costs to sell. The real estate owned is recorded as a component of Other investments and the loan is recorded as fully paid, with any allowance for credit loss that has been established charged off. Fair value of the real estate is determined by third party appraisal. There were three real estate properties totaling $876 thousand at September 30, 2023. There were no real estate properties in which ownership of the property was taken to satisfy an outstanding loan at December 31, 2022. Recoveries are situations where we have received a payment from the borrower in an amount greater than the carrying value of the loan (principal outstanding less specific allowance).

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Troubled Debt Restructuring

We consider the following factors in determining whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty:

•borrower is in default,

•borrower has declared bankruptcy,

•there is growing concern about the borrower's ability to continue as a going concern,

•borrower has insufficient cash flows to service debt,

•borrower's inability to obtain funds from other sources, and

•there is a breach of financial covenants by the borrower.

A loan modification typically does not result in a change in valuation allowance as it is already incorporated into our allowance methodology. However, if we grant a borrower experiencing financial difficulty principal forgiveness, the amount of principal forgiven would be written off, which would reduce the amortized cost of the loan and result in an adjustment to the valuation allowance.

Commitments and Contingencies

In accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, we establish an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. As a litigation or regulatory matter is developing we, in conjunction with outside counsel, evaluate on an ongoing basis whether the matter presents a loss contingency that meets conditions indicating the need for accrual and/or disclosure, and if not, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments. If and when the loss contingency related to litigation or regulatory matters is deemed to be both probable and estimable, we will establish an accrued liability with respect to that matter and will continue to monitor the matter for further developments that may affect the amount of the accrued liability.