grepcent / static financial knowledge base

Jackson Financial Inc. (JXN)

CIK: 0001822993. SIC: 6311 Life Insurance. Latest 10-K as of: 2026-02-24.

SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Insurance Carriers > SIC 6311 Life Insurance

SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1822993. Latest filing source: 0001822993-26-000022.

Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.

Business

Read JXN's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.

Risk Factors

Read JXN's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.

Peer comparisons including JXN

Selected Fundamentals

MetricValueUnitFYFiled
Revenue6,683,000,000USD20252026-02-24
Net income27,000,000USD20252026-02-24
Assets352,586,000,000USD20252026-02-24

Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-24. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001822993.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

Download these verified figures (annual + quarterly, with per-value filing provenance): JSON · CSV

Flow metrics use full-year FY periods from 10-K/10-K/A filings; balance-sheet metrics use FY-end instants. Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures. Missing metrics are omitted rather than fabricated.

Metric2019202020212022202320242025
Revenue3,478,000,0003,546,000,0006,360,000,0009,848,000,0003,083,000,0003,271,000,0006,683,000,000
Net income-497,000,000-1,634,000,0003,417,000,0006,186,000,000934,000,000946,000,00027,000,000
Diluted EPS-13.16-24.1436.1769.7510.7611.74-0.24
Operating cash flow4,368,000,0003,712,000,0005,682,000,0005,206,000,0005,310,000,0005,793,000,0005,758,000,000
Dividends paid0.000.0050,000,000186,000,000201,000,000211,000,000223,000,000
Share buybacks0.000.00211,000,000321,000,000306,000,000442,000,000669,000,000
Assets353,456,000,000355,511,000,000314,983,000,000330,255,000,000338,450,000,000352,586,000,000
Liabilities343,533,000,000348,576,000,000305,605,000,000319,921,000,000328,468,000,000342,244,000,000
Stockholders' equity9,429,000,00010,394,000,0008,646,000,00010,170,000,0009,764,000,0009,953,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents1,935,000,0002,019,000,0002,623,000,0004,298,000,0002,688,000,0003,767,000,0005,704,000,000

Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

Metric2019202020212022202320242025
Net margin-14.29%-46.08%53.73%62.81%30.30%28.92%0.40%
Return on equity-17.33%32.87%71.55%9.18%9.69%0.27%
Return on assets-0.46%0.96%1.96%0.28%0.28%0.01%
Liabilities / equity36.4333.5435.3531.4633.6434.39

Industry Peer Context

Each number-line places JXN against the min, median, and max of latest reported values among companies in the same SIC industry when at least three peers report that ratio.

Net margin peer context

JXN Net margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6311; peer count 13.JXN Net margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6311; peer count 13.13 SIC peersMin -2.0%Median 5.7%Max 22.8%JXN 0.4%

ROE peer context

JXN ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6311; peer count 13.JXN ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6311; peer count 13.13 SIC peersMin -2.8%Median 8.8%Max 30.7%JXN 0.3%

ROA peer context

JXN ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6311; peer count 13.JXN ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6311; peer count 13.13 SIC peersMin -0.1%Median 0.4%Max 5.0%JXN 0.0%

Financial Charts

JXN revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN RevenueLatest point: FY2025 = $6.7BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearReported revenue$0.0B$5.0B$10.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.

JXN net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Net incomeLatest point: FY2025 = $27.0MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearNet income$0.0B$4.0B$8.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

JXN diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Diluted EPSLatest point: FY2025 = -$0.24/shareSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDiluted EPS (USD/share)-$0.50/share$0.00/share$80.00/shareFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

JXN operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Operating cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = $5.8BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearOperating cash flow$0.0B$3.0B$6.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.

JXN dividends paid, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN dividends paid, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Dividends paidLatest point: FY2025 = $223.0MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDividends paid$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.

JXN share buybacks, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN share buybacks, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Share buybacksLatest point: FY2025 = $669.0MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearShare buybacks$0.0B$375.0M$750.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.

JXN assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN AssetsLatest point: FY2025 = $352.6BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearAssets$0.0B$200.0B$400.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.

JXN liabilities, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN liabilities, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN LiabilitiesLatest point: FY2025 = $342.2BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearLiabilities$0.0B$175.0B$350.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.

JXN stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Stockholders' equityLatest point: FY2025 = $10.0BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearStockholders' equity$0.0B$10.0B$20.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.

JXN cash and cash equivalents, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN cash and cash equivalents, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.JXN Cash and cash equivalentsLatest point: FY2025 = $5.7BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearCash and cash equivalents$0.0B$3.0B$6.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001822993-26-000022; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.

Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-05. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001822993.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

QuarterEnd DateRevenueNet IncomeDiluted EPSMethod
2022-Q22022-06-3032.56reported discrete quarter
2022-Q32022-09-3016.83reported discrete quarter
2023-Q12023-03-31-18.11reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22023-06-30410,000,0001,217,000,00014.21reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-09-302,606,000,0002,773,000,00033.35reported discrete quarter
2023-Q42023-12-31892,000,000-1,559,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2024-Q12024-03-31795,000,0009.94reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22024-06-301,247,000,000275,000,0003.43reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-09-302,121,000,000-469,000,000-6.37reported discrete quarter
2024-Q42024-12-31225,000,000345,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2025-Q12025-03-313,750,000,000-24,000,000-0.48reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22025-06-30179,000,0002.34reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-09-301,416,000,00076,000,0000.92reported discrete quarter
2025-Q42025-12-311,988,000,000-204,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2026-Q12026-03-312,902,000,000-424,000,000-6.24reported discrete quarter

Quarterly Charts

JXN quarterly revenue, last 10 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.JXN quarterly revenue, last 10 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.JXN Quarterly RevenueLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $2.9BSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Revenue$0.0B$2.0B$4.0B2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001822993-26-000072; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.

JXN quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.JXN quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.JXN Quarterly Net incomeLatest point: 2026-Q1 = -$424.0MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Net income-$2.0B$0.0B$4.0B2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001822993-26-000072; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

JXN quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.JXN quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.JXN Quarterly Diluted EPSLatest point: 2026-Q1 = -$6.24/shareSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Diluted EPS (USD/share)-$20.00/share$0.00/share$40.00/share2022-Q22022-Q32023-Q12023-Q22023-Q32024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001822993-26-000072; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

Macro Cross-References

Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: 0001822993-26-000072.

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-05-05. Report date: 2026-03-31.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS – CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE

The information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”) contains forward-looking statements about future events and circumstances and their effects upon revenues, expenses and business opportunities. Generally speaking, any statement in this report not based upon historical fact is a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the use of forward-looking or conditional words, such as “could,” “should,” “can,” “continue,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “intend,” “look,” “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “predict,” “remain,” “future,” “confident,” and “commit” or similar expressions. In particular, statements regarding plans, strategies, prospects, targets and expectations regarding the business and industry are forward-looking statements. They reflect expectations, are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the dates the statements are made. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those reflected in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 24, 2026, (the "2025 Annual Report"), and elsewhere in Jackson Financial Inc.’s reports filed with the SEC. Except as required by law, Jackson Financial Inc. does not undertake to update such forward-looking statements. You should not rely unduly on forward-looking statements.

Certain financial data included in this report consists of non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other entities, nor should they be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Although the Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in measuring the financial performance and condition of its business, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any non-GAAP financial measures and ratios included in this report. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure can be found in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this report.

Certain financial data included in this report consists of statutory accounting principles (“statutory”) financial measures. These statutory financial measures are included in or derived from the Jackson National Life Insurance Company annual and/or quarterly statements filed with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and are available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at investors.jackson.com/financials/statutory-filings.

We routinely use our investor relations website, at investors.jackson.com, as a primary channel for disclosing key information to our investors. We may use our website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations. Accordingly, investors should monitor our investor relations website, in addition to following our press releases, filings with the SEC, public conference calls, presentations, and webcasts. We and certain of our senior executives may also use social media channels to communicate with our investors and the public about our Company and other matters, and those communications could be deemed to be material information. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website, our social media channels, or our executives' social media channels, is not incorporated by reference into and is not part of this report.

81

Item 2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis | Available Information & Principal Definitions

Available Information

We make available free of charge, through our website, investors.jackson.com, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, our proxy and information statements, and any amendments to those reports or statements as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, contains financial reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

We use the investor relations page of our website, investors.jackson.com, as a primary channel for dissemination of important information, including news releases, analyst presentations, financial information, insider beneficial owner reports, and corporate governance information. We may use our website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations. Accordingly, investors should monitor our investor relations website, in addition to following our press releases, filings with the SEC, public conference calls, presentations, and webcasts. We and certain of our senior executives may also use social media channels to communicate with our investors and the public about our Company and other matters, and those communications could be deemed to be material information. None of the content of Jackson’s website, jackson.com, the content of our social media channels or the content of our executives’ social media channels is incorporated by reference into this report or in any other report or document filed with the SEC, and any references to Jackson’s website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Principal Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Text and Notes of this Report

we, us, our and the CompanyJackson Financial Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context refers only to Jackson Financial Inc. as a corporate entity (which we refer to as "JFI" or "Jackson Financial")
JacksonJackson National Life Insurance Company, our primary operating subsidiary (which we refer to as "Jackson National Life" or "Jackson")
Brooke LifeBrooke Life Insurance Company, our subsidiary and the direct parent company of Jackson and Brooke Re
Brooke ReBrooke Life Reinsurance Company, a direct subsidiary of Brooke Life, and a Michigan-based captive reinsurer
Hickory ReHickory Brooke Reinsurance Company, a direct subsidiary of Brooke Re, and a Michigan-based captive reinsurer
Jackson FinanceJackson Finance LLC, our subsidiary
JNAMJackson National Asset Management LLC, a direct subsidiary of Jackson National Life
PPMHPPM Holdings, Inc., our subsidiary
PPMPPM America, Inc., a subsidiary of PPMH
ACLAllowance for credit loss
Account value ("AV") or account balanceThe amount of money in a customer’s account. For example, the account value increases with additional premiums and investment gains, and it decreases with withdrawals, investment losses and fees.
AtheneAthene Life Re Ltd. and its affiliates, including Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate 1A Ltd.
Athene Reinsurance TransactionThe funds withheld coinsurance agreement with Athene, entered on June 18, 2020, and effective June 1, 2020, to reinsure a 100% quota share of a block of our in-force fixed and fixed index annuity liabilities in exchange for approximately $1.2 billion in ceding commissions
AUM ("Assets under management")Investment assets that are managed by our subsidiaries and include: (i) assets managed by PPM, including our investment portfolio (but excluding assets held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions), (ii) third-party assets, and (iii) the separate account assets of our retail annuities managed and administered by JNAM

82

Item 2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis | Available Information & Principal Definitions

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["Benefit base","A notional amount (not actual cash value) used to calculate guaranteed benefits within an owner's annuity contract and fees due in respect of those guaranteed benefits. The death benefit and living benefit within the same contract may have different benefit bases."],["CMBS","Commercial mortgage-backed securities"],["DAC (\"Deferred acquisition costs\")","Represent the incremental costs related directly to the successful acquisition of new, and certain renewal, insurance policies and annuity contracts. The recognition of these costs has been deferred, and the deferred amounts are shown on the balance sheet as an asset, which is amortized over the estimated lives of those policies and contracts."],["Deferred tax asset or Deferred tax liability","Asset or liability that is recorded for the difference between financial reporting, or book basis, and the tax basis of an asset or a liability"],["Fixed Annuity","An annuity that guarantees a set annual rate of return with interest at rates we determine, subject to specified minimums. Credited interest rates are guaranteed not to change for certain limited periods of time, after which rates may be reset."],["Fixed Index Annuity","An annuity with an ability to share in the upside from certain financial markets, such as equity indices, and provides downside protection"],["General account assets","The assets held in the general accounts of our insurance companies"],["GIC","Guaranteed investment contract"],["Guarantee Fees","Fees charged on our annuity contracts for optional benefit guarantees"],["GMAB (\"Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit\")","An add-on benefit (enhanced benefits available for an additional cost) that entitles an owner to a minimum payment, typically in a lump-sum, after a set period of time, referred to as the accumulation period. The minimum payment is based on the benefit base, which could be greater than the underlying account value."],["GMDB (\"Guaranteed minimum death benefit\")","An add-on benefit (enhanced benefits available for an additional cost) that guarantees an owner\u2019s beneficiaries are entitled to a minimum payment based on the benefit base, which could be greater than the underlying account value, upon the death of the owner"],["GMIB (\"Guaranteed minimum income benefit\")","An add-on benefit (available for an additional cost) where an owner is entitled to annuitize the policy and receive a minimum payment stream based on the benefit base, which could be greater than the payment stream resulting from current annuitization of the underlying account value"],["GMWB (\"Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit\")","An add-on benefit (available for an additional cost) where an owner is entitled to withdraw a maximum amount of their benefit base each year, for which cumulative payments to the owner could be greater than the underlying account value"],["GMWB for Life (\"Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit for life\")","An add-on benefit (available for an additional cost) where an owner is entitled to withdraw the guaranteed annual withdrawal amount each year for the duration of the policyholder\u2019s life, regardless of account performance"],["NAIC","National Association of Insurance Commissioners"],["NAV","Net asset value"],["Net flows","Net flows represent the net change in customer account balances during a period, after reflecting gross premium inflows and surrender, withdrawal and benefit payment outflows. Net flows do not include investment performance, interest credited to customer accounts and policy charges."],["RBC (\"Risk-based capital\")

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-02-24. Report date: 2025-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The following executive summary of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation highlights selected information and may not contain all the information that is important to current or potential investors in our securities. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (the "Form 10-K") in its entirety for a more detailed description of events, trends, uncertainties, risks and critical accounting estimates affecting us.

Discussion related to the Company's comparison of 2024 results to 2023 results of operations has been omitted in this Form 10-K. The Company's comparison of 2024 results to 2023 results is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025, (the "2024 Annual Report"), under Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Jackson Financial Inc. (“Jackson Financial” or “JFI”), along with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial services company. Jackson Financial, domiciled in the state of Delaware, United States (“U.S.”), became an independent public company on September 13, 2021. Jackson National Life Insurance Company ("Jackson") is licensed to sell group and individual annuity products (including immediate, registered index-linked, deferred fixed, fixed index, fixed and variable annuities), and various protection products, primarily whole life, universal life, variable universal life and term life insurance products, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Executive Summary

We help Americans in the U.S. grow and protect their retirement savings and income to secure their financial future. We believe that we are uniquely positioned in our markets because of our differentiated products, well-known brand and disciplined risk management. Our market position is supported by our efficient and scalable operating platform and industry-leading distribution network. We believe these core strengths will enable us to grow profitably as an aging U.S. population transitions into retirement.

We earn revenues predominantly from fee income, spread income resulting from what we earn on investments versus the interest we credit to contract holders, and margins on other insurance products. Our profitability is dependent on our ability to properly price and manage risk on insurance and annuity products, manage our portfolio of investments effectively, and control costs through expense discipline.

Due to funds withheld reinsurance arrangements, including the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, we hold significant assets whose investment performance accrues to the benefit of the related reinsurer.

We experience net income volatility because we do not directly use hedging to offset the movement in our U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") market risk benefit liabilities as market conditions change from period to period. Our core dynamic hedging program seeks to offset impacts of equity market and interest rate movements on the economic liabilities associated with variable annuity guaranteed benefits and with annuities subject to index interest crediting (RILA and FIA), while our macro hedging program seeks to provide additional liquidity and statutory capital protection as needed. As a result, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives used as part of our overall hedging program are not expected to match the movements in the market risk benefit liabilities resulting in volatility from changes in fair value recorded to net income. Accordingly, we evaluate and manage the performance of our business using Adjusted Operating Earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, which reduces the impact of market volatility by excluding changes in fair value of freestanding and embedded derivative instruments, market risk benefits and other items. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

46

Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

We manage our business through three reportable segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report in Corporate and Other items that are not included in those three segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the parent holding company of PPM America Inc. ("PPM") that manages the majority of our general account investment portfolio. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 3 - Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our segments.

An understanding of several key operating measures, including sales, account value, net flows, benefit base and assets under management ("AUM"), is helpful in evaluating our results. See “Key Operating Measures” below. Finally, we are affected by various economic, industry and regulatory trends, which are described below under “Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends.”

The table below presents selected financial and operating measures:

Years Ended December 31,
20252024
(in millions, except percentages)
Operating Metrics:
Total Sales$23,211$19,849
Assets Under Management ("AUM")351,059324,718
Income Metrics:
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders(17)902
Adjusted Operating Earnings (1)1,6141,443
Return on Equity ("ROE") Attributable to Common Shareholders(0.2)%9.4%
Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders on average adjusted book value (1)14.7%12.9%
Capital Metrics:
Amount of common shares repurchased under share repurchase program634415
Dividends on common shares228216
Jackson Financial, Inc. Net cash provided by operating activities (Parent Company Only)1251
Free cash flow (1)838767
Jackson statutory risk-based capital ratio(2)567%572%

(1) Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

(2) Based on a Company Action Level basis.

Recent Events of Note

•Capital Returned to Common Shareholders: During 2025, we returned $862 million to our common shareholders consisting of $228 million in dividends and $634 million in common share repurchases. Our capital return target for common shareholders for 2026 is $900 million - $1.1 billion. Share repurchases, net of issuances for our share-based compensation, have reduced our outstanding shares of common stock from 73,380,643 at December 31, 2024 to 66,825,632 at December 31, 2025. See Item 8. Financial Statement and Supplementary Data — Note 23 - Equity of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our share repurchases and Note 25 – Subsequent Events for information regarding a first quarter 2026 share issuance.

•Free Capital Generation and Free Cash Flow:

◦Our free capital generation during 2025 was $1.4 billion, meeting our expectation to exceed $1 billion in 2025, under normal market conditions. Free capital generation represents Jackson’s aggregate statutory basis after-tax income from operations, realized gains (losses), unrealized gains (losses), and other surplus adjustments, adjusted for the change in Company Action Level required capital (CAL) for Jackson calibrated to a 425% RBC ratio. We expect free capital generation in 2026 to be at or above $1.2 billion, assuming 5% equity market total return and rates following the year-end forward curve. As explained below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Holding Company Liquidity” and “-

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

Distributions from Our Insurance Subsidiaries,” the payment of dividends or distributions from our capital generation is limited by applicable laws and regulations.

◦The free cash flow at Jackson Financial (Parent Company only) during 2025 was $838 million. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as the difference between cash received by Jackson Financial from its subsidiaries less holding company expenses and other, net. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

•Brooke Life Reinsurance Company (“Brooke Re”): During the first quarter of 2024, Jackson entered into a 100% coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance transaction with Brooke Re with all economics of the transaction effective as of January 1, 2024. The transaction primarily provides for the cession from Jackson to Brooke Re of liabilities associated with certain guaranteed benefit riders under variable annuity contracts and similar products of Jackson (“market risk benefits”), both in-force on the transaction effective date and written in the future (i.e., on a “flow” basis) as well as related future fees, claims and other benefits, and maintenance expenses in exchange for a $1.2 billion ceding commission for the in-force business. Jackson retains the variable annuity base contract, the annuity contract administration of the ceded business, and responsibility for investment management of the assets in the funds withheld account supporting the ceded liabilities. The reinsurance transaction eliminates upon consolidation at JFI. Holding company liquidity at JFI was not impacted by the transaction.

Brooke Re is a Michigan captive insurer regulated by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and created for the express purpose of serving as the counterparty to the reinsurance transaction with Jackson described above. Brooke Re was capitalized with assets contributed from Brooke Life of approximately $1.9 billion originating from Jackson as a return of capital to Brooke Life. Brooke Re utilizes a modified U.S. GAAP approach for regulatory reporting purposes primarily related to market risk benefits, with the intent to increase alignment between assets and liabilities in response to changes in economic factors. The modifications include a fixed, long-term volatility assumption and adjustments to discount rates, guarantee fees and administrative expenses.

The transaction and related modified U.S. GAAP approach enable us to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor on Jackson’s total adjusted capital, statutory required capital, and RBC ratio and enable more efficient economic hedging of the underlying risks of Jackson’s business. This outcome serves the interests of policyholders by protecting statutory capital through diminished non-economic hedging and related costs. Overall, this transaction allows us to optimize our hedging, stabilize capital generation, and produce more predictable financial results going forward.

•Long-term Strategic Partnership with TPG Inc ("TPG") and formation of Hickory Brooke Reinsurance Company (“Hickory Re”): On January 6, 2026, Jackson announced that it entered an agreement providing for a long-term strategic partnership with TPG, combining the strength of Jackson’s annuity product expertise and broad distribution network with TPG’s best-in-class, scaled private credit platform. The partnership aims to expand Jackson’s spread-based product sales and to provide flexibility for future innovative insurance solutions. The benefits of this strategic partnership include increased opportunities for new business and earnings diversification, enhanced profitability and greater long-term value for Jackson stakeholders.

Upon the transaction closing on February 11 2026, subsidiaries and affiliates of Jackson Financial and TPG entered into a non-exclusive investment management arrangements with a 10-year initial term with automatic 1-year renewals through year 15, subject to various termination provisions, with TPG providing Investment Grade Asset Based Finance and Direct Lending investment capabilities to complement the asset management capabilities of PPM America, Inc. ("PPM"), a Jackson subsidiary. The partnership is expected to strengthen investment capabilities within Jackson’s general account with a focus on maintaining a well-diversified investment strategy that appropriately balances risk and returns to support annuity product sales in various market environments. PPM will continue to manage the majority of Jackson’s general account and both Jackson and PPM will retain oversight of Jackson’s investment portfolio. The combination of PPM and TPG’s complementary investment capabilities is expected to enhance Jackson’s profitability and competitive position.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

As part of the closing, TPG Operating Group II, L.P. ("TPG Partnership") acquired an approximate 6.5% equity stake for $500 million in Jackson Financial consisting of 4,715,554 shares of JFI common stock. Additionally, TPG issued to Jackson Brooke LLC ("JBLLC"), a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Jackson Financial, $150 million equity stake in TPG representing 2,279,109 shares of TPG common stock. Under the terms of the agreement, TPG Partnership and JBLLC have agreed to certain limitations on their ability to divest their respective ownership stakes over time.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, Jackson entered into a reinsurance agreement with Hickory Re, on a quota-share coinsurance basis on certain fixed annuities and fixed index annuities issued by Jackson, including the annuitization of these contracts, with all economics of the transaction effective as of December 1, 2025. In consideration for the ceded contracts, Jackson transferred to Hickory Re an initial reinsurance premium consisting of assets with a market value equal to the estimated statutory reserve amount of the ceded contracts in the amount of $1.2 billion. In addition, Hickory Re, will reinsure new sales by Jackson of fixed annuities and fixed index annuities. The reinsurance transaction eliminates upon consolidation at JFI.

Hickory Re is a Michigan captive insurer regulated by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and was capitalized with a $150 million capital contribution in excess cash from Jackson Financial. The $500 million received at the close of the transaction, from TPG’s investment in Jackson Financial, was used to make a further capital contribution to Hickory Re. Hickory Re has been established to serve as a capital-efficient way to accelerate further sales growth of Jackson’s fixed and fixed index annuity products as we grow our spread-based business. For regulatory reporting purposes, Hickory Re measures the liabilities for assumed contracts using a modified U.S. GAAP methodology which is intended to increase alignment between assets and liabilities in response to changes in economic factors.

The combination of these transactions is expected to increase Jackson’s future profitability, general account asset growth and capital generation, supporting growth in free cash flows and capital return to shareholders.

•2025 Annual Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements: Consistent with prior years, we completed our annual actuarial assumptions review in the fourth quarter of 2025. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities – Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements” below and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the notable assumption updates included in the MRB calculation.

The following table reflects the impacts from our annual assumption review to Pretax Income (Loss) for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$23$15$(8)
Total assumption review impact on Total Revenues2315(8)
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals$(28)$(4)$21
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net93041
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net383434398
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1(2)
Total assumption review impact on Total Benefits and Expenses365460458
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Income (Loss)$(342)$(445)$(466)

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

The following table reflects the impacts from our annual assumption review to segment Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$16$42$
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks2(68)(60)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$18$(26)$(60)

Key Operating Measures

We use a number of operating measures, discussed below, which management believes provide useful information about our businesses and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.

Sales

Sales of annuities and institutional products include all money deposited by customers into new and existing contracts. We believe sales statistics are useful to gaining an understanding of, among other things, the attractiveness of our products, how we can best meet our customers’ needs, evolving industry product trends and the performance of our business from period to period.

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Sales
Variable annuities (1)$10,853$10,561$9,540
RILA6,9265,6742,890
Fixed Annuities1,0841,433193
Fixed Index Annuities816181210
Total Retail Annuity Sales19,67917,84912,833
Total Institutional Product Sales3,5322,0001,065
Total Sales$23,211$19,849$13,898
(1) Excludes certain internal exchanges.

Higher retail annuity sales for the year ended December 31, 2025, were primarily due to increased RILA and fixed index annuity sales. Sales of our fixed annuities remained strong as PPM added capabilities during 2025 to source higher yielding assets supporting our spread based products. In addition, sales of our institutional products were higher for the year ended December 31, 2025, reflecting our opportunistic approach to this business, which depends on both the risk-adjusted return on investment opportunities available and the prevailing cost of funding required by purchasers.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Account Value

Account value ("AV") generally refers to the account value of our variable annuities, RILA, fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, interest sensitive life, and institutional products. It reflects the total amount of customer invested assets that have accumulated within a respective product and equals cumulative customer contributions, which includes gross deposits or premiums, plus accrued credited interest plus or minus the impact of equity market movements, as applicable, less withdrawals and various fees. We believe account value is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, the sources of potential fee and spread income generation, potential benefit obligations and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Account Value
GMWB For Life$174,293$171,745
GMWB6,0806,165
GMIB1,1381,218
GMAB36635
No Living Benefits60,88056,894
Total Variable Annuity Account Value242,757236,057
RILA20,28211,685
Fixed Annuity (1)3,4322,515
Fixed Index Annuity (1)1,517816
Total Fixed & Fixed Index Annuity Account Value (1)4,9493,331
Payout Annuity(1)$595$592
Total Retail Annuities Account Value(1)$268,583$251,665
Total Institutional Products Account Value$11,021$8,384
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Account Value (1)$7,357$7,692
(1) Net of reinsurance

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Net Flows

Net flows represent the net change in customer account balances during a period, reflecting gross premiums received and surrenders, withdrawals and benefits payments. Net flows exclude investment performance, interest credited to customer accounts, transfers between fixed and variable benefits for variable annuities and policy charges. We believe net flows is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, sales, ongoing premiums and deposits, the changes in account value from period to period, sources of potential fee and spread income and policyholder behavior.

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Net Flows:
Variable Annuity$(18,984)$(18,615)$(9,277)
RILA6,5275,4812,820
Fixed Annuity (1)8701,302(11)
Fixed Index Annuity (1)764143199
Payout Annuity (1)(16)(55)(69)
Total Retail Annuities Net Flows (1)(10,839)(11,744)(6,338)
Net flows ceded(2,723)(3,830)(4,063)
Total Retail Annuities Net Flows, gross of reinsurance(13,562)(15,574)(10,401)
Total Institutional Products Net Flows1,511(270)(985)
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Net Flows (1)(277)(309)(273)
Total Net Flows (1)$(9,605)$(12,323)$(7,596)
(1) Net of reinsurance

Net flows, net of reinsurance, improved for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. Improved net flows for the year ended December 31, 2025 were primarily driven by increased RILA, fixed index annuity, and institutional sales. Elevated variable annuity surrenders and withdrawals were driven by mature policies from higher sales years coming out of their surrender charge period, along with higher surrenders as guaranteed benefits are less in the money during times of strong equity market performance. The more recent environment of higher interest rates and attractive annuity alternatives, such as RILA, combined with Jackson’s seasoned “out-of-the-money” book heightens exchange activity for us and the industry.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Benefit Base

Benefit base refers to a notional amount representing the value of a customer’s guaranteed benefit and, therefore, may be a different value from the invested assets in that customer’s account value. The benefit base may be used to calculate the fees for a customer’s guaranteed benefits within an annuity contract. The guaranteed death benefit and guaranteed living benefit within the same contract may not have the same benefit base. We believe benefit base is a useful metric for our variable annuity policies in providing an understanding of, among other things, fee income generation, potential optional guarantee benefit obligations and risk management priorities. The following table shows variable annuity account value and benefit base as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:

Years Ended December 31,
20252024
Account ValueBenefit BaseAccount ValueBenefit Base
(in millions)
No Living Benefits$60,880N/A$56,894N/A
By Guaranteed Living Benefits:
GMWB for Life174,293174,976171,745181,379
GMWB6,0804,7686,1655,076
GMIB (1)1,1381,3961,2181,561
GMAB3663433535
Total$242,757$181,483$236,057$188,051
By Guaranteed Death Benefit:
Return of AV (No GMDB)$32,326N/A$29,519N/A
Return of Premium185,237128,793181,132132,612
Highest Anniversary Value ("HAV")13,15712,36713,23312,857
Rollup3,0953,7743,2344,108
Combination HAV/Rollup8,9429,3088,9399,682
Total$242,757$154,242$236,057$159,259
(1) Substantially all our GMIB benefits are reinsured.

Assets Under Management

AUM, or assets under management, includes: (i) investment assets managed by one of our subsidiaries, PPM, including our investment portfolio (but excluding assets held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions) and assets of other institutional clients and (ii) the separate account investment assets of our Retail Annuities segment managed and administered by another Company subsidiary, JNAM. Total AUM reflects exclusions between segments to avoid double counting. We believe AUM is a useful metric for understanding, among other things, the sources of our earnings, net investment income and performance of our invested assets, customer directed investments and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Jackson Invested Assets$58,440$46,143
Third Party Invested Assets (including CLOs)35,29428,278
Total PPM AUM93,73474,421
Total JNAM AUM257,325250,297
Total AUM$351,059$324,718

Sales of RILA, fixed and fixed index annuities, and institutional products, along with a focus on growing its institutional client assets, contributed to the increase in PPM AUM. The increase in JNAM AUM primarily reflects favorable equity market performance.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

We discuss a number of trends and uncertainties below that we believe could materially affect our future business performance, including our results of operations, our investments, our cash flows, and our capital and liquidity position. See Part IA. Risk Factors – “Risks Related to Conditions in Global Financial Markets and the Economy” and “Risks Related to Legal, Tax and Regulatory Matters” in this Form 10-K.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Conditions

Our business and results of operations are affected by macroeconomic factors. The level of interest rates and shape of the yield curve, credit and equity market performance and equity volatility, regulation, tax policy, the level of U.S. employment, inflation and the overall U.S. economic growth rate can affect both our short- and long-term profitability. Monetary and fiscal policy in the U.S., or similar actions in foreign nations, could result in increased volatility in financial markets, including interest rates, currencies and equity markets, and could impact our business in both the short- and medium-term. Government actions, including tariffs, sanctions or other barriers to international trade, restructuring of government services, responses to future pandemics, civil unrest, and geographic conflicts, and the effects that these or other government events could have on levels of U.S. economic activity, could also impact our business through any of their individual impacts on consumers’ behavior or on financial markets.

In the short- to medium-term, increased volatility could pressure sales and reduce demand for our products as consumers consider purchasing alternative products to meet their objectives. Our financial performance can be adversely affected by market volatility and equity market declines if fees assessed on the account value of our annuities fluctuate, hedging costs increase, or revenues decline due to reduced sales and increased outflows.

Equity Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by equity market performance.

•Variable Annuity Fees: Fees we earn that are not associated with guaranteed benefits are mainly based on the account value, which increases as equity market levels increase.

•Index Interest Crediting on RILA and FIA Contracts: RILA and FIA products feature a crediting rate formulaically linked to the performance of an external equity index. The interest credited to the contract increases as equity market levels increase.

•Hedge Effectiveness in Face of Volatility: Our hedges could be less effective in periods of large directional movements, or we could experience more frequent or more costly rebalancing in periods of high volatility. This could lead to adverse performance versus our hedge targets and increased hedging costs.

•Basis Risk: We are exposed to basis risk, which results from our inability to purchase or sell hedge assets whose performance fully correlates to the performance of the funds into which customers allocate their assets. We make available to customers funds where we believe we can transact in sufficiently correlated hedge assets, yet we anticipate some variance in the performance of our hedge assets relative to customer funds. This variance may result in our hedge assets outperforming or underperforming the customer assets they are intended to match. This variance may be exacerbated during periods of high volatility, leading to a mismatch in our hedge results relative to our hedge targets, and potentially an adverse effect on our U.S. GAAP results.

Interest Rate Environment

The interest rate environment has affected, and will continue to affect, our business and financial performance for the following reasons:

•Our hedges could be less effective in periods of large directional interest rate movements, or we could experience more frequent or more costly rebalancing in periods of high interest rate volatility. This could lead to adverse performance versus our hedge targets and increased hedging costs.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

•Pricing actions we take in response to decreasing interest rates may reduce the attractiveness of crediting rates, guaranteed benefits, and other product features. This in turn may lead to reduced sales volumes.

•Low interest rate environments could also subject us to increased hedging costs or an increase in the amount of regulatory reserves that our insurance subsidiaries are required to hold for optional guaranteed benefits, decreasing regulatory surplus, which would adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends. In addition, low interest rates could also increase the perceived value of optional guaranteed benefit features to our customers, which in turn could lead to a higher utilization of withdrawal or annuitization features of annuity policies and higher persistency of those products over time.

•Some of our annuities have guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates (“GMICRs”) that limit our ability to reduce crediting rates. If earnings on our investment portfolio decline, those GMICRs may result in net investment spread compression that negatively impacts earnings. Many of our annuities have GMICRs that reset at contractually specified times after issue, subject to a contractually specified MICR. In a rising interest rate environment, these GMICRs can increase over time. Conversely, in a falling interest rate environment, the interest crediting rate will eventually decrease; however, there may be a lag between interest rate movements and the GMICR reset, temporarily limiting our ability to lower crediting rates. When policies have comparatively high GMICRs, in a subsequent low interest rate environment more customers are expected to hold on to their policies, which may result in lower lapses than previously expected.

•Periods of rising interest rates impact investment-related activity, including investment income returns, net investment spread results, new money rates, mortgage loan prepayments, and bond redemptions. Rising interest rates also impact the hedging results of our variable annuity business as the market values of interest rate hedges decline, thereby driving hedging losses. Further, we expect near-term hedging losses from rising rates may be more than offset by changes in the fair value of the related guaranteed benefit liabilities, which are reduced with an increase in interest rates.

•Interest rate increases also expose us to disintermediation risk, where higher rates make currently sold fixed annuity products more attractive while simultaneously reducing the market value of assets backing our liabilities. This creates an incentive for our customers to lapse their products in an environment where selling assets causes us to realize losses.

•Additionally, rising interest rates decrease the value of bond funds held by variable annuity clients. This in turn decreases the volume of fees we collect based on the account value and increases the value of any guaranteed benefits.

•Increasing interest rates also increase the cash surrender values of some of our RILAs. This increases the amount of regulatory reserves that our insurance subsidiaries are required to hold, decreasing regulatory surplus, which could adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends.

Credit Market Environment

Conditions in fixed income markets impact our financial performance. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally decreases, although we generally expect the widening spreads to increase the yield on new fixed income investments. Conversely, as credit spreads tighten, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally increases, and the yield available on new investment purchases decreases. While changing credit spreads impact the fair value of our investment portfolio, this revaluation is generally reflected in our accumulated other comprehensive income, or accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). The revaluation will impact net income in the cases of realized gains or losses from the sale of securities, changes in fair value of trading securities or securities carried at fair value under the fair value election, or potential changes in the allowance for credit loss ("ACL"). In addition, if credit conditions deteriorate due to a recession or other negative credit events in capital markets, we could experience an increase in defaults and other-than-temporary-impairments (“OTTI”).

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

OTTI in our underlying investments would reduce our insurance company subsidiaries' regulatory capital. Also, shifts in the credit quality or credit rating downgrades of our investments as a result of stressed credit conditions may impact the level of regulatory required capital for our insurance company subsidiaries. As such, significant credit rating downgrades along with elevated defaults and OTTI losses would negatively impact our RBC ratio, which could impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries.

Additionally, widening credit spreads decrease the value of bond funds held by variable annuity clients. This in turn decreases the volume of fees we collect based on the account value and increases the value of any guaranteed benefits.

Brooke Re

With the execution of the Brooke Re transaction in the first quarter of 2024, we are now able to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor going forward. In the past, our statutory total adjusted capital ("TAC") has been negatively impacted by rising equity markets or rising interest rates due to minimum required reserving levels (i.e., the cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases are limited and unable to offset equity or interest rate hedging losses. The risk-based capital, or RBC, ratio increased or decreased depending on the interaction between movements in TAC and movements in statutory required capital (the company action level, or "CAL”). See “Recent Events of Note” above for more information regarding Brooke Re.

Consumer Behavior

We believe that many retirees look to tax-efficient savings products as a tool for addressing their unmet need for retirement planning. We believe our products are well-positioned to meet this increasing consumer demand. However, consumer behavior may be impacted by increased economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, inflation rates, declining equity markets, significant changes in interest rates and increased volatility of financial markets. In recent years, we have introduced or reintroduced products, such as RILA or fixed annuities, to better address changes in consumer demand and targeted distribution channels that meet changes in consumer preferences.

Demographics

We expect demographic trends in the U.S. population, in particular the increase in the number of retirement age individuals, to generate significant demand for our products. In addition, the potential risk to government social safety net programs and shifting of responsibility for retirement planning and financial security from employers and other institutions to employees, highlight the need for individuals to plan for their long-term financial security and will create additional opportunities to generate sustained demand for our products. We believe we are well-positioned to capture the increased demand generated by these demographic trends.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

Regulatory Policy

We operate in a highly regulated industry. Our insurance company subsidiaries are regulated primarily at the state level, with some policies and products also subject to federal regulation. New federal and state regulations could impact our business model, including regulatory reserve and capital requirements. Our ability to respond to changes in regulation and other legislative activity is critical to our long-term financial performance. The following regulations could materially impact our business:

Department of Labor Fiduciary Advice Rule

In April 2024, the Department of Labor (the "DOL") revised the definition of “fiduciary” and related Prohibited Transaction Exemptions ("PTE") (the “2024 Fiduciary Advice Rule”), redefining what constitutes fiduciary “investment advice” to Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") plans and individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). See Part I, Business – Regulation – “Federal Initiatives Impacting Insurance Companies – Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Advice Rule” for more information regarding the 2024 Fiduciary Advice Rule. The 2024 Fiduciary Advice Rule is currently being challenged in two separate litigation matters and the DOL has been stayed from enforcing the rule. In these cases, it does not appear that the government will ultimately oppose the relief sought by the plaintiffs, making it likely that the 2024 Fiduciary Advice rule will be permanently vacated.

While we cannot predict the final rule’s impact, it could have an adverse effect on sales of annuities through our distribution partners and result in increased compliance costs to Jackson.

Legislative Reforms

In recent years, Congress approved legislation beneficial to our business model. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the "SECURE Act"), approved by Congress on December 20, 2019, provides individuals with greater access to retirement products. Namely, it made it easier for 401(k) programs to offer annuities as an investment option by, among other things, creating a statutory safe harbor in ERISA for a retirement plan’s selection of an annuity provider. On December 29, 2022, Congress signed into law the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”). SECURE 2.0 expands automatic enrollment programs, increases the age for required minimum distributions, and eliminates age requirements for traditional IRA contributions. These changes are intended to expand and increase Americans’ retirement savings.

Tax Laws

Our annuities offer investors the opportunity to benefit from tax deferrals. If U.S. tax laws change such that our annuities no longer offer tax-deferred advantages, demand for our products could materially decrease.

Changes to individual income tax rates and other elements of tax policy can make the tax deferral aspects of our products more or less attractive to consumers, affecting demand for our products.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting our results of operations and financial condition in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use and report selected non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures, provides a better understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and the underlying performance drivers of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplementary to our results of operations and financial condition that are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Consequently, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted Operating Earnings is an after-tax non-GAAP financial measure, which we believe should be used to evaluate our financial performance on a consolidated basis by excluding certain items that may be highly variable from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as well as certain other revenues and expenses that we do not view as driving our underlying performance. Adjusted Operating Earnings should not be used as a substitute for net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to net income are useful for gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

Adjusted Operating Earnings equals our Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.'s common shareholders (which excludes income attributable to non-controlling interest and dividends on preferred stock) adjusted to eliminate the impact of the items described in the following numbered paragraphs. These items are excluded as they may vary significantly from period to period due to near-term market conditions or are otherwise not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business. We believe these exclusions provide investors a better picture of the drivers of our underlying performance.

1.Net Hedging Results: Comprised of: (i) fees attributed to guaranteed benefits; (ii) net gains (losses) on hedging instruments which includes: (a) changes in the fair value of freestanding derivatives, and related commissions and expenses, used to manage the risk associated with market risk benefits and other guaranteed benefit features, excluding earned income from periodic settlements and changes in settlement accruals on cross-currency swaps; and (b) investment income and change in fair value of certain non-derivative assets used to manage the risk associated with market risk benefits and other guaranteed benefit features; and (iii) the movements in reserves, market risk benefits, guaranteed benefit features accounted for as embedded derivative instruments, and related claims and benefit payments (excluding impacts of actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements). We believe excluding these items removes the impact to both revenue and related expenses associated with Net Hedging Results.

2.Amortization of DAC Associated with Non-operating Items at Date of Transition to LDTI: Amortization of the balance of unamortized deferred acquisition costs, at January 1, 2021, the date of transition to current Long Duration Targeted Improvements ("LDTI") accounting guidance, associated with items excluded from pretax adjusted operating earnings prior to transition.

3.Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements: The impact on the valuation of MRBs and embedded derivatives arising from our annual actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements review.

4.Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses: Comprised of: (i) realized investment gains and losses associated with the periodic sales or disposals of securities, excluding those held within our trading portfolio; (ii) impairments of securities, after adjustment for the non-credit component of the impairment charges; and (iii) foreign currency gain or loss on foreign denominated funding agreements and associated cross-currency swaps.

5.Change in Value of Funds Withheld Embedded Derivative and Net Investment Income on Funds Withheld Assets: Composed of: (i) the change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivatives; and (ii) net investment income on funds withheld assets related to funds withheld reinsurance transactions.

6.Other Items: Comprised of: (i) the impact of investments that are consolidated in our financial statements due to U.S. GAAP accounting requirements, such as our investments in collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"), but for which the consolidation effects are not consistent with our economic interest or exposure to those entities; (ii) impacts from derivatives not included in Net Hedging Results or Net Realized Investment Gains or Losses (see 1. and 4. above), excluding earned income from periodic settlements and changes in settlement accruals on cross-currency swaps; and (iii) one-time or other non-recurring items.

Operating income taxes are calculated using the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 21% while taking into account any items recognized differently in our financial statements and federal income tax returns, including the dividends received deduction and other tax credits. For interim reporting periods, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (“ETR”) in computing its tax provision including consideration of discrete items.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Earnings to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial common shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc common shareholders$(17)$902$899
Add: dividends on preferred stock444435
Add: income tax expense (benefit)(186)464
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc(159)992938
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(3,060)(3,122)(3,125)
Net (gains) losses on hedging instruments1,2135,8564,651
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net222(4,243)(4,295)
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements2,2861,224779
Total net hedging results661(285)(1,990)
Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI503541591
Actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements360419406
Net realized investment (gains) losses4411554
Net realized investment (gains) losses on funds withheld assets1,3041,0521,801
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(855)(1,024)(1,174)
Other items24(28)39
Total non-operating adjustments2,041686227
Pretax adjusted operating earnings1,8821,6781,165
Less: operating income tax expense (benefit)22419157
Adjusted operating earnings before dividends on preferred stock1,6581,4871,108
Less: dividends on preferred stock444435
Adjusted operating earnings$1,614$1,443$1,073

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders

We use Adjusted Operating Return on Equity ("ROE") Attributable to Common Shareholders to manage our business and evaluate our financial performance that: (i) excludes items that vary from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as such items may distort the underlying performance of our business; and (ii) is calculated by dividing our Adjusted Operating Earnings by average Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders.

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders excludes Preferred Stock and AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial, which does not include AOCI arising from investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

We exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial from Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders because our invested assets are generally invested to closely match the duration of our liabilities, which are longer duration in nature, and therefore we believe period-to-period fair market value fluctuations in AOCI to be inconsistent with this objective. We believe excluding AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial is more useful to investors in analyzing trends in our business because it removes those short-term fluctuations. Changes in AOCI within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction offset the related non-operating earnings from the Athene Reinsurance Transaction resulting in a minimal net impact on Adjusted Book Value of Jackson Financial.

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders should not be used as substitutes for total shareholders’ equity and ROE as calculated using annualized net income and average equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to equity and earnings are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders to total shareholders’ equity and a comparison of Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders to ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions, except percentages)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$(17)$902$899
Adjusted Operating Earnings1,6141,4431,073
Total shareholders' equity$9,953$9,764$10,170
Less: Preferred stock533533533
Total common shareholders' equity9,4209,2319,637
Adjustments to total common shareholders’ equity:
Exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. (1)1,2011,9251,196
Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders$10,621$11,156$10,833
ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders(0.2)%9.4%10.3%
Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders on average equity14.7%12.9%10.6%
(1) Excludes $(1,269) million, $(1,597) million and $(1,612) million related to the investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which are not attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. and are therefore not included as an adjustment to total shareholders’ equity in the reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders to total shareholders’ equity.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is Jackson Financial Inc. (Parent Company only) net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less preferred stock dividends and capital contributions to PPM or other subsidiaries, plus the return of capital from subsidiaries. Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for Jackson Financial’s (Parent Company only) net cash provided by (used in) operating activities calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe these adjustments are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall available cash flow at Jackson Financial for return of capital to common shareholders and other corporate initiatives.

Years Ended December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Dividends and distributions to parent (1)$1,115$875
Capital contributed to Hickory Re(150)
Jackson Financial expenses and other, net(127)(108)
Free Cash Flow$838$767
(1) Cash distributed to Jackson Financial includes cash dividends and distributions of $1,025 million and interest payments on surplus notes of $90 million to Jackson Financial from its subsidiaries for the year-ended December 31, 2025 and includes cash dividends and distributions of $785 million and interest payments on surplus notes of $90 million to JFI from its subsidiaries for the year-ended December 31, 2024.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Jackson Financial net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (Parent Company only), the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow:

Years Ended December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Jackson Financial, Inc. Net cash provided by operating activities (Parent Company Only)$12$51
Adjustments from net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:
Capital distributions from subsidiaries1,025785
Capital contributed to subsidiaries(155)(25)
Dividends on preferred stock(44)(44)
Total adjustments826716
Free cash flow$838$767
Free Cash Flow Comprised of:
Capital distributions from subsidiaries$1,025$785
Interest on surplus note from subsidiary9090
Cash distributed to Jackson Financial1,115875
Capital contributed to Hickory Re(150)
Parent company expenses(119)(124)
Net investment income and other income2824
Other, net(36)(8)
Jackson Financial expenses and other, net(127)(108)
Free cash flow$838$767

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data from our Consolidated Income Statements. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Revenues
Fee income$7,983$8,083$7,680
Premiums149146147
Net investment income:
Net investment income excluding funds withheld assets2,2961,8381,680
Net investment income on funds withheld assets8551,0241,174
Total net investment income3,1512,8622,854
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments:
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(3,357)(6,812)(5,864)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance treaties(1,304)(1,052)(1,801)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(4,661)(7,864)(7,665)
Other income614467
Total revenues6,6833,2713,083
Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals927868965
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net4446102
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net605(3,809)(3,897)
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization1,2211,1101,145
Interest expense100101109
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,7972,8252,549
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,1031,1081,152
Total benefits and expenses6,7972,2492,125
Pretax income (loss)(114)1,022958
Income tax expense (benefit)(186)464
Net income (loss)72976954
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests453020
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.27946934
Less: Dividends on preferred stock444435
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$(17)$902$899

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2025 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024

Pretax Income (Loss)

Our pretax income (loss) decreased by $1,136 million to a pretax loss of $(114) million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from pretax income of $1,022 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to:

•$4,414 million unfavorable movements in market risk benefits (gains) losses, net, primarily due to less favorable movements in interest rates and unfavorable movements in equity volatility in 2025, compared to the prior year;

•$111 million increase in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization, primarily due to higher average institutional account balances in 2025 and increased retail new business, compared to the prior year;

•$100 million decrease in fee income primarily due to decreases in benefit-based guarantee fee income during 2025, and decreases in variable fee income driven by market volatility in the first half of 2025, which was partially offset by increase in separate account values in the second half of the year;

•$57 million increase in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to changes in mortality and higher other policyholder benefits, partially offset by the impact of actuarial assumption updates. See "Policy and Contract Liabilities" below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption updates.

These movements were partially offset by:

•$3,203 million improvement in total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments as discussed below:

Years Ended December 31,
20252024Variance
(in millions)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets$(116)$(11)$(105)
Net gains (losses) on freestanding derivatives(1,184)(5,817)4,633
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives (excluding funds withheld reinsurance)(2,057)(984)(1,073)
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments(3,241)(6,801)3,560
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance(1,304)(1,052)(252)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$(4,661)$(7,864)$3,203

•Volumes of freestanding derivatives can vary significantly period over period and movements in those derivatives are subject to interest rate or market movements. The movements in interest rate hedges during 2025 were primarily driven by a decrease in interest rates in the current year compared to an increase in interest rates in the prior year. The movements in equity hedges during 2025 were primarily driven by smaller increases in equity markets in the current year compared to larger increases in equity markets during 2024; and

•Embedded derivative movements were unfavorable largely due to equity market increase impacts on our growing RILA block during 2025, compared to the prior year.

•$289 million increase in net investment income as a result of higher income on bonds, lower expenses, and higher income on limited partnerships, which are recorded on a one quarter lag, partially offset by lower income on funds withheld assets during 2025; and

•$28 million decrease in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to lower incentive and deferred compensation expenses during 2025, partially offset by higher other commissions expenses, net of deferrals, driven by higher retail sales, compared to prior year.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) decreased $232 million to a benefit of $186 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from an expense of $46 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

The provision for income tax in the current period led to an effective tax rate ("ETR") of 117% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to an ETR of 5% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The year-over-year change in the ETR was due to the relationship of the taxable income to the consolidated pre-tax income (loss), the valuation allowance expense in the current year compared to a prior year benefit, and the interest benefit on IRS refund claims. The ETR differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the dividends received deduction, utilization of foreign tax credits, valuation allowance and the interest benefit on IRS refund claims.

Segment Results of Operations

We manage our business through three reportable segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, within Corporate and Other. The following tables and discussion represent an overall view of our results of operations for each segment.

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment

The following table summarizes pretax adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) from the Company's business segment operations and also provides a reconciliation of the segment measure to net income on a consolidated U.S. GAAP basis. As part of the Company’s asset liability management program, management monitors the allocation of invested assets supporting the Company’s contractual liabilities. During the first quarter of 2025, that monitoring resulted in the reallocation of certain invested assets across reportable segments and Corporate and Other. The results of this reallocation are reflected in reported net investment income starting the second quarter of 2025. The impact of the reallocation was not material to the prior period financial results and prior period financial figures were not recast to reflect the reallocated basis. Also, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 3 - Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the calculation of pretax adjusted operating earnings:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$1,863$1,855$1,364
Institutional Products929669
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks70(9)(95)
Corporate and Other(143)(264)(173)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings1,8821,6781,165
Pre-tax reconciling items from adjusted operating income to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves3,0603,1223,125
Net gains (losses) on hedging instruments(1,213)(5,856)(4,651)
Market risk benefits gains (losses), net(222)4,2434,295
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(2,286)(1,224)(779)
Total net hedging results(661)2851,990
Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI(503)(541)(591)
Actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements(360)(419)(406)
Net realized investment gains (losses)(44)(11)(554)
Net realized investment gains (losses) on funds withheld assets(1,304)(1,052)(1,801)
Net investment income on funds withheld assets8551,0241,174
Other items(24)28(39)
Total pre-tax reconciling items(2,041)(686)(227)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.(159)992938
Income tax expense (benefit)(186)464
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.27946934
Less: Dividends on preferred stock444435
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$(17)$902$899

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Retail Annuities

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Retail Annuities segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Retail Annuities:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$4,448$4,460$4,036
Premiums675221
Net investment income935725436
Other income283237
Total Operating Revenues5,4785,2694,530
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals1116743
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net(20)(54)(4)
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization420362374
Interest expense222324
Asset-based commission expenses1,1531,1371,022
Other commission expenses1,111891691
Sub-advisor expenses316334318
General and administrative expenses786788677
Deferral of acquisition costs(876)(693)(530)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs592559551
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses3,6153,4143,166
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$1,863$1,855$1,364

The following table summarizes a roll-forward of activity affecting account value for our Retail Annuities segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Retail Annuities Account Value:
Balance as of beginning of period$251,665$235,465$209,967
Premiums and deposits (1)19,84917,99413,015
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits (1)(30,688)(29,738)(19,353)
Net flows(10,839)(11,744)(6,338)
Investment performance28,27829,53233,807
Change in value of equity option2,035985509
Interest credited420362372
Policy charges and other(2,976)(2,935)(2,852)
Balance as of end of period, net of ceded reinsurance268,583251,665235,465
Ceded reinsurance12,75015,05118,370
Balance as of end of period, gross of reinsurance$281,333$266,716$253,835

(1) Excludes certain internal exchanges.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2025 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $8 million to $1,863 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $1,855 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to:

•$152 million increase in spread income primarily due to $210 million higher net investment income, partially offset by $58 million higher interest credited on contract holder funds. The increase in investment income was driven by higher debt securities income primarily due to higher invested asset balances. Increased interest credited on contract holder funds was primarily due to increased retail new business, compared to the prior year.

These movements were mostly offset by:

•$78 million increase in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to higher other policyholder benefits and the impact of actuarial assumption updates. See "Policy and Contract Liabilities" below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption updates;

•$33 million increase in commissions and general expenses, net of deferrals, reflecting higher other commissions expenses, net of deferrals, of $37 million during 2025, driven by higher retail sales compared to prior year; and

•$12 million decrease in fee income driven by market volatility in the first half of 2025 which resulted in lower fee income compared to the prior year. Separate account values increased in the second half of 2025, which partially offset this impact.

Account Value

Retail annuities account value, net of reinsurance, increased $16.9 billion over the prior year primarily due to positive variable annuity separate account returns driven by favorable market performance in 2025, as well as positive RILA and fixed index annuity net flows over the period.

Institutional Products

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Institutional Products segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Operating Revenues
Net investment income$535$438$408
Total Operating Revenues535438408
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization438338334
General and administrative expenses545
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses443342339
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$92$96$69

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

The following table summarizes a roll-forward of activity affecting account value for our Institutional Products segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Balance as of beginning of period$8,384$8,406$9,019
Premiums and deposits3,5322,0001,065
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(2,021)(2,270)(2,050)
Net flows1,511(270)(985)
Interest credited438338334
Policy charges and other (1)688(90)38
Balance as of end of period$11,021$8,384$8,406

(1) Includes net deposit and withdrawal activity for FABCP funding agreements, which are generally short-term in nature. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere in this Form 10-K for information regarding FABCP funding agreements.

Year Ended December 31, 2025 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $4 million to $92 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $96 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting a $3 million decrease in spread income primarily due to a $100 million increase in interest credited on contract holder funds, due to increased account values, partially offset by a $97 million increase in investment income, due to higher invested asset balances.

Account Value

Institutional product account value increased from $8,384 million at December 31, 2024 to $11,021 million at December 31, 2025. The increase in account value was primarily driven by an increased amount of FABN funding agreements and FABCP funding agreements in 2025. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding FABN and FABCP funding agreements.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Closed Life and Annuity Blocks

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$422$443$457
Premiums91103136
Net investment income724659644
Other income233125
Total Operating Revenues1,2601,2361,262
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals610573641
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net64104106
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization363410437
Other commission expenses333729
General and administrative expenses112106115
Deferral of acquisition costs719
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs8810
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses1,1901,2451,357
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$70$(9)$(95)

Year Ended December 31, 2025 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $79 million to $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $(9) million for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to:

•$112 million increase in spread income due to a $65 million increase in net investment income, and a $47 million decrease in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization, resulting from the continued run off of the closed block of business; and

•$3 million decrease in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to the impact of actuarial assumption updates and lower other policyholder benefits, mostly offset by changes in mortality. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities” below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption updates.

These movements were partially offset by:

•$21 million decrease in fee income resulting from the continued run off of the closed block of business.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the operations of PPM Holdings, Inc., the parent holding company of PPM, and unallocated corporate revenue and expenses, as well as certain eliminations and consolidation adjustments. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for Corporate and Other. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Corporate and Other:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$44$49$52
Net investment income38(2)58
Other income10(19)5
Total Operating Revenues9228115
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest expense787885
Sub-advisor expenses(7)(8)(7)
General and administrative expenses164222210
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses235292288
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(143)$(264)$(173)

Year Ended December 31, 2025 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $121 million to $(143) million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $(264) million for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily driven by a $58 million decrease in general and administrative expenses, due to lower incentive and deferred compensation expenses, a $29 million increase in other income primarily due to a one-time reinsurance related adjustment in 2024, and a $40 million increase in net investment income.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Investments

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of fixed-income securities and loans, publicly-traded corporate and government bonds, private securities and loans, asset-backed securities and mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed and other structured securities. The fair value of these and our other invested assets fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment and is affected by other economic factors.

Investment Strategy

Our overall investment strategy seeks to maintain a diversified and largely investment grade fixed income portfolio that is capital efficient, achieves risk-adjusted returns that support competitive pricing for our products, generates profitable growth of our business and maintains adequate liquidity to support our obligations. We utilize repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions as a part of our overall portfolio management program to assist with collateral requirements associated with our hedging program and other liquidity needs of our insurance subsidiaries.

Our investment program seeks to generate a competitive rate of return on our invested assets to support the profitable growth of our business, while maintaining investment portfolio allocations within the Company’s risk tolerance. This means maximizing risk-adjusted return within the context of a largely fixed income portfolio while also managing exposure to downside risk in a stressed environment, regulatory and rating agency capital models, overall portfolio yield, diversification and correlation with other investments and company exposures.

The investments within our investment portfolio are primarily managed by PPM, our wholly-owned registered investment advisor. Our investment strategy benefits from PPM’s ability to originate investments directly, as well as participate in transactions originated by banks, investment banks, commercial finance companies and other intermediaries. Certain investments held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions are managed by Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP ("Apollo"), an Athene affiliate. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 - Reinsurance of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. We use other third-party investment managers for certain niche asset classes. As of December 31, 2025, Apollo managed $11.6 billion of cash and investments and other third-party investment managers managed approximately $312 million of investments.

Our Investment Committee has specified a target strategic asset allocation (“SAA”) that is designed to deliver the highest expected return within a defined risk tolerance while meeting other important objectives such as those mentioned in the second preceding paragraph. The fixed income portion of the SAA is assessed relative to a customized index of public corporate bonds that represents a close approximation of the maturity profile of our liabilities and a credit quality mix that is consistent with our risk tolerance. PPM’s objective is to outperform this index on a number of measures including portfolio yield, total return and capital loss due to downgrades and defaults. While PPM has access to a broad universe of potential investments, we believe grounding the investment program with a customized public corporate index that can be easily tracked and monitored helps guide PPM in meeting the risk and return expectations and assists with performance evaluation

Recognizing the trade-offs between the level of risk, required capital, liquidity and investment return, the largest allocation within our investment portfolio is to investment grade fixed income securities. As previously mentioned, our investment manager accesses a broad universe of potential investments to construct the investment portfolio and considers the benefits of diversification across various sectors, collateral types and asset classes. To this end, our SAA and investment portfolio includes allocations to public and private corporate bonds (both investment grade and high yield), mortgage loans, structured securities, private equity and U.S. Treasury securities. These U.S. Treasury securities, while lower yielding than other alternatives, provide a higher level of liquidity and play a role in managing our interest rate exposure.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Portfolio Composition

The following table summarizes the carrying values of our investments:

December 31,
20252024
Investments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotalInvestments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotal
(in millions)
Debt Securities, available-for-sale, net of allowance for credit losses$39,374$7,947$47,321$31,231$9,058$40,289
Debt Securities, at fair value under fair value option3,46463,4702,9301163,046
Equity securities, at fair value848817272125197
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses7,7852,1029,8876,8512,6119,462
Mortgage loans, at fair value under fair value option324324449449
Policy loans8783,5484,4269023,5014,403
Freestanding derivative instruments452(4)44825245297
Other invested assets2,4737123,1852,0877772,864
Total investments$54,510$14,723$69,233$44,325$16,682$61,007

Available-for-sale debt securities increased to $47,321 million at December 31, 2025 from $40,289 million at the end of 2024. The amortized cost of debt securities, available-for-sale, increased to $50,491 million at December 31, 2025 from $45,007 million as of December 31, 2024. Further, net unrealized losses, after adjusting for allowance for credit loss, were $3,159 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $4,679 million as of December 31, 2024.

Other Invested Assets

Other invested assets increased to $3,185 million at December 31, 2025 from $2,864 million at December 31, 2024.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Debt Securities

At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the amortized cost, allowance for credit loss, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of debt securities, including trading securities and securities carried at fair value under the fair value option, were as follows (in millions):

December 31, 2025Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$3,854$$2$851$3,005
Other government securities1,25441931,065
Corporate securities
Utilities6,529754586,146
Energy3,678512113,518
Banking3,23062973,195
Healthcare3,685373133,409
Finance/Insurance5,816833005,599
Technology/Telecom2,798201822,636
Consumer goods2,753402672,526
Industrial1,82826791,775
Capital goods1,85325981,780
Real estate1,86921791,811
Media1,0217100928
Transportation1,559161251,450
Retail1,328101161,222
Other (1)3,09745753,067
Total Corporate Securities41,0445182,50039,062
Residential mortgage-backed44542423442
Commercial mortgage-backed1,87310541,829
Other asset-backed securities5,4917341305,388
Total Debt Securities$53,961$11$592$3,751$50,791
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

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December 31, 2024Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$4,120$$1$962$3,159
Other government securities1,34512521,094
Corporate securities
Utilities5,716295895,156
Energy3,119162912,844
Banking2,612191372,494
Healthcare3,428103933,045
Finance/Insurance5,0698294184,672
Technology/Telecom2,31352202,098
Consumer goods2,414133272,100
Industrial1,733101141,629
Capital goods1,92281371,793
Real estate1,63461321,508
Media1,0053121887
Transportation1,52241781,348
Retail1,35741471,214
Other (1)2,453101172,346
Total Corporate Securities36,29781663,32133,134
Residential mortgage-backed37461444338
Commercial mortgage-backed1,67431001,577
Other asset-backed securities4,24325111964,033
Total Debt Securities$48,053$39$196$4,875$43,335
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

Evaluation of Available-For-Sale Debt Securities for Credit Loss

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 4 - Investments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how we evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities for credit loss.

Equity Securities

Equity securities consist of investments in common and preferred stock and mutual fund investments. Common and preferred stock investments generally arise out of previous private equity investments or other settlements rather than as direct investments. Mutual fund investments typically represent investments made in our own mutual funds to seed those structures for external issuance at a later date. The following table summarizes our holdings:

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Common Stock$7$18
Preferred Stock135151
Mutual Funds3028
Total$172$197

Mortgage Loans

At December 31, 2025, commercial mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Europe. Residential mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and Europe.

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The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance for credit loss, of our mortgage loans by property type:

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Commercial:
Apartment$2,866$2,450
Hotel789835
Office1,1711,317
Retail1,6641,685
Warehouse2,2172,134
Other367521
Total Commercial9,0748,942
Residential1,2701,090
Total10,34410,032
ACL (1)(133)(121)
Total with ACL$10,211$9,911

(1)    At December 31, 2025 and 2024 allowance for credit losses included $117 million and $116 million, respectively, for commercial loans and $16 million and $5 million, respectively, for residential loans.

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance for credit loss, of our mortgage loans by region:

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
United States:
East North Central1,0751,015
East South Central289347
Middle Atlantic1,2501,408
Mountain764474
New England211275
Pacific2,2352,260
South Atlantic2,1652,131
West North Central720617
West South Central1,2921,035
Total United States10,0019,562
Foreign210349
Total10,2119,911

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The following table provides information about the credit quality of our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
Loan to value ratios:
Less than 70%$7,276$7,304
70% - 80%1,2871,074
80% - 100%246338
Greater than 100%148110
Total8,9578,826
Residential mortgage loans
Performing1,190987
Nonperforming (1)6498
Total1,2541,085
Total mortgage loans$10,211$9,911

(1) At December 31, 2025 and 2024, includes $19 million and $24 million, respectively, of loans 30-89 days past due and $16 million and $24 million, respectively, of loans 90 days or greater past due and supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs.

The following table provides a summary of the allowance for credit losses related to our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20252024
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$121$165
Charge offs, net of recoveries (1)(14)(3)
Reductions for mortgages disposed(2)
Provision (release) (1)28(41)
Balance at end of period$133$121

(1) At December 31, 2025, the $12 million net increase in allowance for credit losses is due to the change in expected credit losses, primarily in the residential mortgage sector. At December 31, 2024, the $(44) million net decrease in allowance for credit losses is due to the change in expected credit losses, primarily in the office sector.

The Company’s mortgage loans that are current and in good standing are accruing interest. Interest is not accrued on loans greater than 90 days delinquent or in process of foreclosure, when deemed uncollectible. Delinquency status is determined from the date of the first missed contractual payment. Accrued interest amounting to $3 million and $1 million were written off as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, relating to loans that were greater than 90 days delinquent or in the process of foreclosure.

The following table provides information about our impaired residential mortgage loans (in millions):

December 31,
20252024
Recorded investment (1)$38$29
Unpaid principal balance4533
Related loan allowance11
Average recorded investment2930
Investment income recognized11

(1) At December 31, 2025 and 2024, includes $4 million and $2 million, respectively, of loans in process of foreclosure, all of which are loans supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Derivative Instruments

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 5 – Derivative Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which presents the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and the fair values of our freestanding and embedded derivatives instruments as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Evaluation of Invested Assets

We perform regular evaluations of our invested assets. On a monthly basis, management identifies those investments that may require additional monitoring and carefully reviews the carrying value of such investments to determine whether specific investments should be placed on a non-accrual status and if an allowance for credit loss is required. In making these reviews, management principally considers the adequacy of any collateral, compliance with contractual covenants, the borrower’s recent financial performance, news reports and other externally generated information concerning the borrower’s affairs. In the case of publicly traded bonds, management also considers market value quotations, where available. For mortgage loans, management generally considers information concerning the mortgaged property, including factors impacting the current and expected payment status of the loan and, if available, the current fair value of the underlying collateral. For investments in partnerships, management reviews the financial statements and other information provided by the general partners.

To determine an allowance for credit loss, we consider a security’s forecasted cash flows as well as the severity of depressed fair values. Investment income is not accrued on securities in default and otherwise where the collection is uncertain. Subsequent receipts of interest on such securities are generally used to reduce the cost basis of the securities. The provisions for impairment on mortgage loans are based on losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to real estate, on the disposition and settlement of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans that management believes may not be collectible in full. Accrual of interest on mortgage loans is generally suspended when principal or interest payments on mortgage loans are past due more than 90 days. Interest is then accounted for on a cash basis.

Policy and Contract Liabilities

We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are estimated as necessary to meet policy obligations or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “Critical Accounting Estimates" below.

Our policy and contract liabilities include separate account liabilities, reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable and other contract holder funds. As of December 31, 2025, 90% of our policy and contract liabilities were in our Retail Annuities segment, 4% were in our Institutional Products segment and 6% were in our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment.

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Policy and Contract Liabilities

The table below represents a breakdown of our policy and contract liabilities:

December 31, 2025Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsMarket Risk BenefitsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$236,406$$6,351$(4,265)$238,492
RILA120,2821720,299
Fixed Annuities9,49429,496
Fixed Index Annuities27,9461278,073
Payout Annuities1,1698542,023
Other Annuities
Total Retail Annuities236,4061,16944,927(4,119)278,383
Total Institutional Products11,02111,021
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks908,42211,551620,069
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities236,4969,59167,499(4,113)309,473
Claims payable and other1,3051641,469
Total$236,496$10,896$67,663$(4,113)$310,942
December 31, 2024Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsMarket Risk BenefitsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$228,851$$7,206$(5,176)$230,881
RILA111,685611,691
Fixed Annuities9,61519,616
Fixed Index Annuities28,515378,552
Payout Annuities1,0958441,939
Other Annuities208208
Total Retail Annuities229,0591,09537,865(5,132)262,887
Total Institutional Products8,3848,384
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks848,59911,899720,589
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities229,1439,69458,148(5,125)291,860
Claims payable and other1,3781641,542
Total$229,143$11,072$58,312$(5,125)$293,402

(1) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities in other contract holder funds related to RILA of $6,043 million and $3,065 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

(2) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities related to fixed index annuity in other contract holder funds of $863 million and $877 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

As of December 31, 2025:

•$236.5 billion or 76% of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by separate account assets. These separate account assets backed reserves primarily related to our variable annuities. Separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the customer’s corresponding separate account assets and are set equal to the fair value of such invested assets.

•$60.0 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by our investment portfolio.

•$13.0 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were reinsured by Athene and backed by funds withheld assets.

As of December 31, 2025, 92% of fixed annuity, fixed-index annuity, and the fixed accounts of RILA and variable annuity correspond to crediting rates that are at the guaranteed minimum crediting rate. We have the discretion, subject to contractual limitations and minimums, to reset the crediting terms on the majority of our fixed annuities and fixed index annuities.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Policy and Contract Liabilities

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 9 - Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable, Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 11 - Separate Account Assets and Liabilities, and Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion on accounting policies around Reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable, Other contract holder funds, Separate account assets and liabilities and MRBs.

Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements

The following tables reflect the impacts from our annual assumption review to pretax income (loss), pre-tax non-operating

adjustments and Pre-Tax Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Total assumption review impact on pretax (loss) income$(342)$(445)$(466)
Less: total assumption review impact on pretax non-operating(360)(419)(406)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$18$(26)$(60)
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$16$42$
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks2(68)(60)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$18$(26)$(60)

2025 Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements

The impact of assumption updates on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was a gain of $18 million. A gain of $16 million from the Retail Annuities segment was mainly driven by favorable mortality experience on payout annuities on the reserves for future policyholder benefits as well as other contract holder funds. $2 million of this gain was attributed to the Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment related to mortality and lapse assumptions.

The impact on pretax non-operating earnings was a loss of $360 million attributed to the Retail Annuities segment. This loss was due to changes on variable annuity MRB reserves of $374 million, which was primarily related to updated policyholder behavior assumptions such as lapse and partially offset by updated mortality assumptions and model enhancements. This was partially offset by a gain of $14 million on fixed index annuities and RILA MRB and embedded derivative reserves, primarily driven by changes to RILA policyholder behavior. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the notable assumption updates included in the MRB calculation.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing and financing activities. Capital refers to our long-term financial resources available to support the business operations and contribute to future growth. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of the businesses, timing of cash flows on investments and products, general economic conditions and access to the capital markets and alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.

The discussion below describes our liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.

Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods set forth below:

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$5,758$5,793$5,310
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(7,756)(7,090)(592)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities3,9352,373(6,328)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash1,9371,076(1,610)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period3,7672,6914,301
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$5,704$3,767$2,691

Cash flows from Operating Activities

The principal operating cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, fees charged on our products and net investment income. The principal operating cash outflows are the result of the payment of annuity and life insurance benefits, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. The primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of earlier than expected contract holder and policyholder benefit payments.

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities decreased $35 million to $5,758 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $5,793 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. This was primarily due to the timing of settlements of receivables and payables.

Cash flows from Investing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments, as well as settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. It is not unusual to have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are typically reinvested to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors or market disruptions that might impact the timing of investment related cash flows as well as derivative collateral needs, which could result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries.

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities changed by $666 million to $(7,756) million during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $(7,090) million during the year ended December 31, 2024. This change was primarily driven by increased net purchases of debt securities and mortgage loans, primarily driven by increased institutional and retail sales in 2025, partially offset by lower outflows related to our hedging program, compared to the prior year.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows from Financing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances, issuance of securities and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances, repayment of debt, and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early policyholder withdrawal.

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities increased $1,562 million to $3,935 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $2,373 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to higher deposits from increased institutional and RILA sales in 2025, partially offset by repayments on repurchase agreements and federal home loan bank notes during 2025.

Statutory Capital

Our insurance company subsidiaries have statutory surplus above the level needed to meet current regulatory requirements. RBC requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula that incorporates both factor-based components (applied to various asset, premium, and statutory reserve items) and model-based components. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk, and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not to rank insurers generally. As of December 31, 2025, our insurance companies were well in excess of the minimum required capital levels.

With the execution of the Brooke Re transaction in the first quarter of 2024, we are now able to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor going forward. In the past, our statutory TAC (total adjusted capital) may have been negatively impacted by minimum required reserving levels (i.e., cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases were limited and unable to offset losses from our hedging program.

Jackson had an RBC ratio of 567%, 572% and 624% as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in Jackson’s RBC ratio as of December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in asset risk driven by RILA separate account growth and increased business risk, partially offset by decreased collateral and capital generation.

Holding Company Liquidity

As a holding company with no business operations of its own, Jackson Financial primarily derives cash flows from dividends and interest payments from its insurance subsidiaries. These principal sources of liquidity are expected to be supplemented by cash and short-term investments held by Jackson Financial, and access to bank lines of credit and the capital markets. We intend to maintain a minimum amount of cash and highly liquid securities at Jackson Financial adequate to fund two years of holding company fixed net expenses, which is currently targeted at $250 million but may change over time as we refinance existing debt or make changes to our debt and capital structure.

The main uses of liquidity for Jackson Financial are interest payments and debt repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which may include stock repurchases, and capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. See “Recent Events of Note” above in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Insurance Company Subsidiaries’ Liquidity

The liquidity sources for our insurance company subsidiaries include their cash, short-term investments, sales of publicly-traded bonds, insurance premiums, fees charged on their products, sales of annuities and institutional products, investment income, commercial repurchase agreements and utilization of borrowing facilities, including a short-term borrowing facility with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI").

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

The liquidity requirements for our insurance company subsidiaries include:

•liabilities associated with their insurance and reinsurance activities. Liabilities arising from insurance and reinsurance activities include the payment of policyholder benefits when due, cash payments in connection with policy surrenders and withdrawals and policy loans;

•purchases of new investments;

•management of derivative-related margin requirements. The derivative contracts are an integral part of our risk management program, especially for the management of our variable annuities program, and are managed in accordance with our hedging and risk management program. Our cash flows associated with collateral received from counterparties and posted with counterparties fluctuates with changes in the market value of the underlying derivative contract and/or the market value of the collateral. The net collateral position depends on changes in interest rates and equity markets related to the amount of the exposures hedged. As of December 31, 2025, we were in a net collateral payable position of $58 million, compared to $150 million as of December 31, 2024;

•repayment of principal and interest on debt, and payments of interest on surplus notes. As of December 31, 2025, Jackson’s outstanding surplus notes and bank debt included $47 million of bank loans from the FHLBI, collateralized by mortgage-related securities and mortgage loans, and $250 million of surplus notes maturing in 2027; and

•funding of expenses including payment of commissions, operating expenses and taxes.

Significant increases in interest rates could create sudden increases in surrender and withdrawal requests by customers and contract holders and result in increased liquidity requirements at our insurance company subsidiaries. Significant increases in interest rates or equity markets may also result in higher margin and collateral requirements on our derivative portfolio.

Other factors not directly related to interest rates can also give rise to an increase in liquidity requirements including, changes in ratings from rating agencies, general policyholder concerns relating to the life insurance industry (e.g., the unexpected default of a large, unrelated life insurer) and competition from other products, including non-insurance products such as mutual funds, certificates of deposit and newly developed investment products. Most of the life insurance and annuity products Jackson offers permit the policyholder or contract holder to withdraw or borrow funds or surrender cash values. As of December 31, 2025, 100% of our RILA policy and contract liabilities were subject to surrender charges of at least 5% or at market value in the event of discretionary withdrawal by customers. Further, more than half of Jackson’s general account reserves are not surrenderable, included surrender charges greater than 5%, or included market value adjustments to discourage early withdrawal of policy and contract funds as of December 31, 2025.

Jackson uses a variety of asset liability management techniques to provide for the orderly provision of cash flow from investments and other sources as policies and contracts mature in accordance with their normal terms. Jackson’s principal sources of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows associated with sudden and severe increases in surrenders and withdrawals or benefit payments are its portfolio of liquid assets and its net operating cash flows. As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio of cash, short-term investments and privately and publicly traded securities and equities that are unencumbered and unrestricted to sale, amounted to $36.8 billion.

Distributions and Dividends

• Holding Company

Any declaration of cash dividends or stock repurchases by JFI are at the discretion of JFI’s Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, regulatory constraints, level of indebtedness, preferred stock and other contractual restrictions with respect to paying cash dividends or repurchasing stock, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that JFI’s Board of Directors deems relevant in making any such determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our stock or approve any further increase in the existing, or any new, common stock repurchase program, or any assurance as to the amount of any such cash dividends or stock repurchases.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

Under Delaware law, dividends may be paid, or stock may be repurchased, out of “surplus,” or out of the current or the immediately preceding year's earnings. Surplus is defined as the fair market value of net assets minus stated capital. JFI is a holding company and has no direct operations. All of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Any dividends we pay, or stock repurchases we make, will depend upon the funds legally available for distribution, including dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries to us. The states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled impose certain restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to their parent companies. See “Distributions and Dividends - Insurance Company Subsidiaries” below for a discussion of those restrictions. Such restrictions, or any future restrictions adopted by the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, could have the effect, under certain circumstances, of significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable by our subsidiaries without affirmative approval of state regulatory authorities. See “Risk Factors—Risks relating to Financing and Liquidity - As a holding company, Jackson Financial depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other distributions to meet its obligations and liquidity needs, including servicing debt, dividend payments and stock repurchases.”

During the year ended December 31, 2025, we paid a cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share and $0.80 per common share on JFI's preferred and common stock totaling $44 million and $228 million, respectively. On February 16, 2026, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the first quarter on JFI's common stock of $0.90 per share, payable on March 26, 2026, to common shareholders of record on March 16, 2026. The Company also announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed-Rate Reset Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. The dividend will be payable on March 30, 2026, to depositary shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2026.

On February 11, 2026, Jackson and TPG completed the transaction announced on January 6, 2026. See Executive Summary - Recent Events to Note of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further details on this transaction.

On September 18, 2025, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $1 billion in our existing authorization to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock as part of the Company's share repurchase program.

We repurchased a total of 7,030,535 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $634 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, which were funded with cash on hand. As of February 18, 2026, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase $903 million of its common shares.

See Note 23 - Equity of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for further information on dividends to shareholders and share repurchases.

•Insurance Company Subsidiaries

The ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions where such subsidiaries are domiciled as well as agreements entered into with regulators. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance company subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay.

Subject to these limitations, our insurance company subsidiaries are permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under insurance laws of the relevant state of domicile, subject to prior notification to the appropriate regulatory agency. Any distributions above the amount permitted by statute in any twelve-month period are considered extraordinary dividends, and the approval of the appropriate regulator is required prior to payment. In Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (the Michigan Director of Insurance) may limit, or not permit, the payment of dividends from either Jackson or Brooke Life, Jackson's direct parent company, if it determines that the surplus of either of these subsidiaries is not reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and is not adequate to meet their financial needs, as required by the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956, as amended (the "Michigan Insurance Code"). Unless otherwise approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance, dividends may only be paid from earned surplus. Also, surplus note arrangements and interest payments must be approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance and such interest payments to related parties reduce the otherwise calculated ordinary dividend capacity for that period. In New York, all dividends require approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services.

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For 2026, ordinary dividend capacity for Jackson and Brooke Life is based on the greater of 10% of 2025 reported statutory capital and surplus or statutory net gain from operations. This capacity is then reduced by cumulative dividends and other capital distributions in the preceding 12 months, subject to the availability of earned surplus. As a result of cumulative dividends and other capital distributions occurring in the preceding 12 months as of December 31, 2025, future dividends from both Jackson and Brooke Life are expected to be classified as extraordinary. There is a process within the Michigan Insurance Code to request extraordinary dividends that the companies have utilized previously. Brooke Life, as the sole owner of Jackson and Brooke Re, is the direct recipient of any dividend payments from those subsidiaries and must make dividend payments to its ultimate parent company, Jackson Financial, in order for any funds from our insurance company subsidiaries to reach Jackson Financial.

The maximum distribution permitted by law or contract is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay such distributions, which may be constrained by business and other considerations, such as imposition of withholding tax, the impact of such distributions on surplus, which could affect the insurer’s credit and financial strength ratings or competitive position, the ability to generate new annuity sales and the ability to pay future dividends or make other distributions. Further, state insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries following any dividend or distribution must be reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and adequate for the insurance subsidiaries’ financial needs. Along with solvency regulations, another primary consideration in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for insurance company subsidiaries. We believe our insurance company subsidiaries have sufficient statutory capital and surplus to maintain their desired financial strength ratings.

Our Indebtedness

Senior Notes

The Company has an aggregate of $1,750 million principal amount of its senior notes, shown as Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 13 – Long-Term Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding long term debt.

Revolving Credit and Short-Term Borrowing Facilities

On February 24, 2023, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (the "2023 Revolving Credit Facility") with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility replaced an existing revolving credit facility that was due to expire in February 2024. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings for working capital and other general corporate purposes under aggregate commitments of $1.0 billion, with a sub-limit of $500 million available for letters of credit. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility further provides for the ability to request, subject to customary terms and conditions, an increase in commitments thereunder by up to an additional $500 million. Commitments under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility terminate on February 24, 2028. Interest on borrowings may be based on a “Base Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 0.125% to 0.875%, or a “Term SOFR Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 1.125% to 1.875%. The applicable adder is based upon the ratings assigned to the Company’s senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt.

The credit agreement governing the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (including a change of control provision). See Note 13 – Long-Term Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding financial maintenance covenants contained in the credit agreement. We were in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2025.

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Jackson is a party to an Uncommitted Money Market Line Credit Agreement dated April 6, 2023 among Jackson, Jackson Financial, and Société Générale. This agreement is an uncommitted short-term cash advance facility that provides an additional form of liquidity to Jackson and to Jackson Financial. The aggregate borrowing capacity under the agreement is $500 million and each cash advance request must be at least $100 thousand. The interest rate is set by the lender at the time of the borrowing and is fixed for the duration of the advance. Jackson and Jackson Financial are jointly and severally liable to repay any advance under the agreement, which must be repaid prior to the last day of the quarter in which the advance was drawn.

Surplus Notes

On March 15, 1997, our subsidiary, Jackson, issued 8.2% surplus notes in the principal amount of $250 million due March 15, 2027. These surplus notes are unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims and may not be redeemed at the option of the Company or any holder prior to maturity. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th of each year. Interest expense on the notes was $20 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.

Under Michigan insurance law, for statutory reporting purposes, the surplus notes are not part of the legal liabilities of Jackson and are considered surplus funds. Payments of interest or principal may only be made with the prior approval of the Michigan Director of Insurance and only out of surplus earnings that the Director determines to be available for such payments under Michigan insurance law.

Federal Home Loan Bank

Jackson is a member of the FHLBI primarily for the purpose of participating in its collateralized loan advance program with funding facilities. Membership requires us to purchase and hold a minimum amount of FHLBI capital stock, plus additional stock based on outstanding advances. Advances are in the form of either notes or funding agreements issued to FHLBI. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, Jackson held a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $47 million and $52 million, respectively.

Collateral Upgrade Transactions

During the first quarter of 2024, Jackson executed certain paired repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions totaling approximately $1.5 billion pursuant to master repurchase agreements with participating bank counterparties. Under these transactions, the Company lends securities (e.g., corporate debt securities) to bank counterparties in exchange for U.S. Treasury securities. The paired repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions are settled on a net basis. As a result, there was no cash exchanged at initiation of these transactions. The paired transactions are reported net within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These transactions are evergreened and require at least 150-days' notice prior to termination. See “Collateral Upgrade Transactions” under Note 4 – Investments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in this Form 10-K for additional information.

Financial Strength Ratings

Our access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, the attractiveness of certain of our subsidiaries’ products to customers, our attractiveness as a reinsurer to potential ceding companies and requirements for derivatives collateral posting are affected by our credit ratings and financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting consumer confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products as well as critical factors considered by ceding companies in selecting a reinsurer.

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Our principal insurance company subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurer or reinsurer to meet its obligations under an insurance policy or reinsurance arrangement and generally involve quantitative and qualitative evaluations by rating agencies of a company’s financial condition and operating performance. Generally, rating agencies base their financial strength ratings upon information furnished to them by the company and upon their own investigations, studies and assumptions. Financial strength ratings are based upon factors of concern to customers, distribution partners and ceding companies and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Financial strength ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.

As of February 18, 2026, the financial strength ratings of our principal insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

CompanyA.M. BestFitchMoody’sS&P
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
RatingAAA3A
Outlookstablestablestablestable
Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York
RatingAAA3A
Outlookstablestablestablestable
Brooke Life Insurance Company
RatingA
Outlookstable

In evaluating our Company’s financial strength, the rating agencies evaluate a variety of factors including our strategy, market positioning and record, mix of business, profitability, leverage and liquidity, the adequacy and soundness of our reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of our assets, the adequacy of our surplus, our capital structure, and the experience and competence of our management.

In addition to the financial strength ratings, rating agencies use an outlook statement to indicate a short- or medium-term trend which, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A positive outlook indicates a rating may be raised and a negative outlook indicates a rating may be lowered. A stable outlook is assigned when ratings are not likely to be changed. Outlooks should not be confused with expected stability of the issuer’s financial or economic performance. A stable outlook does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.

A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch review their ratings of insurance companies from time to time. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in their judgment, circumstances so warrant. While the degree to which ratings adjustments will affect sales of our annuities and institutional products, and persistency is unknown, if our ratings are negatively adjusted for any reason, we believe we could experience a material decline in the sales in our individual channel, origination in our institutional channel, and the persistency of our existing business.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations identified within Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note. 5. Derivative Instruments, Note 9. Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable, Note 10. Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 11. Separate Account Assets and Liabilities, Note 12. Market Risk Benefits, Note 13. Long-Term Debt, Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17. Leases.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a complete discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting us, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The following are our most critical estimates, which require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of the estimates and judgments that we apply or our accounting policies. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable

We establish reserves for future policy benefits to, or on behalf of, customers in the same period in which the policy is issued or acquired, using methodologies prescribed by U.S. GAAP.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits

For non-participating traditional life insurance contracts and limited pay life-contingent contracts, which include term, whole life, and payout annuities with significant insurance risk, reserves for future policy benefits represents the present value of estimated future policy benefits to be paid to, or on behalf of, policyholders in future periods and certain related expenses less the present value of estimated future net premiums.

Reserves for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional and limited-payment insurance contracts are measured using the net premium ratio (NPR) measurement model. The NPR measurement model accrues for future policy benefits in proportion to the premium revenue recognized. The reserve for future policy benefits is derived from the Company's best estimate of future net premium and future benefits and expenses, which is based on best estimate assumptions, including mortality, persistency, claims expense, and discount rate. On an annual basis, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our current best estimate assumptions based on our experience, industry benchmarking, and other factors, as applicable. Expense assumptions are updated based on estimates of expected non-level costs, such as termination or settlement costs, and costs after the premium-paying period, and exclude acquisition costs or any costs that are required to be charged to expenses as incurred. Updates to assumptions are applied on a retrospective basis, and each reporting period the reserve for future policy benefits is updated to reflect actual experience to date.

The Company establishes cohorts, which are product groupings used to measure reserves for future policy benefits. In determining cohorts, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors, including the issue year, type of product, product features, and legal entity.

The discount rate used to estimate reserves for future policy benefits is consistent with an upper-medium grade (low-credit risk) fixed-income corporate instrument yield, which has been interpreted to represent a single-A corporate instrument yield. This discount rate curve is determined by fitting a parametric function to yields to maturity and related times to maturity of market observable single-A rated corporate instruments. The discount rate used to recognize interest accretion on the reserves for future policy benefits is locked at the initial measurement of the cohort. Each reporting period, the reserve for future policy benefits is remeasured using the current discount rate. The difference between the reserve calculated using the current discount rate and the reserve calculated using the locked-in discount rate is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

Additional Liabilities - Universal Life-type

The Company issues universal life policies with secondary guarantees and interest-sensitive life policies. The primary reserves for these policies are the contract holder account balances reported within the other contract holder funds line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Where these contracts provide additional benefits beyond the account balance or base insurance coverage that are not market risk benefits or embedded derivatives, liabilities in addition to the policyholder’s account value are recognized. These additional liabilities for annuitization, death and other insurance benefits are reported within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. The liability measurement methodology uses a benefit ratio defined as a constant percentage of the assessment base. This ratio is multiplied by current period assessments to determine the reserve accrual for the period. The measurements of the additional liabilities for annuitization, death and other insurance benefits are based on best estimate assumptions including mortality, persistency, investment returns, and discount rates. These assumptions are similarly subject to the annual review process discussed above.

Other Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable

In conjunction with a prior acquisition, we recorded a fair value adjustment related to certain annuity and interest-sensitive life blocks of business to reflect the cost of the interest guarantees within the in-force liabilities, based on the difference between the guaranteed interest rate and at purchase assumed new money guaranteed interest rate. This adjustment is recorded in reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. This liability adjustment is remeasured each reporting period, taking into account changes in the in-force block. Any resulting change in the reserve is recorded as a change in policy reserve in the Consolidated Income Statements.

In addition, life and annuity claims liabilities in course of settlement are included in reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 9 - Reserve for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Market Risk Benefits

Contracts or contract features that provide protection to the contract holder from capital market risk and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk are classified as market risk benefits, or MRBs. All long-duration insurance contracts and certain investment contracts are subject to MRB evaluation. MRBs are measured at fair value at the contract level and can be in either an asset or liability position. For contracts that contain multiple MRB features, the MRBs are valued together as a single compound MRB.

The use of models and assumptions to determine fair value of MRBs requires a significant amount of judgment. The significant assumptions used in the MRB fair value calculations are:

•Mortality rates - These vary by attained age, tax qualification status, guaranteed benefit election, and duration. The range used reflects ages from the minimum issue age for the benefit through age 95, which corresponds to the typical maturity age. A mortality improvement assumption is also applied.

•Base lapse rates - These vary by contract-level factors, such as product type, surrender charge schedule and guaranteed benefits election. Lapse rates are further adjusted based on the degree to which a guaranteed benefit is in-the-money, with lower lapse applying when benefits are more in-the-money. Lapse rates are also adjusted to reflect lower lapse expectations when guaranteed benefits are utilized.

•Utilization rates - These represent the expected percentage of contracts that will utilize the benefit through annuitization (GMIB) or commencement of withdrawals (GMWB). Utilization may vary by benefit type, attained age, duration, tax qualification status, benefit provision, and degree to which the guaranteed benefit is in-the-money.

•Withdrawal rates - These represent the percentage of annual withdrawal assumed relative to the maximum allowable withdrawal amount under the free partial withdrawal provision or the GMWB, as applicable. Free partial withdrawal rates vary based on the product type, duration, and GMAB election. Withdrawal rates on contracts with a GMWB vary based on attained age, tax qualification status, GMWB type and GMWB benefit provisions.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

•Non-performance risk adjustment - This is applied as a spread over the risk-free rate to determine the rate used to discount the related cash flows and varies by projection year.

•Long-term equity volatility - This represents the equity volatility beyond the period for which observable equity volatilities are available.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Variable Annuities

We issue variable contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder. Certain of these contracts include contract provisions by which we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest account value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable upon the depletion of funds (GMWB), in the event of death (GMDB), at annuitization (GMIB), or at the end of a specified period (GMAB). Substantially all of our GMIB benefits are reinsured. GMIB benefits were discontinued in 2009. For additional information regarding our account value by optional guarantee benefit, see Item 1. Business–Our Product Offerings by Segments–Retail Annuities–Variable Annuities in this Form 10-K.

Variable annuity guaranteed benefit features classified as MRBs, which have explicit fees, are measured using the attributed fee method. Under the attributed fee method, fair value is measured as the difference between the present value of projected future liabilities and the present value of projected attributed fees. At the inception of the contract, the Company attributes to the MRB a portion of total fees expected to be assessed against the contract holder to offset the projected claims over the lifetime of the contract. The attributed fee is expressed as a percentage of total projected future fees at inception of the contract. This percentage of total projected fees is considered a fixed term of the MRB feature and is held static over the life of the contract. This percentage may not exceed 100% of the total projected contract fees as of contract inception. As the Company may issue contracts that have projected future liabilities greater than the projected future guaranteed benefit fees at issue, the Company may also attribute mortality and expense charges when performing this calculation. In subsequent valuations, both the present value of future projected liabilities and the present value of projected attributed fees are remeasured based on current market conditions and policyholder behavior assumptions.

Fixed Index Annuities and RILA

Our FIA and RILA contracts may be issued with features that guarantee benefits that are payable upon death (GMDB) or upon depletion of funds (GMWB). These features are classified as MRBs and measured at fair value.

Where the guaranteed benefit features have explicit fees, the fair value of the MRB is measured as the difference between the present value of projected future guaranteed benefits and the present value of projected attributed fees (the attributed fee method). At inception of the contract, the Company attributes a percentage of total projected future fees expected to be assessed against the policyholder to offset the projected future guaranteed benefits over the lifetime of the contract. Where the projected attributed fees are sufficient to offset the projected guaranteed benefits at issue, the MRB has an initial fair value of zero resulting in no gain or loss on issuance of the contract. If the projected attributed fees are insufficient to offset the projected guaranteed benefits at issue, an MRB liability is recognized and the value of the MRB is deducted from the host contract liability resulting in no gain or loss on issuance of the contract.

If the guaranteed benefits do not have explicit fees, the fair value of the MRB is measured as the present value of projected future guaranteed benefits. At inception, the initial value of the MRB is deducted from the host contract liability resulting in no gain or loss on issuance of the contract.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

Income Taxes

The Company did not elect to early adopt the proposed regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service and relied on reasonable interpretations of published guidance to determine the estimated Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (“CAMT”) liability and related CAMT deferred tax asset. The determination of the estimated 2025 CAMT liability considered carryover impacts from the prior years tax returns and consideration of the applicability of the published guidance. The U.S. Treasury Department is expected to issue Final Regulations after the year ended December 31, 2025, which may materially change the estimated provision of the CAMT.

Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Such temporary differences are principally related to the effects of recording certain invested assets at market value, the deferral of acquisition costs and sales inducements and the provisions for future policy benefits and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We are required to test the value of deferred tax assets for realizability. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we consider the carryback eligibility of losses, reversal of existing temporary differences, estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

Determining the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets requires management to make certain judgments and assumptions regarding future operations that are based on historical experience and expectations of future performance. To recognize a tax benefit in the Consolidated Financial Statements, there must be a greater than 50% chance of success of our position being sustained by the relevant taxing authority. Management’s judgments are potentially subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future performance, which is impacted by such factors as policyholder behavior, competitor pricing and other specific industry and market conditions.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 15 – Income Taxes for additional information on these accounting policies and the estimated provision for the CAMT.

Reinsurance

We assess each of our reinsurance agreements to determine whether the agreement transfers insurance risk to the reinsurer by providing indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk. Those contracts that transfer risk to the reinsurer are accounted for as reinsurance. Contracts that do not transfer sufficient risk to the reinsurer are accounted for as deposits.

For reinsurance contracts to transfer sufficient insurance risk to the reinsurer, the contract must provide a reasonable possibility that the reinsurer may realize a significant loss. Determining whether a reinsurance contract sufficiently transfers insurance risk is a matter of judgment based on an evaluation of all facts, both qualitative and quantitative.

For contracts where the Company cedes risks to reinsurers, reinsurance accounting generally matches the recognition of the benefits received from the reinsurance with the expense for benefits provided on the reinsured contracts. Premiums paid to the reinsurer are recorded as reduction of premium revenue. Expected reimbursements for losses are recorded as a reduction of losses as the losses are incurred with a corresponding reinsurance recoverable asset.

Reinsurance recoverables are generally measured using methodologies and assumptions that are consistent with those used to measure the direct liabilities. For non-participating traditional life insurance contracts and limited pay life-contingent contracts, there may be reinsurance contracts executed subsequent to the direct contract issue dates, and market interest rates may have changed between the date that the underlying insurance contracts were issued and the date the reinsurance contract is recognized in the financial statements, resulting in the underlying discount rate differing between the direct and reinsured business. We periodically review, and update as necessary, actual and anticipated experience and the assumptions used to measure reinsurance recoverable assets.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

Reinsurance recoverables are reported net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses considers the credit quality of the reinsurer and is generally determined based on probability of default and loss given default assumptions after considering any applicable collateral arrangements. Counterparty credit risk may be managed through the use of letters of credit, collateral trusts or funds withheld agreements. Assets held under funds withheld agreements are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIBs) are reinsured with an unrelated party. This contract provides reinsurance for only the GMIB feature and is classified as a market risk benefit (MRB). The reinsurance MRB is recorded at fair value using internally developed models consistent with those used to value our direct MRBs.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 - Reinsurance of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Investments – Valuation and Impairment

We determine the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. When necessary, we may also determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values also, if appropriate, reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, credit rating, liquidity and incorporate risk margins for unobservable inputs.

Where quoted market prices are not available, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data, as well as the best information about the individual financial instrument. At times, illiquid market conditions could result in inactive markets for certain of our financial instruments. In such instances, there could be no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments deemed to be in an illiquid market are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors. These fair values are estimates and involve considerable uncertainty and variability as a result of the inputs selected and may differ materially from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. As a result of market inactivity, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

We periodically review our available-for-sale debt securities on a case-by-case basis to determine if an impairment is necessary for securities with a decline in fair value to below cost or amortized cost. Factors considered in determining whether an impairment is necessary include whether we have the intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell, the security before the amortized cost basis is fully recovered, the severity of the unrealized loss, the reasons for the decline in value and expectations for the amount and timing of a recovery in fair value. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, for which we deem an impairment necessary, an ACL will be recorded along with a charge to net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments and any amounts deemed unrecoverable will be released from the ACL with a corresponding reduction to the amortized cost of the security.

Securities determined to be underperforming, or potential problem securities are subject to regular review. To facilitate the review, securities with significant declines in value, or where other objective criteria evidencing credit deterioration have been met, are included on a watch list. Among the criteria for securities to be included on a watch list are: credit deterioration that has led to a significant decline in fair value of the security; a significant covenant related to the security has been breached; or an issuer has filed or indicated a possibility of filing for bankruptcy, has missed or announced it intends to miss a scheduled interest or principal payment, or has experienced a specific material adverse change that could impair its creditworthiness.

In performing these reviews, we consider the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and exercise considerable judgment in determining whether an impairment is needed for a particular security. Assessment factors include judgments about an obligor’s current and projected financial position, an issuer’s current and projected ability to service and repay its debt obligations, the existence of, and realizable value of, any collateral backing the obligations and the outlooks for specific industries and issuers. This assessment may also involve assumptions regarding underlying collateral such as prepayment rates, default and recovery rates, and third-party servicing capabilities.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

In addition to the review procedures described above, investments in asset-backed securities where market prices are depressed are subject to a review of their future estimated cash flows, including expected and stress case scenarios, to identify potential shortfalls in contractual payments. These estimated cash flows are developed using available performance indicators from the underlying assets including current and projected default or delinquency rates, levels of credit enhancement, current subordination levels, vintage, expected loss severity and other relevant characteristics. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against third-party sources.

For mortgage-backed securities, credit losses are assessed using a cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying mortgages, using the security-specific collateral characteristics and transaction structure. The model estimates cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans and distributes those cash flows to various tranches of securities, considering the transaction structure and any subordination and credit enhancements existing in that structure. The cash flow model incorporates actual cash flows on the mortgage-backed securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions, including prepayment speeds, default rates and loss severity. Specifically, for prime and Alt-A RMBS, the assumed default percentage is dependent on the severity of delinquency status, with foreclosures and real estate owned receiving higher rates, but also includes the currently performing loans. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against other third-party sources. In addition, these estimates are extrapolated along a default timing curve to estimate the total lifetime pool default rate.

After these reviews, we recognize impairments on debt securities in an unrealized loss position when any of the following circumstances exists:

•We intend to sell a security;

•It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security prior to recovery; or

•We do not expect full recovery of the amortized cost based on the discounted cash flows estimated to be collected.

Mortgage loans, which are not carried at fair value under the fair value option, are carried at the aggregate unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any applicable unamortized discount or premium, or ACL. Acquisition discounts and premiums on mortgage loans are amortized into investment income through maturity dates using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on the principal balance of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income and amortization of premiums and discounts are reported in net investment income along with prepayment fees and mortgage loan fees, which are recorded as incurred.

We review mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to estimate the ACL with changes in the ACL recorded in net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments. Apart from an ACL recorded on individual mortgage loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, we record an ACL on the pool of mortgage loans based on lifetime expected credit losses. Credit loss estimates are pooled by property type and unfunded commitments are included in the model with an allowance for credit losses determined accordingly.

Mortgage loans on real estate deemed uncollectible are charged against the ACL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL.

Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost of debt securities and mortgage loans. An allowance for credit losses is not estimated on an accrued interest receivable. Rather, receivable balances that are deemed uncollectible are written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income.

Derivatives

Freestanding Derivative Instruments

We enter into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, put-swaptions, futures, forwards, and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, foreign currency, credit quality or degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows that we have acquired or incurred.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Critical Accounting Estimates

Freestanding derivative instruments are reported at fair value, which reflects the estimated amounts, net of payment accruals, that we would receive or pay upon sale or termination of the contracts at the reporting date. Freestanding derivatives priced using third party pricing services incorporate inputs that are predominantly observable in the market. The determination of the estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, non-performance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 5 - Derivative Instruments and Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on significant inputs into our derivative pricing methodology.

Embedded Derivatives - Product Liabilities

For our registered index-linked and fixed index annuities, the equity-linked option issued by the Company is accounted for at fair value as an embedded derivative on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of other contract holder funds, with changes in fair value recorded in net income.

The fair value of the embedded derivative for the FIA and RILA products is determined using an option-budget method with capital market inputs of market index returns and discount rates as well as actuarial assumptions including lapse, mortality and withdrawal rates. We typically update our actuarial assumptions annually as discussed above, unless a material change is observed in an interim period that we feel is indicative of a long-term trend.

The underlying assumptions may have a material impact on the measurement of the embedded derivative, including equity market movements.

See Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 5 - Derivative Instruments and Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our accounting policies for embedded derivatives bifurcated for insurance host contracts.

Embedded Derivatives - Funds Withheld Reinsurance Agreements

The Company has recorded an embedded derivative liability related to the Athene coinsurance agreement (the “Athene Embedded Derivative”) in accordance with ASC 815-15 as Jackson’s obligation under the coinsurance agreement is based on the total return of investments in a segregated funds withheld account. As the coinsurance agreement transfers the performance of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account to Athene, they will receive an investment return equivalent to owning the underlying assets. At inception of the coinsurance agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative was valued at zero. Additionally, the inception fair value of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account differed from their book value and, accordingly, the amortization of this difference is reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement, while the investments are held. Subsequent to the effective date of the coinsurance agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative is measured at fair value with changes reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Athene Embedded Derivative Liability is included in Funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 - Reinsurance of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income reported for each of our three segments and Corporate and Other includes an allocation for investment income generated on assigned capital. The amount of capital assigned to each of our segments for purposes of measuring segment net investment income is established at a level that management considers necessary to support the segment’s risks. This assessment is determined based upon internal models and contemplates the RBC requirements at internally defined levels. Net investment income on capital in excess of the amount required to support our core operating strategies is reflected in Corporate and Other.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Critical Accounting Estimates

Contingent Liabilities

We are a party to legal actions and, at times, regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate their impact on our financial position. A reserve is established for contingent liabilities if it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of our contingent liabilities, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded, could have a material effect upon our financial position. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of contingent liabilities is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

The Company invests in a number of asset types that may be VIEs, such as equity positions in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), limited partnerships (“LPs”), limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and mutual funds. These entities are assessed to determine whether they meet the criteria as a VIE. The Company consolidates VIEs where the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. To the extent that external parties are also invested in these VIEs, a non-controlling interest is reflected on our Consolidated Financial Statements as well. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 4 - Investments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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MD&A history

Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.

FY 2024 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001822993-25-000011.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2025-02-26. Report date: 2024-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The following executive summary of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation highlights selected information and may not contain all the information that is important to current or potential investors in our securities. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the "Form 10-K") in its entirety for a more detailed description of events, trends, uncertainties, risks and critical accounting estimates affecting us.

Discussion related to the Company's comparison of 2023 results to 2022 results of operations has been omitted in this Form 10-K. The Company's comparison of 2023 results to 2022 results is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024, (the "2023 Annual Report"), under Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Jackson Financial Inc. (“Jackson Financial” or “JFI”) along with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial services company. Jackson Financial, domiciled in the state of Delaware, United States (“U.S.”), previously was a subsidiary of Prudential plc (“Prudential”), London, England and was the holding company for Prudential’s U.S. operations. On September 13, 2021, the Company demerged from Prudential (the "Demerger"). Jackson Financial’s primary operating subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company ("Jackson"), is licensed to sell group and individual annuity products (including immediate, registered index-linked, deferred fixed, fixed index, fixed and variable annuities), and various protection products, primarily whole life, universal life, variable universal life and term life insurance products in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Executive Summary

We help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income to enable them to pursue financial freedom for life. We believe that we are uniquely positioned in our markets because of our differentiated products, well-known brand and disciplined risk management. Our market position is supported by our efficient and scalable operating platform and industry-leading distribution network. We believe these core strengths will enable us to grow profitably as an aging U.S. population transitions into retirement.

We earn revenues predominantly from fee income, spread income resulting from what we earn on investments versus the interest we credit to contract holders, and margins on other insurance products. Our profitability is dependent on our ability to properly price and manage risk on insurance and annuity products, manage our portfolio of investments effectively, and control costs through expense discipline.

Due to funds withheld reinsurance arrangements, including the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, we hold significant assets whose investment performance accrues to the benefit of the related reinsurer.

We experience net income volatility because we do not directly use hedging to offset the movement in our U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") market risk benefit liabilities as market conditions change from period to period. Our core dynamic hedging program seeks to offset changes in the economic liability associated with variable annuity guaranteed benefits due to equity market and interest rate movements, while our macro hedging program seeks to provide additional liquidity and statutory capital protection as needed. As a result, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives used as part of our overall hedging program are not expected to match the movements in the market risk benefit liabilities resulting in volatility from changes in fair value recorded to net income. Accordingly, we evaluate and manage the performance of our business using Adjusted Operating Earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that reduces the impact of market volatility by excluding changes in fair value of freestanding and embedded derivative instruments, market risk benefits and other items. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report in Corporate and Other activities and items that are not included in those three segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the parent holding company of PPM America Inc. ("PPM"), that manages the majority of our general account investment portfolio. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 3 - Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our segments.

An understanding of several key operating measures, including sales, account value, net flows, benefit base and assets under management ("AUM"), is helpful in evaluating our results. See “Key Operating Measures” below. Finally, we are affected by various economic, industry and regulatory trends, which are described below under “Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends.”

The table below presents selected financial and operating measures:

Years Ended December 31,
20242023
(in millions, except percentages)
Total Sales$19,849$13,898
Assets Under Management ("AUM")324,718315,838
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders902899
Adjusted Operating Earnings (1)1,4431,073
Capital Returned to Common Shareholders631464
Return on Equity ("ROE") Attributable to Common Shareholders9.4%10.3%
Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders on average adjusted book value (1)12.9%10.6%
Jackson statutory risk-based capital ratio(2)572%624%

(1) Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

(2) Based on a Company Action Level basis.

Recent Events of Note

•Capital Returned to Common Shareholders: Since January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, we have returned $631 million to our common shareholders, consisting of $216 million in dividends and $415 million in common share repurchases. Our capital return target for common shareholders for 2025 is $700-$800 million. Share repurchases, net of issuances for our share-based compensation, have reduced our outstanding shares of common stock from 78,660,221 at December 31, 2023 to 73,380,643 at December 31, 2024. See Item 8. Financial Statement and Supplementary Data — Note 24 - Equity of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our share repurchases.

•Free Capital Generation and Free Cash Flow:

◦Our free capital generation during 2024 exceeded $1 billion. Free capital generation represents Jackson’s aggregate statutory basis after-tax income from operations, realized gains (losses), unrealized gains (losses), and other surplus adjustments, adjusted for the change in Company Action Level required capital (CAL) for Jackson calibrated to a 425% RBC ratio. We expect free capital generation in 2025 to exceed $1 billion, under normal market conditions. As explained below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Holding Company Liquidity” and “- Distributions from Our Insurance Subsidiaries,” the payment of dividends or distributions from our capital generation is limited by applicable laws and regulations.

◦The free cash flow at Jackson Financial (Parent Company only) during 2024 was $767 million. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as the difference between cash received by Jackson Financial from its subsidiaries less holding company expenses and other, net. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

•Brooke Life Reinsurance Company (“Brooke Re”): During the first quarter of 2024, Jackson entered into a 100% coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance transaction with Brooke Re with all economics of the transaction

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

effective as of January 1, 2024. Jackson and Brooke Re are both direct subsidiaries of Brooke Life. The transaction primarily provides for the cession from Jackson to Brooke Re of liabilities associated with certain guaranteed benefit riders under variable annuity contracts and similar products of Jackson (“market risk benefits”), both in-force on the transaction effective date and written in the future (i.e., on a “flow” basis) as well as related future fees, claims and other benefits, and maintenance expenses in exchange for a ceding commission for the in-force business. Jackson retains the variable annuity base contract, the annuity contract administration of the ceded business, and responsibility for investment management of the assets in the funds withheld account supporting the ceded liabilities. Brooke Re recorded a ceding commission of approximately $1.2 billion to Jackson in connection with the execution of the reinsurance transaction. The reinsurance transaction eliminates upon consolidation at JFI. Holding company liquidity at JFI was not impacted by the transaction.

Brooke Re is a Michigan captive insurer regulated by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and created in the first quarter of 2024 for the express purpose of serving as the counterparty to the reinsurance transaction with Jackson described above. Brooke Re was capitalized with assets contributed from Brooke Life of approximately $1.9 billion originating from Jackson as a return of capital to Brooke Life. Brooke Re utilizes a modified U.S. GAAP approach for regulatory reporting purposes primarily related to market risk benefits, with the intent to increase alignment between assets and liabilities in response to changes in economic factors.

The transaction and related modified U.S. GAAP approach mitigate the impact of the cash surrender value floor on Jackson’s total adjusted capital, statutory required capital, and risk-based capital ("RBC") ratio and enables more efficient economic hedging of the underlying risks of Jackson’s business. This outcome serves the interests of policyholders by protecting statutory capital through diminished non-economic hedging and related costs. Overall, this transaction allows us to optimize our hedging, stabilize capital generation, and produce more predictable financial results going forward.

•2024 Annual Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements: Consistent with prior years, we completed our annual actuarial assumptions review in the fourth quarter of 2024. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities – Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements” below and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the notable assumption updates included in the MRB calculation.

The following table reflects the impacts from our annual assumption review to Pretax Income (Loss) for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$15$(8)$(1)
Total assumption review impact on Total Revenues15(8)(1)
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals$(4)$21$8
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net3041(46)
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net434398485
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs(2)
Total assumption review impact on Total Benefits and Expenses460458447
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Income (Loss)$(445)$(466)$(448)

The following table reflects the impacts from our annual assumption review to segment Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented:

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$42$$(9)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(68)(60)47
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(26)$(60)$38

Key Operating Measures

We use a number of operating measures, discussed below, which management believes provide useful information about our businesses and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.

Sales

Sales of annuities and institutional products include all money deposited by customers into new and existing contracts. We believe sales statistics are useful to gaining an understanding of, among other things, the attractiveness of our products, how we can best meet our customers’ needs, evolving industry product trends and the performance of our business from period to period.

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Sales
Variable annuities$10,561$9,540$13,638
RILA5,6742,8901,811
Fixed Index Annuities181210126
Fixed Annuities(1)1,433193162
Total Retail Annuity Sales17,84912,83315,737
Total Institutional Product Sales2,0001,0652,398
Total Sales$19,849$13,898$18,135
(1) Includes payout annuities

Higher retail annuity sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, were primarily due to increased RILA and fixed annuity sales in 2024. Sales in the fixed annuity market, particularly in the third quarter 2024, were robust as consumers looked to lock in crediting rates during a period with declining interest rates. While we expect our distribution efforts to continue to deliver higher levels of fixed annuity sales going forward, we expect near-term volumes will be below third quarter 2024 levels. In addition, sales of our institutional products were higher for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting our opportunistic approach to this business, which depends on both the risk-adjusted return on investment opportunities available and the prevailing cost of funding required by purchasers.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Account Value

Account value ("AV") generally equals the account value of our variable annuities, RILA, fixed index annuities, fixed annuities, interest sensitive life, and institutional products. It reflects the total amount of customer invested assets that have accumulated within a respective product and equals cumulative customer contributions, which includes gross deposits or premiums, plus accrued credited interest plus or minus the impact of equity market movements, as applicable, less withdrawals and various fees. We believe account value is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, the sources of potential fee and spread income generation, potential benefit obligations and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Account Value
GMWB For Life$171,745$166,688
GMWB6,1656,092
GMIB1,2181,352
GMAB35
No Living Benefits56,89453,645
Total Variable Annuity Account Value236,057227,777
RILA11,6855,219
Fixed Index Annuity (1)816622
Fixed Annuity (1)2,5151,218
Total Fixed & Fixed Index Annuity Account Value (1)3,3311,840
Payout Annuity(1)$592$629
Total Retail Annuities Account Value(1)$251,665$235,465
Total Institutional Products Account Value$8,384$8,406
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Account Value (1)$7,692$8,032
(1) Net of reinsurance

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Net Flows

Net flows represent the net change in customer account balances during a period, reflecting gross premiums received and surrenders, withdrawals and benefits payments. Net flows exclude investment performance, interest credited to customer accounts, transfers between fixed and variable benefits for variable annuities and policy charges. We believe net flows is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, sales, ongoing premiums and deposits, the changes in account value from period to period, sources of potential fee and spread income and policyholder behavior.

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Net Flows:
Variable Annuity$(18,615)$(9,277)$(2,407)
RILA5,4812,8201,803
Fixed Index Annuity (1)143199124
Fixed Annuity (1)1,302(11)90
Payout Annuity (1)(55)(69)(79)
Total Retail Annuities Net Flows (1)(11,744)(6,338)(469)
Net flows ceded to Athene(3,830)(4,063)(3,182)
Total Retail Annuities net flows, gross of reinsurance$(15,574)$(10,401)$(3,651)
Total Institutional Products Net Flows$(270)$(985)$40
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Net Flows (1)$(309)$(273)$(270)
(1) Net of reinsurance

Net flows, net of reinsurance, decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by increased variable annuity surrenders and withdrawals due to some mature policies from higher sales years coming out of their surrender charge period, along with higher surrenders as guarantee benefits are less in the money during times of strong equity market performance. The more recent environment of higher interest rates and attractive annuity alternatives, such as RILA, combined with Jackson’s seasoned “out-of-the-money” book heightens exchange activity for us and the industry. The decrease in variable annuity net flows was partially offset by increased RILA and fixed annuity sales. Variable annuity net flows were more than offset by an increase in AUM, as defined below, due to market performance in 2024.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Benefit Base

Benefit base refers to a notional amount that represents the value of a customer’s guaranteed benefit and, therefore, may be a different value from the invested assets in a customer’s account value. The benefit base may be used to calculate the fees for a customer’s guaranteed benefits within an annuity contract. The guaranteed death benefit and guaranteed living benefit within the same contract may not have the same benefit base. We believe benefit base is a useful metric for our variable annuity policies in providing an understanding of, among other things, fee income generation, potential optional guarantee benefit obligations and risk management priorities. The following table shows variable annuity account value and benefit base as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Years Ended December 31,
20242023
Account ValueBenefit BaseAccount ValueBenefit Base
(in millions)
No Living Benefits$56,894N/A$53,645N/A
By Guaranteed Living Benefits:
GMWB for Life171,745181,379166,688188,722
GMWB6,1655,0766,0925,348
GMIB (1)1,2181,5611,3521,799
GMAB3535
Total$236,057$188,051$227,777$195,869
By Guaranteed Death Benefit:
Return of AV (No GMDB)$29,519N/A$27,486N/A
Return of Premium181,132132,612174,841137,287
Highest Anniversary Value ("HAV")13,23312,85713,21313,522
Rollup3,2344,1083,3474,484
Combination HAV/Rollup8,9399,6828,89010,057
Total$236,057$159,259$227,777$165,350
(1) Substantially all our GMIB benefits are reinsured.

Assets Under Management

AUM, or assets under management, includes: (i) investment assets managed by one of our subsidiaries, PPM, including our investment portfolio (but excluding assets held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions) and third-party assets (including our former parent and its affiliates) and (ii) the separate account investment assets of our Retail Annuities segment managed and administered by another subsidiary, JNAM. Total AUM reflects exclusions between segments to avoid double counting. We believe AUM is a useful metric for understanding, among other things, the sources of our earnings, net investment income and performance of our invested assets, customer directed investments and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Jackson Invested Assets$46,143$44,068
Third Party Invested Assets (including CLOs)28,27829,043
Total PPM AUM74,42173,111
Total JNAM AUM250,297242,727
Total AUM$324,718$315,838

Total AUM increased for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, driven primarily by an increase in separate account balances managed by JNAM due to positive equity market returns during the year.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

We discuss a number of trends and uncertainties below that we believe could materially affect our future business performance, including our results of operations, our investments, our cash flows, and our capital and liquidity position. See Part IA. Risk Factors – “Risks Related to Conditions in Global Financial Markets and the Economy” and “Risks Related to Legal, Tax and Regulatory Matters” in this Form 10-K.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Conditions

Our business and results of operations are affected by macroeconomic factors. The level of interest rates and shape of the yield curve, credit and equity market performance and equity volatility, regulation, tax policy, the level of U.S. employment, inflation and the overall U.S. economic growth rate can affect both our short- and long-term profitability. Monetary and fiscal policy in the U.S., or similar actions in foreign nations, could result in increased volatility in financial markets, including interest rates, currencies and equity markets, and could impact our business in both the short- and medium-term. Government actions, including responses to future pandemics, civil unrest, tariffs, sanctions or other barriers to international trade, and the effects that these or other government events could have on levels of U.S. economic activity, could also impact our business through any of their individual impacts on consumers’ behavior or on financial markets.

In the short- to medium-term, the potential for increased volatility could pressure sales and reduce demand for our products as consumers consider purchasing alternative products to meet their objectives. Our financial performance can be adversely affected by market volatility and equity market declines if fees assessed on the account value of our annuities fluctuate, hedging costs increase, or revenues decline due to reduced sales and increased outflows.

Equity Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by equity market performance. On our variable annuities, the fees we earn that are not associated with guaranteed benefits are mainly based on the account value, which changes with equity market levels. In addition, our hedges could be less effective in periods of large directional movements, or we could experience more frequent or more costly rebalancing in periods of high volatility, which would lead to adverse performance versus our hedge targets and increased hedging costs. Further, we also are exposed to basis risk, which results from our inability to purchase or sell hedge assets whose performance strongly correlates to the performance of the funds into which customers allocate their assets. We make available to customers funds where we believe we can transact in sufficiently correlated hedge assets, yet we anticipate some variance in the performance of our hedge assets and customer funds. This variance may result in our hedge assets outperforming or underperforming the customer assets they are intended to match. This variance may be exacerbated during periods of high volatility, leading to a mismatch in our hedge results relative to our hedge targets and U.S. GAAP results.

With the execution of the Brooke Re transaction in the first quarter of 2024, we are now able to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor going forward. In the past, our statutory total adjusted capital ("TAC") has been negatively impacted by rising equity markets due to minimum required reserving levels (i.e., the cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases are limited and unable to offset equity hedging losses. The risk-based capital, or RBC, ratio increased or decreased depending on the interaction between movements in TAC and movements in statutory required capital (the company action level, or "CAL”).

Interest Rate Environment

The interest rate environment has affected, and will continue to affect, our business and financial performance for the following reasons:

•Periods of rising interest rates impact investment-related activity, including investment income returns, net investment spread results, new money rates, mortgage loan prepayments, and bond redemptions. Rising interest rates also impact the hedging results of our variable annuity business as the market values of interest rate hedges decline, thereby driving hedging losses. We would expect lower hedging costs and reduced levels of hedging going forward after such an increase in rates. Further, we expect near-term hedging losses from rising rates may be more than offset by changes in the fair value of the related guaranteed benefit liabilities, which are reduced with an increase in interest rates.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

•Interest rate increases also expose us to disintermediation risk, where higher rates make currently sold fixed annuity products more attractive while simultaneously reducing the market value of assets backing our liabilities. This creates an incentive for our customers to lapse their products in an environment where selling assets causes us to realize losses.

•With the execution of the Brooke Re transaction in the first quarter of 2024, we are now able to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor going forward. In the past, our statutory TAC may have been negatively impacted by rising interest rates due to minimum required reserving levels (i.e., the cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases are limited and unable to offset interest rate hedging losses. The RBC ratio increased or decreased depending on the interaction between movements in TAC and movements in CAL.

•Pricing actions we take in response to decreasing interest rates may reduce the attractiveness of crediting rates, guaranteed benefits, and other product features. This in turn may lead to reduced sales volumes.

•Low interest rate environments could also subject us to increased hedging costs or an increase in the amount of regulatory reserves that our insurance subsidiaries are required to hold for optional guaranteed benefits, decreasing regulatory surplus, which would adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends. In addition, low interest rates could also increase the perceived value of optional guaranteed benefit features to our customers, which in turn could lead to a higher utilization of withdrawal or annuitization features of annuity policies and higher persistency of those products over time.

•Some of our annuities have guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates (“GMICRs”) that limit our ability to reduce crediting rates. If earnings on our investment portfolio decline, those GMICRs may result in net investment spread compression that negatively impacts earnings. Many of our annuities have GMICRs that reset at contractually specified times after issue, subject to a contractually specified minimum GMICR. In a rising interest rate environment, these GMICRs can increase over time. Conversely, in a falling interest rate environment, the interest crediting rate will eventually decrease; however, there may be a lag between interest rate movements and the GMICR reset, temporarily limiting our ability to lower crediting rates. When policies have comparatively high GMICRs, in a subsequent low interest rate environment more customers are expected to hold on to their policies, which may result in lower lapses than previously expected.

Credit Market Environment

Conditions in fixed income markets impact our financial performance. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally decreases, although we generally expect the widening spreads to increase the yield on new fixed income investments. Conversely, as credit spreads tighten, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally increases, and the yield available on new investment purchases decreases. While changing credit spreads impact the fair value of our investment portfolio, this revaluation is generally reflected in our accumulated other comprehensive income, or AOCI. The revaluation will impact net income for realized gains or losses from the sale of securities, the change in fair value of trading securities or securities carried at fair value under the fair value election, or potential changes in the allowance for credit loss ("ACL"). In addition, if credit conditions deteriorate due to a recession or other negative credit events in capital markets, we could experience an increase in defaults and other-than-temporary-impairments (“OTTI”).

OTTI in our underlying investments would reduce our insurance company subsidiaries' regulatory capital. Also, shifts in the credit quality or credit rating downgrades of our investments as a result of stressed credit conditions may impact the level of regulatory required capital for our insurance company subsidiaries. As such, significant credit rating downgrades along with elevated defaults and OTTI losses would negatively impact our RBC ratio, which could impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries.

Consumer Behavior

We believe that many retirees look to tax-efficient savings products as a tool for addressing their unmet need for retirement planning. We believe our products are well-positioned to meet this increasing consumer demand. However, consumer behavior may be impacted by increased economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, declining equity markets, significant changes in interest rates and increased volatility of financial markets. In recent years, we have introduced new products to better address changes in consumer demand and targeted distribution channels that meet changes in consumer preferences.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

Demographics

We expect demographic trends in the U.S. population, in particular the increase in the number of retirement age individuals, to generate significant demand for our products. In addition, the potential risk to government social safety net programs and shifting of responsibility for retirement planning and financial security from employers and other institutions to employees, highlight the need for individuals to plan for their long-term financial security and will create additional opportunities to generate sustained demand for our products. We believe we are well-positioned to capture the increased demand generated by these demographic trends.

Regulatory Policy

We operate in a highly regulated industry. Our insurance company subsidiaries are regulated primarily at the state level, with some policies and products also subject to federal regulation. New federal and state regulations could impact our business model, including regulatory reserve and capital requirements. Our ability to respond to changes in regulation and other legislative activity is critical to our long-term financial performance. The following regulations could materially impact our business:

Department of Labor Fiduciary Advice Rule

See Part I, Item I Business—Regulation—"Federal Initiatives Impacting Insurance Companies—Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Advice Rule" for a discussion of the 2024 Fiduciary Advice Rule.

Legislative Reforms

In recent years, Congress approved legislation beneficial to our business model. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the "SECURE Act"), approved by Congress on December 20, 2019, provides individuals with greater access to retirement products. Namely, it made it easier for 401(k) programs to offer annuities as an investment option by, among other things, creating a statutory safe harbor in ERISA for a retirement plan’s selection of an annuity provider. On December 29, 2022, Congress signed into law the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”). SECURE 2.0 expands automatic enrollment programs, increases the age for required minimum distributions, and eliminates age requirements for traditional IRA contributions. These changes are intended to expand and increase Americans’ retirement savings.

Tax Laws

Our annuities offer investors the opportunity to benefit from tax deferrals. If U.S. tax laws change such that our annuities no longer offer tax-deferred advantages, demand for our products could materially decrease.

Changes to individual income tax rates and other elements of tax policy can make the tax deferral aspects of our products more or less attractive to consumers, affecting demand for our products.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting our results of operations and financial condition in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use and report selected non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures, provides a better understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and the underlying performance drivers of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplementary to our results of operations and financial condition that are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP financial measures. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Consequently, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted Operating Earnings is an after-tax non-GAAP financial measure, which we believe should be used to evaluate our financial performance on a consolidated basis by excluding certain items that may be highly variable from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as well as certain other revenues and expenses that we do not view as driving our underlying performance. Adjusted Operating Earnings should not be used as a substitute for net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to net income are useful for gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

Adjusted Operating Earnings equals our Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.'s common shareholders (which excludes income attributable to non-controlling interest and dividends on preferred stock) adjusted to eliminate the impact of the items described in the following numbered paragraphs. These items are excluded as they may vary significantly from period to period due to near-term market conditions or are otherwise not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business. We believe these exclusions provide investors a better picture of the drivers of our underlying performance.

1.Net Hedging Results: Comprised of: (i) fees attributed to guaranteed benefits; (ii) net gains (losses) on hedging instruments which includes: (a) changes in the fair value of freestanding derivatives, and related commissions and expenses, used to manage the risk associated with market risk benefits and other guaranteed benefit features, excluding earned income from periodic settlements and changes in settlement accruals on cross-currency swaps; and (b) investment income and change in fair value of certain non-derivative assets used to manage the risk associated with market risk benefits and other guaranteed benefit features; and (iii) the movements in reserves, market risk benefits, guaranteed benefit features accounted for as embedded derivative instruments, and related claims and benefit payments (excluding impacts of actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements). We believe excluding these items removes the impact to both revenue and related expenses associated with Net Hedging Results.

2.Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI: Amortization of the balance of unamortized deferred acquisition costs, at January 1, 2021, the date of transition to current Long Duration Targeted Improvements ("LDTI") accounting guidance, associated with items excluded from pretax adjusted operating earnings prior to transition.

3.Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements: The impact on the valuation of MRBs and embedded derivatives arising from our annual actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements review.

4.Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses: Comprised of: (i) realized investment gains and losses associated with the periodic sales or disposals of securities, excluding those held within our trading portfolio, and (ii) impairments of securities, after adjustment for the non-credit component of the impairment charges.

5.Change in Value of Funds Withheld Embedded Derivative and Net investment income on funds withheld assets: Composed of: (i) the change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivatives, and (ii) net investment income on funds withheld assets related to funds withheld reinsurance transactions.

6.Other items: Comprised of: (i) the impact of investments that are consolidated in our financial statements due to U.S. GAAP accounting requirements, such as our investments in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), but for which the consolidation effects are not consistent with our economic interest or exposure to those entities, and (ii) one-time or other non-recurring items, such as costs relating to our separation from Prudential.

Operating income taxes are calculated using the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 21% while taking into account any items recognized differently in our financial statements and federal income tax returns, including the dividends received deduction and other tax credits. For interim reporting periods, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (“ETR”) in computing its tax provision including consideration of discrete items.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Earnings to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial common shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc common shareholders$902$899$6,186
Add: dividends on preferred stock4435
Add: income tax expense (benefit)4641,505
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc9929387,691
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(3,122)(3,125)(3,077)
Net (gains) losses on hedging instruments5,8564,6512,744
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net(4,243)(4,295)(4,021)
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements1,224779221
Total net hedging results(285)(1,990)(4,133)
Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI541591658
Actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements419406486
Net realized investment (gains) losses11554359
Net realized investment (gains) losses on funds withheld assets1,0521,801(2,186)
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(1,024)(1,174)(1,254)
Other items(28)3922
Total non-operating adjustments686227(6,048)
Pretax adjusted operating earnings1,6781,1651,643
Less: operating income tax expense (benefit)19157189
Adjusted operating earnings before dividends on preferred stock1,4871,1081,454
Less: dividends on preferred stock4435
Adjusted operating earnings$1,443$1,073$1,454

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders

We use Adjusted Operating Return on Equity ("ROE") Attributable to Common Shareholders to manage our business and evaluate our financial performance that: (i) excludes items that vary from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as such items may distort the underlying performance of our business; and (ii) is calculated by dividing our Adjusted Operating Earnings by average Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders.

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders excludes Preferred Stock and AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial, which does not include AOCI arising from investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

We exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial from Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders because our invested assets are generally invested to closely match the duration of our liabilities, which are longer duration in nature, and therefore we believe period-to-period fair market value fluctuations in AOCI to be inconsistent with this objective. We believe excluding AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial is more useful to investors in analyzing trends in our business. Changes in AOCI within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction offset the related non-operating earnings from the Athene Reinsurance Transaction resulting in a minimal net impact on Adjusted Book Value of Jackson Financial.

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders should not be used as substitutes for total shareholders’ equity and ROE as calculated using annualized net income and average equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to equity and earnings are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders to total shareholders’ equity and a comparison of Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders to ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions, except percentages)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$902$899$6,186
Adjusted Operating Earnings1,4431,0731,454
Total shareholders' equity$9,764$10,170$8,646
Less: Preferred stock533533
Total common shareholders' equity9,2319,6378,646
Adjustments to total common shareholders’ equity:
Exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. (1)1,9251,1961,272
Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders$11,156$10,833$9,918
ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders9.4%10.3%69.7%
Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders on average equity12.9%10.6%16.2%
(1) Excludes $(1,597) million, $(1,612) million and $(2,106) million related to the investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which are not attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. and are therefore not included as an adjustment to total shareholders’ equity in the reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders to total shareholders’ equity.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is Jackson Financial Inc. (Parent Company only) net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less preferred stock dividends and capital contributions to PPM or other subsidiaries, plus the return of capital from subsidiaries. Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for Jackson Financial’s net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe these adjustments are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall available cash flow at Jackson Financial for return of capital to common shareholders or other corporate initiatives.

Years Ended December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Dividends and distributions to parent (1)$875$600
Jackson Financial expenses and other, net(108)(102)
Free Cash Flow$767$498
(1) Cash distributed to Jackson Financial includes cash dividends and distributions of $785 million and interest payments on surplus notes of $90 million to Jackson Financial from its subsidiaries for the year-ended December 31, 2024 and includes cash dividends and distributions of $510 million and interest payments on surplus notes of $90 million to JFI from its subsidiaries for the year-ended December 31, 2023.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Jackson Financial net cash provided by operating activities (Parent Company only), the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow:

Years Ended December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Jackson Financial, Inc. Net cash provided by operating activities (Parent Company Only)$51$398
Adjustments from net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:
Capital distributions from subsidiaries785150
Capital contributed to PPM(25)(15)
Dividends on preferred stock(44)(35)
Total adjustments716100
Free cash flow$767$498
Free Cash Flow Comprised of:
Capital distributions from subsidiaries$785$150
Dividends from subsidiaries360
Interest on surplus note from subsidiary9090
Cash distributed to Jackson Financial875600
Parent company expenses(124)(118)
Net investment income and other income2428
Other, net(8)(12)
Jackson Financial expenses and other, net(108)(102)
Free cash flow$767$498

59

Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data from our Consolidated Income Statements. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Revenues
Fee income$8,083$7,680$7,722
Premiums146147132
Net investment income:
Net investment income excluding funds withheld assets1,8381,6801,492
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,0241,1741,254
Total net investment income2,8622,8542,746
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments:
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(6,812)(5,864)(3,023)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance treaties(1,052)(1,801)2,186
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(7,864)(7,665)(837)
Other income446785
Total revenues3,2713,0839,848
Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals8689651,062
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net46102(34)
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net(3,809)(3,897)(3,536)
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization1,1101,145866
Interest expense10110998
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,8252,5492,432
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,1081,1521,226
Total benefits and expenses2,2492,1252,114
Pretax income (loss)1,0229587,734
Income tax expense (benefit)4641,505
Net income (loss)9769546,229
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests302043
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.9469346,186
Less: Dividends on preferred stock4435
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$902$899$6,186

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Pretax Income (Loss)

Our pretax income (loss) increased by $64 million to pretax income of $1,022 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $958 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to:

•$403 million increase in fee income due to higher average separate account values compared to the prior year;

•$153 million decrease in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to the impact of actuarial assumption updates, improved mortality, and lower other policyholder benefits. See "Policy and Contract Liabilities" below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption updates; and

•$35 million decrease in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, primarily due to lower average fixed account balances in 2024, compared to the prior year.

These increases were largely offset by:

•$276 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to higher asset-based non-deferrable commissions, due to higher account values during 2024, an increase in incentive compensation expenses, and higher other commissions, net of deferrals, driven primarily by higher RILA sales in 2024;

•$199 million decrease in total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments as shown in table below and driven by:

Years Ended December 31,
20242023Variance
(in millions)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets$(11)$(554)$543
Net gains (losses) on freestanding derivatives(5,817)(4,804)(1,013)
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives (excluding funds withheld reinsurance)(984)(506)(478)
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments(6,801)(5,310)(1,491)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance(1,052)(1,801)749
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$(7,864)$(7,665)$(199)

•Volumes of freestanding derivatives can significantly vary period over period and movements in those derivatives are subject to interest rate or equity market movements. The movements in interest rate hedges during 2024 were primarily driven by an increase in interest rates, compared to relatively flat interest rate movements in 2023. The movements in equity hedges during 2024 were primarily driven by slight increases in equity markets, compared to 2023.

•Embedded derivative movements were unfavorable primarily due to the impact of market increases on our growing RILA block during 2024, compared to the prior year.

•$88 million unfavorable movements in market risk benefits (gains) losses, net, primarily due to less favorable movements in equity volatility and fund performance, partially offset by more favorable changes in interest rates in 2024 compared to the prior year.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $42 million to an expense of $46 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from an expense of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The provision for income tax in the current period led to an effective tax rate ("ETR") of 5% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to an ETR of 1% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in the ETR during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the relationship of the taxable income to the consolidated pre-tax income. The ETR differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the dividends received deduction and the utilization of foreign tax credits.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Segment Results of Operations

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, within Corporate and Other. The following tables and discussion represent an overall view of our results of operations for each segment.

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment

The following table summarizes pretax adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) from the Company's business segment operations and also provides a reconciliation of the segment measure to net income on a consolidated U.S. GAAP basis. Also, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 3 - Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the calculation of pretax adjusted operating earnings:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$1,855$1,364$1,507
Institutional Products966979
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(9)(95)117
Corporate and Other(264)(173)(60)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings1,6781,1651,643
Pre-tax reconciling items from adjusted operating income to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves3,1223,1253,077
Net gains (losses) on hedging instruments(5,856)(4,651)(2,744)
Market risk benefits gains (losses), net4,2434,2954,021
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(1,224)(779)(221)
Total net hedging results2851,9904,133
Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI(541)(591)(658)
Actuarial assumption updates and model enhancements(419)(406)(486)
Net realized investment gains (losses)(11)(554)(359)
Net realized investment gains (losses) on funds withheld assets(1,052)(1,801)2,186
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,0241,1741,254
Other items28(39)(22)
Total pre-tax reconciling items(686)(227)6,048
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.9929387,691
Income tax expense (benefit)4641,505
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.9469346,186
Less: Dividends on preferred stock4435
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$902$899$6,186

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Retail Annuities

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Retail Annuities segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Retail Annuities:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$4,460$4,036$4,108
Premiums522110
Net investment income725436410
Other income323742
Total Operating Revenues5,2694,5304,570
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves674361
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net(54)(4)(4)
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization362374253
Interest expense232422
Asset-based commission expenses1,1371,0221,010
Other commission expenses891691809
Sub-advisor expenses334318337
General and administrative expenses788677642
Deferral of acquisition costs(693)(530)(624)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs559551557
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses3,4143,1663,063
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$1,855$1,364$1,507

The following table summarizes a roll-forward of activity affecting account value for our Retail Annuities segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Retail Annuities Account Value:
Balance as of beginning of period$235,465$209,967$260,135
Premiums and deposits17,99413,01515,961
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(29,738)(19,353)(16,430)
Net flows(11,744)(6,338)(469)
Investment performance29,53233,807(47,149)
Change in value of equity option985509(41)
Interest credited362372244
Policy charges and other(2,935)(2,852)(2,753)
Balance as of end of period, net of ceded reinsurance251,665235,465209,967
Ceded reinsurance15,05118,37022,037
Balance as of end of period, gross of reinsurance$266,716$253,835$232,004

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $491 million to $1,855 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $1,364 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to:

•$424 million increase in fee income primarily due to higher average separate account values compared to prior year;

•$301 million increase in spread income primarily due to $289 million higher net investment income and $12 million lower interest credited on contract holder funds. The increase in investment income was primarily driven by higher income on bonds driven by higher asset balances earning higher yields in 2024, compared to the prior year, partially offset by higher investment expenses related to portfolio leveraged costs;

•$26 million decrease in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to the impact of actuarial assumption updates, lower other policyholder benefits, and an increase in payout annuity reserves. See "Policy and Contract Liabilities" below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption updates.

These increases were partially offset by:

•$279 million increase in commissions, sub-advisor, and general expenses, net of deferrals, primarily driven by a $115 million increase in non-deferrable asset-based commissions expense, primarily due to higher account values during 2024, and a $200 million increase in other commission expenses, net of deferrals of $163 million, primarily due to higher RILA sales in 2024. In addition, general and administrative expenses increased $111 million primarily due to an increase in incentive compensation expenses in the current year.

Account Value

Retail annuities account value, net of reinsurance, increased $16.2 billion between periods primarily due to positive variable annuity separate account returns driven by favorable market performance in 2024, as well as positive RILA and fixed annuity net flows over the period.

Institutional Products

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Institutional Products segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Operating Revenues
Net investment income$438$408$285
Total Operating Revenues438408285
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization338334201
General and administrative expenses455
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses342339206
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$96$69$79

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

The following table summarizes a roll-forward of activity affecting account value for our Institutional Products segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Balance as of beginning of period$8,406$9,019$8,830
Premiums and deposits2,0001,0652,398
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(2,270)(2,050)(2,358)
Net flows(270)(985)40
Interest credited338334201
Policy Charges and other(90)38(52)
Balance as of end of period$8,384$8,406$9,019

Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $27 million to $96 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $69 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to a $26 million increase in spread income primarily due to $30 million higher investment income, partially offset by $4 million higher interest credited on contract holder funds.

Account Value

Institutional product account value decreased from $8,406 million at December 31, 2023 to $8,384 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in account value was driven by continued maturities of the existing contracts and funding agreements, mostly offset by an increase in sales in 2024.

Closed Life and Annuity Blocks

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$443$457$474
Premiums103136134
Net investment income659644737
Other income312535
Total Operating Revenues1,2361,2621,380
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves573641734
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net104106(24)
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization410437412
Other commission expenses372937
General and administrative expenses10611597
Deferral of acquisition costs719(4)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs81011
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses1,2451,3571,263
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(9)$(95)$117

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $86 million to $(9) million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $(95) million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to:

•$70 million decrease in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to the impact of actuarial assumption updates, improved mortality, and lower other policyholder benefits. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities” below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption updates; and

•$27 million decrease in interest credited on other contract holder funds related to persistency bonuses.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the operations of PPM Holdings, Inc., the parent holding company of PPM, and unallocated corporate revenue and expenses, as well as certain eliminations and consolidation adjustments. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for Corporate and Other. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Corporate and Other:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$49$52$52
Net investment income(2)5879
Other income(19)58
Total Operating Revenues28115139
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest expense788576
Sub-advisor expenses(8)(7)(8)
General and administrative expenses222210131
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses292288199
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(264)$(173)$(60)

Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $91 million to $(264) million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $(173) million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to a $60 million decrease in net investment income, and a $24 million decrease in other income primarily due to a one-time reinsurance related adjustment.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Investments

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of fixed-income securities and loans, publicly-traded corporate and government bonds, private securities and loans, asset-backed securities and mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed and other structured securities. The fair value of these and our other invested assets fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment and is affected by other economic factors.

Investment Strategy

Our overall investment strategy seeks to maintain a diversified and largely investment grade fixed income portfolio that is capital efficient, achieves risk-adjusted returns that support competitive pricing for our products, generates profitable growth of our business and maintains adequate liquidity to support our obligations. We utilize repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions as a part of our overall portfolio management program to assist with collateral requirements associated with our hedging program and other liquidity needs of our insurance subsidiaries.

Our investment program seeks to generate a competitive rate of return on our invested assets to support the profitable growth of our business, while maintaining investment portfolio allocations within the Company’s risk tolerance. This means maximizing risk-adjusted return within the context of a largely fixed income portfolio while also managing exposure to downside risk in a stressed environment, regulatory and rating agency capital models, overall portfolio yield, diversification and correlation with other investments and company exposures.

The investments within our investment portfolio are primarily managed by PPM, our wholly-owned registered investment advisor. Our investment strategy benefits from PPM’s ability to originate investments directly, as well as participate in transactions originated by banks, investment banks, commercial finance companies and other intermediaries. Certain investments held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions are managed by Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP ("Apollo"), an Athene affiliate. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 - Reinsurance of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. We may also use other third-party investment managers for certain niche asset classes. As of December 31, 2024, Apollo managed $13.4 billion of cash and investments and other third-party investment managers managed approximately $278 million of investments.

Our Investment Committee has specified a target strategic asset allocation (“SAA”) that is designed to deliver the highest expected return within a defined risk tolerance while meeting other important objectives such as those mentioned in the prior paragraph. The fixed income portion of the SAA is assessed relative to a customized index of public corporate bonds that represents a close approximation of the maturity profile of our liabilities and a credit quality mix that is consistent with our risk tolerance. PPM’s objective is to outperform this index on a number of measures including portfolio yield, total return and capital loss due to downgrades and defaults. While PPM has access to a broad universe of potential investments, we believe grounding the investment program with a customized public corporate index that can be easily tracked and monitored helps guide PPM in meeting the risk and return expectations and assists with performance evaluation.

Recognizing the trade-offs between the level of risk, required capital, liquidity and investment return, the largest allocation within our investment portfolio is to investment grade fixed income securities. As previously mentioned, our investment manager accesses a broad universe of potential investments to construct the investment portfolio and considers the benefits of diversification across various sectors, collateral types and asset classes. To this end, our SAA and investment portfolio includes allocations to public and private corporate bonds (both investment grade and high yield), mortgage loans, structured securities, private equity and U.S. Treasury securities. These U.S. Treasury securities, while lower yielding than other alternatives, provide a higher level of liquidity and play a role in managing our interest rate exposure.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Portfolio Composition

The following table summarizes the carrying values of our investments:

December 31,
20242023
Investments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotalInvestments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotal
(in millions)
Debt Securities, available-for-sale, net of allowance for credit losses$31,231$9,058$40,289$28,896$11,526$40,422
Debt Securities, at fair value under fair value option2,9301163,0462,0371162,153
Debt securities, trading, at fair value6868
Equity securities, at fair value72125197243151394
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses6,8512,6119,4627,0153,06710,082
Mortgage loans, at fair value under fair value option449449481481
Policy loans9023,5014,4039283,4714,399
Freestanding derivative instruments2524529737515390
Other invested assets2,0877772,8641,7577092,466
Total investments$44,325$16,682$61,007$41,319$19,536$60,855

Available-for-sale debt securities decreased to $40,289 million at December 31, 2024 from $40,422 million at the end of 2023. The amortized cost of debt securities, available-for-sale, increased to $44,976 million at December 31, 2024 from $44,843 million as of December 31, 2023. Further, net unrealized losses, after adjusting for allowance for credit loss, were $4,679 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $4,401 million as of December 31, 2023.

Other Invested Assets

Other invested assets increased to $2,864 million at December 31, 2024 from $2,466 million at December 31, 2023.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Debt Securities

At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amortized cost, allowance for credit loss, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of debt securities, including trading securities and securities carried at fair value under the fair value option, were as follows (in millions):

December 31, 2024Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$4,120$$1$962$3,159
Other government securities1,34512521,094
Corporate securities
Utilities5,716295895,156
Energy3,119162912,844
Banking2,612191372,494
Healthcare3,428103933,045
Finance/Insurance5,0698294184,672
Technology/Telecom2,31352202,098
Consumer goods2,414133272,100
Industrial1,733101141,629
Capital goods1,92281371,793
Real estate1,63461321,508
Media1,0053121887
Transportation1,52241781,348
Retail1,35741471,214
Other (1)2,453101172,346
Total Corporate Securities36,29781663,32133,134
Residential mortgage-backed37461444338
Commercial mortgage-backed1,67431001,577
Other asset-backed securities4,24325111964,033
Total Debt Securities$48,053$39$196$4,875$43,335
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

December 31, 2023Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$5,154$$3$845$4,312
Other government securities1,62212211,402
Corporate securities
Utilities5,598425135,127
Energy2,946242722,698
Banking2,2041231482,078
Healthcare2,985203382,667
Finance/Insurance4,39213314293,981
Technology/Telecom2,0581101911,876
Consumer goods2,395212852,131
Industrial1,609141121,511
Capital goods1,838141271,725
Real estate1,57261531,425
Media1,0824109977
Transportation1,38171571,231
Retail1,19761321,071
Other (1)2,211141192,106
Total Corporate Securities33,468152363,08530,604
Residential mortgage-backed42261253375
Commercial mortgage-backed1,56911471,423
Other asset-backed securities4,83063094,527
Total Debt Securities$47,065$21$259$4,660$42,643
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

Evaluation of Available-For-Sale Debt Securities

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 4 - Investments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how we evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities for credit loss.

Equity Securities

Equity securities consist of investments in common and preferred stock holdings and mutual fund investments. Common and preferred stock investments generally arise out of previous private equity investments or other settlements rather than as direct investments. Mutual fund investments typically represent investments made in our own mutual funds to seed those structures for external issuance at a later date. The following table summarizes our holdings:

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Common Stock$18$17
Preferred Stock151175
Mutual Funds28202
Total$197$394

Mortgage Loans

At December 31, 2024, commercial mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 36 states, the District of Columbia, and Europe. Residential mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and Europe.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance of credit loss, of our mortgage loans by property type:

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Commercial:
Apartment$2,450$2,868
Hotel835772
Office1,3171,457
Retail1,6851,891
Warehouse2,1342,033
Other521701
Total Commercial8,9429,722
Residential1,0901,006
Total10,03210,728
ACL (1)(121)(165)
Total with ACL$9,911$10,563

(1)    At December 31, 2024 and 2023 allowance for credit losses included $116 million and $160 million, respectively, for commercial loans and $5 million and $5 million, respectively, for residential loans.

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance for credit loss, of our mortgage loans by region:

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
United States:
East North Central1,0151,024
East South Central347502
Middle Atlantic1,4081,481
Mountain474531
New England275287
Pacific2,2602,500
South Atlantic2,1312,147
West North Central617593
West South Central1,035992
Total United States9,56210,057
Foreign349506
Total9,91110,563

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

The following table provides information about the credit quality of our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
Loan to value ratios:
Less than 70%$7,304$8,604
70% - 80%1,074711
80% - 100%338196
Greater than 100%11051
Total8,8269,562
Residential mortgage loans
Performing987911
Nonperforming (1)9890
Total1,0851,001
Total mortgage loans$9,911$10,563

(1) At December 31, 2024 and 2023, includes $24 million and $29 million, respectively, of loans 30-89 days past due and $24 million and $27 million, respectively, of loans 90 days or greater past due and supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs.

The following table provides a summary of the allowance for credit losses related to our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20242023
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$165$95
Charge offs, net of recoveries (1)(3)(66)
Provision (release) (1)(41)136
Balance at end of period$121$165

(1) At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the $(44) million net decrease and $70 million net increase in allowance for credit losses is due to the change in expected credit losses, primarily in the office sector.

The Company’s mortgage loans that are current and in good standing are accruing interest. Interest is not accrued on loans greater than 90 days delinquent or in process of foreclosure, when deemed uncollectible. Delinquency status is determined from the date of the first missed contractual payment. Accrued interest amounting to $1 million and $2 million were written off as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, relating to loans that were greater than 90 days delinquent or in the process of foreclosure.

The following table provides information about our impaired residential mortgage loans (in millions):

December 31,
20242023
Recorded investment (1)$29$24
Unpaid principal balance3327
Related loan allowance11
Average recorded investment3019
Investment income recognized11

(1) At December 31, 2024 and 2023, includes $2 million and $5 million, respectively, of loans in process of foreclosure, all of which are loans supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Derivative Instruments

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 5 – Derivative Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which presents the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and the fair values of our freestanding and embedded derivatives instruments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Evaluation of Invested Assets

We perform regular evaluations of our invested assets. On a monthly basis, management identifies those investments that may require additional monitoring and carefully reviews the carrying value of such investments to determine whether specific investments should be placed on a non-accrual status and if an allowance for credit loss is required. In making these reviews, management principally considers the adequacy of any collateral, compliance with contractual covenants, the borrower’s recent financial performance, news reports and other externally generated information concerning the borrower’s affairs. In the case of publicly traded bonds, management also considers market value quotations, where available. For mortgage loans, management generally considers information concerning the mortgaged property, including factors impacting the current and expected payment status of the loan and, if available, the current fair value of the underlying collateral. For investments in partnerships, management reviews the financial statements and other information provided by the general partners.

To determine an allowance for credit loss, we consider a security’s forecasted cash flows as well as the severity of depressed fair values. Investment income is not accrued on securities in default and otherwise where the collection is uncertain. Subsequent receipts of interest on such securities are generally used to reduce the cost basis of the securities. The provisions for impairment on mortgage loans are based on losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to real estate, on the disposition and settlement of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans that management believes may not be collectible in full. Accrual of interest on mortgage loans is generally suspended when principal or interest payments on mortgage loans are past due more than 90 days. Interest is then accounted for on a cash basis.

Policy and Contract Liabilities

We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are estimated as necessary to meet policy obligations or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “Critical Accounting Estimates" below.

Our policy and contract liabilities includes separate account liabilities, reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable and other contract holder funds. As of December 31, 2024, 90% of our policy and contract liabilities were in our Retail Annuities segment, 3% were in our Institutional Products segment and 7% were in our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Policy and Contract Liabilities

The table below represents a breakdown of our policy and contract liabilities:

December 31, 2024Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsMarket Risk BenefitsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$228,851$$7,206$(5,176)$230,881
RILA111,685611,691
Fixed Index Annuities28,515378,552
Fixed Annuities9,61519,616
Payout Annuities1,0958441,939
Other Annuities208208
Total Retail Annuities229,0591,09537,865(5,132)262,887
Total Institutional Products8,3848,384
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks848,59911,899720,589
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities229,1439,69458,148(5,125)291,860
Claims payable and other1,3781641,542
Total$229,143$11,072$58,312$(5,125)$293,402
December 31, 2023Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsMarket Risk BenefitsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$219,381$$8,396$(2,000)$225,777
RILA15,21935,222
Fixed Index Annuities210,2433710,280
Fixed Annuities9,73619,737
Payout Annuities1,0908601,950
Other Annuities198198
Total Retail Annuities219,5791,09034,454(1,959)253,164
Total Institutional Products8,4068,406
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks779,36212,291721,737
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities219,65610,45255,151(1,952)283,307
Claims payable and other1,4461681,614
Total$219,656$11,898$55,319$(1,952)$284,921

(1) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities in other contract holder funds related to RILA of $3,065 million and $1,224 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

(2) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities related to fixed index annuity in other contract holder funds of $877 million and $866 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of December 31, 2024:

•$229.1 billion or 79% of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by separate account assets. These separate account assets backed reserves primarily related to our variable annuities. Separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the customer’s corresponding separate account assets and are set equal to the fair value of such invested assets.

•$47.4 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by our investment portfolio.

•$15.3 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were reinsured by Athene and backed by funds withheld assets.

As of December 31, 2024, 94% of fixed annuity, fixed-index annuity, and the fixed accounts of RILA and variable annuity correspond to crediting rates that are at the guaranteed minimum crediting rate. We have the discretion, subject to contractual limitations and minimums, to reset the crediting terms on the majority of our fixed index annuities and fixed annuities.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Policy and Contract Liabilities

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 9 - Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable, Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 11 - Separate Account Assets and Liabilities, and Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion on accounting policies around Reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable, Other contract holder funds, Separate account assets and liabilities and MRBs.

Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements

The following tables reflect the impacts from our annual assumption review to pretax income (loss), pre-tax non-operating

adjustments and Pre-Tax Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Total assumption review impact on pretax (loss) income$(445)$(466)$(448)
Less: total assumption review impact on pretax non-operating(419)(406)(486)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(26)$(60)$38
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$42$$(9)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(68)(60)47
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(26)$(60)$38

2024 Actuarial Assumption Updates and Model Enhancements

The impact of assumption updates on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was a loss of $26 million. $68 million of this loss was attributed to the Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment mainly on the additional reserve for life insurance and annuitization benefits driven by an update to a more recent mortality table, offset by favorable mortality experience on the reserves for future policyholder benefits on payout annuity blocks. A gain of $42 million from the Retail Annuities segment was mainly driven by favorable mortality experience on payout annuities on the reserves for future policyholder benefits as well as other contract holder funds.

The impact on pretax non-operating earnings was a loss of $419 million attributed to the Retail Annuities segment. This loss was due to changes on variable annuity MRB reserves of $434 million, which was primarily related to data enhancements and assumption updates for withdrawal utilization on policies with GMWBs. This was partially offset by a gain of $15 million on fixed index annuities and RILA reserves, primarily driven by changes to RILA partial withdrawal assumptions. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the notable assumption updates included in the MRB calculation.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing and financing activities. Capital refers to our long-term financial resources available to support the business operations and contribute to future growth. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of the businesses, timing of cash flows on investments and products, general economic conditions and access to the capital markets and alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.

The discussion below describes our liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods set forth below:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$5,793$5,310$5,206
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(7,090)(592)(1,374)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities2,373(6,328)(2,162)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash1,076(1,610)1,670
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period2,6914,3012,631
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$3,767$2,691$4,301

Cash flows from Operating Activities

The principal operating cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, fees charged on our products and net investment income. The principal operating cash outflows are the result of the payment of annuity and life insurance benefits, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. The primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of earlier than expected contract holder and policyholder benefit payments.

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased $483 million to $5,793 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $5,310 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the timing of settlements of receivables and payables.

Cash flows from Investing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments, as well as settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. It is not unusual to have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are typically reinvested to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors or market disruptions that might impact the timing of investment-related cash flows as well as derivative collateral needs, which could result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries.

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities decreased $6,498 million to $(7,090) million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $(592) million during the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by increased purchases of debt securities in 2024, primarily due to increased RILA and fixed annuity issuances in 2024, and increased outflows related to our hedging program for derivative settlements and collateral, predominately resulting from increases in interest rates and equity markets in 2024 compared to 2023.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows from Financing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances, issuance of securities and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances, repayment of debt, and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early policyholder withdrawal.

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities increased $8,701 million to $2,373 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $(6,328) million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to higher deposits from increased RILA and fixed annuity sales in 2024 in addition to higher proceeds from repurchase agreements in the current year, partially offset by the proceeds we received in the prior year from the issuance of our preferred stock.

Statutory Capital

Our insurance company subsidiaries have statutory surplus above the level needed to meet current regulatory requirements. RBC requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula that incorporates both factor-based components (applied to various asset, premium, and statutory reserve items) and model-based components. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk, and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not to rank insurers generally. As of December 31, 2024, our insurance companies were well in excess of the minimum required capital levels.

With the execution of the Brooke Re transaction in the first quarter of 2024, we are now able to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor going forward. In the past, our statutory TAC (total adjusted capital) may have been negatively impacted by minimum required reserving levels (i.e., cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases were limited and unable to offset losses from our hedging program.

Jackson had an RBC ratio of 572%, 624% and 544% as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in Jackson’s RBC ratio as of December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in dividends paid in 2024, an increase in asset risk driven by RILA separate account growth and increased collateral, and increased business risk, partially offset by reductions in interest rate and market risk.

Holding Company Liquidity

As a holding company with no business operations of its own, Jackson Financial primarily derives cash flows from dividends and interest payments from its insurance subsidiaries. These principal sources of liquidity are expected to be supplemented by cash and short-term investments held by Jackson Financial, and access to bank lines of credit and the capital markets. We intend to maintain a minimum amount of cash and highly liquid securities at Jackson Financial adequate to fund two years of holding company fixed net expenses, which is currently targeted at $250 million but may change over time as we refinance existing debt or make changes to our debt and capital structure. The main uses of liquidity for Jackson Financial are interest payments and debt repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which may include stock repurchases, and capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. Our principal sources of liquidity and our anticipated capital position are described in the following paragraphs.

Any declaration of cash dividends or stock repurchases are at the discretion of JFI’s Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, regulatory constraints, level of indebtedness, preferred stock and other contractual restrictions with respect to paying cash dividends or repurchasing stock, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that JFI’s Board of Directors deems relevant in making any such determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our stock or approve any further increase in the existing, or any new, common stock repurchase program, or any assurance as to the amount of any such cash dividends or stock repurchases.

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Under Delaware law, dividends may be paid, or stock may be repurchased out of “surplus,” or out of the current or the immediately preceding year's earnings. Surplus is defined as the fair market value of net assets minus stated capital. JFI is a holding company and has no direct operations. All of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Any dividends we pay, or stock repurchases we make will depend upon the funds legally available for distribution, including dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries to us. The states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled impose certain restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to their parent companies. See “Distributions from our Insurance Company Subsidiaries” below for a discussion of those restrictions. Such restrictions, or any future restrictions adopted by the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, could have the effect, under certain circumstances, of significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable by our subsidiaries without affirmative approval of state regulatory authorities. See Item 1A. Risk Factors—“Risks relating to Financing and Liquidity - As a holding company, Jackson Financial depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other distributions to meet its obligations and liquidity needs, including servicing debt, dividend payments and stock repurchases.”

On March 13, 2023, the Company issued and sold depositary shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of our Fixed-Rate Reset Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. After underwriting discounts and expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $533 million. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 24 - Equity of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we paid a cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share and $0.70 per common share on JFI's preferred and common stock totaling $44 million and $216 million, respectively. On February 17, 2025, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the first quarter on JFI's common stock of $0.80 per share, payable on March 20, 2025, to common shareholders of record on March 11, 2025. The Company also announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed-Rate Reset Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. The dividend will be payable on March 31, 2025, to depositary shareholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2025.

On August 1, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $750 million in our existing authorization to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock as part of the Company's share repurchase program.

We repurchased a total of 5,778,990 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $415 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, which were funded with cash on hand. As of February 18, 2025, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase $568 million of its common shares.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 24 - Equity of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on dividends to shareholders and share repurchases.

During 2023, Jackson Financial purchased certain private equity fund investments from Jackson National Life Insurance Company for $452 million, with a carrying value of $502 million, as part of rebalancing Jackson National Life Insurance Company's portfolio mix. Jackson Financial sold these investments in October 2023. The Company recorded a loss of $97 million on the sale, which it recognized in Net Investment Income within the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, of which $37 million of this loss was attributable to Jackson Financial.

Distributions from our Insurance Company Subsidiaries

The ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions where such subsidiaries are domiciled as well as agreements entered into with regulators. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance company subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay.

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Subject to these limitations, our insurance company subsidiaries are permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under insurance laws of the relevant state of domicile, subject to prior notification to the appropriate regulatory agency. Any distributions above the amount permitted by statute in any twelve-month period are considered extraordinary dividends, and the approval of the appropriate regulator is required prior to payment. In Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (the Michigan Director of Insurance) may limit, or not permit, the payment of dividends from either Jackson or Brooke Life, Jackson's direct parent company, if it determines that the surplus of either of these subsidiaries is not reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and is not adequate to meet their financial needs, as required by the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956. Unless otherwise approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance, dividends may only be paid from earned surplus. Also, surplus note arrangements and interest payments must be approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance and such interest payments to related parties reduce the otherwise calculated ordinary dividend capacity for that period. In New York, all dividends require approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services.

For 2025, ordinary dividend capacity for Jackson and Brooke Life is based on the greater of 10% of 2024 reported statutory capital and surplus or statutory net gain from operations. This capacity is then reduced by cumulative dividends and other capital distributions in the preceding 12 months, subject to the availability of earned surplus. As a result of cumulative dividends and other capital distributions occurring in the preceding 12 months as of December 31, 2024, including the January 2024 distributions to establish Brooke Re, future dividends from both Jackson and Brooke Life are expected to be classified as extraordinary. There is a process within the Michigan Insurance Code to request extraordinary dividends that the companies have utilized previously. Brooke Life, as the sole owner of Jackson and Brooke Re, is the direct recipient of any dividend payments from those subsidiaries and must make dividend payments to its ultimate parent company, Jackson Financial, in order for any funds from our insurance company subsidiaries to reach Jackson Financial.

The maximum distribution permitted by law or contract is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay such distributions, which may be constrained by business and other considerations, such as imposition of withholding tax, the impact of such distributions on surplus, which could affect the insurer’s credit and financial strength ratings or competitive position, the ability to generate new annuity sales and the ability to pay future dividends or make other distributions. Further, state insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries following any dividend or distribution must be reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and adequate for the insurance subsidiaries’ financial needs. Along with solvency regulations, another primary consideration in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for insurance company subsidiaries. We believe our insurance company subsidiaries have sufficient statutory capital and surplus to maintain their desired financial strength ratings.

In connection with the formation of Brooke Re, Jackson remitted a $1,920 million return of capital to its parent company, Brooke Life, in the first quarter of 2024. Brooke Life subsequently made a $1,870 million capital contribution to its subsidiary, Brooke Re. Brooke Re then recorded a $1.2 billion ceding commission to Jackson.

On June 20, 2024, Jackson paid a $250 million extraordinary dividend to its parent company, Brooke Life. Brooke Life subsequently remitted a $250 million return of capital to its ultimate parent, Jackson Financial.

On September 12, 2024, Jackson paid a $300 million extraordinary dividend to Brooke Life. Brooke Life subsequently remitted a $255 million return of capital to Jackson Financial. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2024, Brooke Life paid $90 million of interest associated with the $2 billion surplus note between Brooke Life and Jackson Finance, LLC ("Jackson Finance"), a subsidiary of Jackson Financial.

On December 10, 2024, Jackson paid a $280 million extraordinary dividend to Brooke Life. Brooke Life subsequently remitted a $280 million return of capital to Jackson Financial.

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Insurance Company Subsidiaries’ Liquidity

The liquidity requirements for our insurance company subsidiaries primarily relate to the liabilities associated with their insurance and reinsurance activities, operating expenses and income taxes. Liabilities arising from insurance and reinsurance activities include the payment of policyholder benefits when due, cash payments in connection with policy surrenders and withdrawals and policy loans.

Liquidity requirements are principally for purchases of new investments, management of derivative related margin requirements, repayment of principal and interest on debt, payments of interest on surplus notes, funding of insurance product liabilities including payments for policy benefits, surrenders, maturities and new policy loans, funding of expenses including payment of commissions, operating expenses and taxes. As of December 31, 2024, Jackson’s outstanding surplus notes and bank debt included $52 million of bank loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI"), collateralized by mortgage-related securities and mortgage loans, and $250 million of surplus notes maturing in 2027.

Significant increases in interest rates could create sudden increases in surrender and withdrawal requests by customers and contract holders and result in increased liquidity requirements at our insurance company subsidiaries. Significant increases in interest rates or equity markets may also result in higher margin and collateral requirements on our derivative portfolio. The derivative contracts are an integral part of our risk management program, especially for the management of our variable annuities program, and are managed in accordance with our hedging and risk management program. Our cash flows associated with collateral received from counterparties and posted with counterparties fluctuates with changes in the market value of the underlying derivative contract and/or the market value of the collateral. The net collateral position depends on changes in interest rates and equity markets related to the amount of the exposures hedged. Collateral posting requirements can result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024, we were in a net collateral payable position of $150 million, which is down from $780 million as of December 31, 2023.

Other factors that are not directly related to interest rates can also give rise to an increase in liquidity requirements including, changes in ratings from rating agencies, general policyholder concerns relating to the life insurance industry (e.g., the unexpected default of a large, unrelated life insurer) and competition from other products, including non-insurance products such as mutual funds, certificates of deposit and newly developed investment products. Most of the life insurance and annuity products Jackson offers permit the policyholder or contract holder to withdraw or borrow funds or surrender cash values. As of December 31, 2024, all of our RILA policy and contract liabilities were subject to surrender charges of at least 5% or at market value in the event of discretionary withdrawal by customers. Further, approximately half of Jackson’s general account reserves are not surrenderable, included surrender charges greater than 5%, or included market value adjustments to discourage early withdrawal of policy and contract funds as of December 31, 2024.

The liquidity sources for our insurance company subsidiaries include their cash, short-term investments, sales of publicly traded bonds, insurance premiums, fees charged on their products, sales of annuities and institutional products, investment income, commercial repurchase agreements and utilization of a short-term borrowing facility with the FHLBI.

Jackson uses a variety of asset liability management techniques to provide for the orderly provision of cash flow from investments and other sources as policies and contracts mature in accordance with their normal terms. Jackson’s principal sources of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows associated with sudden and severe increases in surrenders and withdrawals or benefit payments are its portfolio of liquid assets and its net operating cash flows. As of December 31, 2024, the portfolio of cash, short-term investments and privately and publicly traded securities and equities that are unencumbered and unrestricted to sale, amounted to $26.4 billion.

Our Indebtedness

Senior Notes

In November 2021 and June 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of $2,350 million principal amount of its senior notes, shown as Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The proceeds of the note issuances were used, together with cash on hand, to retire the Company’s previously outstanding term loans. $600 million of these notes matured on November 22, 2023, and were paid with cash on hand at maturity.

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Revolving Credit and Short-Term Borrowing Facilities

On February 24, 2023, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (the "2023 Revolving Credit Facility") with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility replaced an existing revolving credit facility that was due to expire in February 2024. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings for working capital and other general corporate purposes under aggregate commitments of $1.0 billion, with a sub-limit of $500 million available for letters of credit. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility further provides for the ability to request, subject to customary terms and conditions, an increase in commitments thereunder by up to an additional $500 million. Commitments under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility terminate on February 24, 2028. Interest on borrowings may be based on a “Base Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 0.125% to 0.875%, or a “Term SOFR Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 1.125% to 1.875%. The applicable adder is based upon the ratings assigned to the Company’s senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt.

The credit agreement governing the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (including a change of control provision). See Note 13 – Long-Term Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding financial maintenance covenants contained in the credit agreement. We were in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2024.

Jackson is a party to an Uncommitted Money Market Line Credit Agreement dated April 6, 2023 among Jackson, Jackson Financial, and Société Générale. This agreement is an uncommitted short-term cash advance facility that provides an additional form of liquidity to Jackson and to Jackson Financial. The aggregate borrowing capacity under the agreement is $500 million and each cash advance request must be at least $100 thousand. The interest rate is set by the lender at the time of the borrowing and is fixed for the duration of the advance. Jackson and Jackson Financial are jointly and severally liable to repay any advance under the agreement, which must be repaid prior to the last day of the quarter in which the advance was drawn.

Surplus Notes

On March 15, 1997, our subsidiary, Jackson, issued 8.2% surplus notes in the principal amount of $250 million due March 15, 2027. These surplus notes are unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims and may not be redeemed at the option of the Company or any holder prior to maturity. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th of each year. Interest expense on the notes was $20 million, $20 million, and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Under Michigan insurance law, for statutory reporting purposes, the surplus notes are not part of the legal liabilities of Jackson and are considered surplus funds. Payments of interest or principal may only be made with the prior approval of the Michigan Director of Insurance and only out of surplus earnings that the Director determines to be available for such payments under Michigan insurance law.

Federal Home Loan Bank

Jackson is a member of the regional FHLBI primarily for the purpose of participating in its collateralized loan advance program with funding facilities. Membership requires us to purchase and hold a minimum amount of FHLBI capital stock, plus additional stock based on outstanding advances. Advances are in the form of either notes or funding agreements issued to FHLBI. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, Jackson held a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $52 million and $57 million, respectively.

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Collateral Upgrade Transactions

During the first quarter of 2024, Jackson executed certain paired repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions totaling approximately $1.5 billion pursuant to master repurchase agreements with participating bank counterparties. Under these transactions, the Company lends securities (e.g., corporate debt securities) to bank counterparties in exchange for U.S. Treasury securities. The paired repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions are settled on a net basis. As a result, there was no cash exchanged at initiation of these transactions. The paired transactions are reported net within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These transactions are evergreened and require at least 150-days' notice prior to termination. See “Collateral Upgrade Transactions” under Note 4 – Investments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Services in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in this Form 10-K for additional information.

Financial Strength Ratings

Our access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, the attractiveness of certain of our subsidiaries’ products to customers, our attractiveness as a reinsurer to potential ceding companies and requirements for derivatives collateral posting are affected by our credit ratings and financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting consumer confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products as well as critical factors considered by ceding companies in selecting a reinsurer.

Our principal insurance company subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurer or reinsurer to meet its obligations under an insurance policy or reinsurance arrangement and generally involve quantitative and qualitative evaluations by rating agencies of a company’s financial condition and operating performance. Generally, rating agencies base their financial strength ratings upon information furnished to them by the company and upon their own investigations, studies and assumptions. Financial strength ratings are based upon factors of concern to customers, distribution partners and ceding companies and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Financial strength ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.

As of February 18, 2025, the financial strength ratings of our principal insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

CompanyA.M. BestFitchMoody’sS&P
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
RatingAAA3A
Outlookstablestablestablestable
Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York
RatingAAA3A
Outlookstablestablestablestable
Brooke Life Insurance Company
RatingA
Outlookstable

In evaluating our Company’s financial strength, the rating agencies evaluate a variety of factors including our strategy, market positioning and record, mix of business, profitability, leverage and liquidity, the adequacy and soundness of our reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of our assets, the adequacy of our surplus, our capital structure, and the experience and competence of our management.

In addition to the financial strength ratings, rating agencies use an outlook statement to indicate a short- or medium-term trend which, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A positive outlook indicates a rating may be raised and a negative outlook indicates a rating may be lowered. A stable outlook is assigned when ratings are not likely to be changed. Outlooks should not be confused with expected stability of the issuer’s financial or economic performance. A stable outlook does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.

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A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch review their ratings of insurance companies from time to time. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in their judgment, circumstances so warrant. While the degree to which ratings adjustments will affect sales of our annuities and institutional products, and persistency is unknown, if our ratings are negatively adjusted for any reason, we believe we could experience a material decline in the sales in our individual channel, origination in our institutional channel, and the persistency of our existing business.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations identified within Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note. 5. Derivative Instruments, Note 9. Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable, Note 10. Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 11. Separate Account Assets and Liabilities, Note 12. Market Risk Benefits, Note 13. Long-Term Debt, Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17. Leases.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a complete discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting us, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The following are our most critical estimates, which require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of the estimates and judgments that we apply or our accounting policies. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable

We establish reserves for future policy benefits to, or on behalf of, customers in the same period in which the policy is issued or acquired, using methodologies prescribed by U.S. GAAP.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits

For non-participating traditional life insurance contracts and limited pay life-contingent contracts, which include term, whole life, and payout annuities with significant insurance risk, reserves for future policy benefits represents the present value of estimated future policy benefits to be paid to, or on behalf of, policyholders in future periods and certain related expenses less the present value of estimated future net premiums.

Reserves for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional and limited-payment insurance contracts are measured using the net premium ratio (NPR) measurement model. The NPR measurement model accrues for future policy benefits in proportion to the premium revenue recognized. The reserve for future policy benefits is derived from the Company's best estimate of future net premium and future benefits and expenses, which is based on best estimate assumptions, including mortality, persistency, claims expense, and discount rate. On an annual basis, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our current best estimate assumptions based on our experience, industry benchmarking, and other factors, as applicable. Expense assumptions are updated based on estimates of expected non-level costs, such as termination or settlement costs, and costs after the premium-paying period, and exclude acquisition costs or any costs that are required to be charged to expenses as incurred. Updates to assumptions are applied on a retrospective basis, and each reporting period the reserve for future policy benefits is updated to reflect actual experience to date.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company establishes cohorts, which are product groupings used to measure reserves for future policy benefits. In determining cohorts, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors, including the issue year, type of product, product features, and legal entity.

The discount rate used to estimate reserves for future policy benefits is consistent with an upper-medium grade (low-credit risk) fixed-income corporate instrument yield, which has been interpreted to represent a single-A corporate instrument yield. This discount rate curve is determined by fitting a parametric function to yields to maturity and related times to maturity of market observable single-A rated corporate instruments. The discount rate used to recognize interest accretion on the reserves for future policy benefits is locked at the initial measurement of the cohort. Each reporting period, the reserve for future policy benefits is remeasured using the current discount rate. The difference between the reserve calculated using the current discount rate and the reserve calculated using the locked-in discount rate is recorded in other comprehensive income.

Additional Liabilities - Universal Life-type

The Company issues universal life plans with secondary guarantees and interest-sensitive life plans. The primary reserves for these policies are the contract holder account balances reported within the other contract holder funds line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Where these contracts provide additional benefits beyond the account balance or base insurance coverage that are not market risk benefits or embedded derivatives, liabilities in addition to the policyholder’s account value are recognized. These additional liabilities for annuitization, death and other insurance benefits are reported within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. The methodology uses a benefit ratio defined as a constant percentage of the assessment base. This ratio is multiplied by current period assessments to determine the reserve accrual for the period. The measurements of the additional liabilities for annuitization, death and other insurance benefits are based on best estimate assumptions including mortality, persistency, investment returns, and discount rates. These assumptions are similarly subject to the annual review process discussed above.

Other Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable

In conjunction with a prior acquisition, we recorded a fair value adjustment related to certain annuity and interest-sensitive life blocks of business to reflect the cost of the interest guarantees within the in-force liabilities, based on the difference between the guaranteed interest rate and an assumed new money guaranteed interest rate. This adjustment is recorded in reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. This component of the acquired reserves is reassessed at the end of each period, taking into account changes in the in-force block. Any resulting change in the reserve is recorded as a change in policy reserve through the Consolidated Income Statements.

In addition, life and annuity claims liabilities in course of settlement are included in other future policy benefits and claims payable.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 9- Reserve for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Market Risk Benefits

Contracts or contract features that provide protection to the contract holder from capital market risk and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk are classified as market risk benefits, or MRBs. All long-duration insurance contracts and certain investment contracts are subject to MRB evaluation. MRBs are measured at fair value at the contract level and can be in either an asset or liability position. For contracts that contain multiple MRB features, the MRBs are valued together as a single compound MRB.

The use of models and assumptions to determine fair value of MRBs requires a significant amount of judgment. The significant assumptions used in the MRB fair value calculations are:

•Mortality rates - These vary by attained age, tax qualification status, guaranteed benefit election, and duration. The range used reflects ages from the minimum issue age for the benefit through age 95, which corresponds to the typical maturity age. A mortality improvement assumption is also applied.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

•Base lapse rates - These vary by contract-level factors, such as product type, surrender charge schedule and guaranteed benefits election. Lapse rates are further adjusted based on the degree to which a guaranteed benefit is in-the-money, with lower lapse applying when benefits are more in-the-money. Lapse rates are also adjusted to reflect lower lapse expectations when guaranteed benefits are utilized.

•Utilization rates - These represent the expected percentage of contracts that will utilize the benefit through annuitization (GMIB) or commencement of withdrawals (GMWB). Utilization may vary by benefit type, attained age, duration, tax qualification status, benefit provision, and degree to which the guaranteed benefit is in-the-money.

•Withdrawal rates - These represent the percentage of annual withdrawal assumed relative to the maximum allowable withdrawal amount under the free partial withdrawal provision or the GMWB, as applicable. Free partial withdrawal rates vary based on the product type, duration, and GMAB election. Withdrawal rates on contracts with a GMWB vary based on attained age, tax qualification status, GMWB type and GMWB benefit provisions.

•Non-performance risk adjustment - This is applied as a spread over the risk-free rate to determine the rate used to discount the related cash flows and varies by projection year.

•Long-term equity volatility - This represents the equity volatility beyond the period for which observable equity volatilities are available.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Variable Annuities

We issue variable contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder. Certain of these contracts include contract provisions by which we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest account value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable upon the depletion of funds (GMWB), in the event of death (GMDB), at annuitization (GMIB), or at the end of a specified period (GMAB). Substantially all of our GMIB benefits are reinsured. GMIB benefits were discontinued in 2009. For additional information regarding our account value by optional guarantee benefit, see Item 1. Business–Our Product Offerings by Segments–Retail Annuities–Variable Annuities in this report.

Variable annuity guaranteed benefit features classified as MRBs, which have explicit fees, are measured using the attributed fee method. Under the attributed fee method, fair value is measured as the difference between the present value of projected future liabilities and the present value of projected attributed fees. At the inception of the contract, the Company attributes to the MRB a portion of total fees expected to be assessed against the contract holder to offset the projected claims over the lifetime of the contract. The attributed fee is expressed as a percentage of total projected future fees at inception of the contract. This percentage of total projected fees is considered a fixed term of the MRB feature and is held static over the life of the contract. This percentage may not exceed 100% of the total projected contract fees as of contract inception. As the Company may issue contracts that have projected future liabilities greater than the projected future guaranteed benefit fees at issue, the Company may also attribute mortality and expense charges when performing this calculation. In subsequent valuations, both the present value of future projected liabilities and the present value of projected attributed fees are remeasured based on current market conditions and policyholder behavior assumptions.

Fixed Index Annuities

The longevity riders issued on fixed index annuities are classified as MRBs and measured at fair value. Similar to the variable annuity guaranteed benefits features, these contracts have explicit fees and are measured using the attributed fee method. The Company attributes a percentage of total projected future fees expected to be assessed against the policyholder to offset the projected future claims over the lifetime of the contract. If the fees attributed are insufficient to offset the claims at issue, the shortfall is borrowed from the host contract rather than recognizing a loss at inception.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

RILA

RILA guaranteed benefit features are classified as MRBs and measured at fair value. The fair value measurement represents the present value of future claims payable by the MRB feature. At inception, the value of the MRB is deducted from the value of the contract resulting in no gain or loss.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Income Taxes

Income taxes represent the net amount of income taxes that we expect to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with our operations. We provide for federal and state income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company did not elect to early adopt the proposed regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service for the 2023 tax returns and relied on reasonable interpretations of previously published guidance resulting in a reduction to the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (“CAMT”) liability and related CAMT deferred tax asset previously recorded as of December 31, 2023. The determination of the estimated 2024 CAMT liability considered carryover impacts from the 2023 tax return and consideration of the applicability of the proposed regulations. The U.S. Treasury Department is expected to issue Final Regulations after the year ended December 31, 2024, which may materially change the estimated provision of the CAMT.

Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Such temporary differences are principally related to the effects of recording certain invested assets at market value, the deferral of acquisition costs and sales inducements and the provisions for future policy benefits and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We are required to test the value of deferred tax assets for realizability. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we consider the carryback eligibility of losses, reversal of existing temporary differences, estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

Determining the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets requires management to make certain judgments and assumptions regarding future operations that are based on historical experience and expectations of future performance. To recognize a tax benefit in the Consolidated Financial Statements, there must be a greater than 50% chance of success of our position being sustained by the relevant taxing authority. Management’s judgments are potentially subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future performance, which is impacted by such factors as policyholder behavior, competitor pricing and other specific industry and market conditions.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 15 – Income Taxes for additional information on these accounting policies and the estimated provision for the CAMT.

Reinsurance

Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risk with respect to reinsurance receivables. We periodically review actual and anticipated experience compared to the previously mentioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluate the financial strength of counterparties to our reinsurance agreements. Counterparty credit risk may be managed through the use of letters of credit, collateral trusts or on balance sheet funds withheld agreements. Assets held under funds withheld agreements are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and subject to triggers embedded within the relevant reinsurance agreements.

Additionally, for each of our reinsurance agreements, we determine whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. We review all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

For reinsurance contracts, reinsurance recoverable balances are generally calculated using methodologies and assumptions that are consistent with those used to calculate the direct liabilities. For non-participating traditional life insurance contracts and limited pay life-contingent contracts, there may be reinsurance contracts executed subsequent to the direct contract issue dates, and market interest rates may have changed between the date that the underlying insurance contracts were issued and the date the reinsurance contract is recognized in the financial statements, resulting in the underlying discount rate differing between the direct and reinsured business.

Our guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIBs) are reinsured with an unrelated party. For contracts that only ceded the GMIB feature of our annuity products, the reinsurance contract in its entirety is classified as a reinsured market risk benefit or MRB. Accordingly, the reinsured MRB is recorded at fair value using internally developed models consistent with those used to value our direct MRBs.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 - Reinsurance of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Investments – Valuation and Impairment

We determine the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. When necessary, we may also determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values also, if appropriate, reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, credit rating, liquidity and incorporate risk margins for unobservable inputs.

Where quoted market prices are not available, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data, as well as the best information about the individual financial instrument. At times, illiquid market conditions could result in inactive markets for certain of our financial instruments. In such instances, there could be no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments deemed to be in an illiquid market are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors. These fair values are estimates and involve considerable uncertainty and variability as a result of the inputs selected and may differ materially from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. As a result of market inactivity, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

We periodically review our available-for-sale debt securities on a case-by-case basis to determine if an impairment is necessary for securities with a decline in fair value to below cost or amortized cost. Factors considered in determining whether an impairment is necessary include whether we have the intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the amortized cost basis is fully recovered, the severity of the unrealized loss, the reasons for the decline in value and expectations for the amount and timing of a recovery in fair value. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, for which we deem an impairment necessary, the amortized cost may be written down to fair value through net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments, or an ACL may be recorded along with a charge to net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments.

Securities determined to be underperforming, or potential problem securities are subject to regular review. To facilitate the review, securities with significant declines in value, or where other objective criteria evidencing credit deterioration have been met, are included on a watch list. Among the criteria for securities to be included on a watch list are: credit deterioration that has led to a significant decline in fair value of the security; a significant covenant related to the security has been breached; or an issuer has filed or indicated a possibility of filing for bankruptcy, has missed or announced it intends to miss a scheduled interest or principal payment, or has experienced a specific material adverse change that could impair its creditworthiness.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

In performing these reviews, we consider the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and exercise considerable judgment in determining whether an impairment is needed for a particular security. Assessment factors include judgments about an obligor’s current and projected financial position, an issuer’s current and projected ability to service and repay its debt obligations, the existence of, and realizable value of, any collateral backing the obligations and the outlooks for specific industries and issuers. This assessment may also involve assumptions regarding underlying collateral such as prepayment rates, default and recovery rates, and third-party servicing capabilities.

In addition to the review procedures described above, investments in asset-backed securities where market prices are depressed are subject to a review of their future estimated cash flows, including expected and stress case scenarios, to identify potential shortfalls in contractual payments. These estimated cash flows are developed using available performance indicators from the underlying assets including current and projected default or delinquency rates, levels of credit enhancement, current subordination levels, vintage, expected loss severity and other relevant characteristics. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against third-party sources.

For mortgage-backed securities, credit losses are assessed using a cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying mortgages, using the security-specific collateral characteristics and transaction structure. The model estimates cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans and distributes those cash flows to various tranches of securities, considering the transaction structure and any subordination and credit enhancements existing in that structure. The cash flow model incorporates actual cash flows on the mortgage-backed securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions, including prepayment speeds, default rates and loss severity. Specifically, for prime and Alt-A RMBS, the assumed default percentage is dependent on the severity of delinquency status, with foreclosures and real estate owned receiving higher rates, but also includes the currently performing loans. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against other third-party sources. In addition, these estimates are extrapolated along a default timing curve to estimate the total lifetime pool default rate.

After these reviews, we recognize impairments on debt securities in an unrealized loss position when any of the following circumstances exists:

•We intend to sell a security;

•It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security prior to recovery; or

•We do not expect full recovery of the amortized cost based on the discounted cash flows estimated to be collected.

Mortgage loans, which are not carried at fair value under the fair value option, are carried at the aggregate unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any applicable unamortized discount or premium, or ACL. Acquisition discounts and premiums on mortgage loans are amortized into investment income through maturity dates using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on the principal balance of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income and amortization of premiums and discounts are reported in net investment income along with prepayment fees and mortgage loan fees, which are recorded as incurred.

We review mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to estimate the ACL with changes in the ACL recorded in net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments. Apart from an ACL recorded on individual mortgage loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, we record an ACL on the pool of mortgage loans based on lifetime expected credit losses. Credit loss estimates are pooled by property type and unfunded commitments are included in the model with an allowance for credit losses determined accordingly.

Mortgage loans on real estate deemed uncollectible are charged against the ACL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL.

Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost of debt securities and mortgage loans. An allowance for credit losses is not estimated on an accrued interest receivable. Rather, receivable balances that are deemed uncollectible are written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Critical Accounting Estimates

Derivatives

Freestanding Derivative Instruments

We enter into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, put-swaptions, futures, forwards, and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, foreign currency, credit quality or degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows that we have acquired or incurred.

Freestanding derivative instruments are reported at fair value, which reflects the estimated amounts, net of payment accruals, that we would receive or pay upon sale or termination of the contracts at the reporting date. Freestanding derivatives priced using third party pricing services incorporate inputs that are predominantly observable in the market. The determination of the estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, non-performance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 5 - Derivative Instruments and Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on significant inputs into our derivative pricing methodology.

Embedded Derivatives - Product Liabilities

For our registered index-linked and fixed index annuities, the equity-linked option issued by the Company is accounted for at fair value as an embedded derivative on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of other contract holder funds, with changes in fair value recorded in net income. The policyholder account value is the imputed value of the underlying guaranteed host contract.

The fair value of the embedded derivative for the FIA and RILA products is determined using an option-budget method with capital market inputs of market index returns and discount rates as well as actuarial assumptions including lapse, mortality and withdrawal rates. We typically update our actuarial assumptions annually as discussed above, unless a material change is observed in an interim period that we feel is indicative of a long-term trend.

The underlying assumptions may have a material impact on the measurement of the embedded derivative, including equity market movements. Thus, favorable equity market movements cause increases in future contract holder benefits, resulting in an increase in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability (and vice versa).

See Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 5 - Derivative Instruments and Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our accounting policies for embedded derivatives bifurcated for insurance host contracts.

Embedded Derivatives - Funds Withheld Reinsurance Agreements

The Company has recorded an embedded derivative liability related to the Athene coinsurance agreement (the “Athene Embedded Derivative”) in accordance with ASC 815-15 as Jackson’s obligation under the coinsurance agreement is based on the total return of investments in a segregated funds withheld account rather than Jackson’s own creditworthiness. As the coinsurance agreement transfers the economics of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account to Athene, they will receive an investment return equivalent to owning the underlying assets. At inception of the coinsurance agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative was valued at zero. Additionally, the inception fair value of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account differed from their book value and, accordingly, the amortization of this difference is reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement, while the investments are held. Subsequent to the effective date of the coinsurance agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative is measured at fair value with changes reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Athene Embedded Derivative Liability is included in Funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Critical Accounting Estimates

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 - Reinsurance of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income reported for each of our three segments and Corporate and Other includes an allocation for investment income generated on assigned capital. The amount of capital assigned to each of our segments for purposes of measuring segment net investment income is established at a level that management considers necessary to support the segment’s risks. This assessment is determined based upon internal models and contemplates the NAIC RBC requirements at internally defined levels. Net investment income on capital in excess of the amount required to support our core operating strategies is reflected in Corporate and Other.

Contingent Liabilities

We are a party to legal actions and, at times, regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate their impact on our financial position. A reserve is established for contingent liabilities if it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of our contingent liabilities, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded, could have a material effect upon our financial position. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of contingent liabilities is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

The Company invests in a number of asset types that it has determined are VIEs, such as equity positions in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), limited partnerships (“LPs”), limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and mutual funds that are assessed to determine whether they meet the criteria as a VIE. For those entities deemed to be VIEs, we further assess whether the VIE must be consolidated as a result of the terms specific to each entity. Entities for which consolidation is required are included on our Consolidated Financial Statements. To the extent that external parties are also invested in these VIEs, a non-controlling interest is reflected on our Consolidated Financial Statements as well. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 4 - Investments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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FY 2023 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001822993-24-000009.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2024-02-28. Report date: 2023-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

This executive summary of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation highlights selected information and may not contain all the information that is important to current or potential investors in our securities. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Form 10-K") in its entirety for a more detailed description of events, trends, uncertainties, risks and critical accounting estimates affecting us.

Discussion related to the results of operations for the Company's comparison of 2022 results to 2021 results has been omitted in this Form 10-K. The Company's comparison of 2022 results to 2021 results is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023, (the "2022 Annual Report"), as recast to reflect the adoption of LDTI in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 2023, under Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Jackson Financial Inc. (“Jackson Financial” or “JFI”) along with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial services company focused on helping Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income to enable them to pursue financial freedom for life. Jackson Financial, domiciled in the state of Delaware, United States (“U.S.”), was previously a subsidiary of Prudential plc (“Prudential”), London, England and was the holding company for Prudential’s U.S. operations. The Company's demerger from Prudential was completed on September 13, 2021 (the "Demerger"). Jackson Financial’s primary operating subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company ("Jackson"), is licensed to sell group and individual annuity products (including immediate, registered index-linked, deferred fixed, fixed index, fixed and variable annuities), and various protection products, primarily whole life, universal life, variable universal life and term life insurance products in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Executive Summary

We help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income to enable them to pursue financial freedom for life. We believe that we are uniquely positioned in our markets because of our differentiated products, well-known brand and disciplined risk management. Our market position is supported by our efficient and scalable operating platform and industry-leading distribution network. We believe these core strengths will enable us to grow profitably as an aging, U.S. population transitions into retirement.

We earn revenues predominantly from fee income, spread income resulting from what we earn on investments versus the interest we credit to contract holders, and margins on other insurance products. Our profitability is dependent on our ability to properly price and manage risk on insurance and annuity products, to manage our portfolio of investments effectively, and to control costs through expense discipline.

Due to funds withheld reinsurance arrangements, including the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, we hold significant assets whose investment performance accrues to the benefit of the related reinsurer.

We experience net income volatility due to the fact that we do not directly use hedging to offset the movement in our U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") market risk benefit liabilities as market conditions change from period to period. Our core dynamic hedging program seeks to offset changes in the economic liability associated with variable annuity guaranteed benefits due to market movements, while our macro hedging program seeks to protect statutory capital under a range of stress scenarios. We do not directly seek to offset the movement in our market risk benefit liabilities from changes in market conditions. As a result, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives used as part of our overall hedging program are not expected to match the movements in the market risk benefit liabilities resulting in volatility from changes in fair value recorded to net income. Accordingly, we evaluate and manage the performance of our business using Adjusted Operating Earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that reduces the impact of market volatility by excluding changes in fair value of freestanding and embedded derivative instruments, market risk benefits and other items. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM America Inc. ("PPM"), which manages the majority of our general account investment portfolio, in Corporate and Other. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 3 - Segment Information of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our segments.

An understanding of several key operating measures, including sales, account value, net flows, benefit base and assets under management ("AUM"), is helpful in evaluating our results. See “Key Operating Measures” below. Finally, we are affected by various economic, industry and regulatory trends, which are described below under “Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends.”

The table below presents selected financial and operating measures:

Years Ended December 31,
20232022
(in millions, except percentages)
Total Sales$13,898$18,135
Assets Under Management ("AUM")315,838290,549
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders8996,186
Adjusted Operating Earnings (1)1,0731,454
Capital Returned to Common Shareholders464482
Return on Equity ("ROE") Attributable to Common Shareholders10.3%69.7%
Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders on average adjusted book value (1)10.6%16.2%
Jackson statutory risk-based capital (2)624%544%

(1) Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

(2) Based on a Company Action Level basis.

Recent Events of Note

•Capital Returned to Common Shareholders: During 2023, we returned $464 million to our common shareholders consisting of $209 million in dividends and $255 million in common share repurchases. Our capital return target for common shareholders for 2023 was $450-$550 million. Share repurchases, net of issuances for our share-based compensation, have reduced our outstanding shares of common stock from 82,690,098 at December 31, 2022 to 78,660,221 at December 31, 2023. See Item 8. Financial Statement and Supplementary Data -- Note 24 - Equity of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our share repurchases.

•RILA Product: In the fourth quarter of 2021, our primary life insurance subsidiary, Jackson, successfully launched Jackson Market Link ProSM and Jackson Market Link Pro AdvisorySM, a commission and an advisory based suite of registered index-linked annuities ("RILA"). In the second quarter of 2023, we enhanced our RILA suite of products with the launch of Jackson Market Link ProSM II and Jackson Market Link Pro AdvisorySM II. See “Key Operating Measures – Sales” below for information regarding RILA sales.

•2023 Annual Assumption Updates: Consistent with prior years, we completed our annual actuarial assumptions review in the fourth quarter of 2023. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities – Actuarial Assumption Changes (Unlocking)” below and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the notable assumption change updates included in the MRB calculation.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Executive Summary

•Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ("IRA"): As discussed in Item 8. Note 15 - Income Taxes of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, a new corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) based on adjusted financial statement income, rather than reported taxable income, became effective January 1, 2023. We are subject to the CAMT in 2023. Any CAMT incurred is treated as a taxable temporary difference, and recorded as a deferred tax asset ("DTA"). We have determined that a valuation allowance against the DTA is not currently required therefore there is no direct impact on total income tax expense; although it could affect our cash tax liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded an estimate of $263 million for the provision for the CAMT based on the Company's interpretation of guidance with an offsetting increase to the deferred tax asset for the credit carryover resulting in no impact to total tax expense. The calculation of adjusted financial statement income, and therefore the CAMT, is subject to the issuance of regulatory guidance by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which may materially change the estimated provision for the CAMT. We continue to monitor developments and regulations associated with the IRA for any potential future impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

•Brooke Life Reinsurance Company (“Brooke Re”): During the first quarter of 2024, Jackson entered into a 100% coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance transaction with Brooke Re with all economics of the transaction effective as of January 1, 2024. Jackson and Brooke Re are both direct subsidiaries of Brooke Life. The transaction provides for the cession from Jackson to Brooke Re of liabilities associated with certain guaranteed benefit riders under our variable annuity contracts and similar products of Jackson (“market risk benefits”), both in-force on the effective date of the reinsurance agreement and written in the future (i.e., on a “flow” basis) as well as related future fees, claims and other benefits, and maintenance expenses in exchange for a ceding commission for the in-force business. Jackson retains the variable annuity base contract, the annuity contract administration of the ceded business, and responsibility for investment management of the assets in the funds withheld account supporting the ceded liabilities. Brooke Re paid a ceding commission of approximately $1.2 billion to Jackson in connection with the execution of the reinsurance transaction. The reinsurance transaction eliminates upon consolidation at JFI. Holding company liquidity at JFI was not impacted by the transactions.

Brooke Re is a Michigan captive insurer regulated by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and created in the first quarter of 2024 for the express purpose of serving as the counterparty to the reinsurance transaction previously described with Jackson. Brooke Re was capitalized with assets contributed from Brooke Life of approximately $1.9 billion originating from Jackson as a return of capital to Brooke Life. Brooke Re will utilize a modified GAAP approach primarily related to market risk benefits, with the intent to increase alignment between assets and liabilities in response to changes in economic factors.

The transaction allows us to mitigate the impact of the cash surrender value floor on Jackson’s total adjusted capital, statutory required capital, and risk-based capital ratio, as well as to allow for more efficient economic hedging of the underlying risks of Jackson’s business. This outcome will serve the interests of policyholders by protecting statutory capital through diminished non-economic hedging and related costs. Overall, this transaction allows us to optimize our hedging, stabilize capital generation, and produce more predictable financial results going forward.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Key Operating Measures

We use a number of operating measures, discussed below, which management believes provide useful information about our businesses and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.

Sales

Sales of annuities and institutional products include all money deposited by customers into new and existing contracts. We believe sales statistics are useful to gaining an understanding of, among other things, the attractiveness of our products, how we can best meet our customers’ needs, evolving industry product trends and the performance of our business from period to period.

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Sales
Variable annuities$9,540$13,638$19,073
RILA2,8901,811108
Fixed Index Annuities210126115
Fixed Annuities(1)19316233
Total Retail Annuity Sales12,83315,73719,329
Total Institutional Product Sales1,0652,398475
Total Sales$13,898$18,135$19,804
(1) Includes payout annuities

For the year ended December 31, 2023, total sales decreased significantly compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Lower retail sales were primarily due to decreased sales of our variable annuities with lifetime living benefits, partially offset by RILA sales. Sales of fixed index and fixed annuities increased in 2023 due to the higher interest rate environment, which enabled more favorable pricing actions. In addition, sales of our institutional products were lower compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, reflecting our opportunistic approach to this business, depending on both the risk-adjusted return on investment opportunities available and the prevailing cost of funding required by purchasers.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Account Value

Account value ("AV") generally equals the account value of our variable annuities, RILA, fixed index annuities, fixed annuities, interest sensitive life, and institutional products. It reflects the total amount of customer invested assets that have accumulated within a respective product and equals cumulative customer contributions, which includes gross deposits or premiums, plus accrued credited interest plus or minus the impact of market movements, as applicable, less withdrawals and various fees. We believe account value is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, the sources of potential fee and spread income generation, potential benefit obligations and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Account Value
GMWB For Life$166,688$149,706
GMWB6,0925,674
GMIB1,3521,356
No Living Benefits53,64549,073
Total Variable Annuity Account Value227,777205,809
RILA5,2191,875
Fixed Index Annuity (1)622415
Fixed Annuity (1)1,2181,219
Total Fixed & Fixed Index Annuity Account Value (1)1,8401,634
Payout Annuity(1)$629$649
Total Retail Annuities Account Value(1)$235,465$209,967
Total Institutional Products Account Value$8,406$9,019
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Account Value (1)$8,032$8,288
(1) Net of reinsurance

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Net Flows

Net flows represent the net change in customer account balances during a period, reflecting gross premiums received and surrenders, withdrawals and benefits payments. Net flows exclude investment performance, interest credited to customer accounts, transfers between fixed and variable benefits for variable annuities and policy charges. We believe net flows is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, sales, ongoing premiums and deposits, the changes in account value from period to period, sources of potential fee and spread income and policyholder behavior.

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Net Flows:
Variable Annuity$(9,277)$(2,407)$(1,011)
RILA2,8201,803108
Fixed Index Annuity (1)199124106
Fixed Annuity (1)(11)9013
Payout Annuity (1)(69)(79)(81)
Total Retail Annuities Net Flows (1)(6,338)(469)(865)
Net flows ceded to Athene(4,063)(3,182)(2,521)
Total Retail Annuities net flows, gross of reinsurance$(10,401)$(3,651)$(3,386)
Total Institutional Products Net Flows$(985)$40$(2,440)
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Net Flows (1)$(273)$(270)$(250)
(1) Net of reinsurance

Net flows, net of reinsurance, decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, driven by the decreased variable annuity sales coupled with increased variable annuity surrenders and withdrawals, partially offset by increased RILA sales. Variable annuity net flows were more than offset by an increase in AUM, as defined below, due to market performance in 2023.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Benefit Base

Benefit base refers to a notional amount that represents the value of a customer’s guaranteed benefit and, therefore, may be a different value from the invested assets in a customer’s account value. The benefit base may be used to calculate the fees for a customer’s guaranteed benefits within an annuity contract. The guaranteed death benefit and guaranteed living benefit within the same contract may not have the same benefit base. We believe benefit base is a useful metric for our variable annuity policies in providing an understanding of, among other things, fee income generation, potential optional guarantee benefit obligations and risk management priorities. The following table shows variable annuity account value and benefit base as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Years Ended December 31,
20232022
Account ValueBenefit BaseAccount ValueBenefit Base
(in millions)
No Living Benefits$53,645N/A$49,073N/A
By Guaranteed Living Benefits:
GMWB for Life166,688188,722149,706189,814
GMWB6,0925,3485,6745,655
GMIB (1)1,3521,7991,3561,929
Total$227,777$195,869$205,809$197,398
By Guaranteed Death Benefit:
Return of AV (No GMDB)$27,486N/A$25,049N/A
Return of Premium174,841137,287157,339138,419
Highest Anniversary Value ("HAV")13,21313,52212,12814,272
Rollup3,3474,4843,2294,695
Combination HAV/Rollup8,89010,0578,06410,297
Total$227,777$165,350$205,809$167,683
(1) Substantially all our GMIB benefits are reinsured.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Assets Under Management

AUM, or assets under management, refers to investment assets that are managed by one of our subsidiaries and includes: (i) assets managed by PPM, including our investment portfolio (but excluding assets held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions) and third-party assets (including our former parent and its affiliates) and (ii) the separate account assets of our Retail Annuities segment managed and administered by one of our subsidiaries, Jackson National Asset Management LLC ("JNAM"). Total AUM reflects exclusions between segments to avoid double counting. We believe AUM is a useful metric for understanding, among other things, the sources of our earnings, net investment income and performance of our invested assets, customer directed investments and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Jackson Invested Assets$44,068$44,486
Third Party Invested Assets (including CLOs)29,04326,993
Total PPM AUM73,11171,479
Total JNAM AUM242,727219,070
Total AUM$315,838$290,549

Total AUM increased for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, driven primarily by an increase in separate account balances managed by JNAM due to positive equity market returns during the year.

Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

We discuss a number of trends and uncertainties below that we believe could materially affect our future business performance, including our results of operations, our investments, our cash flows, and our capital and liquidity position.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Conditions

Our business and results of operations are affected by macroeconomic factors. The level of interest rates and shape of the yield curve, credit and equity market performance and equity volatility, regulation, tax policy, the level of U.S. employment, inflation and the overall U.S. economic growth rate can affect both our short- and long-term profitability. Monetary and fiscal policy in the U.S., or similar actions in foreign nations, could result in increased volatility in financial markets, including interest rates, currencies and equity markets, and could impact our business in both the short- and medium-term. Government actions, including responses to future pandemics, civil unrest, tariffs or other barriers to international trade, and the effects that these or other government events could have on levels of U.S. economic activity, could also impact our business through any of their individual impacts on consumers’ behavior or on financial markets.

In the short- to medium-term, the potential for increased volatility could pressure sales and reduce demand for our products as consumers consider purchasing alternative products to meet their objectives. Our financial performance can be adversely affected by market volatility and equity market declines if fees assessed on the account value of our annuities fluctuate, hedging costs increase and revenues decline due to reduced sales and increased outflows.

In early March through late April 2023, several regional U.S. banks were taken over by federal regulators with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") named as the receiver. These bank failures raised concern among investors and depositors regarding the solvency and liquidity of regional banks across the country, leading to increased stress on the banking sector. Except for assets held as part of reinsurance arrangements within our funds withheld portfolios, where the Company does not have direct exposure to default risk, the Company's general account portfolio had no exposure to Silicon Valley Bank ("SVB"), Signature Bank, First Republic Bank, and Credit Suisse Additional Tier 1 debt as of December 31, 2023.

Equity Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by equity market performance. On our variable annuities, the fees we earn that are not associated with guaranteed benefits are mainly based on the account value, which changes with equity market levels. In addition, our hedges could be less effective in periods of large directional movements or we could experience more frequent or more costly rebalancing in periods of high volatility, which would lead to adverse performance versus our

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

hedge targets and increased hedging costs. Further, we also are exposed to basis risk, which results from our inability to purchase or sell hedge assets whose performance is directly correlated to the performance of the funds into which customers allocate their assets. We make available to customers funds where we believe we can transact in sufficiently correlated hedge assets, yet we anticipate some variance in the performance of our hedge assets and customer funds. This variance may result in our hedge assets outperforming or underperforming the customer assets they are intended to match. This variance may be exacerbated during periods of high volatility, leading to a mismatch in our hedge results relative to our hedge targets and U.S GAAP results.

Interest Rate Environment

The interest rate environment has affected, and will continue to affect, our business and financial performance for the following reasons:

•Periods of sharp rises in interest rates, as we have seen as a result of the Federal Reserve’s past actions, impact investment-related activity including investment income returns, net investment spread results, new money rates, mortgage loan prepayments, and bond redemptions. Due to increases in interest rates, the yield on new investments has generally exceeded the yield on asset maturities and redemptions (runoff yield). Rising interest rates also impact the hedging results of our variable annuity business as the market value of interest rate hedges decline, thereby driving immediate hedging losses. We would expect lower hedging costs and reduced levels of hedging going forward after such an increase in rates. Further, we expect near-term hedging losses from rising rates may be more than offset by changes in the fair value of the related guaranteed benefit liabilities, which are reduced with an increase in interest rates due to the higher discount rate.

•Interest rate increases also expose us to disintermediation risk, where higher rates make currently sold fixed annuity products more attractive while simultaneously reducing the market value of assets backing our liabilities. This creates an incentive for our customers to lapse their products in an environment where selling assets causes us to realize losses.

•In the past, our statutory total adjusted capital ("TAC") has been negatively impacted by rising rates due to minimum required reserving levels (i.e., cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases are limited and unable to offset interest rate hedging losses. The risk-based capital, or RBC, ratio increased or decreased depending on the interaction between movements in TAC and movements in statutory required capital (the company action level, or "CAL”); such movements can impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries. We expect the Brooke Re transaction to largely moderate the impact of the cash surrender value floor going forward. See Executive Summary above for more information regarding the Brooke Re Transaction.

•Low interest rate environments could also subject us to increased hedging costs or an increase in the amount of statutory reserves that our insurance subsidiaries are required to hold for optional guaranteed benefits, decreasing statutory surplus, which would adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends. In addition, low interest rates could also increase the perceived value of optional guaranteed benefit features to our customers, which in turn could lead to a higher utilization of withdrawal or annuitization features of annuity policies and higher persistency of those products over time.

•Some of our annuities have guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates (“GMICRs”) that limit our ability to reduce crediting rates. If earnings on our investment portfolio decline, those GMICRs may result in net investment spread compression that negatively impacts earnings. Many of our annuities have GMICRs that reset at contractually specified times after issue, subject to a contractually specified minimum GMICR. In a rising interest rate environment, these GMICRs can increase over time. Conversely, in a falling interest rate environment the interest crediting rate will eventually decrease; however, there may be a lag between interest rate movements and the GMICR reset, temporarily limiting our ability to lower crediting rates. When policies have comparatively high GMICRs, in a subsequent low interest rate environment more customers are expected to hold on to their policies, which may result in lower lapses than previously expected.

Credit Market Environment

Conditions in fixed income markets impact our financial performance. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally decreases, although we generally expect the widening spreads to increase the yield on new fixed income investments. Conversely, as credit spreads tighten, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

generally increases, and the yield available on new investment purchases decreases. While changing credit spreads impact the fair value of our investment portfolio, this revaluation is generally reflected in our accumulated other comprehensive income, or AOCI. The revaluation will impact net income for realized gains or losses from the sale of securities, the change in fair value of trading securities or securities carried at fair value under the fair value election, or potential changes in the allowance for credit loss ("ACL"). In addition, if credit conditions deteriorate due to a recession or other negative credit events in capital markets, we could experience an increase in defaults and other-than-temporary-impairments (“OTTI”).

OTTI in our underlying investments would result in a reduction in TAC held by our insurance company subsidiaries. Also, shifts in the credit quality or credit rating downgrades of our investments as a result of stressed credit conditions may also impact the level of regulatory required statutory capital for our insurance company subsidiaries. As such, significant credit rating downgrades along with elevated defaults and OTTI losses would negatively impact our RBC ratio, which could impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries.

Pandemics and Other Public Health Crises

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our business and contributed to additional operating costs in prior years. Other similar pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks in the U.S. or globally could disrupt our business by affecting how we protect and interact with our critical workforce, customers, key vendors, third-party suppliers, or counterparties with whom we transact. Disruption could result from an inability of those persons to work or transact effectively due to illness, quarantines, and government actions in response to public health emergencies. The extent and severity of governmental actions will necessarily depend on the extent and severity of the perceived emergency. We have risk management plans in place and were able to navigate through COVID-19 with remote and hybrid work environments; however, those plans may be challenged by a new public health emergency.

Consumer Behavior

We believe that many retirees look to tax-efficient savings products as a tool for addressing their unmet need for retirement planning. We believe our products are well-positioned to meet this increasing consumer demand. However, consumer behavior may be impacted by increased economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, declining equity markets, significant changes in interest rates and increased volatility of financial markets. In recent years, we have introduced new products to better address changes in consumer demand and targeted distribution channels that meet changes in consumer preferences.

Demographics

We expect demographic trends in the U.S. population, in particular the increase in the number of retirement age individuals, to generate significant demand for our products. In addition, the potential risk to government social safety net programs and shifting of responsibility for retirement planning and financial security from employers and other institutions to employees, highlight the need for individuals to plan for their long-term financial security and will create additional opportunities to generate sustained demand for our products. We believe we are well-positioned to capture the increased demand generated by these demographic trends.

Regulatory Policy

We operate in a highly regulated industry. Our insurance company subsidiaries are regulated primarily at the state level, with some policies and products also subject to federal regulation. New federal and state regulations could impact our business model, including statutory reserve and capital requirements. Our ability to respond to changes in regulation and other legislative activity are critical to our long-term financial performance. The following regulations could materially impact our business:

Department of Labor Fiduciary Advice Rule

See Part I, Item I Business—Regulation—"Federal Initiatives Impacting Insurance Companies—Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Advice Rule" for a discussion of the 2023 Fiduciary Advice Rule.

Legislative Reforms

In recent years, Congress approved legislation beneficial to our business model. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the "SECURE Act"), approved by Congress on December 20, 2019, provides

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

individuals with greater access to retirement products. Namely, it made it easier for 401(k) programs to offer annuities as an investment option by, among other things, creating a statutory safe harbor in ERISA for a retirement plan’s selection of an annuity provider. On December 29, 2022, Congress signed into law the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”). SECURE 2.0 expands automatic enrollment programs, increases the age for required minimum distributions, and eliminates age requirements for traditional IRA contributions. These changes are intended to expand and increase Americans’ retirement savings.

Tax Laws

Our annuities offer investors the opportunity to benefit from tax deferrals. If U.S. tax laws change such that our annuities no longer offer tax-deferred advantages, demand for our products could materially decrease.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting our results of operations and financial condition in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use and report selected non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures, provides a better understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and the underlying performance drivers of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplementary to our results of operations and financial condition that are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP financial measures. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Consequently, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted Operating Earnings is an after-tax non-GAAP financial measure, which we believe should be used to evaluate our financial performance on a consolidated basis by excluding certain items that may be highly variable from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as well as certain other revenues and expenses that we do not view as driving our underlying performance. Adjusted Operating Earnings should not be used as a substitute for net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to net income are useful for gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

Adjusted Operating Earnings equals our Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.'s common shareholders (which excludes income attributable to non-controlling interest and dividends on preferred stock) adjusted to eliminate the impact of the items described in the following numbered paragraphs. These items are excluded as they may vary significantly from period to period due to near-term market conditions or are otherwise not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business. We believe these exclusions provide investors a better picture of the drivers of our underlying performance.

1.Net Hedging Results: Comprised of: (i) fees attributed to guaranteed benefits; (ii) changes in the fair value of freestanding derivatives used to manage the risk associated with market risk benefits and other guaranteed benefit features, excluding earned income (periodic settlements and changes in settlement accruals); (iii) the movements in reserves, market risk benefits, guaranteed benefit features accounted for as embedded derivative instruments, and related claims and benefit payments; (iv) amortization of the balance of unamortized deferred acquisition costs at the date of transition to current accounting guidance on January 1, 2021 associated with items excluded from adjusted operating earnings prior to transition; and (v) the impact on the valuation of Guaranteed Benefits and Net Hedging Results arising from changes in underlying actuarial assumptions. We believe excluding these items removes the impact to both revenue and related expenses associated with Guaranteed Benefits and Net Hedging Results.

2.Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses: Comprised of: (i) realized investment gains and losses associated with the periodic sales or disposals of securities, excluding those held within our trading portfolio, and (ii) impairments of securities, after adjustment for the non-credit component of the impairment charges.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

3.Change in Value of Funds Withheld Embedded Derivative and Net investment income on funds withheld assets: Composed of: (i) the change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivatives, and (ii) net investment income on funds withheld assets related to funds withheld reinsurance transactions.

4.Other items: Comprised of: (i) the impact of investments that are consolidated in our financial statements due to U.S. GAAP accounting requirements, such as our investments in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), but for which the consolidation effects are not consistent with our economic interest or exposure to those entities, and (ii) one-time or other non-recurring items, such as costs relating to our separation from Prudential.

Operating income taxes are calculated using the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 21% while taking into account any items recognized differently in our financial statements and federal income tax returns, including the dividends received deduction and other tax credits. For interim reporting periods, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (“ETR”) in computing its tax provision including consideration of discrete items.

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Earnings to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial common shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc common shareholders$899$6,186$3,417
Add: dividends on preferred stock35
Add: income tax expense (benefit)41,505666
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc9387,6914,083
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(3,125)(3,077)(2,855)
Net movement in freestanding derivatives4,6512,7445,674
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net(3,897)(3,536)(3,966)
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements787222141
Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI591658737
Total guaranteed benefits and net hedging results(993)(2,989)(269)
Net realized investment (gains) losses554359(182)
Net realized investment (gains) losses on funds withheld assets1,801(2,186)21
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(1,174)(1,254)(1,188)
Other items392236
Total non-operating adjustments227(6,048)(1,582)
Pretax adjusted operating earnings1,1651,6432,501
Less: operating income tax expense (benefit)57189322
Adjusted operating earnings before dividends on preferred stock1,1081,4542,179
Less: dividends on preferred stock35
Adjusted operating earnings$1,073$1,454$2,179

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders

We use Adjusted Operating Return on Equity ("ROE") Attributable to Common Shareholders to manage our business and evaluate our financial performance that: (i) excludes items that vary from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as such items may distort the underlying performance of our business; and (ii) is calculated by dividing our Adjusted Operating Earnings by average Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders.

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders excludes Preferred Stock and AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial, which does not include AOCI arising from investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial from Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders because our invested assets are generally invested to closely match the duration of our liabilities, which are longer duration in nature, and, therefore we believe period-to-period fair market value fluctuations in AOCI to be inconsistent with this objective. We believe excluding AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial is more useful to investors in analyzing trends in our business. Changes in AOCI within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction offset the related non-operating earnings from the Athene Reinsurance Transaction resulting in a minimal net impact on Adjusted Book Value of Jackson Financial.

Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders should not be used as substitutes for total shareholders’ equity and ROE as calculated using annualized net income and average equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to equity and earnings are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders to total shareholders’ equity and a comparison of Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders to ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$899$6,186$3,417
Adjusted Operating Earnings1,0731,4542,179
Total shareholders' equity$10,170$8,646$7,641
Less: Preferred stock533
Total common shareholders' equity9,6378,6467,641
Adjustments to total common shareholders’ equity:
Exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. (1)1,1961,272(1,073)
Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders$10,833$9,918$6,568
ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders10.3%69.7%44.1%
Adjusted Operating ROE Attributable to Common Shareholders on average equity10.6%16.2%32.8%
(1) Excludes $(1,612) million, $(2,106) million and $287 million related to the investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are not attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. and are therefore not included as an adjustment to total shareholders’ equity in the reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value Attributable to Common Shareholders to total shareholders’ equity.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data from our Consolidated Income Statements. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Revenues
Fee income$7,680$7,722$8,059
Premiums147132148
Net investment income:
Net investment income excluding funds withheld assets1,7561,5072,236
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,1741,2541,188
Total net investment income2,9302,7613,424
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments:
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(5,864)(3,023)(5,344)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance treaties(1,801)2,186(21)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(7,665)(837)(5,365)
Other income678594
Total revenues3,1599,8636,360
Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals9651,062925
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net102(34)41
Market risk benefits (gains) losses, net(3,897)(3,536)(3,966)
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization1,145866832
Interest expense18511337
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,5492,4322,839
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,1521,2261,307
Total benefits and expenses2,2012,1292,015
Pretax income (loss)9587,7344,345
Income tax expense (benefit)41,505666
Net income (loss)9546,2293,679
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests2043262
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.9346,1863,417
Less: Dividends on preferred stock35
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$899$6,186$3,417

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Pretax Income (Loss)

Our pretax income (loss) decreased by $6,776 million to pretax income of $958 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $7,734 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to:

•$6,828 million decrease in total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments as shown in table below and driven by:

Years Ended December 31,
20232022Variance
(in millions)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets$(554)$(359)$(195)
Net gains (losses) on freestanding derivatives(4,804)(2,704)(2,100)
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives (excluding funds withheld reinsurance)(506)40(546)
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments(5,310)(2,664)(2,646)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance(1,801)2,186(3,987)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$(7,665)$(837)$(6,828)

•Freestanding derivative losses on our equity derivatives were primarily driven by market increases in 2023, compared to decreases in the prior year, partially offset by gains within our interest rate related hedge instruments, reflecting relatively flat interest rate movements in 2023, compared to increasing rates in the prior year; and

•Losses recognized on funds withheld reinsurance were driven by slightly lower rates in 2023 compared to gains in the prior year due to the significant rise in interest rates during 2022.

•$279 million increase in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, primarily due to an increase in GMICRs on variable annuity general account funds and higher crediting rates on new institutional business;

•$117 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to an increase in deferred and incentive compensation expenses during 2023 compared to the prior year;

•$72 million higher interest expense incurred during 2023 primarily related to interest on our repurchase agreements, senior notes, and other short-term borrowings;

•$42 million decrease in fee income primarily due to lower average separate account values compared to prior year; and

•$39 million increase in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to the impact of actuarial assumption updates and a $31 million increase in our allowance for reinsurance credit losses related to a specific reinsurer that was recently ordered into liquidation, partially offset by improved mortality and a greater decrease in reserves due to the payout of persistency bonuses on a portion of the business. See "Policy and Contract Liabilities" below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption changes.

These decreases were partially offset by:

•$361 million favorable movements in market risk benefits (gains) losses, net, primarily driven by positive fund performance in the current year compared to declines in the prior year, as well as favorable changes in implied volatility, with offsetting unfavorable movements in interest rates in the current year; and

•$169 million increase in net investment income as a result of higher income on bonds and short-term investments, driven by higher yields in 2023, partially offset by higher expenses related to consolidation in 2023 and lower income on limited partnership investments, which are recorded on a one quarter lag.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense decreased $1,501 million to an expense of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from an expense of $1,505 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The 2023 income tax expense represents an effective tax

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

rate of 1%, versus a 2022 income tax expense that represents an effective income tax rate of 20%. The lower effective tax rate for December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 is due to lower pretax earnings with similar amounts of permanent benefits. Our effective tax rate typically varies from the marginal statutory rate of 21% due to the impact of permanent tax differences, such as dividends received deduction and foreign tax credits. See “Recent Events of Note – Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” above regarding the effect of the IRA on cash tax liabilities.

Segment Results of Operations

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, within Corporate and Other. The following tables and discussion represent an overall view of our results of operations for each segment.

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment

The following table summarizes pretax adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) from the Company's business segment operations and also provides a reconciliation of the segment measure to net income on a consolidated GAAP basis. Also, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 3 - Segment Information of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the calculation of pretax adjusted operating earnings:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$1,364$1,507$2,184
Institutional Products697964
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(95)117255
Corporate and Other(173)(60)(2)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings1,1651,6432,501
Pre-tax reconciling items from adjusted operating income to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves3,1253,0772,855
Net movement in freestanding derivatives(4,651)(2,744)(5,674)
Market risk benefits gains (losses), net3,8973,5363,966
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(787)(222)(141)
Amortization of DAC associated with non-operating items at date of transition to LDTI(591)(658)(737)
Total guaranteed benefits and net hedging results9932,989269
Net realized investment gains (losses)(554)(359)182
Net realized investment gains (losses) on funds withheld assets(1,801)2,186(21)
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,1741,2541,188
Other items(39)(22)(36)
Total pre-tax reconciling items(227)6,0481,582
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.9387,6914,083
Income tax expense (benefit)41,505666
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.9346,1863,417
Less: Dividends on preferred stock35
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. common shareholders$899$6,186$3,417

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Retail Annuities

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Retail Annuities segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Retail Annuities:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$4,036$4,108$4,636
Premiums211015
Net investment income541403692
Income (loss) on operating derivatives(45)1752
Other income374247
Total Operating Revenues4,5904,5805,442
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves43616
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net(4)(4)225
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization374253(8)
Interest expense843222
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,1782,1742,456
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs551557557
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses3,2263,0733,258
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$1,364$1,507$2,184

The following table summarizes a roll-forward of activity affecting account value for our Retail Annuities segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Retail Annuities Account Value:
Balance as of beginning of period$209,967$260,135$230,741
Premiums and deposits13,01515,96119,594
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(19,353)(16,430)(20,459)
Net flows(6,338)(469)(865)
Investment performance33,807(47,149)32,621
Change in value of equity option509(41)7
Interest credited372244223
Policy charges and other(2,852)(2,753)(2,592)
Balance as of end of period, net of ceded reinsurance235,465209,967260,135
Ceded reinsurance18,37022,03725,075
Balance as of end of period, gross of reinsurance$253,835$232,004$285,210

Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $143 million to $1,364 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $1,507 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to:

•$72 million decrease in fee income primarily due to lower average separate account values compared to prior year;

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

•$62 million decrease in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the increase in floating rates during 2023; and

•$52 million increase in interest expense incurred in the current year primarily related to interest on our repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings.

These decreases were partially offset by:

•$18 million decrease in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to lower other policyholder benefits in 2023; and

•$17 million increase in spread income primarily due to $138 million higher net investment income, partially offset by $121 million higher interest credited on contract holder funds driven by resetting GMICRs on variable annuity fixed rate options in the first quarter of 2023.

Account Value

Retail annuities account value, net of reinsurance, increased $25.5 billion between periods primarily due to positive variable annuity separate account returns driven by favorable market performance in 2023, as well as positive RILA net flows over the period.

Institutional Products

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Institutional Products segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Operating Revenues
Net investment income$474$312$260
Income (loss) on operating derivatives(50)(22)(3)
Total Operating Revenues424290257
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization334201188
Interest expense165
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals555
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses355211193
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$69$79$64

The following table summarizes a roll-forward of activity affecting account value for our Institutional Products segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Balance as of beginning of period$9,019$8,830$11,138
Premiums and deposits1,0652,398475
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(2,050)(2,358)(2,915)
Net flows(985)40(2,440)
Credited Interest334201188
Policy Charges and other38(52)(56)
Balance as of end of period$8,406$9,019$8,830

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Segment Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $10 million to $69 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $79 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to higher interest credited on new business and floating rate contract holder funds, decreased income on operating derivatives resulting from changes in currency exchange rates and the increase in floating rates in 2023, and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher investment income.

Account Value

Institutional product account value decreased from $9,019 million at December 31, 2022 to $8,406 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in account value was driven by continued maturities of the existing contracts, partially offset by new issuances in 2023.

Closed Life and Annuity Blocks

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Closed Block Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$457$474$492
Premiums136134145
Net investment income689706950
Income (loss) on operating derivatives(45)3172
Other income253539
Total Operating Revenues1,2621,3801,698
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves641734752
(Gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, net106(24)419
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization43741280
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals163130179
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs101113
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses1,3571,2631,443
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(95)$117$255

Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $212 million to $(95) million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $117 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to:

•$76 million decrease in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the increase in floating rates during 2023;

•$37 million increase in death, other policy benefits, and change in policy reserves, net of (gain) loss from updating future policy benefits cash flow assumptions, primarily due to the impact of actuarial assumption updates and a $31 million increase in our allowance for reinsurance credit losses related to a specific reinsurer which was recently ordered into liquidation, partially offset by improved mortality and a greater decrease in reserves due to

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Segment Results of Operations

the payout of persistency bonuses on a portion of the business. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities” below for further information regarding our actuarial assumption changes;

•$33 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to higher commissions, net of deferrals, related to persistency bonuses in 2023, and an increase in incentive compensation expenses compared to the prior year; and

•$25 million increase in interest credited on other contract holder funds related to persistency bonuses in 2023.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the operations of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, and unallocated corporate revenue and expenses, as well as certain eliminations and consolidation adjustments. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for Corporate and Other. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Corporate and Other:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$52$52$65
Net investment income716555
Income (loss) on operating derivatives(13)1432
Other income588
Total Operating Revenues115139160
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest expense857615
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals203123147
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses288199162
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(173)$(60)$(2)

Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $113 million to $(173) million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $(60) million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to the following:

•$80 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to an increase in deferred compensation expenses in 2023;

•$27 million decrease in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the increase in floating rates in 2023; and

•$9 million higher interest expense incurred in the current year primarily related to our senior notes. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 13 - Long-Term Debt of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding our long-term debt.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Investments

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of fixed-income securities and loans, primarily publicly-traded corporate and government bonds, private securities and loans, asset-backed securities and mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed and other structured securities. The fair value of these and our other invested assets fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment and is affected by other economic factors.

Investment Strategy

Our overall investment strategy seeks to maintain a diversified and largely investment grade fixed income portfolio that is capital efficient, achieves risk-adjusted returns that support competitive pricing for our products, generates profitable growth of our business and maintains adequate liquidity to support our obligations. We utilize repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions as a part of our overall portfolio management program to assist with collateral requirements associated with our hedging program and other liquidity needs of our insurance subsidiaries. The investments within our investment portfolio are primarily managed by PPM, our wholly-owned registered investment advisor. Our investment strategy benefits from PPM’s ability to originate investments directly, as well as participate in transactions originated by banks, investment banks, commercial finance companies and other intermediaries. Certain investments held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions are managed by Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP ("Apollo"), an Athene affiliate. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 8 - Reinsurance of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. We may also use other third-party investment managers for certain niche asset classes. As of December 31, 2023, Apollo managed $16.6 billion of cash and investments and other third-party investment managers managed approximately $218 million of investments.

Our investment program seeks to generate a competitive rate of return on our invested assets to support the profitable growth of our business, while maintaining investment portfolio allocations within the Company’s risk tolerance. This means maximizing risk-adjusted return within the context of a largely fixed income portfolio while also managing exposure to downside risk in a stressed environment, regulatory and rating agency capital models, overall portfolio yield, diversification and correlation with other investments and company exposures.

Our Investment Committee has specified a target strategic asset allocation (“SAA”) that is designed to deliver the highest expected return within a defined risk tolerance while meeting other important objectives such as those mentioned in the prior paragraph. The fixed income portion of the SAA is assessed relative to a customized index of public corporate bonds that represents a close approximation of the maturity profile of our liabilities and a credit quality mix that is consistent with our risk tolerance. PPM’s objective is to outperform this index on a number of measures including portfolio yield, total return and capital loss due to downgrades and defaults. While PPM has access to a broad universe of potential investments, we believe grounding the investment program with a customized public corporate index that can be easily tracked and monitored helps guide PPM in meeting the risk and return expectations and assists with performance evaluation.

Recognizing the trade-offs between the level of risk, required capital, liquidity and investment return, the largest allocation within our investment portfolio is to investment grade fixed income securities. As previously mentioned, our investment manager accesses a broad universe of potential investments to construct the investment portfolio and considers the benefits of diversification across various sectors, collateral types and asset classes. To this end, our SAA and investment portfolio includes allocations to public and private corporate bonds (both investment grade and high yield), mortgage loans, structured securities, private equity and U.S. Treasury securities. These U.S. Treasury securities, while lower yielding than other alternatives, provide a higher level of liquidity and play a role in managing our interest rate exposure.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Portfolio Composition

The following table summarizes the carrying values of our investments:

December 31,
20232022
Investments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotalInvestments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotal
(in millions)
Debt Securities, available-for-sale, net of allowance for credit losses$28,896$11,526$40,422$28,867$13,622$42,489
Debt Securities, at fair value under fair value option2,0371162,1532,0141592,173
Debt securities, trading, at fair value6868100100
Equity securities, at fair value24315139431677393
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses7,0153,06710,0826,8404,12710,967
Mortgage loans, at fair value under fair value option481481582582
Policy loans9283,4714,3999423,4354,377
Freestanding derivative instruments375153901,192781,270
Other invested assets1,7577092,4662,8027933,595
Total investments$41,319$19,536$60,855$43,073$22,873$65,946

Available-for-sale debt securities decreased to $40,422 million at December 31, 2023 from $42,489 million at the end of 2022, primarily due to dispositions, partially offset by declines in unrealized losses primarily in the funds withheld portfolio. The amortized cost of debt securities, available-for-sale, decreased from $48,798 million as of December 31, 2022 to $44,843 million as of December 31, 2023. Further, net unrealized losses, after adjusting for allowance for credit loss, were $6,286 million as of December 31, 2022 compared to $4,401 million as of December 31, 2023.

Other Invested Assets

Other invested assets decreased to $2,466 million at December 31, 2023 from $3,595 million at December 31, 2022, primarily due to the sale of limited partnerships during 2023.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Debt Securities

At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amortized cost, allowance for credit loss, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of debt securities, including trading securities and securities carried at fair value under the fair value option, were as follows (in millions):

December 31, 2023Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$5,154$$3$845$4,312
Other government securities1,62212211,402
Corporate securities
Utilities5,598425135,127
Energy2,946242722,698
Banking2,2041231482,078
Healthcare2,985203382,667
Finance/Insurance4,39213314293,981
Technology/Telecom2,0581101911,876
Consumer goods2,395212852,131
Industrial1,609141121,511
Capital goods1,838141271,725
Real estate1,57261531,425
Media1,0824109977
Transportation1,38171571,231
Retail1,19761321,071
Other (1)2,211141192,106
Total Corporate Securities33,468152363,08530,604
Residential mortgage-backed42261253375
Commercial mortgage-backed1,56911471,423
Other asset-backed securities4,83063094,527
Total Debt Securities$47,065$21$259$4,660$42,643
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

December 31, 2022Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$6,192$$1$1,008$5,185
Other government securities1,719212511,467
Corporate securities
Utilities5,893276955,225
Energy3,0061073902,613
Banking1,99422341,762
Healthcare2,95684392,525
Finance/Insurance4,497486213,880
Technology/Telecom2,333122962,038
Consumer goods2,463103782,095
Industrial1,67581731,510
Capital goods1,98231961,789
Real estate1,72312251,499
Media1,23011751,056
Transportation1,57632141,365
Retail1,31251821,135
Other (1)2,05611781,879
Total Corporate Securities34,69615864,39630,371
Residential mortgage-backed51061959464
Commercial mortgage-backed1,8211831,638
Other asset-backed securities6,13385045,637
Total Debt Securities$51,071$23$115$6,401$44,762
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

The tightening credit spreads of investment grade corporate securities resulted in decreased unrealized losses during the year ended December 31, 2023. Of the $1,741 million total decrease in unrealized losses and the $6,014 million reduction in fair value on securities with an associated unrealized loss, $641 million and $1,679 million, respectively, are associated with assets subject to funds withheld agreements.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Evaluation of Available-For-Sale Debt Securities

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 4 - Investments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how we evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities for credit loss.

Equity Securities

Equity securities consist of investments in common and preferred stock holdings and mutual fund investments. Common and preferred stock investments generally arise out of previous private equity investments or other settlements rather than as direct investments. Mutual fund investments typically represent investments made in our own mutual funds to seed those structures for external issuance at a later date. The following table summarizes our holdings:

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Common Stock$17$82
Preferred Stock175133
Mutual Funds202178
Total$394$393

Mortgage Loans

At December 31, 2023, commercial mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 36 states, the District of Columbia, and Europe. Residential mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and Europe.

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance of credit loss, of our mortgage loans by property type:

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Commercial:
Apartment$3,213$3,558
Hotel8701,015
Office1,4401,795
Retail1,9922,085
Warehouse2,0471,788
Total Commercial (1)$9,562$10,241
Residential (2)1,0011,308
Total$10,563$11,549

(1)    Net of an allowance for credit losses of $160 million and $91 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(2)    Net of an allowance for credit losses of $5 million and $4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance for credit loss, of our mortgage loans by region:

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
United States:
East North Central1,0241,116
East South Central502546
Middle Atlantic1,4811,677
Mountain531627
New England287371
Pacific2,5002,850
South Atlantic2,1472,313
West North Central593572
West South Central992920
Total United States10,05710,992
Foreign506557
Total10,56311,549

The following table provides information about the credit quality of our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
Loan to value ratios:
Less than 70%$8,604$9,586
70% - 80%711424
80% - 100%196197
Greater than 100%5134
Total9,56210,241
Residential mortgage loans
Performing9111,230
Nonperforming (1)9078
Total1,0011,308
Total mortgage loans$10,563$11,549

(1) At December 31, 2023 and 2022, includes $22 million and $41 million of loans purchased when the loans were greater than 90 days delinquent and $5 million and $12 million of loans in process of foreclosure, respectively, and are supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs.

The following table provides a summary of the allowance for credit losses related to our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$95$94
Charge offs, net of recoveries (1)(66)
Provision (release) (1)1361
Balance at end of period$165$95

(1) At December 31, 2023, the $70 million net increase in allowance for credit losses is due to an increase in expected credit losses, primarily in the office sector.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

The Company’s mortgage loans that are current and in good standing are accruing interest. Interest is not accrued on loans greater than 90 days delinquent and in process of foreclosure, when deemed uncollectible. Delinquency status is determined from the date of the first missed contractual payment. Accrued interest amounting to $2 million and nil were written off as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to loans that were greater than 90 days delinquent or in the process of foreclosure.

The following table provides information about our impaired residential mortgage loans (in millions):

December 31,
20232022
Recorded investment$24$15
Unpaid principal balance2716
Related loan allowance1
Average recorded investment1918
Investment income recognized1

Derivative Instruments

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 5 – Derivative Instruments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which presents the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and the fair values of our freestanding and embedded derivatives instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Evaluation of Invested Assets

We perform regular evaluations of our invested assets. On a monthly basis, management identifies those investments that may require additional monitoring and carefully reviews the carrying value of such investments to determine whether specific investments should be placed on a non-accrual status and if an allowance for credit loss is required. In making these reviews, management principally considers the adequacy of any collateral, compliance with contractual covenants, the borrower’s recent financial performance, news reports and other externally generated information concerning the borrower’s affairs. In the case of publicly traded bonds, management also considers market value quotations, where available. For mortgage loans, management generally considers information concerning the mortgaged property, including factors impacting the current and expected payment status of the loan and, if available, the current fair value of the underlying collateral. For investments in partnerships, management reviews the financial statements and other information provided by the general partners.

To determine an allowance for credit loss, we consider a security’s forecasted cash flows as well as the severity of depressed fair values. Investment income is not accrued on securities in default and otherwise where the collection is uncertain. Subsequent receipts of interest on such securities are generally used to reduce the cost basis of the securities. The provisions for impairment on mortgage loans are based on losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to real estate, on the disposition and settlement of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans that management believes may not be collectible in full. Accrual of interest on mortgage loans is generally suspended when principal or interest payments on mortgage loans are past due more than 90 days. Interest is then accounted for on a cash basis.

Policy and Contract Liabilities

We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are calculated to meet policy obligations or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “Critical Accounting Estimates" below.

Our policy and contract liabilities includes separate account liabilities, reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable and other contract holder funds. As of December 31, 2023, 89% of our policy and contract liabilities were in our Retail Annuities segment, 3% were in our Institutional Products segment and 8% were in our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment.

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Policy and Contract Liabilities

The table below represents a breakdown of our policy and contract liabilities:

December 31, 2023Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsMarket Risk BenefitsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$219,381$$8,396$(2,000)$225,777
RILA15,21935,222
Fixed Annuities9,73619,737
Fixed Index Annuities210,2433710,280
Payout Annuities1,0908601,950
Other Annuities198198
Total Retail Annuities219,5791,09034,454(1,959)253,164
Total Institutional Products8,4068,406
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks779,36212,291721,737
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities219,65610,45255,151(1,952)283,307
Claims payable and other1,4461681,614
Total$219,656$11,898$55,319$(1,952)$284,921
December 31, 2022Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsMarket Risk BenefitsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$195,550$$10,259$767$206,576
RILA11,87551,880
Fixed Annuities11,69611,696
Fixed Index Annuities211,7871711,804
Payout Annuities1,0428371,879
Other Annuities285285
Total Retail Annuities195,8351,04236,454789234,120
Total Institutional Products9,0199,019
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks719,72612,534822,339
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities195,90610,76858,007797265,478
Claims payable and other1,5501831,733
Total$195,906$12,318$58,190$797$267,211

(1) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities in other contract holder funds related to RILA of $1,224 million and $205 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(2) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities related to fixed index annuity in other contract holder funds of $866 million and $931 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023:

•$219.7 billion or 78% of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by separate account assets. These separate account assets backed reserves primarily related to our variable annuities. Separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the customer’s corresponding separate account assets and are set equal to the fair value of such invested assets.

•$45.1 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by our investment portfolio.

•$18.6 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were reinsured by Athene and backed by funds withheld assets.

As of December 31, 2023, 100% of our RILA policy and contract liabilities were subject to surrender charges of at least 5% or at market value in the event of discretionary withdrawal by customers.

As of December 31, 2023, 94% of fixed annuity, fixed index annuity, and the fixed accounts of RILA and variable annuity correspond to crediting rates that are at the guaranteed minimum crediting rate. We have the discretion, subject to contractual limitations and minimums, to reset the crediting terms on the majority of our fixed index annuities and fixed annuities.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Policy and Contract Liabilities

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 9 - Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable, Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 11 - Separate Account Assets and Liabilities, and Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion on accounting policies around Reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable, Other contract holder funds, Separate account assets and liabilities and MRBs.

Actuarial Assumption Changes (Unlocking)

The following tables reflect the impacts from our annual assumption review to pre-tax income (loss), pre-tax non-operating adjustments and Pre-Tax Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Total assumption review impact on pretax (loss) income$(466)$(448)$(13)
Less: total assumption review impact on pretax non-operating(406)(486)(13)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(60)$38$
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$$(9)$
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(60)47
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(60)$38$

2023 Assumption Updates

The impact of assumption changes on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was $(60) million, with the impact attributed to the Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The impact was mainly on the additional reserve for life insurance and annuitization benefits driven by a decrease in lapses, offset by a change in the long-term earned-rate.

The impact on pretax non-operating earnings was $(406) million attributed to the Retail Annuities segment. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the notable assumption change updates included in the MRB calculation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing and financing activities. Capital refers to our long-term financial resources available to support the business operations and contribute to future growth. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of the businesses, timing of cash flows on investments and products, general economic conditions and access to the capital markets and alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.

The discussion below describes our liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

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Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods set forth below:

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$5,310$5,206$5,682
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(592)(1,374)(1,296)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(6,328)(2,162)(3,774)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(1,610)1,670612
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period4,3012,6312,019
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,691$4,301$2,631

Cash flows from Operating Activities

The principal operating cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, fees charged on our products and net investment income. The principal operating cash outflows are the result of the payment of annuity and life insurance benefits, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. The primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of earlier than expected contract holder and policyholder benefit payments.

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased $104 million to $5,310 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $5,206 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. This was primarily due to the timing of settlements of receivables and payables as well as lower acquisition costs.

Cash flows from Investing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments, as well as settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. It is not unusual to have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are typically reinvested to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors or market disruptions that might impact the timing of investment-related cash flows as well as derivative collateral needs, which could result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries.

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities increased $782 million to $(592) million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $(1,374) million during the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to lower purchases of debt securities in 2023 compared to 2022 and sales of limited partnerships in 2023, partially offset by increased outflows related to our hedging program for derivative settlements and collateral, predominately resulting from market increases in 2023 compared to 2022.

Cash flows from Financing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances, issuance of securities and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances, repayment of debt, and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early policyholder withdrawal.

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased $4,166 million to $(6,328) million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $(2,162) million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to lower deposits from variable annuity sales in 2023 compared to 2022, higher payments on repurchase agreements, and repayment of our maturing 2023 senior notes, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of our preferred stock.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

Statutory Capital

Our insurance company subsidiaries have statutory surplus above the level needed to meet current regulatory requirements. RBC requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula that incorporates both factor-based components (applied to various asset, premium, and statutory reserve items) and model-based components. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not to rank insurers generally. As of December 31, 2023, our insurance companies were well in excess of the minimum required capital levels.

Our statutory TAC (total adjusted capital) may be negatively impacted by minimum required reserving levels (i.e., cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases are limited and unable to offset losses from our hedging program. The RBC ratio may increase or decrease depending on the interaction between movements in TAC and movements in statutory CAL (the company action level), which could impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries. At times the cash surrender value floor materially affects the CAL calculation in addition to reserve levels. The formation and operation of Brooke Re is anticipated to mitigate these impacts. See “Recent Events of Note – Brooke Life Reinsurance Company” above for more information on Brooke Re and associated transactions.

Jackson had an RBC ratio of 624%, 544% and 580% as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in Jackson’s RBC ratio as of December 31, 2023 as compared to December 31, 2022 was primarily due to reductions in interest rate and market risk. There was also lower asset risk subsequent to the sale of the private equities limited partnerships.

Holding Company Liquidity

As a holding company with no business operations of its own, Jackson Financial primarily derives cash flows from dividends and interest payments from its insurance subsidiaries. These principal sources of liquidity are expected to be supplemented by cash and short-term investments held by Jackson Financial, and access to bank lines of credit and the capital markets. We intend to maintain a minimum amount of cash and highly liquid securities at Jackson Financial adequate to fund two years of holding company fixed net expenses, which is currently targeted at $250 million but may change over time as we refinance existing debt or make changes to our debt and capital structure. The main uses of liquidity for Jackson Financial are interest payments and debt repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which may include stock repurchases, and capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. Our principal sources of liquidity and our anticipated capital position are described in the following paragraphs.

Any declaration of cash dividends or stock repurchases is at the discretion of JFI’s Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, regulatory constraints, level of indebtedness, preferred stock and other contractual restrictions with respect to paying cash dividends or repurchasing stock, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that JFI’s Board of Directors deems relevant in making any such determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our stock or approve any further increase in the existing, or any new, common stock repurchase program, or as to the amount of any such cash dividends or stock repurchases.

Delaware law requires that dividends be paid and stock repurchases made only out of “surplus,” which is defined as the fair market value of our net assets, minus our stated capital; or out of the current or the immediately preceding year’s earnings. JFI is a holding company and has no direct operations. All of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Any dividends we pay or stock repurchases we make will depend upon the funds legally available for distribution, including dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries to us. The states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled impose certain restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to their parent companies. These restrictions are based in part on the prior year’s statutory income and surplus, as well as earned surplus. Such restrictions, or any future restrictions adopted by the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, could have the effect, under certain circumstances, of significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable by our subsidiaries without affirmative approval of state regulatory authorities. See Item 1A. Risk Factors—“Risks relating to Financing and Liquidity - As a holding company, Jackson Financial depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends and make

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other distributions to meet its obligations and liquidity needs, including servicing debt, dividend payments and stock repurchases.”

On March 13, 2023, the Company issued and sold depositary shares representing interests in our Fixed-Rate Reset Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. After underwriting discounts and expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $533 million. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 24 - Equity of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid a cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share and $0.62 per common share totaling $35 million and $209 million, respectively. On February 20, 2024, our Board of Directors approved a first quarter cash dividend on JFI's common stock of $0.70 per share, payable on March 21, 2024 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2024. The company also declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2024, to depositary shareholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2024.

On February 27, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $450 million in our existing share repurchase authorization of JFI's common stock. We repurchased a total of 6,502,524 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $255 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which were funded with cash on hand. As of February 20, 2024, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase $237 million of its common shares.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 24 - Equity of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on dividends to shareholders and share repurchases.

During 2023, Jackson Financial purchased certain private equity fund investments from Jackson National Life Insurance Company for $452 million, with a carrying value of $502 million, as part of rebalancing Jackson National Life Insurance Company's portfolio mix. Jackson Financial sold these investments in October 2023. The Company recorded a loss of $97 million on the sale, which it recognized in Net Investment Income within the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, of which $37 million of this loss was attributable to Jackson Financial.

As of December 31, 2023, Jackson Financial has recorded an estimate of $74 million ($263 million at a consolidated level) for the provision for the CAMT based on our interpretation of guidance with an offsetting increase to the deferred tax asset for the credit carryover resulting in no impact to total tax expense. The calculation of the CAMT, is subject to the issuance of regulatory guidance by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. We continue to monitor developments and regulations associated with the CAMT for any potential future impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Distributions from our Insurance Company Subsidiaries

The ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions where such subsidiaries are domiciled as well as agreements entered into with regulators. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance company subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay.

Subject to these limitations, our insurance company subsidiaries are permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under insurance laws of the relevant state of domicile, subject to prior notification to the appropriate regulatory agency. Any distributions above the amount permitted by statute in any twelve-month period are considered extraordinary dividends, and the approval of the appropriate regulator is required prior to payment. In Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (the Michigan Director of Insurance) may limit, or not permit, the payment of dividends from either Jackson or Brooke Life, Jackson's direct parent company, if it determines that the surplus of either of these subsidiaries is not reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and is not adequate to meet their financial needs, as required by the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956. Unless otherwise approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance, dividends may only be paid from earned surplus. Also, surplus note arrangements and interest payments must be approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance and such interest payments to related parties reduce the otherwise calculated ordinary dividend capacity for that period. In New York, all dividends require approval from the NYSDFS.

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For 2023, Jackson and Brooke Life had a total ordinary dividend capacity, based on 2022 statutory capital and surplus and statutory net gain from operations, subject to the availability of earned surplus, of $3,688 million and $501 million, respectively. Brooke Life, as the sole owner of our other insurance company subsidiaries, including Jackson and Jackson National Life NY, is the direct recipient of any dividend payments from those subsidiaries and must make dividend payments to its ultimate parent company, Jackson Financial, in order for any funds from our insurance company subsidiaries to reach Jackson Financial. As such, Jackson Financial’s ability to receive dividend payments from our insurance company subsidiaries is effectively limited by Brooke Life’s ability to make dividend payments to Jackson Financial.

On March 1, 2023, Jackson paid a $450 million ordinary dividend and remitted a $150 million return of capital to its parent company, Brooke Life. Brooke Life subsequently paid a $360 million ordinary dividend and remitted a $150 million return of capital to its ultimate parent, Jackson Financial. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2023, Brooke Life paid $90 million of interest associated with the $2 billion surplus note between Brooke Life and Jackson Finance, LLC ("Jackson Finance"), a subsidiary of Jackson Financial.

For 2024, Jackson and Brooke Life has a total ordinary dividend capacity, based on 2023 statutory capital and surplus and statutory net gain from operations, subject to the availability of earned surplus, of $464 million and $371 million, respectively.

The maximum distribution permitted by law or contract is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay such distributions, which may be constrained by business and other considerations, such as imposition of withholding tax, the impact of such distributions on surplus, which could affect the insurer’s credit and financial strength ratings or competitive position, the ability to generate new annuity sales and the ability to pay future dividends or make other distributions. Further, state insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries following any dividend or distribution must be reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and adequate for the insurance subsidiaries’ financial needs. Along with solvency regulations, another primary consideration in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Given recent economic events that have affected the insurance industry, both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for insurance company subsidiaries. We believe our insurance company subsidiaries have sufficient statutory capital and surplus to maintain their desired financial strength rating.

Insurance Company Subsidiaries’ Liquidity

The liquidity requirements for our insurance company subsidiaries primarily relate to the liabilities associated with their insurance and reinsurance activities, operating expenses and income taxes. Liabilities arising from insurance and reinsurance activities include the payment of policyholder benefits when due, cash payments in connection with policy surrenders and withdrawals and policy loans.

Liquidity requirements are principally for purchases of new investments, management of derivative related margin requirements, repayment of principal and interest on debt, payments of interest on surplus notes, funding of insurance product liabilities including payments for policy benefits, surrenders, maturities and new policy loans, funding of expenses including payment of commissions, operating expenses and taxes. As of December 31, 2023, Jackson’s outstanding surplus notes and bank debt included $57 million of bank loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI"), collateralized by mortgage-related securities and mortgage loans and $250 million of surplus notes maturing in 2027.

Significant increases in interest rates could create sudden increases in surrender and withdrawal requests by customers and contract holders and result in increased liquidity requirements at our insurance company subsidiaries. Significant increases in interest rates or equity markets may also result in higher margin and collateral requirements on our derivative portfolio. The derivative contracts are an integral part of our risk management program, especially for the management of our variable annuities program, and are managed in accordance with our hedging and risk management program. Our cash flows associated with collateral received from counterparties and posted with counterparties fluctuates with changes in the market value of the underlying derivative contract and/or the market value of the collateral. The net collateral position depends on changes in interest rates and equity markets related to the amount of the exposures hedged. Collateral posting requirements can result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2023, we were in a net collateral payable position of $780 million, as compared to $689 million as of December 31, 2022.

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Other factors that are not directly related to interest rates can also give rise to an increase in liquidity requirements, including, changes in ratings from rating agencies, general policyholder concerns relating to the life insurance industry (e.g., the unexpected default of a large, unrelated life insurer) and competition from other products, including non-insurance products such as mutual funds, certificates of deposit and newly developed investment products. Most of the life insurance and annuity products Jackson offers permit the policyholder or contract holder to withdraw or borrow funds or surrender cash values. As of December 31, 2023, approximately half of Jackson’s general account reserves are not surrenderable, included surrender charges greater than 5%, or included market value adjustments to discourage early withdrawal of policy and contract funds.

The liquidity sources for our insurance company subsidiaries are their cash, short-term investments, sales of publicly traded bonds, insurance premiums, fees charged on our products, sales of annuities and institutional products, investment income, commercial repurchase agreements and utilization of a short-term borrowing facility with the FHLBI.

Jackson uses a variety of asset liability management techniques to provide for the orderly provision of cash flow from investments and other sources as policies and contracts mature in accordance with their normal terms. Jackson’s principal sources of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows associated with sudden and severe increases in surrenders and withdrawals or benefit payments are its portfolio of liquid assets and its net operating cash flows. As of December 31, 2023, the portfolio of cash, short-term investments and privately and publicly traded securities and equities that are unencumbered and unrestricted to sale, amounted to $22.4 billion.

Our Indebtedness

Senior Notes

In November 2021 and June 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of $2,350 million principal amount of its senior notes, shown as Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The proceeds of the note issuances were used, together with cash on hand, to retire the Company’s previously outstanding term loans. $600 million of these notes matured on November 22, 2023, and were paid with cash on hand at maturity.

Revolving Credit and Short-Term Borrowing Facilities

On February 24, 2023, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (the "2023 Revolving Credit Facility") with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility replaced an existing revolving credit facility that was due to expire in February 2024. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings for working capital and other general corporate purposes under aggregate commitments of $1.0 billion, with a sub-limit of $500 million available for letters of credit. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility further provides for the ability to request, subject to customary terms and conditions, an increase in commitments thereunder by up to an additional $500 million. Commitments under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility terminate on February 24, 2028. Interest on borrowings may be based on a “Base Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 0.125% to 0.875%, or a “Term SOFR Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 1.125% to 1.875%. The applicable adder is based upon the ratings assigned to the Company’s senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt.

The credit agreement governing the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (including a change of control provision). The credit agreement contains financial maintenance covenants, including a minimum adjusted consolidated net worth test of no less than 70% of our adjusted consolidated net worth as of September 30, 2022 (plus (to the extent positive) or minus (to the extent negative) 70% of the impact on such adjusted consolidated net worth resulting from the application of a one-time transition adjustment for the LDTI accounting change for insurance contracts, and plus 50% of the aggregate amount of any increase in adjusted consolidated net worth resulting from equity issuances by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries after September 30, 2022) and a maximum consolidated indebtedness to total capitalization ratio test not to exceed 35%. We were in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2023.

Jackson is a party to an Uncommitted Money Market Line Credit Agreement dated April 6, 2023 among Jackson, Jackson Financial, and Société Générale. This agreement is an uncommitted short-term cash advance facility that provides an

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additional form of liquidity to Jackson and to Jackson Financial. The aggregate borrowing capacity under the agreement is $500 million and each cash advance request must be at least $100 thousand. The interest rate is set by the lender at the time of the borrowing and is fixed for the duration of the advance. Jackson and Jackson Financial are jointly and severally liable to repay any advance under the agreement, which must be repaid prior to the last day of the quarter in which the advance was drawn.

Surplus Notes

On March 15, 1997, our subsidiary, Jackson, issued 8.2% surplus notes in the principal amount of $250 million due March 15, 2027. These surplus notes are unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims and may not be redeemed at the option of the Company or any holder prior to maturity. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th of each year. Interest expense on the notes was $20 million, $20 million, and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Under Michigan insurance law, for statutory reporting purposes, the surplus notes are not part of the legal liabilities of the Company and are considered surplus funds. Payments of interest or principal may only be made with the prior approval of the Michigan Director of Insurance and only out of surplus earnings that the director determines to be available for such payments under Michigan insurance law.

Federal Home Loan Bank

Jackson is a member of the regional FHLBI primarily for the purpose of participating in its collateralized loan advance program with funding facilities. Membership requires us to purchase and hold a minimum amount of FHLBI capital stock, plus additional stock based on outstanding advances. Advances are in the form of either notes or funding agreements issued to FHLBI. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Jackson held a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $57 million and $62 million, respectively.

Collateral Upgrade Transactions

During the first quarter of 2024, Jackson executed certain paired repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions (“Collateral Upgrade” transactions) totaling $1.5 billion pursuant to master repurchase agreements with participating bank counterparties. Under these transactions, the Company lends securities (e.g., corporate debt securities or other securities agreed upon between the parties) to one or more bank counterparties in exchange for cash (repurchase agreement) and exchange that cash for an equal value of U.S. Treasury securities (reverse repurchase agreement) to provide as collateral as part of our hedging program. The transactions are paired as two legs of a Collateral Upgrade trade.

Financial Strength Ratings

Our access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, the attractiveness of certain of our subsidiaries’ products to customers, our attractiveness as a reinsurer to potential ceding companies and requirements for derivatives collateral posting are affected by our credit ratings and financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting consumer confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products as well as critical factors considered by ceding companies in selecting a reinsurer.

Our principal insurance company subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurer or reinsurer to meet its obligations under an insurance policy or reinsurance arrangement and generally involve quantitative and qualitative evaluations by rating agencies of a company’s financial condition and operating performance. Generally, rating agencies base their financial strength ratings upon information furnished to them by the company and upon their own investigations, studies and assumptions. Financial strength ratings are based upon factors of concern to customers, distribution partners and ceding companies and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Financial strength ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.

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As of February 20, 2024, the financial strength ratings of our principal insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

CompanyA.M. BestFitchMoody’sS&P
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
RatingAAA3A
Outlookstablestablestablestable
Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York
RatingAAA3A
Outlookstablestablestablestable
Brooke Life Insurance Company
RatingA
Outlookstable

In evaluating our Company’s financial strength, the rating agencies evaluate a variety of factors including our strategy, market positioning and track record, mix of business, profitability, leverage and liquidity, the adequacy and soundness of our reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of our assets, the adequacy of our surplus, our capital structure, and the experience and competence of our management.

In addition to the financial strength ratings, rating agencies use an outlook statement to indicate a short- or medium-term trend which, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A positive outlook indicates a rating may be raised and a negative outlook indicates a rating may be lowered. A stable outlook is assigned when ratings are not likely to be changed. Outlooks should not be confused with expected stability of the issuer’s financial or economic performance. A stable outlook does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.

A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch review their ratings of insurance companies from time to time. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in their judgment, circumstances so warrant. While the degree to which ratings adjustments will affect sales of our annuities and institutional products, and persistency is unknown, if our ratings are negatively adjusted for any reason, we believe we could experience a material decline in the sales in our individual channel, origination in our institutional channel, and the persistency of our existing business.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations identified within Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note. 5. Derivative Instruments, Note 9. Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable, Note 10. Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 11. Separate Account Assets and Liabilities, Note 12. Market Risk Benefits, Note 13. Long-Term Debt, Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17. Leases.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a complete discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting us, see Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

As discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-12, “Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts” ("LDTI"), for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023, with a transition date of January 1, 2021. Based upon the elected transition methods, the adoption of LDTI resulted in a decrease in total equity of $3.0 billion as of the transition date of January 1, 2021, comprised of a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") of $0.4 billion and a reduction in retained earnings of $2.6 billion. The adoption of the standard resulted in increases in net income attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. of $489 million and $234 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and also resulted in an increase in total equity of $223 million and a decrease of $2.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, from the amounts reported prior to the adoption of LDTI. The change in the equity impact from the transition date was primarily due to higher interest rates and is comprised of a reduction in retained earnings that is more than offset

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by an increase in AOCI. See further discussion in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the significant changes associated with this change in accounting principle.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The following are our most critical estimates, which require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of the estimates and judgments that we apply or our accounting policies. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable

We establish reserves for future policy benefits to, or on behalf of, customers in the same period in which the policy is issued or acquired, using methodologies prescribed by U.S. GAAP.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits

For non-participating traditional life insurance contracts and limited pay life-contingent contracts, which include term, whole life, and payout annuities with significant insurance risk, reserves for future policy benefits represents the present value of estimated future policy benefits to be paid to, or on behalf of, policyholders in future periods and certain related expenses less the present value of estimated future net premiums.

Reserves for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional and limited-payment insurance contracts are measured using the net premium ratio (NPR) measurement model. The NPR measurement model accrues for future policy benefits in proportion to the premium revenue recognized. The reserve for future policy benefits is derived from the Company's best estimate of future net premium and future benefits and expenses, which is based on best estimate assumptions, including mortality, persistency, claims expense, and discount rate. On an annual basis, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our current best estimate assumptions based on our experience, industry benchmarking, and other factors, as applicable. Expense assumptions are updated based on estimates of expected non-level costs, such as termination or settlement costs, and costs after the premium-paying period, and exclude acquisition costs or any costs that are required to be charged to expenses as incurred. Updates to assumptions are applied on a retrospective basis, and each reporting period the reserve for future policy benefits is updated to reflect actual experience to date.

The Company establishes cohorts, which are product groupings used to measure reserves for future policy benefits. In determining cohorts, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors, including the issue year, type of product, product features, and legal entity.

The discount rate used to estimate reserves for future policy benefits is consistent with an upper-medium grade (low-credit risk) fixed-income corporate instrument yield, which has been interpreted to represent a single-A corporate instrument yield. This discount rate curve is determined by fitting a parametric function to yields to maturity and related times to maturity of market observable single-A rated corporate instruments. The discount rate used to recognize interest accretion on the reserves for future policy benefits is locked at the initial measurement of the cohort. Each reporting period, the reserve for future policy benefits is remeasured using the current discount rate. The difference between the reserve calculated using the current discount rate and the reserve calculated using the locked-in discount rate is recorded in other comprehensive income.

Additional Liabilities - Universal Life-type

The Company issues universal life plans with secondary guarantees and interest-sensitive life plans. The primary reserves for these policies are the contract holder account balances reported within the other contract holder funds line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Where these contracts provide additional benefits beyond the account balance or base insurance coverage that are not market risk benefits or embedded derivatives, liabilities in addition to the policyholder’s

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account value are recognized. These additional liabilities for annuitization, death and other insurance benefits are reported within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. The methodology uses a benefit ratio defined as a constant percentage of the assessment base. This ratio is multiplied by current period assessments to determine the reserve accrual for the period. The measurements of the additional liabilities for annuitization, death and other insurance benefits are based on best estimate assumptions including mortality, persistency, investment returns, and discount rates. These assumptions are similarly subject to the annual review process discussed above.

Other Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable

In conjunction with a prior acquisition, we recorded a fair value adjustment related to certain annuity and interest-sensitive life blocks of business to reflect the cost of the interest guarantees within the in-force liabilities, based on the difference between the guaranteed interest rate and an assumed new money guaranteed interest rate. This adjustment is recorded in reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. This component of the acquired reserves is reassessed at the end of each period, taking into account changes in the in-force block. Any resulting change in the reserve is recorded as a change in policy reserve through the Consolidated Income Statements.

In addition, life and annuity claims liabilities in course of settlement are included in other future policy benefits and claims payable.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 9- Reserve for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Market Risk Benefits

Contracts or contract features that provide protection to the contract holder from capital market risk and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk are classified as market risk benefits, or MRBs. All long-duration insurance contracts and certain investment contracts are subject to MRB evaluation. MRBs are measured at fair value at the contract level and can be in either an asset or liability position. For contracts that contain multiple MRB features, the MRBs are valued together as a single compound MRB.

The use of models and assumptions to determine fair value of MRBs requires a significant amount of judgment. The significant assumptions used in the MRB fair value calculations are:

•Mortality rates - These vary by attained age, tax qualification status, guaranteed benefit election, and duration. The range used reflects ages from the minimum issue age for the benefit through age 95, which corresponds to the typical maturity age. A mortality improvement assumption is also applied.

•Base lapse rates - These vary by contract-level factors, such as product type, surrender charge schedule and optional benefits election. Lapse rates are further adjusted based on the degree to which a guaranteed benefit is in-the-money, with lower lapse applying when benefits are more in-the-money. Lapse rates are also adjusted to reflect lower lapse expectations when guaranteed benefits are utilized.

•Utilization rates - These represent the expected percentage of contracts that will utilize the benefit through annuitization (GMIB) or commencement of withdrawals (GMWB). Utilization may vary by benefit type, attained age, duration, tax qualification status, benefit provision, and degree to which the guaranteed benefit is in-the-money.

•Withdrawal rates - These represent the percentage of annual withdrawal assumed relative to the maximum allowable withdrawal amount under the free partial withdrawal provision or the GMWB, as applicable. Free partial withdrawal rates vary based on the product type and duration. Withdrawal rates on contracts with a GMWB vary based on attained age, tax qualification status, GMWB type and GMWB benefit provisions.

•Non-performance risk adjustment - This is applied as a spread over the risk-free rate to determine the rate used to discount the related cash flows and varies by projection year.

•Long-term equity volatility - This represents the equity volatility beyond the period for which observable equity volatilities are available.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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Variable Annuities

We issue variable contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder. Certain of these contracts include contract provisions by which we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest account value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable upon the depletion of funds (GMWB), in the event of death (GMDB), at annuitization (GMIB), or at the end of a specified period (GMAB). Substantially all of our GMIB benefits are reinsured. GMIB benefits and GMAB benefits were discontinued in 2009 and 2011, respectively. For additional information regarding our account value by optional guarantee benefit, see Item 1. Business–Our Product Offerings by Segments–Retail Annuities–Variable Annuities in this report.

Variable annuity guaranteed benefit features classified as MRBs, which have explicit fees, are measured using the attributed fee method. Under the attributed fee method, fair value is measured as the difference between the present value of projected future liabilities and the present value of projected attributed fees. At the inception of the contract, the Company attributes to the MRB a portion of total fees expected to be assessed against the contract holder to offset the projected claims over the lifetime of the contract. The attributed fee is expressed as a percentage of total projected future fees at inception of the contract. This percentage of total projected fees is considered a fixed term of the MRB feature and is held static over the life of the contract. This percentage may not exceed 100% of the total projected contract fees as of contract inception. As the Company may issue contracts that have projected future liabilities greater than the projected future guaranteed benefit fees at issue, the Company may also attribute mortality and expense charges when performing this calculation. In subsequent valuations, both the present value of future projected liabilities and the present value of projected attributed fees are remeasured based on current market conditions and policyholder behavior assumptions.

Fixed Index Annuities

The longevity riders issued on fixed index annuities are classified as MRBs and measured at fair value. Similar to the variable annuity guaranteed benefits features, these contracts have explicit fees and are measured using the attributed fee method. The Company attributes a percentage of total projected future fees expected to be assessed against the policyholder to offset the projected future claims over the lifetime of the contract. If the fees attributed are insufficient to offset the claims at issue, the shortfall is borrowed from the host contract rather than recognizing a loss at inception.

RILA

RILA guaranteed benefit features are classified as MRBs and measured at fair value. Unlike variable or fixed index annuities, RILA products do not have explicit fees and are measured using an option-based method. The fair value measurement represents the present value of future claims payable by the MRB feature. At inception, the value of the MRB is deducted from the value of the contract resulting in no gain or loss.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 12 - Market Risk Benefits of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Income Taxes

Income taxes represent the net amount of income taxes that we expect to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with our operations. We provide for federal and state income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded an estimate for the provision of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (“CAMT”), based on the Company’s interpretation of available guidance, with an offsetting increase to the deferred tax asset for the credit carryover resulting in no impact to total tax expense. The U.S. Department of the Treasury is expected to issue additional regulatory guidance in 2024 that may materially change the estimated provision of the CAMT.

Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Such temporary differences are principally related to the effects of recording certain invested assets at market value, the deferral of acquisition costs and

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sales inducements and the provisions for future policy benefits and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We are required to test the value of deferred tax assets for realizability. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we consider the carryback eligibility of losses, reversal of existing temporary differences, estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

Determining the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets requires management to make certain judgments and assumptions regarding future operations that are based on historical experience and expectations of future performance. To recognize a tax benefit in the Consolidated Financial Statements, there must be a greater than 50% chance of success of our position being sustained by the relevant taxing authority. Management’s judgments are potentially subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future performance, which is impacted by such factors as policyholder behavior, competitor pricing and other specific industry and market conditions.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 15 – Income Taxes for additional information on these accounting policies and the estimated provision for the CAMT.

Reinsurance

Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risk with respect to reinsurance receivables. We periodically review actual and anticipated experience compared to the previously mentioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluate the financial strength of counterparties to our reinsurance agreements. Counterparty credit risk may be managed through the use of letters of credit, collateral trusts or on balance sheet funds withheld agreements. Assets held under funds withheld agreements are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and subject to triggers embedded within the relevant reinsurance agreements.

Additionally, for each of our reinsurance agreements, we determine whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. We review all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims.

For reinsurance contracts, reinsurance recoverable balances are generally calculated using methodologies and assumptions that are consistent with those used to calculate the direct liabilities. For non-participating traditional life insurance contracts and limited pay life-contingent contracts, there may be reinsurance contracts executed subsequent to the direct contract issue dates, and market interest rates may have changed between the date that the underlying insurance contracts were issued and the date the reinsurance contract is recognized in the financial statements, resulting in the underlying discount rate differing between the direct and reinsured business.

Our guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIBs) are reinsured with an unrelated party. For contracts that only ceded the GMIB feature of our annuity products, the reinsurance contract in its entirety is classified as a reinsured market risk benefit or MRB. Accordingly, the reinsured MRB is recorded at fair value using internally developed models consistent with those used to value our direct MRBs.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 8 - Reinsurance of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

Investments – Valuation and Impairment

We determine the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. When necessary, we may also determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values also, if appropriate, reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, credit rating, liquidity and incorporate risk margins for unobservable inputs.

Where quoted market prices are not available, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data, as well as the best information about the individual financial instrument. At times, illiquid market conditions could

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Critical Accounting Estimates

result in inactive markets for certain of our financial instruments. In such instances, there could be no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments deemed to be in an illiquid market are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors. These fair values are estimates and involve considerable uncertainty and variability as a result of the inputs selected and may differ materially from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. As a result of market inactivity, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

We periodically review our available-for-sale debt securities on a case-by-case basis to determine if an impairment is necessary for securities with a decline in fair value to below cost or amortized cost. Factors considered in determining whether an impairment is necessary include whether we have the intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the amortized cost basis is fully recovered, the severity of the unrealized loss, the reasons for the decline in value and expectations for the amount and timing of a recovery in fair value. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, for which we deem an impairment necessary, the amortized cost may be written down to fair value through net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments, or an ACL may be recorded along with a charge to net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments.

Securities determined to be underperforming or potential problem securities are subject to regular review. To facilitate the review, securities with significant declines in value, or where other objective criteria evidencing credit deterioration have been met, are included on a watch list. Among the criteria for securities to be included on a watch list are: credit deterioration that has led to a significant decline in fair value of the security; a significant covenant related to the security has been breached; or an issuer has filed or indicated a possibility of filing for bankruptcy, has missed or announced it intends to miss a scheduled interest or principal payment, or has experienced a specific material adverse change that could impair its creditworthiness.

In performing these reviews, we consider the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and exercise considerable judgment in determining whether an impairment is needed for a particular security. Assessment factors include judgments about an obligor’s current and projected financial position, an issuer’s current and projected ability to service and repay its debt obligations, the existence of, and realizable value of, any collateral backing the obligations and the outlooks for specific industries and issuers. This assessment may also involve assumptions regarding underlying collateral such as prepayment rates, default and recovery rates, and third-party servicing capabilities.

In addition to the review procedures described above, investments in asset-backed securities where market prices are depressed are subject to a review of their future estimated cash flows, including expected and stress case scenarios, to identify potential shortfalls in contractual payments. These estimated cash flows are developed using available performance indicators from the underlying assets including current and projected default or delinquency rates, levels of credit enhancement, current subordination levels, vintage, expected loss severity and other relevant characteristics. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against third-party sources.

For mortgage-backed securities, credit losses are assessed using a cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying mortgages, using the security-specific collateral characteristics and transaction structure. The model estimates cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans and distributes those cash flows to various tranches of securities, considering the transaction structure and any subordination and credit enhancements existing in that structure. The cash flow model incorporates actual cash flows on the mortgage-backed securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions, including prepayment speeds, default rates and loss severity. Specifically, for prime and Alt-A RMBS, the assumed default percentage is dependent on the severity of delinquency status, with foreclosures and real estate owned receiving higher rates, but also includes the currently performing loans. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against other third-party sources. In addition, these estimates are extrapolated along a default timing curve to estimate the total lifetime pool default rate.

After these reviews, we recognize impairments on debt securities in an unrealized loss position when any of the following circumstances exists:

•We intend to sell a security;

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•It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security prior to recovery; or

•We do not expect full recovery of the amortized cost based on the discounted cash flows estimated to be collected.

Mortgage loans, which are not carried at fair value under the fair value option, are carried at the aggregate unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any applicable unamortized discount or premium, or ACL. Acquisition discounts and premiums on mortgage loans are amortized into investment income through maturity dates using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on the principal balance of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income and amortization of premiums and discounts are reported in net investment income along with prepayment fees and mortgage loan fees, which are recorded as incurred.

We review mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to estimate the ACL with changes in the ACL recorded in net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments. Apart from an ACL recorded on individual mortgage loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, we record an ACL on the pool of mortgage loans based on lifetime expected credit losses. Credit loss estimates are pooled by property type and unfunded commitments are included in the model with an allowance for credit losses determined accordingly.

Mortgage loans on real estate deemed uncollectible are charged against the ACL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL.

Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost of debt securities and mortgage loans. An allowance for credit losses is not estimated on an accrued interest receivable. Rather, receivable balances that are deemed uncollectible are written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income.

Derivatives

Freestanding Derivative Instruments

We enter into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, put-swaptions, futures and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, credit quality or degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows that we have acquired or incurred.

Freestanding derivative instruments are reported at fair value, which reflects the estimated amounts, net of payment accruals, that we would receive or pay upon sale or termination of the contracts at the reporting date. Freestanding derivatives priced using third party pricing services incorporate inputs that are predominantly observable in the market. The determination of the estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, non-performance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 5 - Derivative Instruments and Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on significant inputs into our derivative pricing methodology.

Embedded Derivatives - Product Liabilities

For our registered index-linked and fixed index annuities, the equity-linked option issued by the Company is accounted for at fair value as an embedded derivative on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of other contract holder funds, with changes in fair value recorded in net income. The policyholder account value is the imputed value of the underlying guaranteed host contract.

The fair value of the embedded derivative for the FIA and RILA products is determined using an option-budget method with capital market inputs of market index returns and discount rates as well as actuarial assumptions including lapse, mortality and withdrawal rates. We typically update our actuarial assumptions annually as discussed above, unless a material change is observed in an interim period that we feel is indicative of a long-term trend.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

The underlying assumptions may have a material impact on the measurement of the embedded derivative, including equity market movements. Thus, favorable equity market movements cause increases in future contract holder benefits, resulting in an increase in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability (and vice versa).

See Item 8. Financials Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 5 - Derivative Instruments and Note 10 - Other Contract Holder Funds of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our accounting policies for embedded derivatives bifurcated for insurance host contracts.

Embedded Derivatives - Funds Withheld Reinsurance Agreements

The Company has recorded an embedded derivative liability related to the Athene coinsurance agreement (the “Athene Embedded Derivative”) in accordance with ASC 815-15 as Jackson’s obligation under the coinsurance agreement is based on the total return of investments in a segregated funds withheld account rather than Jackson’s own creditworthiness. As the coinsurance agreement transfers the economics of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account to Athene, they will receive an investment return equivalent to owning the underlying assets. At inception of the coinsurance agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative was valued at zero. Additionally, the inception fair value of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account differed from their book value and, accordingly, the amortization of this difference is reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement, while the investments are held. Subsequent to the effective date of the coinsurance agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative is measured at fair value with changes reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Athene Embedded Derivative Liability is included in Funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 8 - Reinsurance of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income reported for each of our three segments and Corporate and Other includes an allocation for investment income generated on assigned capital. The amount of capital assigned to each of our segments for purposes of measuring segment net investment income is established at a level that management considers necessary to support the segment’s risks. This assessment is determined based upon internal models and contemplates National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) RBC requirements at internally defined levels. Net investment income on capital in excess of the amount required to support our core operating strategies is reflected in Corporate and Other.

Contingent Liabilities

We are a party to legal actions and, at times, regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate their impact on our financial position. A reserve is established for contingent liabilities if it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of our contingent liabilities, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded, could have a material effect upon our financial position. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of contingent liabilities is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

The Company invests in a number of asset types that it has determined are VIEs, such as equity positions in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), limited partnerships (“LPs”), limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and mutual funds that are assessed to determine whether they meet the criteria as a VIE. For those entities deemed to be VIEs, we further assess whether the VIE must be consolidated as a result of the terms specific to each entity. Entities for which consolidation is required are included on our Consolidated Financial Statements. To the extent that external parties are also invested in these VIEs, a non-controlling interest is reflected on our Consolidated Financial Statements as well. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data -- Note 4 - Investments of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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FY 2022 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001822993-23-000009.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2023-03-01. Report date: 2022-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Summary

This executive summary of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation highlights selected information and may not contain all the information that is important to current or potential investors in our securities. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") in its entirety for a more detailed description of events, trends, uncertainties, risks and critical accounting estimates affecting us.

Discussion related to the results of operations for the Company's comparison of 2021 results to 2020 results have been omitted in this Form 10-K. The Company's comparison of 2021 results to 2020 results is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, under Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Executive Summary and Results of Operations.

Jackson Financial Inc. (“Jackson Financial”) along with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial services company focused on helping Americans grow and protect their savings and income to enable them to pursue financial freedom for life. We believe that we are uniquely positioned in our markets because of our differentiated products, well-known brand and disciplined risk management. Our market leadership is supported by our efficient and scalable operating platform and industry-leading distribution network. We believe these core strengths will enable us to grow profitably as an aging, U.S. population transitions into retirement.

We offer a diverse suite of annuities to retail investors in the U.S. Our variable annuities have been among the best-selling products of their kind in the U.S., primarily due to the differentiated features we offer as compared to our competitors, in particular the wider range of investment options and greater freedom to invest across multiple investment options. We also offer fixed index annuities and fixed annuities. In the fourth quarter of 2021, our primary life insurance subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company (“Jackson”) and its insurance subsidiaries successfully launched Jackson Market Link ProSM and Jackson Market Link Pro AdvisorySM, its commission and advisory based suite of registered index-linked annuities ("RILA"). Also in the fourth quarter of 2021, we entered the defined contribution market as a carrier in the AllianceBernstein Lifetime Income Strategy ("AllianceBernstein").

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPMH, the holding company of PPM, which manages the majority of our general account investment portfolio, in Corporate and Other. See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our segments.

There are several significant events that have affected, or are expected to affect, us, including:

•Demerger from Prudential: We were previously a majority-owned subsidiary of Prudential plc (“Prudential”), London, England and served as the holding company for its U.S. operations. The demerger, or separation, from Prudential was completed September 13, 2021 (the "Demerger"), and we are now an independent U.S. public company. Prudential retained an equity interest in us, which, as a result of Prudential's sales subsequent to the Demerger, represents 9.2% beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2022.

•Common Stock Split: On September 9, 2021, Jackson Financial effected a 104,960.3836276-for-1 stock split of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by way of a reclassification of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. All share and earnings per share information presented in this Form 10-K have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split. On June 9, 2022, our shareholders approved the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which eliminated the Class B Common Stock. As a result, our Class A Common Stock became simply, common stock.

•Athene Transactions: On June 18, 2020, Jackson announced that it entered into a funds withheld coinsurance agreement (the “Athene Reinsurance Agreement”) with Athene Life Re Ltd. (“Athene”), effective June 1, 2020, to reinsure on a 100% quota share basis, a block of Jackson’s in-force fixed and fixed-index annuity product liabilities in exchange for a $1.2 billion ceding commission (the “Athene Reinsurance Transaction”). As a result,

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Executive Summary

we hold various investments whose economic performance accrues to Athene but are reported in our financial statements. In July 2020, Athene invested $500 million of capital into the Company for an equity interest. In August 2020, the Company contributed $500 million, as a capital contribution to Jackson. Athene has an equity interest in us, which as a result of Athene's sales subsequent to the Demerger, represents 1.9% beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2022.

•Common Stock Repurchases: Since the Demerger and through December 31, 2022, we have repurchased 13,425,218 shares of our common stock for an aggregate consideration of $494 million. After giving effect to those repurchases and issuances for our equity-based compensation programs, we had 11,784,813 shares of treasury stock and 82,690,098 shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2022.

•Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: As discussed in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K, on August 16, 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) which, among other changes, created a new corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) based on "adjusted financial statement income," rather than reported taxable income, and imposed a 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases. The AMT provision is effective January 1, 2023. We expect that we will be subject to the AMT beginning in 2023. We expect any AMT incurred to be treated as a taxable temporary difference, and recorded as a deferred tax asset, so it is not expected to have a direct impact on total income tax expense; although it could affect our cash tax liabilities. As of December 31, 2022, we have not recorded any provision for the AMT. The calculation of adjusted financial statement income, and therefore the AMT, is subject to the issuance of regulatory guidance by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which is expected throughout 2023. Any excise tax incurred on corporate stock repurchases will generally be recognized as part of the cost basis of the treasury stock acquired and not reported as part of income tax expense. We continue to monitor developments and regulations associated with the IRA for any potential future impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Part I. Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Report.

Our U.S. GAAP results have been affected by the variability associated with our amortization of deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and are affected by the fact that our use of derivatives does not qualify for U.S. GAAP hedge accounting treatment, resulting in the derivatives being marked to market each reporting period. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below for more information.

Also, an understanding of several key operating measures, including sales, account value, net flows, benefit base and assets under management ("AUM"), is helpful to evaluating our results. See “Key Operating Measures” below. Finally, we are affected by various economic, industry and regulatory trends, which are described below under “Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends.”

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a complete discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting us, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

As discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report, we will be adopting Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-12, “Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts” (“LDTI”), for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023, with a transition date of January 1, 2021. Based upon the elected transition methods, the Company expects the adoption of the standard to result in a decrease to the Company's total equity of approximately $3 billion at the transition date of January 1, 2021. The estimated negative impact at the transition date is now an estimated positive impact to the Company's total equity, as of December 31, 2022, primarily due to higher interest rates and is comprised of a reduction in retained earnings that is more than offset by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income. See further discussion in Note 2 for the significant changes associated with this future change in accounting principle.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting our results of operations and financial condition in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use and report, selected non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures, provides a better understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and the underlying performance drivers of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplementary to our results of operations and financial condition that are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP financial measures. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Consequently, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted Operating Earnings is an after-tax non-GAAP financial measure, which we believe should be used to evaluate our financial performance on a consolidated basis by excluding certain items that may be highly variable from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as well as certain other revenues and expenses that we do not view as driving our underlying performance. Adjusted Operating Earnings should not be used as a substitute for net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to net income are useful for gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

Adjusted Operating Earnings equals our net income adjusted to eliminate the impact of the following items:

1.Guaranteed Benefits and Hedging Results: the fees attributed to guaranteed benefits, the associated movements in optional guaranteed benefit liabilities and related claims and benefit payments are excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings, as we believe this approach appropriately removes the impact to both revenue and related expenses associated with the guaranteed benefit features that are offered for certain of our variable annuities and fixed index annuities and gives investors a better picture of what is driving our underlying performance. This adjustment includes the following components:

•Fees Attributable to Guarantee Benefits: fees earned in conjunction with guaranteed benefit features offered for certain of our variable annuities and fixed index annuities are set at a level intended to mitigate the cost of hedging and funding the liabilities associated with such guaranteed benefit features. The full amount of the fees attributable to guaranteed benefit features have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the related net movements in freestanding derivatives and net reserve and embedded derivative movements, as described below, have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings. This adjusted presentation of our earnings is intended to directly align revenue and related expenses associated with the guaranteed benefit features;

•Net Movement in Freestanding Derivatives, except earned income (periodic settlements and changes in settlement accruals) on derivatives that are hedges of investments, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment: changes in the fair value of our freestanding derivatives used to manage the risk associated with our life and annuity reserves, including those arising from the guaranteed benefit features offered for certain of our variable annuities and fixed index annuities. Net movements in freestanding derivatives have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the market value of these derivatives may vary significantly from period to period as a result of near-term market conditions and therefore are not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business;

•Net Reserve and Embedded Derivative Movements: changes in the valuation of certain life and annuity reserves, a portion of which are accounted for as embedded derivative instruments, and which are primarily composed of variable and fixed index annuity reserves, including those arising from the guaranteed benefit features offered for certain of our variable annuities. Net reserve and embedded derivative movements have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the carrying values of these derivatives may vary significantly from period to period as the result of near-term market conditions and policyholder behavior-related inputs and therefore are not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business. Movements in reserves attributable to the

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

current period claims and benefit payments in excess of a customer’s account value on these policies are also excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as these benefit payments are affected by near-term market conditions and policyholder behavior-related inputs and therefore may vary significantly from period to period;

•DAC and Deferred Sales Inducements ("DSI") Impact: amortization of deferred acquisition costs and DSI associated with the items excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings;

•Assumption changes: the impact on the valuation of Net Derivative and Reserve Movements, including amortization on DAC, arising from changes in underlying actuarial assumptions on an annual basis;

2.Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative: Realized investment gains and losses associated with the periodic sales or disposals of securities, excluding those held within our trading portfolio, as well as impairments of securities, after adjustment for the non-credit component of the impairment charges and change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction;

3.Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction: includes contractual ceding commission, cost of reinsurance write-off and DAC and DSI write-off related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction;

4.Net investment income on funds withheld assets: includes net investment income on funds withheld assets related to funds withheld reinsurance transactions;

5.Other items: one-time or other non-recurring items, such as costs relating to the Demerger and our separation from Prudential, the impact of discontinued operations and investments that are consolidated on our financial statements due to U.S. GAAP accounting requirements, such as our investments in CLOs, but for which the consolidation effects are not aligned with our economic interest or exposure to those entities.

Operating income taxes are calculated using the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 21% while taking into account any items recognized differently in our financial statements and federal income tax returns, including the dividends received deduction and other tax credits. For interim reporting periods, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (“ETR”) in computing its tax provision including consideration of discrete items.

In connection with preparing for the Demerger and our operation as a separate, publicly traded company, we incurred one-time and recurring expenses of approximately $2 million and $51 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are included in Other Items.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Earnings to Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc., the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.$5,697$3,183$(1,634)
Income tax expense (benefit)1,371602(854)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.7,0683,785(2,488)
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(3,077)(2,854)(2,509)
Net movement in freestanding derivatives2,7445,6744,662
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(2,891)(2,753)3,184
DAC and DSI impact1,214266(1,261)
Assumption changes(367)(24)(128)
Total guaranteed benefits and hedging results(2,377)3093,948
Net realized investment gains (losses) including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative(1,827)(161)(817)
Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction2,082
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(1,254)(1,188)(792)
Other items223641
Total non-operating adjustments(5,436)(1,004)4,462
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings1,6322,7811,974
Operating income taxes18938394
Adjusted Operating Earnings$1,443$2,398$1,880

Adjusted Book Value and Adjusted Operating ROE

We use Adjusted Operating Return on Equity ("ROE") to manage our business and evaluate our financial performance. Adjusted Operating ROE excludes items that vary from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as such items may distort the underlying performance of our business. We calculate Adjusted Operating ROE by dividing our Adjusted Operating Earnings by average Adjusted Book Value. Adjusted Book Value excludes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI") attributable to Jackson Financial Inc ("JFI"). AOCI attributable to JFI excludes AOCI arising from investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction. We exclude AOCI attributable to JFI from Adjusted Book Value because our invested assets are generally invested to closely match the duration of our liabilities, which are longer duration in nature, and therefore we believe period-to-period fair market value fluctuations in AOCI to be inconsistent with this objective. We believe excluding AOCI attributable to JFI is more useful to investors in analyzing trends in our business.

Adjusted Book Value and Adjusted Operating ROE should not be used as substitutes for total shareholders’ equity and ROE as calculated using annualized net income and average equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to equity and earnings are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value to total shareholders’ equity and a comparison of Adjusted Operating ROE to ROE, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.$5,697$3,183$(1,634)
Adjusted Operating Earnings1,4432,3981,880
Total shareholders' equity$8,423$10,394$9,429
Adjustments to total shareholders’ equity:
Exclude accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. (1)3,375(1,457)(2,608)
Adjusted Book Value$11,798$8,937$6,821
ROE on average equity60.7%31.5%(20.1)%
Adjusted Operating ROE on average equity13.2%28.6%27.6%
(1) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $(2,106) million and $287 million related to the investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, are not attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. and are therefore not included as an adjustment to total shareholders’ equity in the reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value to total shareholders’ equity.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Key Operating Measures

We use a number of operating measures, discussed below, that management believes provide useful information about our businesses and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.

Sales

Sales of annuities and institutional products include all money deposited by customers into new and existing contracts. We believe sales statistics are useful to gaining an understanding of, among other things, the attractiveness of our products, how we can best meet our customers’ needs, evolving industry product trends and the performance of our business from period to period.

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Sales
Variable annuities$13,638$19,073$16,621
RILA1,811108
Fixed Index Annuities126115997
Fixed Annuities16233327
Total Retail Annuity Sales15,73719,32917,945
Total Institutional Product Sales2,3984751,284
Total Sales$18,135$19,804$19,229

For the year ended December 31, 2022, total sales decreased by $1,669 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Lower retail sales were primarily due to decreased sales of our variable annuities with lifetime living benefits, the decline in equity markets, and shifting consumer preferences in a rising interest rate environment. The lower sales were partially offset by sales of our lifetime income solutions offering in the defined contribution market and our new RILA product, which were launched in the fourth quarter of 2021. Sales of fixed index and fixed annuities increased in 2022 due to the rising interest rate environment, which enabled more favorable pricing actions. In addition, sales of our institutional products were higher by $1,923 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.

Account Value

Account value generally equals the account value of our variable annuities, RILA, fixed index annuities, fixed annuities, interest sensitive life, and institutional products. It reflects the total amount of customer invested assets that have accumulated within a respective product and equals cumulative customer contributions, which includes gross deposits or premiums, plus accrued credited interest plus or minus the impact of market movements, as applicable, less withdrawals and various fees. We believe account value is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, the sources of potential fee income generation, potential benefit obligations and risk management priorities.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
Account Value
GMWB For Life$149,706$188,078
GMWB5,6747,318
GMIB1,3561,808
No Living Benefits49,07360,719
Total Variable Annuity Account Value205,809257,923
RILA1,875110
Fixed Index Annuity (1)415291
Fixed Annuity (1)1,2191,099
Total Fixed & Fixed Index Annuity Account Value1,6341,390
Total Retail Annuities Account Value$209,318$259,423
Total Institutional Products Account Value$9,019$8,830
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Account Value (2)$8,407$8,778
(1) Net of reinsurance to Athene.
(2) Excludes payout annuities and traditional life insurance without account value.

Net Flows

Net flows represent the net change in customer account balances during a period, including gross premiums, surrenders, withdrawals and benefits. Net flows exclude investment performance, interest credited to customer accounts, transfers between fixed and variable benefits for variable annuities and policy charges. We believe net flows is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, sales, ongoing premiums and deposits, the changes in account value from period to period, sources of potential fee income and policyholder behavior.

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Net Flows:
Variable Annuity$(2,407)$(1,011)$1,788
RILA1,803108
Fixed Index Annuity (1)124106481
Fixed Annuity (1)9013(179)
Total Retail Annuities Net Flows(390)(784)2,090
Net flows ceded to Athene(3,243)(2,577)(1,509)
Total Retail Annuities net flows, Gross of Reinsurance$(3,633)$(3,361)$581
Total Institutional Products Net Flows$40$(2,440)$(1,517)
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Net Flows (2)$(296)$(267)$(293)
(1) Net of reinsurance to Athene.
(2) Excludes payout annuities and traditional life insurance without account value.

Net flows, net of reinsurance, improved for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, driven by the increased sales of RILA and institutional products which has a positive effect on net flows.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |

Key Operating Measures

Benefit Base

Benefit base refers to a notional amount that represents the value of a customer’s guaranteed benefit, and therefore may be a different value from the invested assets in a customer’s account value. The benefit base may be used to calculate the fees for a customer’s guaranteed benefits within an annuity contract. The guaranteed death benefit and guaranteed living benefit within the same contract may not have the same benefit base. We believe benefit base is a useful metric for our variable annuity policies in providing an understanding of, among other things, fee income generation, potential optional guarantee benefit obligations and risk management priorities. The following table shows variable annuity account value and benefit base as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Years Ended December 31,
20222021
Account ValueBenefit BaseAccount ValueBenefit Base
(in millions)
No Living Benefits$49,073N/A$60,719N/A
By Guaranteed Living Benefits:
GMWB for Life149,706189,814188,078183,626
GMWB5,6745,6557,3185,860
GMIB (1)1,3561,9291,8082,059
Total$205,809$197,398$257,923$191,545
By Guaranteed Death Benefit:
Return of AV (No GMDB)$25,049N/A$30,337N/A
Return of Premium157,339138,419197,544135,034
Highest Anniversary Value12,12814,27215,59914,767
Rollup3,2294,6954,1884,850
Combination HAV/Rollup8,06410,29710,25510,402
Total$205,809$167,683$257,923$165,053
(1) Substantially all our GMIB benefits are reinsured.

Assets Under Management

AUM, or assets under management, refers to investment assets that are managed by one of our subsidiaries and includes: (i) the assets in our investment portfolio managed by PPM, which excludes assets held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions, (ii) third party assets managed by PPM, including those for Prudential and its affiliates or third parties, and (iii) the separate account assets of our Retail Annuities segment that Jackson National Asset Management ("JNAM") manages and administers. Total AUM reflects exclusions between segments to avoid double counting. We believe AUM is a useful metric for understanding of, among other things, the sources of our earnings, net investment income and performance of our invested assets, customer directed investments and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
Jackson Invested Assets$44,486$47,224
Third Party Invested Assets (including CLOs)26,99331,980
Total PPM AUM71,47979,204
Total JNAM AUM219,070280,250
Total AUM$290,549$359,454

Total AUM decreased for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, driven by a decline in separate account balances managed by JNAM due to negative equity market returns over the last year.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

We discuss a number of trends and uncertainties below that we believe could materially affect our future business performance, including our results of operations, our investments, our cash flows, and our capital and liquidity position.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Conditions

Our business and results of operations are affected by macroeconomic factors. The level of interest rates and shape of the yield curve, credit and equity market performance and equity volatility, regulation, tax policy, the level of U.S. employment, inflation and the overall economic growth rate can affect both our short and long-term profitability. Monetary and fiscal policy in the U.S., or similar actions in foreign nations, could result in increased volatility in financial markets, including interest rates, currencies and equity markets, and could impact our business in both the short-term and medium-term. Political events, including precautions with the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, tariffs or other barriers to international trade, and the effects that these or other political events could have on levels of economic activity, could also impact our business through impacts on consumers’ behavior or impact on financial markets.

In the short- to medium-term, the potential for increased volatility could pressure sales and reduce demand for our products as consumers consider purchasing alternative products to meet their objectives. Our financial performance can be adversely affected by market volatility and equity market declines if fees assessed on the account value of our annuities fluctuate, hedging costs increase and revenues decline due to reduced sales and increased outflows.

Equity Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by the performance of equity markets. For example, our variable annuities earn fees based on the account value, which changes with equity market levels. After a very volatile 2020, U.S. equity markets performed well in 2021, with the S&P 500 generally at or near all-time highs throughout the year. In 2022, equity markets declined and equity volatility increased, resulting in higher hedging costs. The financial performance of our hedging program could be impacted by large directional market movements or periods of high volatility. In particular, our hedges could be less effective in periods of large directional movements or we could experience more frequent or more costly rebalancing in periods of high volatility, which would lead to adverse performance versus our hedge targets and increased hedging costs. Further, we are also exposed to basis risk, which results from our inability to purchase or sell hedge assets whose performance is perfectly correlated to the performance of the funds into which customers allocate their assets. We make funds available to customers where we believe we can transact in sufficiently correlated hedge assets, and we anticipate some variance in the performance of our hedge assets and customer funds. This variance may result in our hedge assets outperforming or underperforming the customer assets they are intended to match. This variance may be exacerbated during periods of high volatility, leading to a mismatch in our hedge results relative to our hedge targets and U.S GAAP results.

Interest Rate Environment

The interest rate environment has affected, and will continue to affect our business and financial performance in the future for the following reasons:

•Periods of sharp rises in interest rates, as we have seen recently as a result of the Federal Reserve's actions and signals about upcoming interest rate decisions, impact investment related activity including investment income returns, net investment spread results, new money rates, mortgage loan prepayments, and bond redemptions. Due to increases in interest rates, the yield on new investments has generally exceeded the yield on asset maturities and redemptions (runoff yield). Rising interest rates also impact the hedging results of our variable annuity business as the market value of interest rate hedges decline driving immediate hedging losses. We would expect lower hedging costs and reduced levels of hedging going forward. Further, we expect near-term hedging losses from rising rates may be more than offset by changes in the fair value of the related guaranteed benefit liabilities as was the case for the year ended December 31, 2022.

•Interest rate increases also expose us to disintermediation risk, where higher rates make currently sold fixed annuity products more attractive while simultaneously reducing the market value of assets backing our liabilities. This creates an incentive for our customers to lapse their products in an environment where selling assets causes us to realize losses.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

•Additionally, our statutory total adjusted capital ("TAC") may be negatively impacted by rising rates due to minimum required reserving levels (i.e., cash surrender value floor) when reserve releases are limited and unable to offset interest rate hedging losses. Statutory required capital, or company action level ("CAL") will generally decline in rising interest rate environments. The RBC ratio may increase or decrease depending on the interaction between TAC and the CAL movements which could impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries.

•We operated in a low interest rate environment for several years. A prolonged low interest rate environment subjects us to increased hedging costs or an increase in the amount of statutory reserves that our insurance subsidiaries are required to hold for optional guaranteed benefits, decreasing statutory surplus, which would adversely affect their ability to pay dividends. Certain inputs to the statutory models rely on prescribed interest rates, which are determined using a historical interest rate perspective with a mean reversion path over the longer term. In addition, low interest rates could also increase the perceived value of optional guaranteed benefit features to our customers, which in turn could lead to a higher utilization of withdrawal or annuitization features of annuity policies and higher persistency of those products over time.

•Finally, some of our annuities have a guaranteed minimum interest crediting rate. These guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates may not be lowered, even if earnings on our investment portfolio decline, resulting in net investment spread compression that negatively impacts earnings. More customers are expected to hold policies with comparatively high guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates longer in a low interest rate environment, which may result in lower than previously expected lapse rates. Similarly, we expect customers would be less likely to hold policies if existing guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates are perceived to have less value as interest rates rise, which may result in higher than previously expected lapse rates.

Credit Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by conditions in fixed income markets. After tightening in 2021, credit spreads widened in 2022. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally decreases, although we generally expect the widening spreads to increase the yield on new fixed income investments. Conversely, as credit spreads tighten, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally increases, and the yield available on new investment purchases decreases. While changing credit spreads impact the fair value of our investment portfolio, this revaluation is generally reflected in our AOCI. The revaluation will impact net income for realized gains or losses from the sale of securities, the change in fair value of trading securities or securities carried at fair value under the fair value election, or potential changes in the allowance for credit loss ("ACL"). In addition, if credit conditions deteriorate due to a recession or other negative credit events in capital markets, we could experience an increase in defaults and other-than-temporary-impairments (“OTTI”).

OTTI in our underlying investments would result in a reduction in TAC held by our insurance company subsidiaries. Also, shifts in the credit quality or credit rating downgrades of our investments as a result of stressed credit conditions may also impact the level of regulatory required statutory capital for our insurance company subsidiaries. As such, significant credit rating downgrades along with elevated defaults and OTTI losses would negatively impact our RBC ratio which could impact available dividends from our insurance subsidiaries.

Pandemics and Other Public Health Crises

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our business and contributed to additional operating costs over the past several years. While the effects of that pandemic appear to be subsiding, other pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks in the U.S. or globally could disrupt our business by affecting how we protect and interact with our critical workforce, customers, key vendors, third-party suppliers, or counterparties with whom we transact. Disruption could result from an inability of those persons to work or transact effectively due to illness, quarantines, and government actions in response to public health emergencies. The extent and severity of governmental actions will necessarily depend on the extent and severity of the perceived emergency. We have risk management plans in place and have been able to navigate through COVID-19 with remote and hybrid work environments; however, those plans may be challenged by a new public health emergency.

Consumer Behavior

We believe that many retirees have begun to look to tax-efficient savings products as a tool for addressing their unmet need for retirement planning. We believe our products are well positioned to meet this increasing consumer demand. However,

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

consumer behavior may be impacted by increased economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, declining equity markets, significant changes in interest rates and increased volatility of financial markets. In recent years, we have introduced new products to better address changes in consumer demand and targeted distribution channels which meet changes in consumer preferences.

Demographics

We expect demographic trends in the U.S. population, in particular the increase in the number of retirement age individuals, to generate significant demand for our products. In addition, the potential risk to government social safety net programs and shifting of responsibility for retirement planning and financial security from employers and other institutions to employees, highlights the need for individuals to plan for their long-term financial security and will create additional opportunities to generate sustained demand for our products. We believe we are well positioned to capture the increased demand generated by these demographic trends.

Regulatory Policy

We operate in a highly regulated industry. Our insurance company subsidiaries are regulated primarily at the state level, with some policies and products also subject to federal regulation. As such, regulations recently approved or currently under review at both the U.S. federal and state level could impact our business model, including statutory reserve and capital requirements. We anticipate that our ability to respond to changes in regulation and other legislative activity will be critical to our long-term financial performance. In particular, the following could materially impact our business:

Department of Labor Fiduciary Advice Rule

The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued a regulatory action (the “Fiduciary Advice Rule”) effective February 16, 2021, that reinstates the text of the DOL’s 1975 investment advice regulation defining what constitutes fiduciary “investment advice” to Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") Plans and Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") and provides guidance interpreting such regulation. The guidance provided by the DOL broadens the circumstances under which financial institutions, including insurance companies, could be considered fiduciaries under ERISA or the Tax Code. In particular, the DOL states that a recommendation to “roll over” assets from a qualified retirement plan to an IRA, or from an IRA to another IRA, can be considered fiduciary investment advice if provided by someone with an existing relationship with the ERISA Plan or an IRA owner (or in anticipation of establishing such a relationship). This guidance reverses an earlier DOL interpretation suggesting that roll over advice did not constitute investment advice giving rise to a fiduciary relationship. Because our distribution of annuities is primarily through intermediaries, we believe that we will have limited exposure to the new Fiduciary Advice Rule. Unlike the DOL’s previous fiduciary rule issued in 2016, compliance with the Fiduciary Advice Rule will not require us or our distributors to provide the disclosures required for exemptive relief under the previous rule. However, we continue to analyze the impact of the Fiduciary Advice Rule, and, while we cannot predict the rule’s impact, it could have an adverse effect on sales of annuities through our distribution partners. The Fiduciary Advice Rule may also lead to changes to our compensation practices and product offerings and increased litigation risk, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We may also need to take certain additional actions to comply with or assist our distributors in their compliance with the Fiduciary Advice Rule.

Legislative Reforms

Congress approved the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the "SECURE Act") on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act provides individuals with greater access to retirement products. Namely, it makes it easier for 401(k) programs to offer annuities as an investment option by, among other things, creating a statutory safe harbor in ERISA for a retirement plan’s selection of an annuity provider. The SECURE Act represents the largest overhaul to retirement plans in over a decade. On December 29, 2022, SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) was signed into law as part of a larger omnibus appropriations bill. SECURE 2.0 contains provisions that expand automatic enrollment programs, increase the age of required minimum distributions, and eliminate age requirements for traditional IRA contributions. These changes are intended to expand and increase Americans’ retirement savings. We view these reforms as beneficial to our business model and expect growth opportunities will arise from the new laws.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Tax Laws

All our annuities offer investors the opportunity to benefit from tax deferral. If U.S. tax laws were to change, such that our annuities no longer offer tax-deferred advantages, demand for our products could materially decrease.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data from our Consolidated Income Statements. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes elsewhere in this Report:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Revenues
Fee income$7,722$8,059$6,928
Premiums132148187
Net investment income2,7613,4242,818
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments3,851(2,478)(6,451)
Other income859464
Total revenues14,5519,2473,546
Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals2,2909701,362
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization8628341,301
Interest expense1133788
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,4322,8391,299
Cost of reinsurance2,520
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,743520(533)
Total benefits and expenses7,4405,2006,037
Pretax income (loss)7,1114,047(2,491)
Income tax expense (benefit)1,371602(854)
Net income (loss)5,7403,445(1,637)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests43262(3)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.$5,697$3,183$(1,634)
Adjusted Operating Earnings
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.$5,697$3,183$(1,634)
Income tax expense (benefit)1,371602(854)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.7,0683,785(2,488)
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(3,077)(2,854)(2,509)
Net movement in freestanding derivatives2,7445,6744,662
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(2,891)(2,753)3,184
DAC and DSI impact1,214266(1,261)
Assumption changes(367)(24)(128)
Total guaranteed benefits and hedging results(2,377)3093,948
Net realized investment gains (losses) including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative(1,827)(161)(817)
Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction2,082
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(1,254)(1,188)(792)
Other items223641
Total non-operating adjustments(5,436)(1,004)4,462
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings1,6322,7811,974
Operating income taxes18938394
Adjusted Operating Earnings$1,443$2,398$1,880

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Pretax Income (Loss)

Our pretax income (loss) increased by $3,064 million to pretax income of $7,111 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from income of $4,047 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to:

•$6,329 million improvement on total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments as shown in table below and driven by:

Years Ended December 31,
20222021Variance
(in millions)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets$(359)$182$(541)
Net gains (losses) on freestanding derivatives(2,704)(5,520)2,816
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives (excluding funds withheld reinsurance)4,7282,8811,847
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments2,024(2,639)4,663
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance2,186(21)2,207
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$3,851$(2,478)$6,329

•Lower freestanding derivative losses on our equity derivatives primarily driven by significant market decreases in 2022, compared to market increases in the prior year. These gains were partially offset by losses within our interest rate related hedge instruments, reflecting increases in interest rates, as compared to the prior year;

•Higher benefit recognized on funds withheld reinsurance driven by increased interest rates compared to prior year; and

•More favorable movements in reserves for guaranteed benefits, primarily driven by more favorable increases in interest rates partially offset by unfavorable equity and equity volatility movements, compared to prior year.

Primarily offset by:

•Losses on sales of securities recognized on gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets, compared to prior year gains.

•$407 million decrease in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to lower deferred compensation expense as a result of declines in the value of the underlying liabilities, lower incentive compensation in 2022, lower asset-based non-deferrable commissions and lower sub-advisor expenses due to lower account values during the year ended December 31, 2022, and higher separation costs in 2021.

These favorable variances were partially offset by:

•$1,320 million increase in death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves primarily due to changes in reserves on variable annuity guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities driven by unfavorable equity movements in 2022 compared to favorable movements in 2021;

•$1,223 million increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs driven by lower net freestanding derivative losses and embedded derivative gains in 2022, leading to higher current period gross profits and, therefore, higher current period amortization;

•$663 million decrease in net investment income as a result of lower income on limited partnership investments, which are recorded on a one quarter lag;

•$337 million decrease in fee income primarily due to decreases in variable fee income and asset management fees compared to prior year, partially offset by increases in benefit-based guarantee fee income; and

•$76 million higher interest expense incurred in the current year primarily related to our senior notes, which refinanced our term loan facilities.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Consolidated Results of Operations

Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $769 million to an expense of $1,371 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from an expense of $602 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The 2022 income tax expense represents an effective tax rate of 19%, versus a 2021 income tax expense that represents an effective income tax rate of 16%. Our effective rate typically varies from the marginal statutory rate of 21% due to the impact of permanent tax differences, such as dividends received deduction and foreign tax credits. In addition, income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $24 million benefit of net interest related to tax refunds and $3 million benefit for the reversal of an uncertain tax position.

Segment Results of Operations

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, within Corporate and Other. The following tables and discussion represent an overall view of our results of operations for each segment.

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment

The following table summarizes pretax adjusted operating earnings from the Company's business segment operations and also provides a reconciliation of the segment measure to net income on a consolidated U.S. GAAP basis. See also Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3, Segment Information:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$1,626$2,528$2,006
Institutional Products796485
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(1)224
Corporate and Other(72)(35)(117)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings1,6322,7811,974
Pre-tax reconciling items from adjusted operating income to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.:
Guaranteed benefits and hedging results:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves3,0772,8542,509
Net movement in freestanding derivatives(2,744)(5,674)(4,662)
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements2,8912,753(3,184)
DAC and DSI impact(1,214)(266)1,261
Assumption changes36724128
Total guaranteed benefits and hedging results2,377(309)(3,948)
Net realized investment gains (losses) including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative1,827161817
Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction(2,082)
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,2541,188792
Other items(22)(36)(41)
Total pre-tax reconciling items5,4361,004(4,462)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.7,0683,785(2,488)
Income tax expense (benefit)1,371602(854)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.$5,697$3,183$(1,634)

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Segment Results of Operations

Retail Annuities

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Retail Annuities segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Retail Annuities:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$4,108$4,636$3,806
Premiums101527
Net investment income403692956
Income (loss) on operating derivatives175248
Other income424730
Total Operating Revenues4,5805,4424,867
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves5913142
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization254226477
Interest expense322227
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,1742,4562,158
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs43519757
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses2,9542,9142,861
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$1,626$2,528$2,006

The following table summarizes a roll forward of activity affecting account value for our Retail Annuities segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Retail Annuities Account Value:
Balance as of beginning of period$259,423$229,965$230,932
Premiums and deposits15,85519,46718,117
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(16,245)(20,251)(16,027)
Net flows(390)(784)2,090
Credited Interest/Investment performance(46,962)32,83127,251
Policy Charges and other(2,753)(2,589)(30,308)
Balance as of end of period, net of ceded reinsurance209,318259,423229,965
Ceded reinsurance21,84924,95626,775
Balance as of end of period, gross$231,167$284,379$256,740

Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $902 million to $1,626 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $2,528 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to:

•$528 million decrease in fee income primarily due to a decrease in average variable annuity account values stemming from unfavorable separate account performance in 2022.

•$289 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to lower levels of investment income on private equity and other limited partnership investments, when compared to the same period in 2021.

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•$238 million increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs primarily due to lower separate account returns during 2022, which led to decreased expected future gross profits, and therefore higher current period amortization during 2022.

These decreases were partially offset by:

•$282 million decrease in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to lower asset-based non-deferrable commissions due to lower account values during 2022, lower deferred compensation expense as a result of declines in the value of the underlying liabilities and lower incentive compensation expenses in 2022.

Account Value

Retail annuities account value, net of reinsurance, decreased $50.1 billion between periods primarily due to negative variable annuity separate account returns driven by unfavorable market performance in 2022, as well as negative net flows over the period, primarily from our reinsured fixed and fixed index annuity block.

Institutional Products

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Institutional Products segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Operating Revenues
Net investment income$312$260$355
Income (loss) on operating derivatives(22)(3)
Other income1
Total Operating Revenues290257356
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization201188250
Interest expense516
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals555
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses211193271
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$79$64$85

The following table summarizes a roll forward of activity affecting account value for our Institutional Products segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Balance as of beginning of period$8,830$11,138$12,287
Premiums and deposits2,3984751,284
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(2,358)(2,915)(2,801)
Net flows40(2,440)(1,517)
Credited Interest201188266
Policy Charges and other(52)(56)102
Balance as of end of period$9,019$8,830$11,138

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Segment Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $15 million to $79 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $64 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to increased investment income partially offset by higher interest credited and increased losses on operating derivatives, driven by interest rate and foreign exchange movements, compared to prior year.

Account Value

Institutional product account value increased from $8,830 million at December 31, 2021 to $9,019 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in account value was driven by new issuances in 2022, partially offset by continued maturities of the existing contracts and funding agreements.

Closed Life and Annuity Blocks

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$474$492$513
Premiums134145172
Net investment income706950778
Income (loss) on operating derivatives317258
Other income353925
Total Operating Revenues1,3801,6981,546
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves838860906
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals and amortization407420436
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals130180187
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs61417
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses1,3811,4741,546
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(1)$224$

Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $225 million to a loss of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from income of $224 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to:

•$244 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to lower levels of investment income on private equity and other limited partnership investments, when compared to the same period in 2021.

This was partially offset by:

•$50 million decrease in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to lower deferred and incentive compensation expenses in 2022.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Segment Results of Operations

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the operations of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, and unallocated corporate revenue and expenses, as well as certain eliminations and consolidation adjustments. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the pretax adjusted operating earnings results for Corporate and Other. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Corporate and Other:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$52$65$88
Net investment income6555(35)
Income (loss) on operating derivatives143221
Other income888
Total Operating Revenues13916082
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest expense761545
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals123146134
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs123420
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses211195199
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(72)$(35)$(117)

Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $37 million to $(72) million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $(35) million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to the following:

•$61 million higher interest expense incurred in the current year primarily related to our senior notes. See Note 11 - Long-Term Debt of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

This was partially offset by:

•$23 million decrease in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to lower deferred and incentive compensation expenses in 2022 and higher separation costs in 2021.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Investments

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of fixed-income securities and loans, primarily publicly-traded corporate and government bonds, private securities and loans, asset-backed securities and mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed and other structured securities. The fair value of these and our other invested assets fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment and could be adversely impacted by other economic factors.

Investment Strategy

Our overall investment strategy is to maintain a diversified and largely investment grade fixed income portfolio that is capital efficient, achieves risk-adjusted returns that support competitive pricing for our products, generates profitable growth of our business and maintains adequate liquidity to support our obligations. The investments within our investment portfolio are primarily managed by PPM, our wholly-owned registered investment advisor. Our investment strategy benefits from PPM’s ability to originate investments directly, as well as participate in transactions originated by banks, investment banks, commercial finance companies and other intermediaries. Certain investments held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions are managed by Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP ("Apollo"), an Athene affiliate, see Note 8 - Reinsurance of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. We may also use other third-party investment managers for certain niche asset classes. As of December 31, 2022, Apollo managed $19.7 billion of cash and investments and other third-party investment managers represented approximately $182 million of investments.

Our investment program seeks to generate a competitive rate of return on our invested assets to support the profitable growth of our business, while maintaining investment portfolio allocations within the Company’s risk tolerance. This means maximizing risk-adjusted return within the context of a largely fixed income portfolio while also managing exposure to downside risk in a stressed environment, regulatory and rating agency capital models, overall portfolio yield, diversification and correlation with other investments and company exposures.

Our Investment Committee has specified a target strategic asset allocation (“SAA”) that is designed to deliver the highest expected return within a defined risk tolerance while meeting other important objectives such as those mentioned in the prior paragraph. The fixed income portion of the SAA is assessed relative to a customized index of public corporate bonds that represents a close approximation of the maturity profile of our liabilities and a credit quality mix that is consistent with our risk tolerance. PPM’s objective is to outperform this index on a number of measures including portfolio yield, total return and capital loss due to downgrades and defaults. While PPM has access to a broad universe of potential investments, we believe grounding the investment program with a customized public corporate index that can be easily tracked and monitored helps guide PPM in meeting the risk and return expectations and assists with performance evaluation.

Recognizing the trade -offs between the level of risk, required capital, liquidity and investment return, the largest allocation within our investment portfolio is to investment grade fixed income securities. As previously mentioned, our investment manager accesses a broad universe of potential investments to construct the investment portfolio and considers the benefits of diversification across various sectors, collateral types and asset classes. To this end, our SAA and investment portfolio includes allocations to public and private corporate bonds (both investment grade and high yield), mortgage loans, structured securities, private equity and U.S. Treasury securities. These U.S. Treasury securities, while lower yielding than other alternatives, provide a higher level of liquidity and play a role in managing our interest rate exposure.

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had total investments of $65.9 billion and $74.2 billion, respectively.

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Portfolio Composition

The following table summarizes the carrying values of our investments:

December 31,
20222021
Investments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotalInvestments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotal
(in millions)
Debt Securities, available-for-sale, net of allowance for credit losses$28,867$13,622$42,489$32,453$19,094$51,547
Debt Securities, at fair value under fair value option2,0141592,1731,5471641,711
Debt securities, trading, at fair value100100117117
Equity securities, at fair value31677393163116279
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses6,8404,12710,9676,7434,73911,482
Mortgage loans, at fair value under fair value option582582
Policy loans9423,4354,3779923,4834,475
Freestanding derivative instruments1,192781,2701,375421,417
Other invested assets2,8027933,5952,4847153,199
Total investments$43,073$22,873$65,946$45,874$28,353$74,227

Available-for-sale debt securities decreased to $42,489 million at December 31, 2022 from $51,547 million at the end of 2021, primarily due to a decrease in net unrealized gains. The amortized cost of debt securities, available-for-sale, decreased from $51,206 million as of December 31, 2021 to $51,071 million as of December 31, 2022. Further, net unrealized gains on these assets decreased from a net unrealized gain of $2,178 million as of December 31, 2021 to a net unrealized loss of $6,286 million as of December 31, 2022.

Other Invested Assets

In June 2021, we entered into an arrangement to sell $420 million of limited partnership investments, of which $236 million and $168 million were sold in the second and third quarter of 2021, respectively, and the remainder was sold in January 2022. The increase in Other Invested Assets from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 primarily resulted from the increased valuations of limited partnership investments.

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Debt Securities

At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the amortized cost, allowance for credit loss, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of debt securities, including trading securities and securities carried at fair value under the fair value option, were as follows (in millions):

December 31, 2022Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$6,192$$1$1,008$5,185
Other government securities1,719212511,467
Corporate securities
Utilities5,893276955,225
Energy3,0061073902,613
Banking1,99422341,762
Healthcare2,95684392,525
Finance/Insurance4,497486213,880
Technology/Telecom2,333122962,038
Consumer goods2,463103782,095
Industrial1,67581731,510
Capital goods1,98231961,789
Real estate1,72312251,499
Media1,23011751,056
Transportation1,57632141,365
Retail1,31251821,135
Other (1)2,05611781,879
Total Corporate Securities34,69615864,39630,371
Residential mortgage-backed51061959464
Commercial mortgage-backed1,8211831,638
Other asset-backed securities6,13385045,637
Total Debt Securities$51,071$23$115$6,401$44,762
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

December 31, 2021Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$4,525$$97$301$4,321
Other government securities1,489147171,619
Corporate securities
Utilities6,069671256,715
Energy2,872222163,078
Banking1,94479102,013
Healthcare3,196175213,350
Finance/Insurance4,299228474,480
Technology/Telecom2,376123262,473
Consumer goods2,525123382,610
Industrial1,996118102,104
Capital goods2,20613482,332
Real estate1,80582111,876
Media1,18784191,252
Transportation1,789105131,881
Retail1,28975131,351
Other (1)2,21713452,346
Total Corporate Securities35,7702,35326237,861
Residential mortgage-backed5282463569
Commercial mortgage-backed1,9687662,038
Other asset-backed securities6,926771236,967
Total Debt Securities$51,206$9$2,790$612$53,375
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

Debt Securities Credit Quality

The following tables set forth the composition of the fair value of debt securities, including both those held as available-for-sale and for trading, as classified by rating categories assigned by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSRO”), the NAIC or, if not rated by such organizations, our consolidated investment advisor, PPM. The Company uses the second lowest rating by an NRSRO when NRSRO ratings are not equivalent and, for purposes of the table, if not otherwise rated by a NRSRO, the NAIC rating of a security is converted to an equivalent NRSRO-style rating.

Percent of Total Debt Securities Carrying Value
December 31,
Investment Rating20222021
AAA17.9%14.5%
AA8.2%9.6%
A29.9%28.5%
BBB36.4%40.9%
Investment grade92.4%93.5%
BB3.9%3.6%
B and below3.7%2.9%
Below investment grade7.6%6.5%
Total debt securities100.0%100.0%

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Unrealized Losses

The following tables summarize the amount of gross unrealized losses, fair value and the number of securities aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual debt securities have been in a continuous loss position (in millions):

December 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Less than 12 monthsLess than 12 months
GrossFair ValueGrossFair Value
Unrealized# ofUnrealized# of
LossessecuritiesLossessecurities
U.S. government securities$339$2,81540$2$10716
Other government securities1741,2581431725223
Public utilities5084,2794901772193
Corporate securities2,08717,0682,3231806,343728
Residential mortgage-backed432791963174109
Commercial mortgage-backed1381,421177531437
Other asset-backed securities2823,485417223,224338
Total temporarily impaired securities$3,571$30,6053,786$246$11,1351,344
12 months or longer12 months or longer
GrossFair ValueGrossFair Value
Unrealized# ofUnrealized# of
LossessecuritiesLossessecurities
U.S. government securities$669$1,3866$299$3,1907
Other government securities771772342
Public utilities187520877998
Corporate securities1,6144,6016445866169
Residential mortgage-backed1681941112
Commercial mortgage-backed45192311303
Other asset-backed securities2221,5511711113
Total temporarily impaired securities$2,830$8,5081,056$366$4,006104
TotalTotal
GrossFair ValueGrossFair Value
Unrealized# ofUnrealized# of
Lossessecurities (1)Lossessecurities (1)
U.S. government securities$1,008$4,20142$301$3,29721
Other government securities2511,4351621725625
Public utilities6954,7995622482098
Corporate securities3,70121,6692,8062387,004776
Residential mortgage-backed593602903185121
Commercial mortgage-backed1831,613206634439
Other asset-backed securities5045,036577233,235341
Total temporarily impaired securities$6,401$39,1134,645$612$15,1411,421

(1) Certain securities contain multiple lots and fit the criteria of both aging groups.

The increase in rates on U.S. Treasury securities and the widening credit spreads of investment grade corporate securities resulted in reduced fair values and increased unrealized losses during the year ended December 31, 2022. Of the $5,789 million total increase in unrealized losses and the $23,972 million additional fair value on securities with an associated unrealized loss, $2,516 million and $5,033 million, respectively, are associated with assets subject to funds withheld agreements.

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Evaluation of Available-For-Sale Debt Securities

See Note 4 - Investment of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how we evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities for credit loss.

The following table summarizes net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments (in millions):

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
Available-for-sale securities
Realized gains on sale$41$169$778
Realized losses on sale(429)(88)(196)
Credit loss income (expense)(5)(10)(14)
Gross impairments(27)
Credit loss income (expense) on mortgage loans(16)62(61)
Other (1)5049(103)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets(359)182377
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments2,024(2,639)(7,268)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance treaties2,186(21)440
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$3,851$(2,478)$(6,451)
(1) Includes the foreign currency gain or loss related to foreign denominated mortgage loans and trust instruments supporting funding agreements.

Equity Securities

Equity securities consist of investments in common and preferred stock holdings and mutual fund investments. Common and preferred stock investments generally arise out of previous private equity investments or other settlements rather than as direct investments. Mutual fund investments typically represent investments made in our own mutual funds to seed those structures for external issuance at a later date. The following table summarizes our holdings:

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
Common Stock$82$78
Preferred Stock133168
Mutual Funds17833
Total$393$279

Mortgage Loans

Commercial mortgage loans of $10.2 billion and $10.5 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, are reported net of an allowance for credit losses of $91 million and $85 million at each date, respectively. At December 31, 2022, commercial mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Europe. Residential mortgage loans of $1,308 million and $939 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, are reported net of an allowance for credit losses of $4 million and $9 million at each date, respectively. Loans were collateralized by properties located in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and Europe.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance of credit loss, of our mortgage loans by property type:

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
Commercial:
Apartment$3,558$3,755
Hotel1,0151,054
Office1,7951,889
Retail2,0852,104
Warehouse1,7881,741
Total Commercial$10,241$10,543
Residential1,308939
Total$11,549$11,482

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance for credit loss, of our mortgage loans by region:

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
United States:
East North Central1,1161,184
East South Central546491
Middle Atlantic1,6771,558
Mountain627688
New England371452
Pacific2,8502,897
South Atlantic2,3132,295
West North Central572552
West South Central920829
Total United States10,99210,946
Foreign557536
Total11,54911,482

The following table provides information about the credit quality of our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
Loan to value ratios:
Less than 70%$9,586$9,819
70% - 80%424670
80% - 100%19744
Greater than 100%3410
Total10,24110,543
Residential mortgage loans
Performing1,230727
Nonperforming (1)78212
Total1,308939
Total mortgage loans$11,549$11,482

(1) At December 31, 2022 and 2021, includes $41 million and $202 million of loans purchased when the loans were greater than 90 days delinquent and $12 million and $5 million of loans in process of foreclosure are supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs, respectively.

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The following table provides a summary of the allowance for credit losses related to our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20222021
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$94$179
Provision (release)1(85)
Balance at end of period$95$94

The Company’s mortgage loans that are current and in good standing are accruing interest. Interest is not accrued on loans greater than 90 days delinquent and in process of foreclosure, when deemed uncollectible. Delinquency status is determined from the date of the first missed contractual payment.

At December 31, 2022, there was $15 million of recorded investment, $16 million of unpaid principal balance, nil related loan allowance, $18 million of average recorded investment, and no investment income recognized on impaired residential mortgage loans. At December 31, 2021, there was $6 million of recorded investment, $7 million of unpaid principal balance, nil related loan allowance, $2 million of average recorded investment, and no investment income recognized on impaired residential mortgage loans.

Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and the fair values of our freestanding and embedded derivatives instruments (in millions):

December 31, 2022
Contractual/AssetsLiabilitiesNet
NotionalFairFairFair Value
Amount (1)ValueValueAsset (Liability)
Freestanding derivatives
Cross-currency swaps$1,825$73$104$(31)
Equity index call options17,500106106
Equity index futures (2)19,760
Equity index put options30,500958958
Interest rate swaps7,7285231(226)
Interest rate swaps - cleared (2)1,500
Put-swaptions25,0001,711(1,711)
Interest rate futures (2)105,261
Total return swaps7393131
Total freestanding derivatives209,8131,1732,046(873)
Embedded derivatives
Variable annuity embedded derivatives (3)N/A2,1542,154
Fixed index annuity embedded derivatives (4)N/A931(931)
Registered index linked annuity embedded derivatives (4)N/A205(205)
Total embedded derivativesN/A2,1541,1361,018
Derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties
Cross-currency swaps15823122
Cross-currency forwards1,490741856
Funds withheld embedded derivative (5)N/A3,1583,158
Total derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties1,6483,255193,236
Total$211,461$6,582$3,201$3,381
(1) The notional amount for swaps and swaptions represents the stated principal balance used as a basis for calculating payments. The contractual amount for futures and options represents the market exposure of open positions.
(2) Variation margin is considered settlement resulting in the netting of cash received/paid for variation margin against the fair value of the trades.
(3) Variable annuity net embedded derivatives are included within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(4) Included within other contract holder funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(5) Included within funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

December 31, 2021
Contractual/AssetsLiabilitiesNet
NotionalFairFairFair Value
Amount (1)ValueValueAsset (Liability)
Freestanding derivatives
Cross-currency swaps$1,767$55$35$20
Equity index call options21,000606606
Equity index futures (2)18,258
Equity index put options27,500150150
Interest rate swaps7,728430430
Interest rate swaps - cleared (2)1,500
Put-swaptions19,000133133
Interest rate futures (2)912
Total freestanding derivatives97,6651,374351,339
Embedded derivatives
Variable annuity embedded derivatives (3)N/A2,626(2,626)
Fixed index annuity embedded derivatives (4)N/A1,439(1,439)
Registered index linked annuity embedded derivatives (4)N/A6(6)
Total embedded derivativesN/A4,071(4,071)
Derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties
Cross-currency swaps1581019
Cross-currency forwards1,11933528
Funds withheld embedded derivative (5)N/A120(120)
Total derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties1,27743126(83)
Total$98,942$1,417$4,232$(2,815)
(1) The notional amount for swaps and swaptions represents the stated principal balance used as a basis for calculating payments. The contractual amount for futures and options represents the market exposure of open positions.
(2) Variation margin is considered settlement resulting in the netting of cash received/paid for variation margin against the fair value of the trades.
(3) Variable annuity net embedded derivatives are included within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(4) Included within other contract holder funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(5) Included within funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The notional on derivatives increased to $211 billion from $99 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily resulting from the increase in notional related to interest rate futures as part of our hedging program related to variable annuity guarantees. The interest rate futures employed to hedge the short end of the rate curve require large notional amounts to achieve the appropriate level of hedging.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Investments

Investment Income

Our sources of net investment income are as follows (in millions):

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
Debt securities (1)$1,076$1,154$1,617
Equity securities(16)8(14)
Mortgage loans285319365
Policy loans697379
Limited partnerships144795105
Other investment income491312
Total investment income excluding funds withheld assets1,6072,3622,164
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,2541,188792
Investment expenses(100)(126)(138)
Net investment income$2,761$3,424$2,818

(1) Includes change in fair value gains (losses) on trading securities and includes $(149) million, $26 million and $(25) million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to the change in fair value for securities carried under the fair value option.

Evaluation of Invested Assets

We perform regular evaluations of our invested assets. On a monthly basis, management identifies those investments that may require additional monitoring and carefully reviews the carrying value of such investments to determine whether specific investments should be placed on a non-accrual status and if an allowance for credit loss is required. In making these reviews, management principally considers the adequacy of any collateral, compliance with contractual covenants, the borrower’s recent financial performance, news reports and other externally generated information concerning the issuer’s affairs. In the case of publicly traded bonds, management also considers market value quotations, where available. For mortgage loans, management generally considers information concerning the mortgaged property, including factors impacting the current and expected payment status of the loan and, if available, the current fair value of the underlying collateral. For investments in partnerships, management reviews the financial statements and other information provided by the general partners.

To determine an allowance for credit loss, we consider a security’s forecasted cash flows as well as the severity of depressed fair values. Investment income is not accrued on securities in default and otherwise where the collection is uncertain. Subsequent receipts of interest on such securities are generally used to reduce the cost basis of the securities. The provisions for impairment on mortgage loans are based on losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to real estate, on the disposition and settlement of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans that management believes may not be collectible in full. Accrual of interest on mortgage loans is generally suspended when principal or interest payments on mortgage loans are past due more than 90 days. Interest is then accounted for on a cash basis.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Policy and Contract Liabilities

Policy and Contract Liabilities

We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are calculated to meet policy obligations or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “Critical Accounting Estimates" on Page 92.

As an insurance company, a substantial portion of our profits are derived from fee income and the invested assets backing our policy and contract liabilities, which includes separate account liabilities, reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable and other contract holder funds. As of December 31, 2022, 88% of our policy and contract liabilities were in our Retail Annuities segment, 3% were in our Institutional Products segment and 9% were in our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment.

The table below represents a breakdown of our policy and contract liabilities:

December 31, 2022Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$195,835$945$10,578$207,358
RILA11,8751,875
Fixed Annuities84210,84311,685
Fixed Index Annuities211,78811,788
Non-life Contingent Payout Annuities1,3761,376
Total Retail Annuities195,8351,78736,460234,082
Total Institutional Products9,0199,019
Traditional Life4,4744,0848,558
Interest-sensitive Life711,7317,1318,933
Group Payout Annuities4,5864,586
Other Annuities161,3221,338
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks7110,80712,53723,415
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities195,90612,59458,016266,516
Claims payable and other1,6791791,858
Total$195,906$14,273$58,195$268,374
December 31, 2021Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$248,8594,6099,751263,219
RILA1110110
Fixed Annuities85812,31613,174
Fixed Index Annuities25013,16113,211
Non-life Contingent Payout Annuities1,3991,399
Total Retail Annuities248,8595,51736,737291,113
Total Institutional Products8,8308,830
Traditional Life4,7624,1618,923
Interest-sensitive Life901,7977,4109,297
Group Payout Annuities4,8954,895
Other Annuities171,3991,416
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks9011,47112,97024,531
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities248,94916,98858,537324,474
Claims payable and other1,6791891,868
Total$248,949$18,667$58,726$326,342

(1) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities related to RILA of $205 million and $6 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

(2) Includes the embedded derivative liabilities related to fixed index annuity of $931 million and $1,439 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Policy and Contract Liabilities

As of December 31, 2022, $195.9 billion or 74% of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by separate accounts assets. These separate account assets backed reserves primarily related to our variable annuities. Separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the customer’s corresponding separate account assets and are set equal to the fair value of such invested assets. We generate revenue on our separate account liabilities primarily from asset-based fee income. Separate account assets and associated liabilities are subject to variability driven by the performance of the underlying investments, which are exposed to fluctuations in equity markets and bond fund valuations. As a result, revenue derived from asset-based fee income is similarly subject to variability in line with the variability of the underlying separate account assets.

As of December 31, 2022, $48.4 billion of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by our investment portfolio and $22.2 billion reinsured by Athene, were backed by funds withheld assets. As of December 31, 2022, 100% of our RILA policy and contract liabilities were subject to surrender charges of at least 5% or at market value in the event of discretionary withdrawal by customers. We have the discretion, subject to contractual limitations and minimums, to reset the crediting terms on the majority of our fixed index annuities and fixed annuities. As of December 31, 2022, 93% of fixed annuity, fixed-indexed annuity, and the fixed accounts of RILA and variable annuity correspond to crediting rates that are at the guaranteed minimum crediting rate.

Liabilities for other contract holder funds are policy account balances on interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, RILA and variable annuity or variable life insurance contract allocations to fixed fund options. These account balance liabilities are equal to the sum of deposits, plus interest credited, less charges and withdrawals.

We establish reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable under insurance policies using methodologies consistent with U.S. GAAP. Reserves for insurance policies are generally equal to the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected revenue. The assumptions used in establishing reserves are generally based on our experience, industry benchmarking or other factors, as applicable. Annually, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our actuarial assumptions, and update those assumptions when appropriate. The principal assumptions used in the establishment of reserves for future policy benefits are policy lapse, mortality, benefit utilization and withdrawals, investment returns, and expenses. Generally, we do not expect trends that impact our assumptions to change significantly in the short-term and, to the extent these trends may change, we expect such changes to be gradual over the long-term.

For non–life-contingent components of Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits ("GMWB") features available in our variable annuities, the guaranteed benefits are accounted for as embedded derivatives, with fair values calculated as the present value of expected future guaranteed benefit payments to contract holders less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the fair values of these guaranteed benefit features are based on assumptions a market participant would use in valuing these embedded derivatives. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are recorded through a benefit or charge to current period earnings. Movements in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are typically in the opposite direction relative to primary market risks. Specifically, downward movements in equity market levels reduce contract holder account value and typically correlate with an increased likelihood that outstanding guaranteed benefits will result in a claim, increasing the fair value liability. Similarly, downward movements in interest rates lower the assumed future market growth and typically correlate with an increased likelihood that outstanding guaranteed benefits will result in a claim, increasing the fair value liability. Downward movements in interest rates also lower the discount rates used in the calculation of the fair value liability associated with higher projected future guaranteed benefit payments, which increases the fair value liability.

For reserves related to the life-contingent components of guaranteed benefit features available in our variable annuities, fixed index annuities and RILA, we calculate the change in reserves by applying a “benefit ratio” to total assessments received in the period. The benefit ratio is determined by dividing the present value of total expected benefit payments by the present value of total expected assessments, primarily fees based on account value or benefit base, over the life of the contract. The level and direction of the change in reserves will vary over time based on the benefit ratio and the level of assessments associated with the variable annuity, fixed index annuity, or RILA. These reserves typically move in the opposite direction relative to primary market risks. Specifically, downward movements in equity market levels will reduce contract holder account value and typically correlate with an increased likelihood that outstanding guaranteed benefits will result in a claim, which increases the reserve.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Policy and Contract Liabilities

For traditional life insurance and payout annuities, reserves for future policy benefits are measured using assumptions determined as of the issuance date or acquisition date with provisions for the risk of adverse deviation, as appropriate. These assumptions are not unlocked unless a premium deficiency exists. At least annually, we perform premium deficiency tests using best estimate assumptions as of the testing date without provision for adverse deviation. If the liabilities determined based on these best estimate assumptions are greater than the net reserves (i.e., U.S. GAAP reserves net of any DAC or reinsurance), the existing net reserves are adjusted by first reducing the DAC or DSI by the amount of the deficiency (or to zero) through a charge to current period earnings. If the deficiency is more than these asset balances, we increase the reserves by the excess through a charge to current period earnings. If a premium deficiency is recognized, the assumptions as of the premium deficiency test date are locked in and used in subsequent reserve measurements, and the net reserves continue to be subject to premium deficiency testing. In a sustained low interest rate environment, there is generally an increased likelihood that the liabilities determined based on best estimate assumptions will be greater than the net reserves.

Actuarial Assumption Changes (Unlocking)

Our annual actuarial assumption review of our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements, as well as the valuation of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuities and life insurance with optional guaranteed benefits, may result in an “unlocking” impact. Generally, favorable unlocking means the change in assumptions required a reduction in reserves or increase in DAC, and unfavorable unlocking means the change in assumptions required an increase in reserves or reduction in DAC.

The following tables reflect the impacts from our annual assumption review to pretax (loss) income, pre-tax non-operating adjustments and Pre-Tax Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented.

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Total assumption review impact on pretax (loss) income$420$62$(24)
Total assumption review impact on pretax non-operating adjustments(367)(24)(128)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$53$38$(152)
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$59$38$(138)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(6)(14)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$53$38$(152)

2022 Assumption Updates

The impact of assumption changes on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was $53 million, with the majority of this impact attributed to the Retail Annuities segment at $59 million. The principal driver of the favorable impact for Retail Annuities was an increase in the variable annuity DAC balance, primarily due to changes in assumed persistency.

The impact on pretax non-operating adjustments of $(367) million was mainly due to an overall decrease in the GMWB optional guarantee benefit reserves. The reserve decrease was driven principally by changes in GMWB utilization and mortality assumptions, which was partially offset by changes in assumed persistency.

In aggregate, the total impact of assumption changes on pretax income was $420 million.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing and financing activities. Capital refers to our long-term financial resources available to support the business operations and contribute to future growth. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of the businesses, timing of cash flows on investments and products, general economic conditions and access to the capital markets and the alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.

The discussion below describes our liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods set forth below:

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$5,206$5,682$3,712
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(1,374)(1,296)(4,333)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(2,162)(3,774)705
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash1,67061284
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period2,6312,0191,935
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$4,301$2,631$2,019

Cash flows from Operating Activities

The principal operating cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, fees charged on our products and net investment income. The principal operating cash outflows are the result of annuity and life insurance benefits, interest credited on other contract holder funds, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. The primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of early contract holder and policyholder benefit payments.

Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased $476 million to $5,206 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $5,682 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to lower investment income as a result of lower income on limited partnership investments in 2022, compared to prior year.

Cash flows from Investing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments, as well as settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. It is not unusual to have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are typically reinvested to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors or market disruptions that might impact the timing of investment related cash flows as well as derivative collateral needs, which could result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries.

Cash flows used in investing activities decreased $78 million to $(1,374) million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $(1,296) million during the year ended December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to lower sales of debt securities in 2022 compared to 2021, partially offset by decreased outflows related to our hedging program for derivative settlements and collateral predominately resulting from movements in the equity markets in 2022 compared to 2021 in addition to lower debt security purchases in 2022 compared to 2021.

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Cash flows from Financing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances, issuance of debt, and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early policyholder withdrawal.

Cash flows used in financing activities increased $1,612 million to $(2,162) million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $(3,774) million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was primarily due to decreased withdrawals of policyholders’ account balances during 2022 compared to 2021. This was partially offset by lower deposits driven by decreased variable annuity sales in 2022 and higher inflows in the prior year related to debt agreements entered into in 2021.

Statutory Capital

Our insurance company subsidiaries have statutory surplus above the level needed to meet current regulatory requirements. Risk-based capital, or RBC, requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula that incorporates both factor-based components (applied to various asset, premium, claim, expense and statutory reserve items) and model-based components. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not to rank insurers generally. As of December 31, 2022, our insurance companies were well in excess of the minimum required capital levels. Jackson is also subject to risk-based capital guidelines that provide a method to measure the adjusted capital that a life insurance company should have for regulatory purposes, taking into account the risk characteristics of Jackson’s investments and products.

Jackson had an RBC ratio of 544%, 580% and 347% as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in Jackson’s RBC ratio as of December 31, 2022 as compared to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to the $600 million return of capital and an increase in variable annuity capital charges during 2022.

Holding Company Liquidity

As a holding company with no business operations of its own, Jackson Financial primarily derives cash flows from dividends and interest payments from its insurance subsidiaries. These principal sources of liquidity are expected to be supplemented by cash and short-term investments held by Jackson Financial and access to bank lines of credit and the capital markets. We intend to maintain a minimum amount of cash and highly liquid securities at Jackson Financial adequate to fund two years of holding company fixed expenses, which may change over time as we refinance existing debt or make changes to our debt and capital structure, and is currently targeted at $250 million. The main uses of liquidity for Jackson Financial are interest payments and debt repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which may include stock repurchases, and capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. Our principal sources of liquidity and our anticipated capital position are described in the following paragraphs.

Any declaration of cash dividends or stock repurchases will be at the discretion of JFI’s Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, regulatory constraints, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to paying cash dividends or repurchasing stock, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that JFI’s Board of Directors deems relevant in making any such determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our common stock or approve any further increase in the existing, or any new, stock repurchase program, or as to the amount of any such cash dividends or stock repurchases.

Delaware law requires that dividends be paid and stock repurchases made only out of “surplus,” which is defined as the fair market value of our net assets, minus our stated capital; or out of the current or the immediately preceding year’s earnings. JFI is a holding company and has no direct operations. All of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Any dividends we pay or stock repurchases we make will depend upon the funds legally available for distribution, including dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries to us. The states in which our insurance subsidiaries

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

are domiciled impose certain restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to their parent companies. These restrictions are based in part on the prior year’s statutory income and surplus, as well as earned surplus. Such restrictions, or any future restrictions adopted by the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, could have the effect, under certain circumstances, of significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable by our subsidiaries without affirmative approval of state regulatory authorities. See “Risk Factors—Risks relating to Financing and Liquidity - As a holding company, Jackson Financial depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other distributions to meet its obligations and liquidity needs, including servicing debt, dividend payments and stock repurchases.”

During the year ended December 31, 2022, we paid a cash dividend of $0.55 per share on JFI's common stock totaling $199 million. On February 27, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a first quarter cash dividend on JFI's common stock of $0.62 per share, payable on March 23, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2023.

On February 28, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $300 million in our existing share repurchase authorization of JFI's Class A Common Stock. On February 27, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $450 million in our existing share repurchase authorization of JFI's common stock. We repurchased a total of 7,646,569 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $283 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which were funded with cash on hand.

See Note 22 to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for further information on dividends to shareholders and share repurchases.

Distributions from our Insurance Company Subsidiaries

The ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions where such subsidiaries are domiciled as well as agreements entered into with regulators. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance company subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay.

Subject to these limitations, our insurance company subsidiaries are permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under insurance laws of the relevant state of domicile, subject to prior notification to the appropriate regulatory agency. Any distributions above the amount permitted by statute in any twelve-month period are considered extraordinary dividends, and the approval of the appropriate regulator is required prior to payment. In Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (the Michigan Director of Insurance) may limit, or not permit, the payment of dividends from either Jackson or Brooke Life, Jackson's direct parent company, if it determines that the surplus of either of these subsidiaries is not reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and is not adequate to meet their financial needs, as required by the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956. Unless otherwise approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance, dividends may only be paid from earned surplus. Also, surplus note arrangements and interest payments must be approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance and such interest payments to related parties reduce the otherwise calculated ordinary dividend capacity for that period. In New York, all dividends require approval from the NYSDFS.

For 2022, Jackson and Brooke Life have total ordinary dividend capacity, based on 2021 statutory capital and surplus and statutory net gain from operations, subject to the availability of earned surplus, of $608 million and $514 million, respectively. Brooke Life, as the sole owner of our other insurance company subsidiaries, including Jackson and Jackson National Life NY, is the direct recipient of any dividend payments from those subsidiaries and must make dividend payments to its ultimate parent company, Jackson Financial, in order for any funds from our insurance company subsidiaries to reach Jackson Financial. As such, Jackson Financial’s ability to receive dividend payments from our insurance company subsidiaries is effectively limited by Brooke Life’s ability to make dividend payments to Jackson Financial.

On March 1, 2022, Jackson remitted a $600 million return of capital to its parent company, Brooke Life. Brooke Life subsequently paid a $510 million ordinary dividend to its ultimate parent, Jackson Financial and $90 million of interest associated with the $2 billion surplus note between Brooke Life and Jackson Finance, LLC ("Jackson Finance"), a subsidiary of Jackson Financial, respectively.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

On February 24, 2023, Jackson received approval from the Michigan Director of Insurance for a $600 million distribution to Jackson’s parent company, Brooke Life. The distribution is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2023. Brooke Life will subsequently upstream this distribution to its ultimate parent, Jackson Financial, except for $90 million of the distribution to be used for debt servicing of its surplus note payable.

The maximum distribution permitted by law or contract is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay such distributions, which may be constrained by business and other considerations, such as imposition of withholding tax, the impact of such distributions on surplus, which could affect the insurer’s credit and financial strength ratings or competitive position, the ability to generate new annuity sales and the ability to pay future dividends or make other distributions. Further, state insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries following any dividend or distribution must be reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and adequate for the insurance subsidiaries’ financial needs. Along with solvency regulations, another primary consideration in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Given recent economic events that have affected the insurance industry, both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for insurance company subsidiaries. We believe our insurance company subsidiaries have sufficient statutory capital and surplus to maintain their desired financial strength rating.

Insurance Company Subsidiaries’ Liquidity

The liquidity requirements for our insurance company subsidiaries primarily relate to the liabilities associated with their insurance and reinsurance activities, operating expenses and income taxes. Liabilities arising from insurance and reinsurance activities include the payment of policyholder benefits when due, cash payments in connection with policy surrenders and withdrawals and policy loans.

Liquidity requirements are principally for purchases of new investments, management of derivative related margin requirements, repayment of principal and interest on debt, payments of interest on surplus notes, funding of insurance product liabilities including payments for policy benefits, surrenders, maturities and new policy loans, funding of expenses including payment of commissions, operating expenses and taxes. As of December 31, 2022, Jackson’s outstanding surplus notes and bank debt included $62 million of bank loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI"), collateralized by mortgage-related securities and mortgage loans and $250 million of surplus notes maturing in 2027.

Significant increases in interest rates could create sudden increases in surrender and withdrawal requests by customers and contract holders and result in increased liquidity requirements at our insurance company subsidiaries. Significant increases in interest rates or equity markets may also result in higher margin and collateral requirements on our derivative portfolio. The derivative contracts are an integral part of our risk management program, especially for the management of our variable annuities program, and are managed in accordance with our hedging and risk management program. Our cash flows associated with collateral received from counterparties and posted with counterparties fluctuates with changes in the market value of the underlying derivative contract and/or the market value of the collateral. The net collateral position depends on changes in interest rates and equity markets related to the amount of the exposures hedged. Collateral posting requirements can result in material liquidity needs for our insurance subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2022, we were in a net collateral payable position of $689 million compared to $913 million as of December 31, 2021.

Other factors that are not directly related to interest rates can also give rise to an increase in liquidity requirements, including, changes in ratings from rating agencies, general policyholder concerns relating to the life insurance industry (e.g., the unexpected default of a large, unrelated life insurer) and competition from other products, including non-insurance products such as mutual funds, certificates of deposit and newly developed investment products. Most of the life insurance and annuity products Jackson offers permit the policyholder or contract holder to withdraw or borrow funds or surrender cash values. As of December 31, 2022, approximately half of Jackson’s general account reserves are either not surrenderable, included surrender charges greater than 5%, or market value adjustments to discourage early withdrawal of policy and contract funds.

The liquidity sources for our insurance company subsidiaries are their cash, short-term investments, sales of publicly traded bonds, insurance premiums, fees charged on our products, sales of annuities and institutional products, investment income, commercial repurchase agreements and utilization of a short-term borrowing facility with the FHLBI.

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Part II | Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | Liquidity and Capital Resources

Jackson uses a variety of asset liability management techniques to provide for the orderly provision of cash flow from investments and other sources as policies and contracts mature in accordance with their normal terms. Jackson’s principal sources of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows associated with sudden and severe increases in surrenders and withdrawals or benefit payments are its portfolio of liquid assets and its net operating cash flows. As of December 31, 2022, the portfolio of cash, short-term investments and privately and publicly traded securities and equities, which are unencumbered and unrestricted to sale, amounted to $23.3 billion.

Our Indebtedness

Senior Notes

On June 8, 2022, the Company issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured notes, consisting of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.170% Senior Notes due June 8, 2027, and $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.670% Senior Notes due June 8, 2032. The net proceeds of these notes were used, together with cash on hand, to repay the Company’s $750 million aggregate principal amount term loan due February 2023.

On November 23, 2021, the Company issued $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured notes consisting of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 1.125% Senior Notes due November 22, 2023, $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.125% Senior Notes due November 23, 2031, and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due November 23, 2051. The proceeds of these notes were used, together with cash on hand, to repay the Company’s $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount senior unsecured term loan due May 2022 (the “2022 DDTL Facility”), as described below.

Revolving Credit Facility

On February 24, 2023, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (the "2023 Revolving Credit Facility") with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility replaced an existing revolving credit facility that was due to expire in February 2024. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings for working capital and other general corporate purposes under aggregate commitments of $1.0 billion, with a sub-limit of $500 million available for letters of credit. The 2023 Revolving Credit Facility further provides for the ability to request, subject to customary terms and conditions, an increase in commitments thereunder by up to an additional $500 million. Commitments under the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility terminate on February 24, 2028. Interest on borrowings may be based on a “Base Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 0.125% to 0.875%, or a “Term SOFR Rate” (as defined in the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility) plus an adder ranging from 1.125% to 1.875%. The applicable adder is based upon the ratings assigned to the Company’s senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt.

The credit agreement governing the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (including a change of control provision). The credit agreement contains financial maintenance covenants, including a minimum adjusted consolidated net worth test of no less than 70% of our adjusted consolidated net worth as of September 30, 2022 (plus (to the extent positive) or minus (to the extent negative) 70% of the impact on such adjusted consolidated net worth resulting from the application of a one-time transition adjustment for the LDTI accounting change for insurance contracts, and plus 50% of the aggregate amount of any increase in adjusted consolidated net worth resulting from equity issuances by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries after September 30, 2022) and a maximum consolidated indebtedness to total capitalization ratio test not to exceed 35%. We were in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2022.

Term Loans

On February 22, 2021, we and a syndicate of banks entered into a credit agreement consisting of a $1.7 billion senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility maturing in February 2022 (extended to May 2022 by a subsequent amendment) and a $1.0 billion senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility maturing in February 2023, under which we borrowed $1.6 billion and $750 million, respectively. We contributed a majority of the proceeds from the term loan borrowings to Jackson. The remaining amount of proceeds from the term loan borrowings were kept at Jackson Financial to establish a minimum liquidity buffer of at least $250 million with an additional approximately $575 million being retained. The amounts at Jackson Financial are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including interest payments and debt

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repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which has included stock repurchases, and may include capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. As noted, these term loans were repaid in November 2021 and June 2022, respectively, with the proceeds from our issuance of senior notes.

Surplus Notes

On March 15, 1997, our subsidiary, Jackson, issued 8.2% surplus notes in the principal amount of $250 million due March 15, 2027. These surplus notes were issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims and may not be redeemed at the option of the Company or any holder prior to maturity. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th of each year. Interest expense on the notes was $20 million, $20 million, and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Under the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956, for statutory reporting purposes, the surplus notes are not part of the legal liabilities of the Company and are considered surplus funds. Payments of interest or principal may only be made with the prior approval of the Michigan Director of Insurance and only out of surplus earnings which the director determines to be available for such payments under Michigan insurance law.

Federal Home Loan Bank

Jackson is a member of the regional FHLBI primarily for the purpose of participating in its collateralized loan advance program with funding facilities. Membership requires us to purchase and hold a minimum amount of FHLBI capital stock, plus additional stock based on outstanding advances. Advances are in the form of either notes or funding agreements issued to FHLBI. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, Jackson held a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $62 million and $67 million, respectively.

Financial Strength Ratings

Our access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, the attractiveness of certain of our subsidiaries’ products to customers, our attractiveness as a reinsurer to potential ceding companies and requirements for derivatives collateral posting are affected by our credit ratings and financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting consumer confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products as well as critical factors considered by ceding companies in selecting a reinsurer.

Our principal insurance company subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurer or reinsurer to meet its obligations under an insurance policy or reinsurance arrangement and generally involve quantitative and qualitative evaluations by rating agencies of a company’s financial condition and operating performance. Generally, rating agencies base their financial strength ratings upon information furnished to them by the company and upon their own investigations, studies and assumptions. Financial strength ratings are based upon factors of concern to customers, distribution partners and ceding companies and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Financial strength ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.

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As of February 22, 2023, the financial strength ratings of our principal insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

CompanyA.M. BestFitchMoody’sS&P
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
RatingAAA2A
Outlookstablestablenegativestable
Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York
RatingAAA2A
Outlookstablestablenegativestable
Brooke Life Insurance Company
RatingA
Outlookstable

In evaluating a company’s financial strength, the rating agencies evaluate a variety of factors including our strategy, market positioning and track record, mix of business, profitability, leverage and liquidity, the adequacy and soundness of our reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of our assets, the adequacy of our surplus, our capital structure, and the experience and competence of our management.

In addition to the financial strength ratings, rating agencies use an outlook statement to indicate a short or medium term trend which, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A positive outlook indicates a rating may be raised and a negative outlook indicates a rating may be lowered. A stable outlook is assigned when ratings are not likely to be changed. Outlooks should not be confused with expected stability of the issuer’s financial or economic performance. A stable outlook does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.

A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch review their ratings of insurance companies from time to time. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in their judgment, circumstances so warrant. While the degree to which ratings adjustments will affect sales of our annuities and institutional products, and persistency is unknown, if our ratings are negatively adjusted for any reason, we believe we could experience a material decline in the sales in our individual channel, origination in our institutional channel, and the persistency of our existing business.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations identified within Item 8. "Financials Statements and Supplementary Data; Note. 5 Derivative Instruments, Note 9. Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable and Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 10. Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and Variable Annuity Guarantees, Note 11. Long-Term Debt, Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 15. Leases."

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The following are our most critical estimates, which require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred acquisition costs relate directly to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance business and can be capitalized. These costs primarily pertain to commissions and certain costs associated with policy issuance. All other acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.

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Deferred acquisition costs are increased by interest thereon and amortized into income in proportion to estimated gross profits, including realized gains and losses and derivative movements, for annuities and interest-sensitive life products and in proportion to anticipated premium revenues for traditional life products. Due to volatility of certain factors that affect gross profits, including realized capital gains and losses and derivative movements, amortization may be a benefit or a charge in any given period. In the event of negative amortization, the related deferred acquisition cost balance is capped at the initial amount capitalized, plus interest.

As available-for-sale debt securities are carried at fair value, an adjustment is made to deferred acquisition costs equal to the change in amortization that would have occurred if such securities had been sold at their stated fair value and the proceeds reinvested at current yields. This adjustment, along with the change in net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net of applicable tax, is credited or charged directly to equity as a component of other comprehensive income.

For variable annuities, the projection of expected gross profits includes, among other things, an expectation as to the account value upon which core contract fees would be charged. Separate account returns may vary significantly between years, which could have a meaningful impact on the amount of DAC amortization that is recorded in a given year. Accordingly, we employ a mean reversion methodology with the objective of adjusting the amortization of deferred acquisition costs that would otherwise be highly volatile due to fluctuations in the level of future gross profits arising from changes in equity market levels. The mean reversion methodology achieves this objective by applying a dynamic adjustment to the assumption for short-term future investment returns. Under this methodology, the projected returns for the next five years are set such that, when combined with the actual returns for the current and preceding two years, the average rate of return over the eight-year period reverts to the current long-term assumed growth rate (7.15% for 2022, 2021 and 2020, after external investment management fees). This methodology prevents a significant increase or decrease in the separate account fee base in one period due to equity market returns from inflating or deflating, as applicable, the projected gross fees in our DAC models. The mean reversion methodology does, however, include a cap and a floor of 15% and 0% per annum, respectively, on the projected return for each of the next five years. If a projected growth rate of more than 15% or less than 0% per annum would have been necessary to achieve the long-term assumed growth rate at that time, the dampening effects of the mean reversion methodology described above will be limited. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, projected returns under mean reversion were within the range bound by the 15% cap and 0% floor.

Deferred acquisition costs are reviewed periodically to ensure that the unamortized portion does not exceed the expected recoverable amounts. In assessing recoverability for both deferred acquisition costs, the Company evaluates its fixed index

annuity and fixed annuity blocks of business separately from its variable annuity business consistent with the manner of acquiring, servicing and measuring profitability of these products. The Company’s accounting policy includes reinsurance balances when evaluating recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. Any amount deemed unrecoverable is written off with a charge through deferred acquisition costs amortization.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable and Other Contract Holder Funds

We establish reserves for future policy benefits to, or on behalf of, customers in the same period in which the policy is issued or acquired, using methodologies prescribed by U.S. GAAP. The assumptions used in establishing reserves are generally based on our experience, industry benchmarking and other factors, as applicable. Annually, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our actuarial assumptions—such as mortality, morbidity, and policyholder behavior assumptions—and update assumptions when appropriate. Generally, we do not expect trends to change significantly in the short-term and, to the extent these trends may change, we expect such changes to be gradual over the long-term. See Notes 9 and 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

We issue variable contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder. Certain of these contracts include contract provisions by which we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest account value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable upon the depletion of funds (GMWB), in the event of death (GMDB), at annuitization (GMIB), or at the end of a specified period (GMAB). Substantially all of our GMIB benefits are reinsured. GMIB benefits and GMAB benefits were discontinued in 2009 and

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2011, respectively. For additional information regarding our account value by optional guarantee benefit, see “Business–Our Segments–Retail Annuities–Variable Annuities.”

For traditional life insurance contracts, which include term and whole life, reserves for future policy benefits are determined using the net level premium method and assumptions as of the issue date or acquisition date as to mortality, interest, persistency and expenses, plus provisions for adverse deviations. These assumptions are not unlocked unless the reserve is determined to be deficient.

Group payout annuities consist of a closed block of defined benefit annuity plans. The liability for future benefits for these limited payment contracts is calculated using assumptions as of the acquisition date as to mortality and expense plus provisions for adverse deviation.

In conjunction with a prior acquisition, we recorded a fair value adjustment related to certain annuity and interest-sensitive liability blocks of business to reflect the cost of the interest guarantees within the in-force liabilities, based on the difference between the guaranteed interest rate and an assumed new money guaranteed interest rate. This adjustment was recorded in reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. This component of the acquired reserves is reassessed at the end of each period, taking into account changes in the in-force block. Any resulting change in the reserve is recorded as a change in policy reserve through the Consolidated Income Statements.

Our liabilities for interest-sensitive life contracts approximate the policyholder’s account value, plus the remaining balance of the fair value adjustment related to previously acquired business.

For fixed deferred annuities; the fixed option on variable annuities, fixed index annuities, and Registered Index-Linked Annuities; guaranteed investment contracts and other investment contracts: the liability is the policyholder’s account value, plus, as applicable, the unamortized balance of the previously mentioned fair value adjustment. The liability for RILAs and fixed index annuities not invested in a fixed account option is based on three components, 1) the imputed value of the underlying guaranteed host contract, 2) the fair value of the embedded option component of the contract and 3) the liability for guaranteed benefits related to the minimum death benefit or payments for life rider.

The Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits ("GMDB") liability is determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The direct portion of our Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefits ("GMIB") liabilities, which are substantially reinsured, are determined in this same way.

Certain Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits ("GMWB") products include a “not-for-life” component up to the point at which the guaranteed withdrawal benefit is exhausted, after which benefits paid are considered to be “for-life” benefits. The “not-for-life” portion is valued as an embedded derivative, while the “for-life” benefits are valued as an insurance liability consistent with the GMDB liability described above.

Non-life contingent components of GMWBs and Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefits ("GMAB") are recorded at fair value, using internally developed models as observable markets do not exist for those benefits. The fair value of the reserve is based on the expectations of future benefit payments and certain future fees associated with the benefits. At the inception of the contract, we attribute to the embedded derivative a portion of rider fees collected from the contract holder, which is then held static in future valuations. That portion of the fees, generally referred to as the attributed fees, are set such that the present value of the attributed fees is equal to the present value of future claims expected to be paid under the guaranteed benefit at the inception of the contract. In subsequent valuations, both the present value of future benefits and the present value of attributed fees are revalued based on current market conditions and policyholder behavior assumptions. The difference between each of the two components represents the fair value of the embedded derivative.

The fair value calculation described above is based on the present value of future cash flows comprised of future expected benefit payments, less future attributed rider fees, over the lives of the contracts. Estimating these cash flows requires numerous estimates and subjective judgments related to capital market inputs, as well as actuarially determined assumptions related to expectations concerning policyholder behavior. Capital market inputs include expected market rates of return, market volatility, correlations of market index returns to funds, fund performance and discount rates. The more significant actuarial assumptions include benefit utilization by customers, persistency, mortality and withdrawal rates. Best

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estimate assumptions plus risk margins are used as applicable. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities—Actuarial Assumption Changes (Unlocking).”

At each valuation date, we assume expected returns based on constant maturity treasury rates as of that date to determine the value of expected future cash flows produced in a stochastic process. Volatility assumptions are based on a weighting of available market data for implied market volatility for durations up to 10 years, grading to a historical volatility level by year 15, where such long-term historical volatility levels contain an explicit risk margin. Additionally, non-performance risk is incorporated into the calculation through the adjustment of the risk-free rate curve based on spreads indicated by a blend of yields on similarly rated peer debt and yields on JFI debt (adjusted to operating company levels). Risk margins are also incorporated into the model assumptions, particularly for policyholder behavior. Estimates of future policyholder behavior are subjective and are based primarily on our own experience.

We have also established additional reserves for life insurance business for universal life plans with secondary guarantees, interest-sensitive life plans that exhibit “profits followed by loss” patterns and account balance adjustments to tabular guaranteed cash values on one interest-sensitive life plan. These reserves are determined using a series of deterministic premium persistency scenarios and other experience assumptions, discounted using rates equal to the crediting rates of the policies.

Income Taxes

Income taxes represent the net amount of income taxes that we expect to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with our operations. We provide for federal and state income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities.

Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Such temporary differences are principally related to the effects of recording certain invested assets at market value, the deferral of acquisition costs and sales inducements and the provisions for future policy benefits and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We are required to test the value of deferred tax assets for realizability. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we consider the carryback eligibility of losses, reversal of existing temporary differences, estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

Determining the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets requires management to make certain judgments and assumptions regarding future operations that are based on historical experience and expectations of future performance. To recognize a tax benefit in the Consolidated Financial Statements, there must be a greater than 50% chance of success of our position being sustained by the relevant taxing authority with regard to that tax position. Management’s judgments are potentially subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future performance, which is impacted by such factors as policyholder behavior, competitor pricing and other specific industry and market conditions.

Reinsurance

Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risk with respect to reinsurance receivables. We periodically review actual and anticipated experience compared to the previously mentioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluate the financial strength of counterparties to our reinsurance agreements. Counterparty credit risk may be managed through the use of letters of credit, collateral trusts or on balance sheet funds withheld agreements. Assets held under funds withheld agreements are included on our balance sheets, but remain the property of the respective counterparties subject to triggers embedded within the relevant reinsurance agreements.

Additionally, for each of our reinsurance agreements, we determine whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, in accordance with applicable accounting standards. We review all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims. If we determine that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer

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to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, we record the agreement using the deposit method of accounting. For reinsurance contracts other than those covering GMIB exposure, reinsurance recoverable balances are calculated using methodologies and assumptions that are consistent with those used to calculate the direct liabilities.

Our GMIBs are reinsured with an unrelated party and, due to the net settlement provisions of the reinsurance agreement, meet the definition of a derivative. Accordingly, the GMIB reinsurance agreement is recorded at fair value using internally developed models consistent with those used to value our other products with optional guaranteed benefits.

Investments – Valuation and Impairment

We determine the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. When necessary, we may also determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values also, if appropriate, reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, credit rating, liquidity and incorporate risk margins for unobservable inputs.

Where quoted market prices are not available, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data, as well as the best information about the individual financial instrument. At times, illiquid market conditions could result in inactive markets for certain of our financial instruments. In such instances, there could be no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments deemed to be in an illiquid market are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors. These fair values are estimates and involve considerable uncertainty and variability as a result of the inputs selected and may differ materially from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. As a result of market inactivity, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

We periodically review our available-for-sale debt securities on a case-by-case basis to determine if an impairment is necessary for securities with a decline in fair value to below cost or amortized cost. Factors considered in determining whether an impairment is necessary include whether we have the intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the amortized cost basis is fully recovered, the severity of the unrealized loss, the reasons for the decline in value and expectations for the amount and timing of a recovery in fair value. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, for which we deem an impairment necessary, the amortized cost may be written down to fair value through net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments, or an ACL may be recorded along with a charge to net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments.

Securities determined to be underperforming or potential problem securities are subject to regular review. To facilitate the review, securities with significant declines in value, or where other objective criteria evidencing credit deterioration have been met, are included on a watch list. Among the criteria for securities to be included on a watch list are: credit deterioration that has led to a significant decline in fair value of the security; a significant covenant related to the security has been breached; or an issuer has filed or indicated a possibility of filing for bankruptcy, has missed or announced it intends to miss a scheduled interest or principal payment, or has experienced a specific material adverse change that could impair its creditworthiness.

In performing these reviews, we consider the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and exercise considerable judgment in determining whether an impairment is needed for a particular security. Assessment factors include judgments about an obligor’s current and projected financial position, an issuer’s current and projected ability to service and repay its debt obligations, the existence of, and realizable value of, any collateral backing the obligations and the outlooks for specific industries and issuers. This assessment may also involve assumptions regarding underlying collateral such as prepayment rates, default and recovery rates, and third-party servicing capabilities.

In addition to the review procedures described above, investments in asset-backed securities where market prices are depressed are subject to a review of their future estimated cash flows, including expected and stress case scenarios, to identify potential shortfalls in contractual payments. These estimated cash flows are developed using available performance indicators from the underlying assets including current and projected default or delinquency rates, levels of credit enhancement, current subordination levels, vintage, expected loss severity and other relevant characteristics. These

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estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against third-party sources.

For mortgage-backed securities, credit losses are assessed using a cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying mortgages, using the security-specific collateral characteristics and transaction structure. The model estimates cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans and distributes those cash flows to various tranches of securities, considering the transaction structure and any subordination and credit enhancements existing in that structure. The cash flow model incorporates actual cash flows on the mortgage-backed securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions, including prepayment speeds, default rates and loss severity. Specifically, for prime and Alt-A RMBS, the assumed default percentage is dependent on the severity of delinquency status, with foreclosures and real estate owned receiving higher rates, but also includes the currently performing loans. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against other third-party sources. In addition, these estimates are extrapolated along a default timing curve to estimate the total lifetime pool default rate.

After these reviews, we recognize impairments on debt securities in an unrealized loss position when any of the following circumstances exists:

•We intend to sell a security;

•It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security prior to recovery; or

•We do not expect full recovery of the amortized cost based on the discounted cash flows estimated to be collected.

Mortgage loans, which are not carried at fair value under the fair value option, are carried at the aggregate unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any applicable unamortized discount or premium, or ACL. Acquisition discounts and premiums on mortgage loans are amortized into investment income through maturity dates using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on the principal balance of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income and amortization of premiums and discounts are reported in net investment income along with prepayment fees and mortgage loan fees, which are recorded as incurred.

We review mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to estimate the ACL with changes in the ACL recorded in net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments. Apart from an ACL recorded on individual mortgage loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, we record an ACL on the pool of mortgage loans based on lifetime expected credit losses. Credit loss estimates are pooled by property type and unfunded commitments are included in the model with an allowance for credit losses determined accordingly.

Mortgage loans on real estate deemed uncollectible are charged against the ACL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL.

Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost of debt securities and mortgage loans. An allowance for credit losses is not estimated on an accrued interest receivable. Rather, receivable balances that are deemed uncollectible are written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income.

Derivatives

Freestanding Derivative Instruments

We enter into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, put-swaptions, futures and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, credit quality or degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows that we have acquired or incurred.

Freestanding derivative instruments are reported at fair value, that reflects the estimated amounts, net of payment accruals, which we would receive or pay upon sale or termination of the contracts at the reporting date. Freestanding derivatives priced using third party pricing services incorporate inputs that are predominantly observable in the market. The determination of the estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market

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participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, nonperformance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Notes 5 and 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on significant inputs into our derivative pricing methodology.

Embedded Derivatives - Product Liabilities

Certain liabilities, including fixed index annuities, RILAs, and guarantees offered in connection with variable, fixed index, or registered index-linked annuities issued by us, may contain embedded derivatives. Derivatives embedded in certain host insurance contracts that have been separated for accounting and financial reporting purposes, are carried at fair value.

See Notes 5 and 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our accounting policies for embedded derivatives bifurcated for insurance host contracts.

Embedded Derivatives - Funds Withheld Reinsurance Agreements

The Company has recorded an embedded derivative liability related to the Athene Reinsurance Agreement (the “Athene Embedded Derivative”) in accordance with ASC 815-15 as Jackson’s obligation under the Reinsurance Agreement is based on the total return of investments in a segregated funds withheld account rather than Jackson’s own creditworthiness. As the Reinsurance Agreement transfers the economics of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account to Athene, they will receive an investment return equivalent to owning the underlying assets. At inception of the Reinsurance Agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative was valued at zero. Additionally, the inception fair value of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account differed from their book value and, accordingly, the amortization of this difference is reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement, while the investments are held. Subsequent to the effective date of the Reinsurance Agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative is measured at fair value with changes reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Athene Embedded Derivative Liability is included in Funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income reported for each of our three segments and Corporate and Other includes an allocation for investment income generated on assigned capital. The amount of capital assigned to each of our segments for purposes of measuring segment net investment income is established at a level that management considers necessary to support the segment’s risks. This assessment is determined based upon internal models and contemplates National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) RBC requirements at internally defined levels. Capital in excess of the amount required to support our core operating strategies is considered excess equity capital and is reflected in Corporate and Other.

Contingent Liabilities

We are a party to legal actions and, at times, regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate their impact on our financial position. A reserve is established for contingent liabilities if it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of our contingent liabilities, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded, could have a material effect upon our financial position. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of contingent liabilities is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

The Company invests in a number of asset types that it has determined are VIEs, such as equity positions in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), limited partnerships (“LPs”), limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and mutual funds that are assessed to determine whether they meet the criteria as a VIE. For those entities deemed to be VIEs, we further assess whether the VIE must be consolidated as a result of the terms specific to each entity. Entities for which consolidation is required are included on our Consolidated Financial Statements. To the extent that external parties are also invested in

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FY 2021 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001822993-22-000009.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2022-03-07. Report date: 2021-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Summary

This executive summary highlights selected information and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K in its entirety for a more detailed description of events, trends, uncertainties, risks and critical accounting estimates affecting us.

Jackson Financial Inc. (“Jackson Financial”) along with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial services company focused on helping Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income to enable them to pursue financial freedom for life in the United States (“U.S.”). We believe that we are uniquely positioned in our markets because of our differentiated products, well-known brand and disciplined risk management. Our market leadership is supported by our efficient and scalable operating platform and industry-leading distribution network. We believe these core strengths will enable us to grow profitably as an aging U.S. population transitions into retirement.

We offer a diverse suite of annuities to retail investors in the U.S. Our variable annuities have been among the best-selling products of their kind in the U.S. primarily due to the differentiated features we offer as compared to our competitors, in particular the wider range of investment options and greater freedom to invest across multiple investment options. We also offer fixed index annuities and fixed annuities. In the fourth quarter of 2021, our primary life insurance subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company and its insurance subsidiaries (“Jackson”) successfully launched Market Link ProSM and Market Link Pro AdvisorySM, its commission and advisory based suite of registered index-linked annuities ("RILA"). Also in the fourth quarter of 2021, we entered the Defined Contribution market as a carrier in the AllianceBernstein Lifetime Income Strategy ("AllianceBernstein").

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM,, which manages the majority of our general account investment portfolio, in Corporate and Other. See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our segments.

There are several significant recent events involving us, including:

•Demerger from Prudential plc: We were previously a majority-owned subsidiary of Prudential plc (“Prudential”), London, England and served as the holding company for its U.S. operations. The demerger, or separation, from Prudential was completed on September 13, 2021 ("Demerger"), and we are no longer a majority-owned subsidiary of Prudential. Prudential retained an equity interest in us, which represents 18.4% of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of December 31, 2021.

•Common Stock Reclassification: On September 9, 2021, Jackson Financial effected a 104,960.3836276-for-1 stock split of its Class A common stock and Class B common stock by way of a reclassification of its Class A common stock and Class B common stock. All share and earnings per share information presented in this Report have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

•Athene Transactions: On June 18, 2020, Jackson announced that it had entered into a funds withheld coinsurance agreement (the “Athene Reinsurance Agreement”) with Athene Life Re Ltd. (“Athene”) effective June 1, 2020 to reinsure on 100% quota share basis, a block of Jackson’s in-force fixed and fixed-index annuity product liabilities in exchange for a $1.2 billion ceding commission (the “Athene Reinsurance Transaction”). As a result, we hold various investments whose economic performance accrues to Athene but is reported in our financial statements. In July 2020, Athene invested $500 million of capital into the Company for an equity interest. In August 2020, the Company contributed the $500 million, as a capital contribution to Jackson. On December 13, 2021, Athene converted a total of 725,623 shares of its Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Athene has an equity interest in us, which represents a 10.6% economic interest and a 9.9% voting interest of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of December 31, 2021. On February 1, 2022,

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Athene converted the remaining 638,861 shares of its Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Our GAAP results are affected by the potential variability associated with our amortization of deferred acquisition costs and the fact that our use of derivatives does not qualify for GAAP deferral, meaning that the derivatives are marked to market each reporting period. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” for more information.

Also, an understanding of several key operating measures, including sales, account value, net flows, benefit base and AUM, is helpful to evaluating our results. See “Key Operating Measures” below. Finally, we are affected by various economic, industry and regulatory trends, which are described below under “Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends.”

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a complete discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting us, see Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting our results of operations and financial condition in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use and report, selected non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures, provides a better understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and the underlying performance drivers of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplementary to our results of operations and financial condition that are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP financial measures. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Consequently, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted Operating Earnings is an after-tax non-GAAP financial measure, which we believe should be used to evaluate our financial performance on a consolidated basis by excluding certain items that may be highly variable from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as well as certain other revenues and expenses that we do not view as driving our underlying performance. Adjusted Operating Earnings should not be used as a substitute for net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to net income are useful for gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

Adjusted Operating Earnings equals our net income adjusted to eliminate the impact of the following items:

•    Fees Attributable to Guarantee Benefits: fees earned in conjunction with guaranteed benefit features offered for certain of our variable annuities and fixed index annuities are set at a level intended to mitigate the cost of hedging and funding the liabilities associated with such guaranteed benefit features. The full amount of the fees attributable to guaranteed benefit features have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the related net movements in freestanding derivatives and net reserve and embedded derivative movements, as described below, have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings. This adjusted presentation of our earnings is intended to directly align revenue and related expenses associated with the guaranteed benefit features;

•    Net Movement in Freestanding Derivatives, except earned income (periodic settlements and changes in settlement accruals) on derivatives that are hedges of investments, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment: changes in the fair value of our freestanding derivatives used to manage the risk associated with our life and annuity reserves, including those arising from the guaranteed benefit features offered for certain of our variable annuities and fixed index annuities. Net movements in freestanding derivatives have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the market value of these derivatives may vary significantly from period to period as a result of near-term market conditions and therefore are not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business;

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•    Net Reserve and Embedded Derivative Movements: changes in the valuation of certain life and annuity reserves, a portion of which are accounted for as embedded derivative instruments, and which are primarily composed of variable and fixed index annuity reserves, including those arising from the guaranteed benefit features offered for certain of our variable annuities. Net reserve and embedded derivative movements have been excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the carrying values of these derivatives may vary significantly from period to period as the result of near-term market conditions and policyholder behavior-related inputs and therefore are not directly comparable or reflective of the underlying performance of our business. Movements in reserves attributable to the current period claims and benefit payments in excess of a customer’s account value on these policies are also excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings as these benefit payments are affected by near-term market conditions and policyholder behavior-related inputs and therefore may vary significantly from period to period;

•    DAC and DSI Impact: amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements associated with the items excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings;

•    Assumption changes: the impact on the valuation of Net Derivative and Reserve Movements, including amortization on DAC, arising from changes in underlying actuarial assumptions;

•    Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative: Realized investment gains and losses associated with the periodic sales or disposals of securities, excluding those held within our trading portfolio, as well as impairments of securities, after adjustment for the non-credit component of the impairment charges and change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction;

•    Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction: includes contractual ceding commission, cost of reinsurance write-off and DAC and DSI write-off related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction;

•    Net investment income on funds withheld assets: includes net investment income on funds withheld assets related to funds withheld reinsurance transactions;

•    Other items: one-time or other non-recurring items, such as costs relating to the Demerger and our separation from Prudential, the impact of discontinued operations and investments that are consolidated on our financial statements due to U.S. GAAP accounting requirements, such as our investments in CLOs, but for which the consolidation effects are not aligned with our economic interest or exposure to those entities.

Operating income taxes are calculated using the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 21% while taking into account any items recognized differently in our financial statements and federal income tax returns, including the dividends received deduction and other tax credits. For interim reporting periods, the company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate in computing its tax provision including consideration of discrete items.

As detailed above, the fees attributed to guaranteed benefits, the associated movements in optional guaranteed benefit liabilities and related claims and benefit payments are excluded from Adjusted Operating Earnings, as we believe this approach appropriately removes the impact to both revenue and related expenses associated with the guaranteed benefit features that are offered for certain of our variable annuities and fixed index annuities and gives investors a better picture of what is driving our underlying performance.

Included above in Other items, in connection with preparing for the Demerger and our operation as a separate, publicly traded company, we incurred one-time and recurring expenses of approximately $51 million and $18 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Earnings to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc., the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial, Inc.$3,183$(1,634)$(497)
Income tax expense (benefit)602(854)(369)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc3,785(2,488)(866)
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(2,854)(2,509)(2,377)
Net movement in freestanding derivatives5,6744,6626,595
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(2,753)3,184(60)
DAC and DSI impact266(1,261)(898)
Assumption changes(24)(128)81
Net realized investment gains (losses) including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative(161)(817)141
Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction2,082
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(1,188)(792)(330)
Other items364140
Total non-operating adjustments(1,004)4,4623,192
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings2,7811,9742,326
Operating income taxes38394290
Adjusted Operating Earnings$2,398$1,880$2,036

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Adjusted Book Value and Adjusted Operating ROE

We use Adjusted Operating Return on Equity ("ROE") to manage our business and evaluate our financial performance. Adjusted Operating ROE excludes items that vary from period to period due to accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP or that are non-recurring in nature, as such items may distort the underlying performance of our business. We calculate Adjusted Operating ROE by dividing our Adjusted Operating Earnings by average Adjusted Book Value. Adjusted Book Value excludes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. does not include AOCI arising from investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction. We exclude AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. from Adjusted Book Value because our invested assets are generally invested to closely match the duration of our liabilities, which are longer duration in nature, and therefore we believe period-to-period fair market value fluctuations in AOCI to be inconsistent with this objective. We believe excluding AOCI attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. is more useful to investors in analyzing trends in our business. Changes in AOCI within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction offset the related non-operating earnings from the Athene Reinsurance Transaction resulting in a minimal net impact on Adjusted Book Value of Jackson Financial Inc.

Adjusted Book Value and Adjusted Operating ROE should not be used as substitutes for total shareholders’ equity and ROE as calculated using net income and total equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we believe the adjustments to equity and earnings are useful to gaining an understanding of our overall results of operations.

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Book Value to total shareholders’ equity and a comparison of Adjusted Operating ROE to ROE, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Total shareholders' equity$10,394$9,429$6,837
Adjustments to total shareholders’ equity:
Affiliated surplus note impact on additional paid-in capital2,000
Affiliated bank loan impact on retained earnings350
Exclude accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Jackson Financial Inc. (1)(1,457)(2,608)(2,397)
Adjusted Book Value$8,937$6,821$6,790
ROE31.5%(20.1)%(6.9)%
Adjusted Operating ROE on average equity28.6%27.6%28.0%
(1) Excludes $287 million and $1,213 million related to the investments held within the funds withheld account related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Key Operating Measures

We use a number of operating measures that management believes provide useful information about our businesses and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.

Sales

Sales of annuities and institutional products include all money deposited by customers into new and existing contracts. We believe sales statistics are useful to gaining an understanding of, among other things, the attractiveness of our products, how we can best meet our customers’ needs, evolving industry product trends and the performance of our business from period to period.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Sales
Variable annuities$19,073$16,621$14,694
RILA108
Fixed Index Annuities1159973,821
Fixed Annuities333271,194
Total Retail Annuity Sales19,32917,94519,709
Total Institutional Product Sales4751,2842,522
Total Sales$19,804$19,229$22,231

For the year ended December 31, 2021, sales of variable annuities were higher than in the year ended December 31, 2020, driven primarily by an increased level of sales of variable annuities without lifetime living benefits. For the year ended December 31, 2021, sales of fixed index annuities and fixed annuities remained at historically low levels following pricing actions taken in early 2020. In addition, there were $475 million in sales of institutional products during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1.3 billion during the prior year.

Account Value

Account value generally equals the account value of our variable annuities, RILA, fixed index annuities, fixed annuities and institutional products. It reflects the total amount of customer invested assets that have accumulated within a respective product and equals cumulative customer contributions, which includes gross deposits or premiums, plus accrued credited interest plus or minus the impact of market movements, as applicable, less withdrawals and various fees. We believe account value is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, the sources of potential fee income generation, potential benefit obligations and risk management priorities.

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December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Account Value
GMWB For Life$188,078$167,007
GMWB7,3186,807
Other Guarantees - Living Benefits1,8081,876
No Living Benefits60,71953,022
Total Variable Annuity Account Value257,923228,712
RILA110
Fixed Index Annuity (1)291176
Fixed Annuity (1)1,0991,077
Total Fixed & Fixed Index Annuity Account Value1,3901,253
Total Retail Annuities Account Value$259,423$229,965
Total Institutional Products Account Value$8,830$11,138
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Account Value (2)$8,778$9,100
(1) Net of reinsurance to Athene, where substantially all of our in-force fixed and fixed index annuity product liabilities were reinsured, effective June 1, 2020.
(2) Excludes payout annuities and traditional life insurance without account value.

Net Flows

Net flows represents the net change in customer account balances during a period, including gross premiums, surrenders, withdrawals and benefits. Net flows excludes investment performance, interest credited to customer accounts, transfers between fixed and variable benefits for variable annuities and policy charges. We believe net flows is a useful metric in providing an understanding of, among other things, sales, ongoing premiums and deposits, the changes in account value from period to period, sources of potential fee income and policyholder behavior.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Net Flows:
Variable Annuity$(1,011)$1,788$(1,178)
RILA108
Fixed Index Annuity (1)(1,348)(295)(395)
Fixed Annuity (1)(1,110)(912)2,433
Total Retail Annuities Net Flows$(3,361)$581$860
Total Institutional Products Net Flows$(2,440)$(1,517)$1,039
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks Net Flows (2)$(267)$(293)$(286)
(1) Gross of reinsurance to Athene.
(2) Excludes payout annuities and traditional life insurance without account value.

The decrease in net flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, was primarily due to strong variable annuity sales being exceeded by surrender and death benefit outflows from our large in-force block.

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Benefit Base

Benefit base refers to a notional amount that represents the value of a customer’s guaranteed benefit, and therefore may be a different value from the invested assets in a customer’s account value. The benefit base may be used to calculate the fees for a customer’s guaranteed benefits within an annuity contract. The guaranteed death benefit and guaranteed living benefit within the same contract may not have the same benefit base. We believe benefit base is a useful metric for our variable annuity policies in providing an understanding of, among other things, fee income generation, potential optional guarantee benefit obligations and risk management priorities. The following table shows variable annuity account value and benefit base as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

Years Ended December 31,
20212020
Account ValueBenefit BaseAccount ValueBenefit Base
(in millions)
No Living Benefits$60,719N/A$53,022N/A
By Guaranteed Living Benefits:
GMWB for Life188,078183,626167,007160,226
GMWB7,3185,8606,8075,558
GMIB (1)1,8082,0591,8272,216
GMAB497
Total$257,923$191,545$228,712$168,007
By Guaranteed Death Benefit:
Return of AV (No GMDB)$30,337N/A$26,369N/A
Return of Premium197,544135,034174,678128,482
Highest Anniversary Value15,59914,76714,32313,175
Rollup4,1884,8504,0625,005
Combination HAV/Rollup10,25510,4029,2809,447
Total$257,923$165,053$228,712$156,109
(1) Substantially all of our GMIB benefits are reinsured.

AUM

AUM, or assets under management, refers to investment assets that are managed by one of our subsidiaries and includes: (i) the assets in our investment portfolio managed by PPM, which excludes assets held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions, (ii) third party assets managed by PPM, including those for Prudential and its affiliates or third parties, and (iii) the separate account assets of our Retail Annuities segment that Jackson National Asset Management ("JNAM") manages and administers. Total AUM reflects exclusions between segments to avoid double counting. We believe AUM is a useful metric for understanding of, among other things, the sources of our earnings, net investment income and performance of our invested assets, customer directed investments and risk management priorities.

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Jackson Invested Assets$47,224$49,832
Third Party Invested Assets (including CLOs)31,98056,145
Total PPM AUM79,204105,977
Total JNAM AUM280,250255,669
Total AUM$359,454$361,646

PPM manages the majority of our investment portfolio and provides investment management services to Prudential affiliates in Asia, former affiliates in the United Kingdom, and other third parties across markets, including public fixed income, private equity, private debt and commercial real estate. Since December 31, 2020, PPM’s assets under management have decreased, primarily due to withdrawals by the former United Kingdom affiliate.

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Macroeconomic, Industry and Regulatory Trends

We discuss a number of trends and uncertainties below that we believe could materially affect our future business performance, including our results of operations, our investments, our cash flows, and our capital and liquidity position.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Conditions

Our business and results of operations are affected by macroeconomic factors. The level of interest rates and shape of the yield curve, credit and equity market performance (including market paths, equity volatility and other factors), regulation, tax policy, the level of U.S. employment, inflation and the overall economic growth rate can affect both our short and long-term profitability. Monetary and fiscal policy in the United States, or similar actions in foreign nations, could result in increased volatility in financial markets, including interest rates, currencies and equity markets, and could impact our business in both the short-term and medium-term. Political events, including the imposition of stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns or other effects arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, tariffs or other barriers to international trade, and the effects that these or other political events could have on levels of economic activity, could also impact our business through impacts on consumers’ behavior or impact on financial markets.

In the short- to medium-term, the potential for increased volatility could pressure sales and reduce demand for our products as consumers consider purchasing alternative products to meet their objectives, especially while prevailing interest rates remain below historical averages. In addition, this environment could make it difficult to consistently develop products that are attractive to customers. Our financial performance can be adversely affected by market volatility and equity market declines if fees assessed on the account value of our annuities fluctuate, hedging costs increase and revenues decline due to reduced sales and increased outflows.

Equity Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by the performance of equity markets. For example, our variable annuities earn fees based on the account value, which changes with equity market levels. After a very volatile 2020, U.S. equity markets have performed well in 2021 with the S&P 500 generally at or near all time highs throughout the year. Equity volatility has moderated in 2021 from historically high levels in 2020 resulting in reduced hedging costs year over year. While equity implied volatility has decreased in 2021, it still remains above its historical median despite the high S&P 500 levels. The financial performance of our hedging program could be impacted by large directional market movements or periods of high volatility. In particular, our hedges could be less effective in periods of large directional movements or we could experience more frequent or more costly rebalancing in periods of high volatility, which would lead to adverse performance versus our hedge targets and increased hedging costs. Further, we are also exposed to basis risk, which results from our inability to purchase or sell hedge assets whose performance is perfectly correlated to the performance of the funds into which customers allocate their assets. We make funds available to customers where we believe we can transact in sufficiently correlated hedge assets, and we anticipate some variance in the performance of our hedge assets and customer funds. This variance may result in our hedge assets outperforming or underperforming the customer assets they are intended to match. This variance may be exacerbated during periods of high volatility, leading to a mismatch in our hedge results relative to our hedge targets and GAAP results.

Interest Rate Environment

We believe the interest rate environment will continue to impact our business and financial performance in the future for several reasons, including the following:

•    Our investment portfolio is predominantly composed of fixed income securities. In the near term, we expect the yields we earn on new investments will be materially lower than yields we earned on maturing investments due to the low interest rate environment.

•    A prolonged low interest rate environment could subject us to increased hedging costs or an increase in the amount of statutory reserves that our insurance subsidiaries are required to hold for optional guaranteed benefits, decreasing statutory surplus, which would adversely affect their ability to pay dividends. Certain inputs to the statutory models rely on prescribed interest rates, which are, in turn, determined using a historical interest rate perspective with a mean reversion path over the longer term. If rates remain at the current low levels, we expect these prescribed rates may continue to decline as the NAIC updates the calculations each year, which would adversely impact our statutory capital. In addition, low interest rates could also increase the perceived value of optional guaranteed

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benefit features to our customers, which in turn could lead to a higher utilization of withdrawal or annuitization features of annuity policies and higher persistency of those products over time. Finally, low interest rates could continue to cause an acceleration of DAC amortization or reserve increase due to loss recognition for annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance. A gradual rise in interest rates would have benefits that are offsetting to risks previously described. Those potential benefits include increased new money investment yields, a reduction in hedging requirements and more attractive product features.

•    Some of our annuities have a guaranteed minimum interest crediting rate. These guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates may not be lowered, even if earnings on our investment portfolio decline, resulting in net investment spread compression that negatively impacts earnings. In addition, we expect more customers to hold policies with comparatively high guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates longer in a low interest rate environment, resulting in lower than previously expected lapse rates. Conversely, a rise in the average yield on our investment portfolio should positively impact earnings. Similarly, we expect customers would be less likely to hold policies if existing guaranteed minimum interest crediting rates are perceived to have less value as interest rates rise, resulting in higher than previously expected lapse rates.

•    To the extent interest rates increase, consistent with the Federal Reserve’s signals about upcoming interest rate decisions, the effects of low interest rates discussed above will diminish. However, both nominal and real interest rates remain low by historical standards and may continue to be so even after several rounds of interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve.

Credit Market Environment

Our financial performance is impacted by conditions in fixed income markets. With an improving economy, credit spreads have tightened in 2021 after increasing substantially at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and credit defaults have also reduced from levels seen in 2020. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally decreases, although we generally expect the widening spreads to increase the yield on new fixed income investments. Conversely, as credit spreads tighten, the fair value of our existing investment portfolio generally increases, and the yield available on new investment purchases decreases. While changing credit spreads impact the fair value of our investment portfolio, this revaluation is generally reflected in our Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The revaluation will impact net income for realized gains or losses from the sale of securities, the change in fair value of trading securities or securities carried at fair value under the fair value election, or potential changes in the allowance for credit loss ("ACL"). Shifts in the credit quality of the assets underlying our investment portfolio may also impact the level of regulatory required statutory capital for our insurance company subsidiaries. As such, significant credit rating downgrades or payment defaults could negatively impact our RBC ratio.

COVID-19

We continue to closely monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic and financial turmoil both in the United States and around the world. These conditions could continue and could worsen in the future. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the long-term effectiveness of any therapeutic treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, or their efficacy with respect to current or future variants or mutations of COVID-19, or the longer-term effects that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on our business. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the availability and efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 and against variant strains of the virus. Federal and state authorities’ actions could include restrictions of movements. We are not able to predict the duration and effectiveness of governmental and regulatory actions taken to contain or address the COVID-19 pandemic or the impact of future laws, regulations or restrictions on our business.

Consumer Behavior

We believe that many retirees have begun to look to tax-efficient savings products as a tool for addressing their unmet need for retirement planning. We believe our products are well positioned to meet this increasing consumer demand. However, consumer behavior may be impacted by increased economic uncertainty, increased unemployment rates, declining equity markets, lower interest rates and increased volatility of financial markets. In recent years, we have introduced new products to better address changes in consumer demand and targeted distribution channels which meet changes in consumer preferences.

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Demographics

We expect demographic trends in the U.S. population, in particular the increase in the number of retirement age individuals, to generate significant demand for our products. In addition, the potential risk to government social safety net programs and shifting of responsibility for retirement planning and financial security from employers and other institutions to employees, highlights the need for individuals to plan for their long-term financial security and will create additional opportunities to generate sustained demand for our products. We believe we are well positioned to capture the increased demand generated by these demographic trends.

Regulatory Policy

We operate in a highly regulated industry. Our insurance company subsidiaries are regulated primarily at the state level, with some policies and products also subject to federal regulation. As such, regulations recently approved or currently under review at both the U.S. federal and state level could impact our business model, including statutory reserve and capital requirements. We anticipate that our ability to respond to changes in regulation and other legislative activity will be critical to our long-term financial performance. In particular, the following could materially impact our business:

Department of Labor Fiduciary Advice Rule

The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued a new regulatory action (the “Fiduciary Advice Rule”) effective February 16, 2021, that reinstates the text of the DOL’s 1975 investment advice regulation defining what constitutes fiduciary “investment advice” to Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") Plans and IRAs and provides guidance interpreting such regulation. The guidance provided by the DOL broadens the circumstances under which financial institutions, including insurance companies, could be considered fiduciaries under ERISA or the Tax Code. In particular, the DOL states that a recommendation to “roll over” assets from a qualified retirement plan to an IRA, or from an IRA to another IRA, can be considered fiduciary investment advice if provided by someone with an existing relationship with the ERISA Plan or an IRA owner (or in anticipation of establishing such a relationship). This guidance reverses an earlier DOL interpretation suggesting that roll over advice did not constitute investment advice giving rise to a fiduciary relationship. Because we do not engage in direct distribution of annuities, including IRA products and annuities sold to ERISA plan participants and to IRA owners, we believe that we will have limited exposure to the new Fiduciary Advice Rule. Unlike the DOL’s previous fiduciary rule issued in 2016, compliance with the Fiduciary Advice Rule will not require us or our distributors to provide the disclosures required for exemptive relief under the previous rule. However, we continue to analyze the impact of the Fiduciary Advice Rule, and, while we cannot predict the rule’s impact, it could have an adverse effect on sales of annuities through our distribution partners. The Fiduciary Advice Rule may also lead to changes to our compensation practices and product offerings and increased litigation risk, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We may also need to take certain additional actions in order to comply with or assist our distributors in their compliance with the Fiduciary Advice Rule.

NAIC Valuation Manual Updates

In 2019, the NAIC adopted changes to section 21 of the NAIC Valuation Manual (VM-21) with the aim of reducing the non-economic volatility in the variable annuity statutory balance sheet and enhancing risk management. The framework applies to variable annuities’ reserve and capital requirements and, among other things, is expected to produce more stable RBC ratios compared to the prior statutory framework. The NAIC guidance had an effective date of January 2020 for the new framework, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted the new framework for Jackson in the period ending December 31, 2019.

New York has enacted Insurance Regulation 213 ("Regulation 213") requiring principle-based reserving. New York’s Regulation 213 establishes that the reserving standard in New York will be consistent with the reserve standards, valuation methods and related requirements of the NAIC Valuation Manual, while also establishing deviations from the NAIC Valuation Manual, by regulation, in areas where New York State Department of Financial Services ("NYDFS") determines that an alternative requirement would be in the best interest of New York customers. Most notably, these changes were effective as of December 31, 2020 for variable annuities.

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Legislative Reforms

Congress approved the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the "SECURE Act") on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act provides individuals with greater access to retirement products. Namely, it makes it easier for 401(k) programs to offer annuities as an investment option by, among other things, creating a statutory safe harbor in ERISA for a retirement plan’s selection of an annuity provider. The SECURE Act represents the largest overhaul to retirement plans in over a decade. We view these reforms as beneficial to our business model and expect growth opportunities will arise from the new law.

Tax Laws

All of our annuities offer investors the opportunity to benefit from tax deferral. If U.S. tax laws were to change, such that our annuities no longer offer tax-deferred advantages, demand for our products could materially decrease.

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Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data from our consolidated income statements. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes:

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Revenues
Fee income$7,670$6,604$6,413
Premiums133160567
Net investment income3,4292,8293,143
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments(2,478)(6,451)(6,714)
Other income946469
Total revenues8,8483,2063,478
Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals9131,2841,464
Interest credited on other contract holder funds, net of deferrals8681,2101,641
Interest expense378899
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,4629842,066
Cost of reinsurance2,520
Amortization of deferred acquisition and sales inducement costs521(389)(981)
Total benefits and expenses4,8015,6974,289
Pretax income (loss)4,047(2,491)(811)
Income tax expense (benefit)602(854)(369)
Net income (loss)3,445(1,637)(442)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests262(3)55
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc.$3,183$(1,634)$(497)
Adjusted Operating Earnings
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial, Inc.$3,183$(1,634)$(497)
Income tax expense (benefit)602(854)(369)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial Inc3,785(2,488)(866)
Non-operating adjustments (income) loss:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves(2,854)(2,509)(2,377)
Net movement in freestanding derivatives5,6744,6626,595
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements(2,753)3,184(60)
DAC and DSI impact266(1,261)(898)
Assumption changes(24)(128)81
Net realized investment gains (losses) including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative(161)(817)141
Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction2,082
Net investment income on funds withheld assets(1,188)(792)(330)
Other items364140
Total non-operating adjustments(1,004)4,4623,192
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings2,7811,9742,326
Operating income taxes38394290
Adjusted Operating Earnings$2,398$1,880$2,036

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Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Pretax Income (Loss)

Our pretax income (loss) increased by $6,538 million to a pretax income of $4,047 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from a pretax loss of $2,491 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to:

•$3,973 million improvement on total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments as shown in table below and driven by:

Years Ended December 31,
20212020Variance
(in millions)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets$182$377$(195)
Net gains (losses) on freestanding derivatives(5,520)(4,534)(986)
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives (excluding funds withheld reinsurance)2,881(2,734)5,615
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments(2,639)(7,268)4,629
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance(21)440(461)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$(2,478)$(6,451)$3,973

◦Favorable movements in reserves on guarantees that are accounted for as embedded derivatives, driven by positive separate account returns as well as higher interest rates, influencing projected separate account returns and discount rates, compared to losses in the prior year;

Primarily offset by:

◦Higher freestanding derivative losses as a result of the higher interest rate environment in 2021, which resulted in losses within our interest rate related hedge instruments, partially offset by lower losses on our equity derivatives primarily driven by lower volatility compared to prior year;

◦Lower benefit due to losses recognized on funds withheld assets compared to gains in the prior year; and

◦Lower gains for current year on gains excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets.

•$2,520 million decrease in cost of reinsurance, reflecting the Athene Reinsurance Transaction in June 2020;

•$1,066 million increase in fee income primarily due to a $45 billion increase in average variable annuity account values as a result of separate account returns on investments during the year;

•$600 million increase in net investment income as a result of higher income on limited partnership investments, which are recorded on a one quarter lag. Partially offsetting this increase was lower income on debt securities due to lower portfolio balances in 2021 as a result of the Athene transaction;

•$371 million benefit for lower death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves primarily due to more favorable movements in reserves on variable annuity guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities, and lower other policy benefits driven by recovery of claims on previously reinsured policies for fixed annuities and fixed-indexed annuities of $24 million; and

•$342 million benefit from lower interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, primarily driven from the impact of ceding the majority of the fixed and fixed-index annuity business to Athene.

This increase was partially offset by:

•$1,478 million higher operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, as the ceding commission of $1.2 billion received due to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction was included as a contra expense in 2020. Excluding the ceding commissions, operating costs and other expenses increased by 13%, primarily due to higher asset-based commissions, which are non-deferrable and the result of higher account values in 2021; and

•$910 million lower benefit from amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs driven by lower net freestanding derivative losses and embedded derivative gains in 2021, leading to lesser negative impacts to current period gross profits and, therefore, greater current period amortization.

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Income Taxes

Income tax expense increased $1,456 million to an expense of $602 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from a benefit of $854 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The 2021 income tax expense represents an effective income tax rate of 16%, versus a 2020 income tax benefit that represents an effective income tax rate of 34%. Our effective rate typically varies from the marginal statutory rate of 21% due to the impact of permanent tax differences, such as dividends received deduction and foreign tax credits. In addition, income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $24 million benefit of net interest related to income taxes and $3 million benefit for the reversal of an uncertain tax position. During 2020, in addition to the dividends received deduction and foreign tax credits, a benefit attributable to prior year deferred tax balances for certain investment partnerships was recorded along with an adjustment with respect to our methodology for state income taxes, and an income tax benefit related to the Athene Reinsurance transaction.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Pretax Income (Loss)

Our pretax income (loss) decreased by $1,680 million to a pretax loss of $2,491 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from a pretax loss of $811 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to:

•$2,520 million net charge for the cost of reinsurance due to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction in June 2020;

•$592 million lower benefit from amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs driven by a DAC write-off of $764 million related to our fixed and fixed-index blocks of business, as a result of the Athene Reinsurance Transaction. Excluding the impact of this write off, amortization would have been a benefit of $173 million primarily due to a more favorable benefit of amortization of deferred acquisition costs, resulting from the higher losses on derivative movements, compared to 2019, partially offset by the unfavorable impact from assumption changes;

•$407 million decrease in premiums primarily due to the John Hancock NY assumed reinsurance transaction in 2019. Excluding the impact of the John Hancock NY reinsurance transaction, premiums were relatively consistent with prior year; and

•$314 million decrease in net investment income as the investment yield on our portfolio declined from 4.03% at December 31, 2019 to 3.33% in 2020, due to the portfolio rebalancing activity undertaken following the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, and investing at new money interest rates that were lower than the investment yield prior to this rebalancing.

This decrease was partially offset by:

•$1,082 million benefit from lower operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, as the ceding commission of $1.2 billion received due to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction was included as a contra expense within operating costs and other expenses. In addition, the ceding commission associated with the John Hancock NY reinsurance transaction of $65 million was included as a contra expense in 2019. Excluding these ceding commissions, operating costs and other expenses increased by 4%, compared to the prior year;

•$431 million benefit from lower interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, primarily driven from the impact of ceding the majority of the fixed and fixed-index annuity business to Athene;

•$263 million improvement on total net losses on derivatives and investments as shown in table below and driven by:

Years Ended December 31,
20202019Variance
(in millions)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets$377$189$188
Net gains (losses) on freestanding derivatives(4,534)(6,524)1,990
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives (excluding funds withheld reinsurance)(2,734)(49)(2,685)
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments(7,268)(6,573)(695)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance440(330)770
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$(6,451)$(6,714)$263

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◦Lower freestanding derivative losses as a result of lower market returns compared to prior year, as well as a lower interest rate environment, which resulted in higher gains within our interest rate related hedge movements;

◦Higher benefit due to the realized gains recognized on funds withheld assets compared to losses in the prior year; and

◦Higher gains for current year on realized gains excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets.

Primarily offset by:

◦Higher losses in reserves on guarantees that are accounted for as embedded derivatives, driven by lower interest rates, influencing drift and discount rates, and higher implied volatility, which had the effect of more than offsetting the benefit of an increase in equity prices. Additionally, the embedded derivative movement reflected an update to both our credit rating during 2020, as well as, a change in discount rate methodology during the year;

•$191 million increase in fee income primarily due to an $8 billion increase in average variable annuity account value balances as a result of separate account returns on investments during the year; and

•$180 million benefit for lower death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves primarily due to the John Hancock NY assumed reinsurance transaction, which resulted in an increase in reserves of $471 million during 2019. Excluding the impact of reserves from the John Hancock reinsurance transaction, death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves, net of deferrals, increased $290 million as a result of more unfavorable movements in embedded liability reserves, as described above.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefit increased $485 million to a benefit of $854 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from a benefit of $369 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The 2020 income tax benefit represents an effective income tax benefit rate of 34% for the year ended December 31, 2020 versus a benefit rate of 43% for the year-ended December 31, 2019. The benefit during the year ended December 31, 2020 arose primarily from the dividends received deduction and foreign tax credits. In addition, during 2020 we recorded a benefit attributable to prior year deferred tax balances for certain investment partnerships, as well as an adjustment with respect to our methodology for state income taxes. Our effective rate typically varies from the marginal statutory rate of 21% due to the impact of permanent tax differences as described above. In addition, income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2020 included an income tax benefit of $487 million related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

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Segment Results of Operations

We manage our business through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. We report certain activities and items that are not included in these segments, including the results of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, within Corporate and Other. The following tables and discussion represent an overall view of our results of operations for each segment.

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment

The following table summarizes pretax adjusted operating earnings from the Company's business segment operations and also provides a reconciliation of the segment measure to net income on a consolidated GAAP basis. See also Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3, Segment Information:

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$2,528$2,006$2,287
Institutional Products6485106
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks224
Corporate and Other(35)(117)(67)
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings2,7811,9742,326
Pre-tax reconciling items from adjusted operating income to net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial, Inc.:
Fees attributable to guarantee benefit reserves2,8542,5092,377
Net movement in freestanding derivatives(5,674)(4,662)(6,595)
Net reserve and embedded derivative movements2,753(3,184)60
DAC and DSI impact(266)1,261898
Assumption changes24128(81)
Net realized investment gains (losses) including change in fair value of funds withheld embedded derivative161817(141)
Loss on Athene Reinsurance Transaction(2,082)
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,188792330
Other items(36)(41)(40)
Total pre-tax reconciling items1,004(4,462)(3,192)
Pretax income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial, Inc.3,785(2,488)(866)
Income tax expense (benefit)602(854)(369)
Net income (loss) attributable to Jackson Financial, Inc.$3,183$(1,634)$(497)

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Retail Annuities

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the results for our Retail Annuities segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Retail Annuities:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$4,236$3,470$3,406
Net investment income6759311,504
Income on operating derivatives524839
Other income47301
Total Operating Revenues5,0104,4794,950
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves(45)5427
Interest credited on other contract holder funds268532906
Interest expense222735
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals2,0391,7971,757
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs19863(62)
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses2,4822,4732,663
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$2,528$2,006$2,287

The following table summarizes a roll forward of account value for our Retail Annuities segment as of the dates indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Retail Annuities Account Value:
Balance as of beginning of period$256,740$230,932$196,764
Premiums and deposits19,51118,11719,730
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(22,872)(17,536)(18,870)
Net flows(3,361)581860
Credited Interest/Investment performance33,69327,64835,608
Policy Charges and other(2,693)(2,421)(2,300)
Balance as of end of period284,379256,740230,932
Ceded reinsurance(24,956)(26,775)
Balance as of end of period, net of ceded reinsurance$259,423$229,965$230,932

Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings increased $522 million to $2,528 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $2,006 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to:

•$766 million increase in fee income primarily due to a $45 billion increase in average variable annuity account values as a result of separate account returns on investments during the year.

•$264 million benefit from a decrease in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, primarily driven from the impact of ceding the majority of the fixed and fixed-index annuity business to Athene.

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•$99 million decrease in death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves primarily due to lower other policyholder benefits due to recovery of claims on previously reinsured policies for fixed annuities and fixed-indexed annuities in 2021.

•$17 million increase in other operating income driven by the expense allowance received related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, which is a benefit to us and is recorded within other operating income.

These increases were partially offset by:

•$256 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to the decrease in invested assets as a result of the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, partially offset by higher income on limited partnership investments.

•$242 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, due to higher non-deferrable commission expenses, a result of higher account values during 2021.

•$135 million increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs primarily due to a decrease in the expected short-term future variable annuity separate account growth resulting from the mean reversion methodology, which led to decreased expected future gross profits, and therefore higher current period amortization during 2021.

Account Value

Retail annuities account value, gross of reinsurance, increased $27.6 billion between periods primarily due to positive variable annuity separate account growth in 2021 driven by favorable market performance relative to prior year. This was partially offset by negative net flows in 2021, as strong variable annuity sales were exceeded by surrender and death benefit outflows from our large in-force block.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings decreased $281 million to $2,006 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $2,287 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to:

•$573 million decrease in net investment income as investment yields decreased from 3.93% at December 31, 2019 to 3.45% in 2020, as well as a decrease in invested assets within the retail annuity investment portfolios from $40.2 billion as of December 31, 2019 to $13.7 billion in 2020, of which $24 billion was a result of the Athene Reinsurance Transaction. The decrease in investment yield was due to the retail annuity portfolio rebalancing activity that was undertaken following the Athene Reinsurance Transaction to realign this portfolio with our investment management objectives. This resulted in investing at new money interest rates which were lower than the investment yield prior to rebalancing.

•$125 million increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs primarily due to a net unfavorable impact of $138 million from assumption changes in 2020, compared to a $50 million benefit in 2019. This was partially offset by higher deferred acquisition costs deceleration of $330 million in 2020, compared to deceleration of $280 million in 2019.

•$40 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, due to an increase in allocated corporate expenses driven by growth in this segment as compared to other segments.

•$27 million increase in death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves primarily as a result of higher other policyholder benefits, compared to 2019.

These decreases were partially offset by:

•$374 million benefit from a decrease in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals primarily driven from the impact of ceding the majority of the fixed and fixed-index annuity business to Athene.

•$64 million increase in fee income increased primarily due to an $8 billion, or 4%, increase in average separate account balances as a result of separate account returns on investments during the year.

•$29 million increase in other operating income driven by the expense allowance received related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction, which is a benefit to us and is recorded within other operating income.

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•$9 million increase in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the decrease in rates during 2020. This income relates to quarterly interest payments with respect to our interest rate swaps and, for which, we generally receive amounts based on fixed rates and pay amounts based on floating rates.

Account Value

Retail annuities account value, gross of reinsurance, increased $25.8 billion between periods primarily due to positive variable annuity separate account growth in 2020 driven by favorable market performance in the year. This was partially offset by net flows that were positive in 2020 but smaller in magnitude than guaranteed benefit fees assessed against policyholders.

Institutional Products

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the results for our Institutional Products segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Operating Revenues
Net investment income$260$355$450
Income on operating derivatives(3)
Other income1
Total Operating Revenues257356450
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest credited on other contract holder funds (1)188250291
Interest expense (1)1649
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals554
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses193271344
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$64$85$106

(1)     At December 31, 2021, interest expense recorded for institutional products has been reclassified to interest credited on other contract holder funds.

The following table summarizes a roll forward of account value for our Institutional Products segment as of the dates indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Institutional Products:
Balance as of beginning of period$11,138$12,287$10,900
Premiums and deposits4751,2842,522
Surrenders, withdrawals, and benefits(2,915)(2,801)(1,483)
Net flows(2,440)(1,517)1,039
Credited Interest188266339
Policy Charges and other(56)1029
Balance as of end of period$8,830$11,138$12,287

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Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings decreased $21 million to $64 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $85 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to:

•$95 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to spread compression in the prior year arising from higher levels of liquid assets and reinvestment at lower rates net of interest rate hedges following the portfolio repositioning in 2020.

This decrease was partially offset by:

•$78 million benefit from a decrease in operating benefits and expenses primarily from a decrease in interest credited resulting from a reduction in institutional product account values during the year.

Account Value

Institutional product account value decreased from $11,138 million at December 31, 2020 to $8,830 million at December 31, 2021. The decline in account value was driven by continued maturities of the existing contracts and funding agreements in addition to lower issuances in 2021.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings decreased $21 million to $85 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $106 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to:

•$95 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to the impact of investing at interest rates lower than the overall portfolio yield. Average invested assets increased from $12,847 million at December 31, 2019 to $13,546 million at December 31, 2020, an increase of 5.4%, while the investment yield decreased from 3.50% at December 31, 2019 to 2.62% at December 31, 2020.

This decrease was partially offset by:

•$73 million benefit from a decrease in operating benefits and expenses primarily from a decrease in interest credited resulting from a reduction in the institutional product account value during the year. In addition, lower interest rates in 2020 resulted in lower interest expense, compared to 2019, with respect to our FHLB funding agreements, which are mostly floating rate contracts.

Account Value

Institutional product account value decreased from $12,287 million at December 31, 2019 to $11,138 million at December 31, 2020. The decline in account value was driven by higher maturities of existing contracts and funding agreements in addition to lower new funding agreement issuances in 2020.

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Closed Life and Annuity Blocks

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the results for our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$492$513$528
Premiums145172581
Net investment income925759802
Income on operating derivatives725826
Other income392558
Total Operating Revenues1,6731,5271,995
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Death, other policy benefits and change in policy reserves8619161,425
Interest credited on other contract holder funds412428444
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals162166107
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs141719
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses1,4491,5271,995
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings (1)$224$$

(1)    Pretax adjusted operating earnings were both below one million for years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings increased $224 million to $224 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to:

•$166 million increase in net investment income primarily due to higher levels of investment income on private equity and other limited partnership investments, when compared to the same period in 2020.

•$55 million decrease in death, other policy benefit and change in policy reserves primarily as a result of a policy benefits increase in 2020.

•$16 million benefit from a decrease in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, largely as a result of continued decrease in the size of the closed blocks.

•$14 million increase in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the decrease in floating rates during 2021, which resulted in more income received than what we paid. This income relates to quarterly interest payments with respect to our interest rate swaps and, for which, we generally receive amounts based on fixed rates and pay amounts based on floating rates.

•$14 million increase in other income. In the first quarter of 2020, we reimbursed a portion of reinsurance expense allowances resulting from lapses on certain term life insurance products described below, which resulted in a net other expense during that period.

These increases were partially offset by:

•$27 million decrease in premiums primarily due to reinsurance premium recoveries on certain term life insurance products for a specified reinsured block of business that lapsed at the end of the level term period in 2020. Upon the policy lapse, we received a return of the ceded premium from the reinsurer.

•$21 million decrease in fee income primarily due to an overall decrease in mortality and expense charges as the closed block of life business continues to run off.

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Year Ended December 31, 2020 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings were relatively flat for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to:

•$509 million benefit from a decrease in death, other policy benefit and change in policy reserves primarily as a result of the John Hancock NY assumed reinsurance transaction. Excluding the initial impact of this reinsurance transaction, death, other policy benefit and change in policy reserves were slightly lower by $38 million, compared to prior year.

•$32 million increase in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the decrease in rates during 2020. This income relates to quarterly interest payments with respect to our interest rate swaps and, for which, we generally receive amounts based on fixed rates and pay amounts based on floating rates.

•$16 million benefit from a decrease in interest credited on contract holder funds, net of deferrals, largely as a result of continued decrease in the size of the closed blocks.

These increases were mostly offset by:

•$409 million decrease in premiums primarily as a result of the John Hancock NY reinsurance transaction. Upon closing of the John Hancock NY reinsurance transaction in 2019, we reported $406 million in assumed premium. Excluding the impact of this reinsurance transaction, premiums remained relatively flat, compared to the prior year.

•$59 million increase in operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, primarily due to the $65 million negative ceding commission in 2019 related to the John Hancock NY reinsurance transaction. Excluding the impact of this reinsurance transaction, operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals, decreased $6 million.

•$43 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to investing at lower rates than the overall portfolio yield as compared to prior year.

•$16 million decrease in fee income primarily due to an overall decrease in mortality and expense charges as the closed block of life business continues to run off.

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Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other includes the operations of PPM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of PPM, and unallocated corporate revenue and expenses, as well as certain eliminations and consolidation adjustments. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, certain data underlying the results for Corporate and Other. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Corporate and Other:
Operating Revenues
Fee income$76$100$88
Net investment income1022041
Income on operating derivatives32218
Other income8810
Total Operating Revenues218149147
Operating Benefits and Expenses
Interest expense154515
Operating costs and other expenses, net of deferrals204201198
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs34201
Total Operating Benefits and Expenses253266214
Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$(35)$(117)$(67)

Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings increased $82 million to $(35) million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $(117) million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to the following:

•$82 million increase in net investment income primarily due to higher income on limited partnership investments.

•$30 million decrease in interest expense; The interest expense incurred in the current year relates to our term loans and senior notes. The interest expense incurred in the prior year primarily relates our surplus note, which was restructured as an intercompany obligation in June 2020. See Note 11 - Long-Term Debt to our consolidated financial statements.

•$11 million increase in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the decrease in floating rates during 2021, which resulted in more income received than what we paid. This income relates to quarterly interest payments with respect to our interest rate swaps and, for which, we generally receive amounts based on fixed rates and pay amounts on floating rates with respect to our interest rate swaps.

These increases were partially offset by:

•$24 million decrease in fee income due to lower asset management fees generated at PPM resulting from managed asset withdrawals by the former United Kingdom affiliate. Fee income shown above excludes fees on the Company's assets managed by PPM as part of elimination and consolidation adjustments presented in Corporate and Other.

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Year Ended December 31, 2020 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings

Pretax adjusted operating earnings decreased $50 million to $(117) million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $(67) million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to the following:

•$30 million increase in interest expense primarily related to Brooke Life’s $2.0 billion surplus note and $350 million loan with Standard Chartered Bank, both of which were entered into during the fourth quarter of 2019 and subsequently restructured in June 2020. See Note 11 - Long-Term Debt to our consolidated financial statements.

•$21 million decrease in net investment income primarily due to lower levels of investment income allocated to the corporate segment.

This decrease was partially offset by:

•$13 million increase in income on operating derivatives primarily due to the decrease in rates during 2020. This income relates to quarterly interest payments with respect to our interest rate swaps and, for which, we generally receive amounts based on fixed rates and pay amounts on floating rates with respect to our interest rate swaps.

•$12 million increase in fee income due to slightly higher asset management fees generated at PPM. Fee income shown above excludes fees on the Company's assets managed by PPM as part of elimination and consolidation adjustments presented in Corporate and Other.

Investments

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of fixed-income securities and loans, primarily publicly-traded corporate and government bonds, private securities and loans, asset-backed securities and mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed and other structured securities. The fair value of these and our other invested assets fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment and could be adversely impacted by other economic factors.

Investment Strategy

Our overall investment strategy is to maintain a diversified and largely investment grade fixed income portfolio that is capital efficient, achieves risk-adjusted returns that support competitive pricing for our products, generates profitable growth of our business and maintains adequate liquidity to support our obligations. The investments within our investment portfolio are primarily managed by PPM, our wholly-owned registered investment adviser. Our investment strategy benefits from PPM’s ability to originate investments directly, as well as participate in transactions originated by banks, investment banks, commercial finance companies and other intermediaries. Certain investments held in funds withheld accounts for reinsurance transactions are managed by Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP, an Athene affiliate, see Note 8 of Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. We may also use other third-party investment managers for certain niche asset classes. As of December 31, 2021, Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP managed $25.3 billion of cash and investments and other third-party investment managers represented approximately $192 million of investments.

Our investment program seeks to generate a competitive rate of return on our invested assets to support the profitable growth of our business, while maintaining investment portfolio allocations within the company’s risk tolerance. This means seeking to maximize risk-adjusted return within the context of a largely fixed income portfolio while also managing exposure to downside risk in a stressed environment, regulatory and rating agency capital models, overall portfolio yield, diversification and correlation with other investments and company exposures.

Our Investment Committee has specified a target strategic asset allocation (“SAA”) that is designed to deliver the highest expected return within a defined risk tolerance while meeting other important objectives such as those mentioned in the prior paragraph. The fixed income portion of the SAA is assessed relative to a customized index of public corporate bonds that represents a close approximation of the maturity profile of our liabilities and a credit quality mix that that is consistent with our risk tolerance. PPM’s objective is to outperform this index on a number of measures including portfolio yield, total return and capital loss due to downgrades and defaults. While PPM has access to a broad universe of potential investments, we believe grounding the investment program with a customized public corporate index that can be easily

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tracked and monitored helps guide PPM in meeting the risk and return expectations and assists with performance evaluation.

Recognizing the trade offs between the level of risk, required capital, liquidity and investment return, the largest allocation within our investment portfolio is to investment grade fixed income securities. As previously mentioned, our investment manager accesses a broad universe of potential investments to construct the investment portfolio and takes into account the benefits of diversification across various sectors, collateral types and asset classes. To this end, our SAA and investment portfolio includes allocations to public and private corporate bonds (both investment grade and high yield), mortgage loans, structured securities, private equity and U.S. Treasury securities. These U.S. Treasury securities, while lower yielding than other alternatives, provide a higher level of liquidity and play a role in managing our interest rate exposure.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had total investments of $74.2 billion and $80.5 billion, respectively.

Portfolio Composition

The following table summarizes the carrying values of our investments:

December 31,
20212020
Investments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotalInvestments excluding Funds WithheldFunds WithheldTotal
(in millions)
Debt Securities, available-for-sale, net of allowance for credit losses$32,453$19,094$51,547$34,601$24,474$59,075
Debt Securities, at fair value under fair value option1,5471641,7111,1091681,277
Debt securities, trading, at fair value117117105105
Equity securities, at fair value16311627915142193
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses6,7434,73911,4827,7422,98610,728
Policy loans9923,4834,4751,0533,4714,524
Freestanding derivative instruments1,375421,4172,2202,220
Other invested assets2,4847153,1992,2411252,366
Total investments$45,874$28,353$74,227$49,222$31,266$80,488

Available-for-sale debt securities decreased to $51,547 million at December 31, 2021 from $59,075 million at the end of 2020, primarily due to sales, consistent with the decrease in underlying policy liabilities, and a decrease in net unrealized gains. The amortized cost of debt securities, available-for-sale, decreased from $55,523 million as of December 31, 2020 to $51,206 million as of December 31, 2021. Further, net unrealized gains on these assets decreased from a net unrealized gain of $4,948 million as of December 31, 2020 to a net unrealized gain of $2,178 million as of December 31, 2021.

Other Invested Assets

In June 2021, we entered into an arrangement to sell $420 million of limited partnership investments, of which $236 million and $168 million were sold in the second and third quarter of 2021, respectively, and the remainder was sold in January 2022. We expect to reinvest in new LPs as attractive opportunities become available. The increase in Other Invested Assets from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 primarily resulted from the increased valuations of limited partnership investments.

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Debt Securities

At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value, and allowance for credit loss of debt securities, including trading securities and securities carried at fair value under the fair value option, were as follows (in millions):

December 31, 2021Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$4,525$$97$301$4,321
Other government securities1,489147171,619
Corporate securities
Utilities6,069671256,715
Energy2,872222163,078
Banking1,94479102,013
Healthcare3,196175213,350
Finance/Insurance4,299228474,480
Technology/Telecom2,376123262,473
Consumer goods2,525123382,610
Industrial1,996118102,104
Capital goods2,20613482,332
Real estate1,80582111,876
Media1,18784191,252
Transportation1,789105131,881
Retail1,28975131,351
Other (1)2,21713452,346
Total Corporate Securities35,7702,35326237,861
Residential mortgage-backed5282463569
Commercial mortgage-backed1,9687662,038
Other asset-backed securities6,926771236,967
Total Debt Securities$51,206$9$2,790$612$53,375
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

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December 31, 2020Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
U.S. government securities$5,079$$162$115$5,126
Other government securities1,49720111,697
Corporate securities
Utilities6,2701,02927,297
Energy3,43035183,773
Banking2,3422062,548
Healthcare3,72935824,085
Finance/Insurance3,586391163,961
Technology/Telecom2,76627963,039
Consumer goods2,5082772,785
Industrial2,58328012,862
Capital goods2,38523122,614
Real estate2,11317012,282
Media1,35314911,501
Transportation2,01118442,191
Retail1,7491811,930
Other (1)2,62524512,869
Total Corporate Securities39,4504,3314443,737
Residential mortgage-backed912741985
Commercial mortgage-backed3,07824933,324
Other asset-backed securities5,5071410055,588
Total Debt Securities$55,523$14$5,117$169$60,457
(1) No single remaining industry exceeds 3% of the portfolio.

Debt Securities Credit Quality

The following tables set forth the composition of the fair value of debt securities, including both those held as available-for-sale and for trading, as classified by rating categories as assigned by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSRO”), the NAIC or, if not rated by such organizations, our consolidated investment advisor, PPM. The Company uses the second lowest rating by an NRSRO when NRSRO ratings are not equivalent and, for purposes of the table, if not otherwise rated by a NRSRO, the NAIC rating of a security is converted to an equivalent NRSRO-style rating.

Percent of Total Debt Securities Carrying Value
December 31,
Investment Rating20212020
AAA14.5%18.8%
AA9.6%8.1%
A28.5%30.5%
BBB40.9%37.7%
Investment grade93.5%95.1%
BB3.6%2.9%
B and below2.9%2.0%
Below investment grade6.5%4.9%
Total debt securities100.0%100.0%

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Unrealized Losses

The following tables summarize the number of securities, fair value and the related amount of gross unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual debt securities have been in a continuous loss position (dollars in millions):

December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Less than 12 monthsLess than 12 months
GrossFair ValueGrossFair Value
Unrealized# ofUnrealized# of
LossessecuritiesLossessecurities
U.S. government securities$2$10716$115$3,9457
Other government securities17252231897
Public utilities177219321478
Corporate securities1806,343728411,391161
Residential mortgage-backed317410913528
Commercial mortgage-backed531437315213
Other asset-backed securities223,224338279791
Total temporarily impaired securities$246$11,1351,344$165$6,556315
12 months or longer12 months or longer
GrossFair ValueGrossFair Value
Unrealized# ofUnrealized# of
LossessecuritiesLossessecurities
U.S. government securities$299$3,1907$$
Other government securities42
Public utilities7998
Corporate securities5866169133
Residential mortgage-backed111224
Commercial mortgage-backed1303101
Other asset-backed securities11133294
Total temporarily impaired securities$366$4,006104$4$4412
TotalTotal
GrossFair ValueGrossFair Value
Unrealized# ofUnrealized# of
LossessecuritiesLossessecurities
U.S. government securities$301$3,29721$115$3,9457
Other government securities17256251897
Public utilities248209821478
Corporate securities (1)2387,004776421,394164
Residential mortgage-backed318512113732
Commercial mortgage-backed634439316214
Other asset-backed securities233,235341582695
Total temporarily impaired securities$612$15,1411,421$169$6,600327

(1) Certain corporate securities contain multiple lots and fit the criteria of both aging groups.

The increase in rates on U.S. Treasury securities and the widening credit spreads of investment grade corporate securities resulted in the reduction in fair values and increase in unrealized losses during 2021. Of the $443 million total increase in unrealized losses and the $8,541 million additional fair value on securities with an associated unrealized loss, $196 million and $6,089 million, respectively, are associated with assets subject to funds withheld agreements.

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Evaluation of Available-For-Sale Debt Securities

See Note 4 to consolidated financial statements for information about how we evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities for credit loss.

The following table summarizes net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments (in millions):

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
Available-for-sale securities
Realized gains on sale$169$778$307
Realized losses on sale(88)(196)(107)
Credit loss income (expense)(10)(14)
Gross impairments(27)(3)
Credit loss income (expense) on mortgage loans62(61)
Other (1)49(103)(8)
Net gains (losses) excluding derivatives and funds withheld assets182377189
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments(2,639)(7,268)(6,573)
Net gains (losses) on funds withheld reinsurance treaties(21)440(330)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments$(2,478)$(6,451)$(6,714)
(1) Includes the foreign currency gain or loss related to foreign denominated mortgage loans and trust instruments supporting funding agreements.

Equity Securities

Equity securities consist of investments in common and preferred stock holdings and mutual fund investments. Common and preferred stock investments generally arise out of previous private equity investments or other settlements rather than as direct investments. Mutual fund investments typically represent investments made in our own mutual funds to seed those structures for external issuance at a later date. The following table summarizes our holdings:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Common Stock$78$72
Preferred Stock16898
Mutual Funds3323
Total$279$193

Mortgage Loans

Our investments in mortgage loans provide an opportunity for higher investment yields within an asset class where PPM has a positive track record and a demonstrated ability to manage risk in the portfolio. Commercial mortgage loans of $10.5 billion and $10.2 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are reported net of an allowance for credit losses of $85 million and $165 million at each date, respectively. At December 31, 2021, commercial mortgage loans were collateralized by properties located in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Europe. Residential mortgage loans of $939 million and $449 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are reported net of an allowance for credit losses of $9 million and $14 million at each date, respectively. Loans were collateralized by properties located in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and Europe.

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The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance of credit loss, of our mortgage loans by property type:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Commercial:
Apartment$3,755$3,905
Hotel1,054883
Office1,8891,570
Retail2,1041,942
Warehouse1,7411,979
Total Commercial$10,543$10,279
Residential939449
Total$11,482$10,728

The table below presents the carrying value, net of allowance for credit loss, of our mortgage loans by region:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
East North Central$1,184$1,211
East South Central491453
Middle Atlantic1,5581,276
Mountain688840
New England452476
Pacific2,8972,589
South Atlantic2,2952,530
West North Central552379
West South Central829812
Foreign536162
Total$11,482$10,728

The following table provides information about the credit quality of our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans
Loan to value ratios:
Less than 70%$9,819$9,264
70% - 80%670845
80% - 100%44170
Greater than 100%10
Total10,54310,279
Residential mortgage loans
Performing727449
Nonperforming (1)212
Total939449
Total mortgage loans$11,482$10,728

(1) Includes $202 million of loans purchased when the loans were greater than 90 days delinquent and are supported with insurance or other guarantees provided by various governmental programs, and $5 million of loans in process of foreclosure.

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The following table provides a summary of the allowance for credit losses related to our mortgage loans:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$179$9
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle62
Charge offs, net of recoveries
Additions from purchase of purchased credit -deteriorated mortgage loans
Provision (release)(85)108
Balance at end of period$94$179

The Company’s mortgage loans that are current and in good standing are accruing interest. Interest is not accrued on loans greater than 90 days delinquent and in process of foreclosure, when deemed uncollectible. Delinquency status is determined from the date of the first missed contractual payment.

At December 31, 2021, there was $6 million of recorded investment, $7 million of unpaid principal balance, nil related loan allowance, $2 million of average recorded investment, and no investment income recognized on impaired residential mortgage loans. At December 31, 2020, there were no impaired mortgages.

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Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and the fair values of our freestanding and embedded derivatives instruments (in millions):

December 31, 2021
Contractual/AssetsLiabilitiesNet
NotionalFairFairFair Value
Amount (1)ValueValueAsset (Liability)
Freestanding derivatives
Cross-currency swaps$1,767$55$35$20
Equity index call options21,000606606
Equity index futures (2)18,258
Equity index put options27,500150150
Interest rate swaps7,728430430
Interest rate swaps - cleared (2)1,500
Put-swaptions19,000133133
Treasury futures (2)912
Total freestanding derivatives97,6651,374351,339
Embedded derivatives
VA embedded derivatives (3)N/A2,626(2,626)
FIA embedded derivatives (4)N/A1,439(1,439)
RILA embedded derivativesN/A6(6)
Total embedded derivativesN/A4,071(4,071)
Derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties
Cross-currency swaps1581019
Cross-currency forwards1,11933528
Funds withheld embedded derivative (5)N/A120(120)
Total derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties1,27743126(83)
Total$98,942$1,417$4,232$(2,815)
(1) The notional amount for swaps and swaptions represents the stated principal balance used as a basis for calculating payments. The contractual amount for futures and options represents the market exposure of open positions.
(2) Variation margin is considered settlement resulting in the netting of cash received/paid for variation margin against the fair value of the trades.
(3) Included within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable on the consolidated balance sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(4) Included within other contract holder funds on the consolidated balance sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(5) Included within funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties on the consolidated balance sheets.

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December 31, 2020
Contractual/AssetsLiabilitiesNet
NotionalFairFairFair Value
Amount (1)ValueValueAsset (Liability)
Freestanding derivatives
Cross-currency swaps$1,744$93$34$59
Equity index call options26,3001,1271,127
Equity index futures (2)27,651
Equity index put options27,000178178
Interest rate swaps4,7507221721
Interest rate swaps - cleared (2)1,5008(8)
Put-swaptions1,000100100
Treasury futures (2)8,525
Total freestanding derivatives98,4702,220432,177
Embedded derivatives
VA embedded derivatives (3)N/A5,592(5,592)
FIA embedded derivatives (4)N/A1,484(1,484)
Total embedded derivativesN/A7,076(7,076)
Derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties
Cross-currency swaps1095(5)
Cross-currency forwards7438(8)
Funds withheld embedded derivative (5)N/A827(827)
Total derivatives related to funds withheld under reinsurance treaties852840(840)
Total$99,322$2,220$7,959$(5,739)
(1) The notional amount for swaps and swaptions represents the stated principal balance used as a basis for calculating payments. The contractual amount for futures and options represents the market exposure of open positions.
(2) Variation margin is considered settlement resulting in the netting of cash received/paid for variation margin against the fair value of the trades.
(3) Included within reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable on the consolidated balance sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(4) Included within other contract holder funds on the consolidated balance sheets. The nonperformance risk adjustment is included in the balance above.
(5) Included within funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties on the consolidated balance sheets.

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Investment Income

Our sources of net investment income are as follows (in millions):

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
Debt securities (1)$1,154$1,617$2,164
Equity securities8(14)15
Mortgage loans319365392
Policy loans737989
Limited partnerships795105248
Other investment income131257
Total investment income excluding funds withheld assets2,3622,1642,965
Net investment income on funds withheld assets1,188792330
Investment expenses:
Derivative trading commission(3)(5)(4)
Depreciation on real estate(11)(11)(11)
Expenses related to consolidated entities (2)(41)(43)(52)
Other investment expenses (3)(66)(68)(85)
Total investment expenses(121)(127)(152)
Net investment income$3,429$2,829$3,143
(1) Includes management fees, administrative fees, legal fees, and other expenses related to the consolidation of certain investments.
(2) Includes interest expense and market appreciation on deferred compensation; investment software expense, custodial fees, and other bank fees; institutional product issuance related expenses; and other expenses.

Evaluation of Invested Assets

We perform regular evaluations of our invested assets. On a monthly basis, management identifies those investments that may require additional monitoring and carefully reviews the carrying value of such investments to determine whether specific investments should be placed on a non-accrual status and to determine if an allowance for credit loss is required. In making these reviews, management principally considers the adequacy of any collateral, compliance with contractual covenants, the borrower’s recent financial performance, news reports and other externally generated information concerning the issuer’s affairs. In the case of publicly traded bonds, management also considers market value quotations, where available. For mortgage loans, management generally considers information concerning the mortgaged property and, among other things, factors impacting the current and expected payment status of the loan and, if available, the current fair value of the underlying collateral. For investments in partnerships, management reviews the financial statements and other information provided by the general partners.

In determination of an allowance for credit loss, we consider a security’s forecasted cash flows as well as the severity of depressed fair values. Investment income is not accrued on securities in default and otherwise where the collection is uncertain. Subsequent receipts of interest on such securities are generally used to reduce the cost basis of the securities. The provisions for impairment on mortgage loans are based on losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to real estate, on the disposition and settlement of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans that management believes may not be collectible in full. Accrual of interest on mortgage loans is generally suspended when principal or interest payments on mortgage loans are past due more than 90 days. Interest is then accounted for on a cash basis.

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Policy and Contract Liabilities

We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are calculated to meet policy obligations or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported on the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates.”

As an insurance company, a substantial portion of our profits are derived from fee income and the invested assets backing our policy and contract liabilities, which includes separate account liabilities, reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable and other contract holder funds. As of December 31, 2021, 90% of our policy and contract liabilities were in our Retail Annuities segment, 3% were in our Institutional Products segment and 7% were in our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment.

The table below represents a breakdown of our policy and contract liabilities:

December 31, 2021Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$248,859$4,330$10,030$263,219
Registered Index Linked Annuities110110
Fixed Annuities213,17213,174
Fixed Index Annuities5013,16113,211
Payout Annuities1,3991,399
Total Retail Annuities248,8594,38237,872291,113
Total Institutional Products8,8308,830
Traditional Life4,7624,1618,923
Interest-sensitive Life901,7227,4109,222
Group Payout Annuities4,8954,895
Other Annuities1,4161,416
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks9011,37912,98724,456
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities248,94915,76159,689324,399
Claims payable and other1,8681,868
Total$248,949$17,629$59,689$326,267
December 31, 2020Separate AccountsReserves for future policy benefitsOther contract holder fundsTotal
(in millions)
Variable Annuities$218,9837,33410,609236,926
Fixed Annuities213,98713,989
Fixed Index Annuities6514,02914,094
Payout Annuities1,4591,459
Total Retail Annuities218,9837,40140,084266,468
Total Institutional Products11,13811,138
Traditional Life5,1254,1529,277
Interest-sensitive Life801,7727,6839,535
Group Payout Annuities5,2205,220
Other Annuities1,4811,481
Total Closed Life and Annuity Blocks8012,11713,31625,513
Total Policy and Contract Liabilities219,06319,51864,538303,119
Claims payable and other1,9721,972
Total$219,063$21,490$64,538$305,091

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As of December 31, 2021, $248.9 billion or 77% of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by separate accounts assets. These separate account assets backed reserves primarily related to our variable annuities. Separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the customer’s corresponding separate account assets and are set equal to the fair value of such invested assets. We generate revenue on our separate account liabilities primarily from asset-based fee income. Separate account assets and associated liabilities are subject to variability driven by the performance of the underlying investments, which are exposed to fluctuations in equity markets and bond fund valuations. As a result, revenue derived from asset-based fee income is similarly subject to variability in line with the variability of the underlying separate account assets.

As of December 31, 2021, $50.3 billion or 16% of our policy and contract liabilities were backed by our investment portfolio and $25.2 billion reinsured by Athene, were backed by funds withheld assets. Our variable annuity fixed account option, variable annuity guaranteed benefit and other reserves, our RILA and fixed annuities and fixed index annuities reserves, not reinsured, our Institutional Products segment reserves, as well as our Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment reserves, were primarily backed by our investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2021, our general account policy and contract liabilities, net of those ceded to Athene, were composed of 5% for fixed index annuities and fixed deferred and payout annuities, 18% for Institutional Products segment, 19% for fixed account option variable annuities, 9% for guaranteed benefit and other variable annuity reserves, and a 49% Closed Life and Annuity Block segment reserves. As of December 31, 2021, 39% of our fixed annuity and fixed index annuity policy and contract liabilities were subject to surrender charges of at least 5% or at market value in the event of discretionary withdrawal by customers. As of December 31, 2021, 100% of our RILA policy and contract liabilities were subject to surrender charges of at least 5% or at market value in the event of discretionary withdrawal by customers. We have the discretion, subject to contractual limitations and minimums, to reset the crediting terms on the majority of our fixed index annuities and fixed annuities. As of December 31, 2021, 94% of fixed annuity, fixed-indexed annuity, and the fixed accounts of RILA and variable annuity correspond to crediting rates that are at the guaranteed minimum crediting rate.

Liabilities for other contract holder funds are policy account balances on interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, RILA and variable annuity or variable life insurance contract allocations to fixed fund options. These account balance liabilities are equal to the sum of deposits, plus interest credited, less charges and withdrawals.

We establish reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable under insurance policies using methodologies consistent with U.S. GAAP. Reserves for insurance policies are generally equal to the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected revenue. The assumptions used in establishing reserves are generally based on our experience, industry benchmarking or other factors, as applicable. Annually, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our actuarial assumptions, and update those assumptions when appropriate. The principal assumptions used in the establishment of reserves for future policy benefits are policy lapse, mortality, benefit utilization and withdrawals, investment returns, and expenses. Generally, we do not expect trends that impact our assumptions to change significantly in the short-term and, to the extent these trends may change, we expect such changes to be gradual over the long-term.

For non–life-contingent components of Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits ("GMWB") features available in our variable annuities, the guaranteed benefits are accounted for as embedded derivatives, with fair values calculated as the present value of expected future guaranteed benefit payments to contract holders less the present value of assessed rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the fair values of these guaranteed benefit features are based on assumptions a market participant would use in valuing these embedded derivatives. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are recorded through a benefit or charge to current period earnings. Movements in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are typically in the opposite direction relative to primary market risks. Specifically, downward movements in equity market levels reduce contract holder account value and typically correlate with an increased likelihood that outstanding guaranteed benefits will result in a claim, increasing the fair value liability. Similarly, downward movements in interest rates lower the assumed future market growth and typically correlate with an increased likelihood that outstanding guaranteed benefits will result in a claim, increasing the fair value liability. Downward movements in interest rates also lower the discount rates used in the calculation of the fair value liability associated with higher projected future guaranteed benefit payments, which increases the fair value liability.

For reserves related to the life-contingent components of guaranteed benefit features available in our variable annuities, fixed index annuities and RILA, we calculate the change in reserves by applying a “benefit ratio” to total assessments received in the period. The benefit ratio is determined by dividing the present value of total expected benefit payments by

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the present value of total expected assessments, primarily fees based on account value or benefit base, over the life of the contract. The level and direction of the change in reserves will vary over time based on the benefit ratio and the level of assessments associated with the variable annuity, fixed index annuity, or RILA. These reserves typically move in the opposite direction relative to primary market risks. Specifically, downward movements in equity market levels will reduce contract holder account value and typically correlate with an increased likelihood that outstanding guaranteed benefits will result in a claim, which increases the reserve.

For traditional life insurance and payout annuities, reserves for future policy benefits are measured using assumptions determined as of the issuance date or acquisition date with provisions for the risk of adverse deviation, as appropriate. These assumptions are not unlocked unless a premium deficiency exists. At least annually, we perform premium deficiency tests using best estimate assumptions as of the testing date without provision for adverse deviation. If the liabilities determined based on these best estimate assumptions are greater than the net reserves (i.e., U.S. GAAP reserves net of any DAC or reinsurance), the existing net reserves are adjusted by first reducing the DAC or DSI by the amount of the deficiency (or to zero) through a charge to current period earnings. If the deficiency is more than these asset balances, we increase the reserves by the excess through a charge to current period earnings. If a premium deficiency is recognized, the assumptions as of the premium deficiency test date are locked in and used in subsequent reserve measurements, and the net reserves continue to be subject to premium deficiency testing. In a sustained low interest rate environment, there is generally an increased likelihood that the liabilities determined based on best estimate assumptions will be greater than the net reserves.

Actuarial Assumption Changes (Unlocking)

Our annual actuarial assumption review of our estimates of future gross profits underlying the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements, as well as the valuation of the embedded derivatives and reserves for annuities and life insurance with optional guaranteed benefits, may result in an “unlocking” impact. Generally, favorable unlocking means the change in assumptions required a reduction in reserves or increase in DAC, and unfavorable unlocking means the change in assumptions required an increase in reserves or reduction in DAC.

The following tables reflect the impacts from our annual assumption review to pretax (loss) income, non-operating adjustments and Adjusted Operating Earnings for the periods presented.

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Assumption Review Impact:
Total assumption review impact on pretax (loss) income$62$(24)$(31)
Total assumption review impact on pretax non-operating adjustments(24)(128)80
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$38$(152)$49
Assumption Review Impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings by Segment:
Retail Annuities$38$(138)$51
Closed Life and Annuity Blocks(14)(2)
Total assumption review impact on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings$38$(152)$49

2021 Assumption Updates

The impact of assumption changes on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was $38 million, with the majority of this impact attributed to the Retail Annuities segment at $38 million. The principal driver of the favorable impact for Retail Annuities was an increase in the variable annuity DAC balance due to lapse assumption updates.

The impact on pretax non-operating adjustments of $24 million was mainly due to an overall decrease in the GMWB and GMWB for Life optional guarantee benefit reserves. The reserve decrease was driven principally by assumption changes to GMWB utilization, the effect of which was partially offset due to changes in assumed persistency and mortality and a strengthening of the mortality risk margin.

In aggregate, the total impact of assumption changes on pretax income was $62 million.

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2020 Assumption Updates

The impact of assumption changes on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was $(152) million, with the majority of this impact attributed to the Retail Annuities segment at $(138) million. The principal assumption change driving the unfavorable impact for Retail Annuities was a decrease in the variable annuity DAC balance due to long-term separate account return and hedge cost assumption updates. Updates to other assumptions, mainly related to REALIC business, produced minor additional impacts to unamortized DAC balances and reserves across annuity and life insurance products within the Retail Annuities and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segments.

The impact on pretax non-operating adjustments of $128 million was mainly due to an overall decrease in the GMWB and GMWB for Life optional guarantee benefit reserves. The reserve decrease was driven principally by assumption changes to persistency, mortality, fund fee and non-performance risk assumptions. These effects were partially offset by updated fund transfer, GMWB utilization, and long-term separate account return assumptions which resulted in reserve increases.

In aggregate, the total impact of assumption changes on pretax (loss) income was $(24) million.

2019 Assumption Updates

The impact of assumption changes on Pretax Adjusted Operating Earnings was $49 million, with the majority of this impact attributed to the Retail Annuities segment at $51 million, partially offset by impacts to the Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segment. The principal assumption change driving the favorable impact for Retail Annuities was a reduction in variable annuity lapse rates which increased projected estimated gross profits and consequently reduced the DAC amortization expense. Updates to other assumptions, such as mortality, partial withdrawal and expense assumptions, produced minor impacts to unamortized DAC balances and reserves across annuity and life insurance products within the Retail Annuities and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks segments.

The impact on pretax non-operating adjustments of $(80) million was due to an overall increase in the GMWB and GMWB for Life optional guarantee benefit reserves. The reserve increase was driven principally by assumption changes to fund transfer rates, which increased the projected allocation to the separate accounts, increased investment management fees, which reduced projected account balances, and more efficient GMWB utilization. These effects were partially offset by updated mortality assumptions which resulted in reserve decreases.

In aggregate, the total impact of assumption changes on pretax (loss) income was $(31) million.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing and financing activities. Capital refers to our long-term financial resources available to support the business operations and contribute to future growth. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of the businesses, timing of cash flows on investments and products, general economic conditions and access to the capital markets and the alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.

The discussion below describes our liquidity and capital resources for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods set forth below:

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$5,743$3,777$4,368
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(1,296)(4,333)(8,329)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(3,835)6401,927
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash61284(2,034)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period2,0191,9353,969
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,631$2,019$1,935

Cash flows provided by Operating Activities

The principal operating cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, fees charged on our products and net investment income. The principal operating cash outflows are the result of annuity and life insurance benefits, interest credited on other contract holder funds, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. The primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of early contract holder and policyholder benefit payments.

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased $1,966 million to $5,743 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $3,777 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a net loss in 2020 due to the impact of the Athene Reinsurance Transaction compared to net income in 2021.

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities decreased $591 million, or 14%, to $3,777 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $4,368 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a higher net loss in 2020 due to the impact of the Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

Cash flows provided by (used in) Investing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments, as well as settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. It is not unusual to have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are typically reinvested to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors or market disruptions that might impact the timing of investment related cash flows as well as derivative collateral needs.

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities increased $3,037 million to $(1,296) million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $(4,333) million during the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was due to the sale of assets during 2020 related to the Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

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Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities increased $3,996 million, to $(4,333) million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $(8,329) million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was due to a decrease in outflows related to the previously mentioned Athene Reinsurance Transaction and decreased freestanding derivative losses during 2020, compared to 2019.

Cash flows provided by (used in) Financing Activities

The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances, issuance of debt, and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early policyholder withdrawal.

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased $4,475 million to $(3,835) million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $640 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to higher variable annuity surrender and death benefit outflows from our large in-force block in addition to reductions in the institutional products account value. This was partially offset by our issuance of senior notes and debt agreements entered into during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased $1,287 million to $640 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $1,927 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities was primarily due to cash inflows from debt agreements entered into in 2019 and lower sales within our institutional products, compared to 2019.

Statutory Capital

Our insurance company subsidiaries have statutory surplus above the level needed to meet current regulatory requirements. RBC requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium, claim, expense and statutory reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not as a means to rank insurers generally. As of December 31, 2021, our insurance companies were well in excess of the minimum required capital levels. Jackson is also subject to risk-based capital guidelines that provide a method to measure the adjusted capital that a life insurance company should have for regulatory purposes, taking into account the risk characteristics of Jackson’s investments and products.

Jackson had an RBC ratio of 580%, 347% and 366% as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in Jackson’s RBC ratio as of December 31, 2021 as compared to December 31, 2020 was primarily driven by the capital contribution to Jackson of a portion of the proceeds from the post-demerger debt raise.

Holding Company Liquidity

As a holding company with no business operations of its own, Jackson Financial primarily derives cash flows from dividends and interest payments from its insurance subsidiaries. These principal sources of liquidity are expected to be supplemented by cash and short-term investments held by Jackson Financial and access to bank lines of credit and the capital markets. We intend to maintain a minimum amount of cash and cash equivalents at Jackson Financial adequate to fund two years of holding company fixed expenses. The main uses of liquidity for Jackson Financial are interest payments and debt repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which may include stock repurchases, and capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. Our principal sources of liquidity and our anticipated capital position are described in the following paragraphs.

Distributions from our Insurance Company Subsidiaries

The ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions where such subsidiaries are domiciled as well as agreements entered into with regulators. These laws and

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regulations require, among other things, our insurance company subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay.

Subject to these limitations, our insurance company subsidiaries are permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under insurance laws of the relevant state of domicile, subject to prior notification to the appropriate regulatory agency. Any distributions above the amount permitted by statute in any twelve-month period are considered to be extraordinary dividends, and the approval of the appropriate regulator is required prior to payment. In Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (the Michigan Director of Insurance) may limit, or not permit, the payment of dividends from either Jackson National Life ("Jackson") or Brooke Life Insurance Company ("Brooke Life"), Jackson's direct parent company, if it determines that the surplus of either these subsidiaries is not reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and is not adequate to meet their financial needs, as required by Michigan insurance law. Unless otherwise approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance, dividends may only be paid from earned surplus. Also, surplus note arrangements and interest payments must be approved by the Michigan Director of Insurance and such interest payments to related parties reduce the otherwise calculated ordinary dividend capacity for that period. In New York, all dividends require approval from NYSDFS.

For 2022, Jackson and Brooke Life has total ordinary dividend capacity, based on 2021 statutory capital and surplus and statutory net gain from operations, subject to the availability of earned surplus, of nil and $514 million, respectively. Brooke Life, as the sole owner of our other insurance company subsidiaries, including Jackson and Jackson National Life NY, is the direct recipient of any dividend payments from those subsidiaries and must make dividend payments to its ultimate parent company, Jackson Financial, in order for any funds from our insurance company subsidiaries to reach Jackson Financial. As such, Jackson Financial’s ability to receive dividend payments from our insurance company subsidiaries is effectively limited by Brooke Life’s ability to make dividend payments to Jackson Financial.

On February 14, 2022, Jackson received approval from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services for a $453 million extraordinary dividend and $147 million return of capital to Jackson’s parent company, Brooke Life. The combined dividend and return of capital payment to Brooke of $600 million is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2022. Brooke Life expects to pay a $510 million ordinary dividend to its ultimate parent, Jackson Financial, subsequent to the receipt of the $600 million combined extraordinary dividend and return of capital from Jackson in the first quarter of 2022.

The maximum distribution permitted by law or contract is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay such distributions, which may be constrained by business and other considerations, such as imposition of withholding tax, the impact of such distributions on surplus, which could affect the insurer’s ratings or competitive position, the ability to generate new annuity sales and the ability to pay future dividends or make other distributions. Further, state insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries following any dividend or distribution must be reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and adequate for the insurance subsidiaries’ financial needs. Along with solvency regulations, another primary consideration in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Given recent economic events that have affected the insurance industry, both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for insurance company subsidiaries. We believe our insurance company subsidiaries have sufficient statutory capital and surplus to maintain their desired financial strength rating.

Insurance Company Subsidiaries’ Liquidity

The liquidity requirements for our insurance company subsidiaries primarily relate to the liabilities associated with their insurance and reinsurance activities, operating expenses and income taxes. Liabilities arising from insurance and reinsurance activities include the payment of policyholder benefits when due, cash payments in connection with policy surrenders and withdrawals and policy loans.

Liquidity requirements are principally for purchases of new investments, management of derivative related margin requirements, repayment of principal and interest on debt, payments of interest on surplus notes, funding of insurance product liabilities including payments for policy benefits, surrenders, maturities and new policy loans, funding of expenses including payment of commissions, operating expenses and taxes. As of December 31, 2021, Jackson’s outstanding surplus notes and bank debt included $67 million of bank loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis

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("FHLBI"), collateralized by mortgage-related securities and mortgage loans and $250 million of surplus notes maturing in 2027. Significant increases in interest rates could create sudden increases in surrender and withdrawal requests by customers and contract holders, and result in increased liquidity requirements at our insurance company subsidiaries. Significant increases in interest rates or equity markets may also result in higher margin and collateral requirements on our derivative portfolio.

Other factors that are not directly related to interest rates can also give rise to an increase in liquidity requirements, including, changes in ratings from rating agencies, general policyholder concerns relating to the life insurance industry (e.g., the unexpected default of a large, unrelated life insurer) and competition from other products, including non-insurance products such as mutual funds, certificates of deposit and newly developed investment products. Most of the life insurance and annuity products Jackson offers permit the policyholder or contract holder to withdraw or borrow funds or surrender cash values. As of December 31, 2021, approximately half of Jackson’s general account reserves are either not surrenderable, or included policy restrictions such as surrender charges greater than 5%, or market value adjustments to discourage early withdrawal of policy and contract funds.

The liquidity sources for our insurance company subsidiaries are their cash, short-term investments, sales of publicly traded bonds, insurance premiums, fees charged on our products, sales of annuities and institutional products, investment income, commercial repurchase agreements and utilization of a short-term borrowing facility with the FHLBI.

Jackson uses a variety of asset liability management techniques to provide for the orderly provision of cash flow from investments and other sources as policies and contracts mature in accordance with their normal terms. Jackson’s principal sources of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows associated with sudden and severe increases in surrenders and withdrawals or benefit payments are its portfolio of liquid assets and its net operating cash flows. As of December 31, 2021, the portfolio of cash, short-term investments and privately and publicly traded securities and equities, which are unencumbered and unrestricted to sale, amounted to $24.9 billion.

Our Indebtedness

Senior Notes

On November 23, 2021, the Company issued $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured notes consisting of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 1.1% Senior Notes due November 22, 2023 (the “2023 Senior Notes”), $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.1% Senior Notes due November 23, 2031 (the “2031 Senior Notes”) and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.0% Senior Notes due November 23, 2051 (the “2051 Senior Notes” and, together with the 2023 Senior Notes and the 2031 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used, together with cash on hand, to repay the Company’s $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility that was due to mature in May 2022 (the “2022 DDTL Facility”), as described below.

Term Loans

On February 22, 2021, we and a syndicate of banks entered into a credit agreement consisting of a $1.0 billion Revolving Facility, and a credit agreement consisting of a $1.7 billion senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility that matures in February 2022 and a $1.0 billion senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility that matures in February 2023. On July 19, 2021, we and such banks entered into amendments to such credit agreements in order to (i) extend the period during which we were permitted to draw under the Credit Facilities from the date that was the six-month anniversary of our entry into the credit agreements to the date that was the nine-month anniversary of our entry into the credit agreements, (ii) extend the maturity date of the 2022 DDTL Facility from February 2022 to May 2022 and (iii) amend the definition used to calculate our adjusted consolidated net worth to reflect certain changes in our restated audited financial statements included in our Form 10. When referring to the Credit Facilities, the associated credit agreements and the terms and conditions thereof, in each case in this report, we are referring to the Credit Facilities, the credit agreements and their terms and conditions as amended by the amendments entered into on July 19, 2021.

The credit agreements for the Credit Facilities contain a number of customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default (including a change of control provision). Such covenants, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to pay dividends and distributions or repurchase common shares if a default or event of default has occurred and is continuing (with such negative covenant dropping away if our long term

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unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced, debt ratings are either (x) BBB+ or better from S&P or (y) Baa1 or better from Moody’s), incur additional indebtedness, create liens on our or our subsidiaries’ assets and make fundamental changes. The credit agreements for the Credit Facilities contain financial maintenance covenants, including a minimum adjusted consolidated net worth test of no less than 70% of our adjusted consolidated net worth as of the date of the Demerger (taking into account 50% of the proceeds of any additional equity issuances) and a maximum consolidated indebtedness to total capitalization ratio test not to exceed 35%. The credit agreement for the DDTL Facilities also contains a covenant that requires we maintain minimum long term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced, debt ratings of at least (x) BBB- from S&P and (y) Baa3 from Moody’s.

The Revolving Facility provides for borrowings to be available for working capital and other general corporate purposes under aggregate commitments of $1.0 billion, with a sublimit of $500 million available for letters of credit. The Revolving Facility further provides for the ability to request, subject to customary terms and conditions, an increase in commitments thereunder by an additional $500 million. Commitments under the Revolving Facility terminate on February 22, 2024.

On September 10, 2021, we borrowed an aggregate principal amount of $2.35 billion as follows: $1.6 billion under the 2022 DDTL Facility and $750 million under the 2023 DDTL Facility. We contributed a majority of the proceeds from the borrowings under the DDTL Facilities to Jackson.With respect to the remaining amount of proceeds from the borrowings under the DDTL Facilities, we have (i) established a minimum liquidity buffer of at least $250 million at Jackson Financial, and (ii) retained the balance of the proceeds of approximately $575 million at Jackson Financial. The amounts at Jackson Financial are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including interest payments and debt repayment, holding company operating expenses, payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders, which may include stock repurchases, and capital contributions, if needed, to our insurance company subsidiaries. On November 23, 2021, the Company issued $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured notes (see detail discussion in footnote 11). The proceeds of the Senior Notes were used, together with cash on hand, to repay the above mentioned $1.6 billion borrowing under the 2022 DDTL Facility.

Surplus Notes

On March 15, 1997, our subsidiary, Jackson, issued 8.2% surplus notes in the principal amount of $250 million due March 15, 2027. These surplus notes were issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims and may not be redeemed at the option of the Company or any holder prior to maturity. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th of each year. Interest expense on the notes was $20 million, $21 million, and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

On November 6, 2019, Jackson Financial, through its subsidiary, Brooke Life, issued a 4.5% surplus note payable to Prudential, in the principal amount of $2.0 billion, due November 6, 2059. Immediately following issuance of the $2.0 billion surplus note, Jackson Financial remitted a return of capital of $2.0 billion to Prudential. These two actions increased total indebtedness by $2.0 billion and reduced total shareholder’s equity by $2.0 billion. The surplus note was unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims.

The Brooke Life surplus note was assigned to Jackson Finance, LLC ("Jackson Finance") in connection with our debt restructuring in June 2020, ultimately resulting in a cashless transaction, whereby the surplus note was contributed to Jackson Financial and shareholder’s equity increased by $2.0 billion.

Under Michigan Insurance Law, for statutory reporting purposes, the surplus notes are not part of the legal liabilities of the Company and are considered surplus funds. Payments of interest or principal may only be made with the prior approval of the commissioner of insurance of the state of Michigan and only out of surplus earnings which the commissioner determines to be available for such payments under Michigan Insurance Law.

Federal Home Loan Bank

Jackson is a member of the regional FHLBI primarily for the purpose of participating in its collateralized loan advance program with funding facilities. Membership requires us to purchase and hold a minimum amount of FHLBI capital stock, plus additional stock based on outstanding advances. Advances are in the form of either notes or funding agreements

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issued to FHLBI. As of December 31, 2021, Jackson held a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $67 million. As of December 31, 2020, Jackson held advances of $380 million and a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $72 million.

Bank Loan

On November 7, 2019, we issued a $350 million note payable to Standard Chartered Bank, which was guaranteed by Prudential. Immediately following the issuance of the $350 million note payable, we paid a special dividend of $350 million to Prudential. These two actions increased total indebtedness by $350 million and reduced total shareholder’s equity by $350 million. This note accrued interest at LIBOR plus 0.2% per annum and was due November 7, 2020.

In June 2020, we transferred the loan to a Prudential affiliate in connection with our debt restructuring, ultimately resulting in a cashless transaction, whereby the note was transferred to a Prudential affiliate and shareholder’s equity increased by $350 million.

Dividend and Stock Repurchase

Consistent with our goals to manage risk and capital and optimize our financial leverage, we generally intend to target return of capital to our stockholders, which may take the form of cash dividends and/or stock repurchases, on an annual basis of approximately 40-60% of the annual change in our excess capital, adjusted for any contributions and distributions, subject to market conditions and approval by our board of directors. For purposes of this analysis, we define excess capital as total adjusted capital less 400% of company action level required capital. Consistent with statutory accounting requirements, total adjusted capital is defined as Jackson National Life’s statutory capital and surplus, plus asset valuation reserve and 50% of policyholder dividends of Jackson National Life and its subsidiaries. Company action level required capital is the minimum amount of capital necessary for Jackson National Life to avoid submitting a corrective action plan to its regulator.

Any declaration of cash dividends or stock repurchases will be at the discretion of JFI’s board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, regulatory constraints, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to paying cash dividends or repurchasing stock, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that JFI’s board of directors deems relevant in making any such determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our common stock or approve any stock repurchase program, or as to the amount of any such cash dividends or stock repurchases.

Delaware law requires that dividends be paid and stock repurchases made only out of “surplus,” which is defined as the fair market value of our net assets, minus our stated capital; or out of the current or the immediately preceding year’s earnings. JFI is a holding company and has no direct operations. All of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Any dividends we pay or stock repurchases we make will depend upon the funds legally available for distribution, including dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries to us. The states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled impose certain restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to their parent companies. These restrictions are based in part on the prior year’s statutory income and surplus, as well as earned surplus. Such restrictions, or any future restrictions adopted by the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, could have the effect, under certain circumstances, of significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable by our subsidiaries without affirmative approval of state regulatory authorities. See “Risk Factors—As a holding company, JFI depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to meet its obligations and liquidity needs, including dividends and stock repurchases.”

Dividends to Shareholders

On November 8, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the commencement of a regular quarterly cash dividend and declared a fourth quarter cash dividend on Jackson Financial's Class A and Class B common stock of $0.50 per share, that was paid on December 9, 2021 to shareholders of record on November 19, 2021.

On February 28, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter cash dividend on JFI's Class A common stock of $0.55 per share, payable on March 23, 2022 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2022.

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There were no dividends declared or paid to our shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2020. Dividends declared and paid to the Company’s former ultimate parent, Prudential, were $875 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Dividends paid in 2019 consisted of $525 million of ordinary dividends and $350 million in exchange for the short-term note payable to Standard Charter Bank, see Note 11 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Share Repurchase and Common Stock Conversion

On November 8, 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for our Class A common stock of $300 million.

On December 13, 2021, we repurchased 2,242,516 shares of our Class A Common Stock from Prudential and 1,134,767 shares of our Class A Common Stock from Athene. The price per share in the repurchase was $37.01. On December 13, 2021, Athene converted a total of 725,623 shares of its Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. On February 1, 2022, Athene converted the remaining 638,861 shares of its Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

As of December 31, 2021, we repurchased a total of 5,778,649 shares of Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $211 million, which were funded with cash on hand. On February 28, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $300 million in our existing share repurchase authorization of JFI's Class A common stock.

Financial Strength Ratings

Our access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, the attractiveness of certain of our subsidiaries’ products to customers, our attractiveness as a reinsurer to potential ceding companies and requirements for derivatives collateral posting are affected by our credit ratings and financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting consumer confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products as well as critical factors considered by ceding companies in selecting a reinsurer.

Our principal insurance company subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurer or reinsurer to meet its obligations under an insurance policy or reinsurance arrangement and generally involve quantitative and qualitative evaluations by rating agencies of a company’s financial condition and operating performance. Generally, rating agencies base their financial strength ratings upon information furnished to them by the company and upon their own investigations, studies and assumptions. Financial strength ratings are based upon factors of concern to customers, distribution partners and ceding companies and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Financial strength ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and they may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.

As of March 4, 2022, the financial strength ratings of our principal insurance subsidiaries were as follows:

CompanyA.M. BestFitchMoody’sS&P
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
RatingAAA2A
Outlookstablestablenegativestable
Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York
RatingAAA2A
Outlookstablestablenegativestable
Brooke Life Insurance Company
RatingA
Outlookstable

In evaluating a company’s financial strength, the rating agencies evaluate a variety of factors including our strategy, market positioning and track record, our mix of business, profitability, leverage and liquidity, the adequacy and soundness

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of our reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of our assets, the adequacy of our surplus, our capital structure, and the experience and competence of our management.

In addition to the financial strength ratings, rating agencies use an outlook statement to indicate a short or medium term trend which, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A positive outlook indicates a rating may be raised and a negative outlook indicates a rating may be lowered. A stable outlook is assigned when ratings are not likely to be changed. Outlooks should not be confused with expected stability of the issuer’s financial or economic performance. A stable outlook does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.

A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch review their ratings of insurance companies from time to time. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in their judgment, circumstances so warrant. While the degree to which ratings adjustments will affect sales of our annuities and institutional products, and persistency is unknown, if our ratings are negatively adjusted for any reason, we believe we could experience a material decline in the sales in our individual channel, origination in our institutional channel, and the persistency of our existing business.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations identified within Item 8. "Financials Statements and Supplementary Data; Note. 5 Derivative Instruments, Note 9. Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable and Other Contract Holder Funds, Note 10. Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and Variable Annuity Guarantees, Note 11. Long-Term Debt, Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 15. Leases." As of December 31, 2021, we had no unique material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. The following are our most critical estimates, which require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred acquisition costs relate directly to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance business and can be capitalized. These costs primarily pertain to commissions and certain costs associated with policy issuance. All other acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.

Deferred acquisition costs are increased by interest thereon and amortized into income in proportion to estimated gross profits, including realized gains and losses and derivative movements, for annuities and interest-sensitive life products and in proportion to anticipated premium revenues for traditional life products. Due to volatility of certain factors that affect gross profits, including realized capital gains and losses and derivative movements, amortization may be a benefit or a charge in any given period. In the event of negative amortization, the related deferred acquisition cost balance is capped at the initial amount capitalized, plus interest.

As available-for-sale debt securities are carried at fair value, an adjustment is made to deferred acquisition costs equal to the change in amortization that would have occurred if such securities had been sold at their stated fair value and the proceeds reinvested at current yields. This adjustment, along with the change in net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net of applicable tax, is credited or charged directly to equity as a component of other comprehensive income.

For variable annuities, the projection of expected gross profits includes, among other things, an expectation as to the account value upon which core contract fees would be charged. Separate account returns may vary significantly between years, which could have a meaningful impact on the amount of DAC amortization that is recorded in a given year.

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Accordingly, we employ a mean reversion methodology with the objective of adjusting the amortization of deferred acquisition costs that would otherwise be highly volatile due to fluctuations in the level of future gross profits arising from changes in equity market levels. The mean reversion methodology achieves this objective by applying a dynamic adjustment to the assumption for short-term future investment returns. Under this methodology, the projected returns for the next five years are set such that, when combined with the actual returns for the current and preceding two years, the average rate of return over the eight-year period reverts to the current long-term assumed growth rate (7.15% for 2021 and 2020 and 7.4% for 2019, after external investment management fees). This methodology prevents a significant increase or decrease in the separate account fee base in one period due to equity market returns from inflating or deflating, as applicable, the projected gross fees in our DAC models. The mean reversion methodology does, however, include a cap and a floor of 15% and 0% per annum, respectively, on the projected return for each of the next five years. If a projected growth rate of more than 15% or less than 0% per annum would have been necessary to achieve the long-term assumed growth rate at that time, the dampening effects of the mean reversion methodology described above will be limited. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, projected returns under mean reversion were within the range bound by the 15% cap and 0% floor.

Deferred acquisition costs are reviewed periodically to ensure that the unamortized portion does not exceed the expected recoverable amounts. In assessing recoverability for both deferred acquisition costs, the Company evaluates its fixed index annuity and fixed annuity blocks of business separately from its variable annuity business consistent with the manner of acquiring, servicing and measuring profitability of these products. The Company’s accounting policy includes reinsurance balances when evaluating recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. Any amount deemed unrecoverable is written off with a charge through deferred acquisition costs amortization.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Claims Payable and Other Contract Holder Funds

We establish reserves for future policy benefits to, or on behalf of, customers in the same period in which the policy is issued or acquired, using methodologies prescribed by U.S. GAAP. The assumptions used in establishing reserves are generally based on our experience, industry benchmarking and other factors, as applicable. Annually, or as circumstances warrant, we conduct a comprehensive review of our actuarial assumptions—such as mortality, morbidity, and policyholder behavior assumptions—and update assumptions when appropriate. Generally, we do not expect trends to change significantly in the short-term and, to the extent these trends may change, we expect such changes to be gradual over the long-term. See Notes 9 and 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these accounting policies.

We issue variable contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder. Certain of these contracts include contract provisions by which we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the account adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest account value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable upon the depletion of funds (GMWB), in the event of death (GMDB), at annuitization (GMIB), or at the end of a specified period (GMAB). Substantially all of our GMIB benefits are reinsured. GMIB benefits and GMAB benefits were discontinued in 2009 and 2011, respectively. For additional information regarding our account value by optional guarantee benefit, see “Business–Our Segments–Retail Annuities–Variable Annuities.”

For traditional life insurance contracts, which include term and whole life, reserves for future policy benefits are determined using the net level premium method and assumptions as of the issue date or acquisition date as to mortality, interest, persistency and expenses, plus provisions for adverse deviations. These assumptions are not unlocked unless the reserve is determined to be deficient.

Group payout annuities consist of a closed block of defined benefit annuity plans. The liability for future benefits for these limited payment contracts is calculated using assumptions as of the acquisition date as to mortality and expense plus provisions for adverse deviation.

In conjunction with a prior acquisition, we recorded a fair value adjustment related to certain annuity and interest-sensitive liability blocks of business to reflect the cost of the interest guarantees within the in-force liabilities, based on the difference between the guaranteed interest rate and an assumed new money guaranteed interest rate. This adjustment was recorded in reserves for future policy benefits and claims payable. This component of the acquired reserves is reassessed

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at the end of each period, taking into account changes in the in-force block. Any resulting change in the reserve is recorded as a change in policy reserve through the consolidated income statements.

Our liabilities for interest-sensitive life contracts approximate the policyholder’s account value, plus the remaining balance of the fair value adjustment related to previously acquired business.

For fixed deferred annuities, the fixed option on variable annuities, fixed index annuities, Registered Index-Linked Annuities ("RILAs"), guaranteed investment contracts and other investment contracts, the liability is the policyholder’s account value, plus, as applicable, the unamortized balance of the previously mentioned fair value adjustment. The liability for RILAs and fixed index annuities is based on three components, 1) the imputed value of the underlying guaranteed host contract, 2) the fair value of the embedded option component of the contract and 3) the liability for guaranteed benefits related to the minimum death benefit or payments for life rider.

The Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits ("GMDB") liability is determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The direct portion of our Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefits ("GMIB") liabilities, which are substantially reinsured, are determined in this same way.

Certain Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits ("GMWB") products include a “not-for-life” component up to the point at which the guaranteed withdrawal benefit is exhausted, after which benefits paid are considered to be “for-life” benefits. The liability related to this “not-for-life” portion is valued as an embedded derivative, while the “for-life” benefits are valued as an insurance liability consistent with the GMDB liability described above.

Non-life contingent components of GMWBs and Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefits ("GMAB") are recorded at fair value, using internally developed models as observable markets do not exist for those benefits. The fair value of the reserve is based on the expectations of future benefit payments and certain future fees associated with the benefits. At the inception of the contract, we attribute to the embedded derivative a portion of rider fees collected from the contract holder, which is then held static in future valuations. That portion of the fees, generally referred to as the attributed fees, are set such that the present value of the attributed fees is equal to the present value of future claims expected to be paid under the guaranteed benefit at the inception of the contract. In subsequent valuations, both the present value of future benefits and the present value of attributed fees are revalued based on current market conditions and policyholder behavior assumptions. The difference between each of the two components represents the fair value of the embedded derivative.

The fair value calculation described above is based on the present value of future cash flows comprised of future expected benefit payments, less future attributed rider fees, over the lives of the contracts. Estimating these cash flows requires numerous estimates and subjective judgments related to capital market inputs, as well as actuarially determined assumptions related to expectations concerning policyholder behavior. Capital market inputs include expected market rates of return, market volatility, correlations of market index returns to funds, fund performance and discount rates. The more significant actuarial assumptions include benefit utilization by customers, persistency, mortality and withdrawal rates. Best estimate assumptions plus risk margins are used as applicable. See “Policy and Contract Liabilities—Actuarial Assumption Changes (Unlocking).”

At each valuation date, we assume expected returns based on the greater of London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") swap rates and constant maturity treasury rates as of that date to determine the value of expected future cash flows produced in a stochastic process. Volatility assumptions are based on a weighting of available market data for implied market volatility for durations up to 10 years, grading to a historical volatility level by year 15, where such long-term historical volatility levels contain an explicit risk margin. Additionally, non-performance risk is incorporated into the calculation through the use of discount rates based on a blend of yields on similarly-rated peer debt and yields on JFI debt (adjusted to operating company levels). Risk margins are also incorporated into the model assumptions, particularly for policyholder behavior. Estimates of future policyholder behavior are subjective and are based primarily on our own experience.

We have also established additional reserves for life insurance business for universal life plans with secondary guarantees, interest-sensitive life plans that exhibit “profits followed by loss” patterns and account balance adjustments to tabular guaranteed cash values on one interest-sensitive life plan. These reserves are determined using a series of deterministic

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premium persistency scenarios and other experience assumptions, discounted using rates equal to the crediting rates of the policies.

Income Taxes

Income taxes represent the net amount of income taxes that we expect to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with our operations. We provide for federal and state income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities.

Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Such temporary differences are principally related to the effects of recording certain invested assets at market value, the deferral of acquisition costs and sales inducements and the provisions for future policy benefits and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We are required to test the value of deferred tax assets for realizability. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we consider the carryback eligibility of losses, reversal of existing temporary differences, estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

The determination of the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets requires management to make certain judgments and assumptions regarding future operations that are based on historical experience and expectations of future performance. In order to recognize a tax benefit in the consolidated financial statements, there must be a greater than 50% chance of success of our position being sustained by the relevant taxing authority with regard to that tax position. Management’s judgments are potentially subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future performance, which is impacted by such factors as policyholder behavior, competitor pricing and other specific industry and market conditions.

Reinsurance

Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risk with respect to reinsurance receivables. We periodically review actual and anticipated experience compared to the aforementioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluate the financial strength of counterparties to our reinsurance agreements. Counterparty credit risk may be managed through the use of letters of credit, collateral trusts or on balance sheet funds withheld agreements. Assets held under funds withheld agreements are included on our balance sheets, but remain the property of the respective counterparties subject to triggers embedded within the relevant reinsurance agreements.

Additionally, for each of our reinsurance agreements, we determine whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, in accordance with applicable accounting standards. We review all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims. If we determine that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, we record the agreement using the deposit method of accounting. For reinsurance contracts other than those covering GMIB exposure, reinsurance recoverable balances are calculated using methodologies and assumptions that are consistent with those used to calculate the direct liabilities.

Our GMIBs are reinsured with an unrelated party and, due to the net settlement provisions of the reinsurance agreement, meet the definition of a derivative. Accordingly, the GMIB reinsurance agreement is recorded at fair value using internally developed models consistent with those used to value our other products with optional guaranteed benefits.

Investments – Valuation and Impairment

We determine the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. When necessary, we may also determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values also, if appropriate, reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, credit rating, liquidity and incorporate risk margins for unobservable inputs.

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Where quoted market prices are not available, fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market data, as well as the best information about the individual financial instrument. At times, illiquid market conditions could result in inactive markets for certain of our financial instruments. In such instances, there could be no or limited observable market data for these assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates for financial instruments deemed to be in an illiquid market are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, liquidity discounts, currency, credit and interest rate risks, loss experience and other factors. These fair values are estimates and involve considerable uncertainty and variability as a result of the inputs selected and may differ materially from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. As a result of market inactivity, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

We periodically review our available-for-sale debt securities on a case-by-case basis to determine if an impairment is necessary for securities with a decline in fair value to below cost or amortized cost. Factors considered in determining whether an impairment is necessary include whether we have the intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the amortized cost basis is fully recovered, the severity of the unrealized loss, the reasons for the decline in value and expectations for the amount and timing of a recovery in fair value. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, for which we deem an impairment necessary, the amortized cost may be written down to fair value through net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments, or an allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) may be recorded along with a charge to net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments.

Securities determined to be underperforming or potential problem securities are subject to regular review. To facilitate the review, securities with significant declines in value, or where other objective criteria evidencing credit deterioration have been met, are included on a watch list. Among the criteria for securities to be included on a watch list are: credit deterioration that has led to a significant decline in fair value of the security; a significant covenant related to the security has been breached; or an issuer has filed or indicated a possibility of filing for bankruptcy, has missed or announced it intends to miss a scheduled interest or principal payment, or has experienced a specific material adverse change that could impair its creditworthiness.

In performing these reviews, we consider the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and exercise considerable judgment in determining whether an impairment is needed for a particular security. Assessment factors include judgments about an obligor’s current and projected financial position, an issuer’s current and projected ability to service and repay its debt obligations, the existence of, and realizable value of, any collateral backing the obligations and the outlooks for specific industries and issuers. This assessment may also involve assumptions regarding underlying collateral such as prepayment rates, default and recovery rates, and third-party servicing capabilities.

In addition to the review procedures described above, investments in asset-backed securities where market prices are depressed are subject to a review of their future estimated cash flows, including expected and stress case scenarios, to identify potential shortfalls in contractual payments. These estimated cash flows are developed using available performance indicators from the underlying assets including current and projected default or delinquency rates, levels of credit enhancement, current subordination levels, vintage, expected loss severity and other relevant characteristics. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against third-party sources.

For mortgage-backed securities, credit losses are assessed using a cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying mortgages, using the security-specific collateral characteristics and transaction structure. The model estimates cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans and distributes those cash flows to various tranches of securities, considering the transaction structure and any subordination and credit enhancements existing in that structure. The cash flow model incorporates actual cash flows on the mortgage-backed securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using a number of assumptions, including prepayment speeds, default rates and loss severity. Specifically, for prime and Alt-A RMBS, the assumed default percentage is dependent on the severity of delinquency status, with foreclosures and real estate owned receiving higher rates, but also includes the currently performing loans. These estimates reflect a combination of data derived by third parties and internally developed assumptions. Where possible, this data is benchmarked against other third-party sources. In addition, these estimates are extrapolated along a default timing curve to estimate the total lifetime pool default rate.

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After these reviews, we recognize impairments on debt securities in an unrealized loss position when any of the following circumstances exists:

•We intend to sell a security;

•It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security prior to recovery; or

•We do not expect full recovery of the amortized cost based on the discounted cash flows estimated to be collected.

Commercial mortgage loans are carried at the aggregate unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any applicable unamortized discount or premium, or allowance for credit loss ("ACL"). Acquisition discounts and premiums on mortgage loans are amortized into investment income through maturity dates using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on the principal balance of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income and amortization of premiums and discounts are reported in net investment income along with prepayment fees and mortgage loan fees, which are recorded as incurred.

We review mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to estimate the ACL with changes in the ACL recorded in net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments. Apart from an ACL recorded on individual mortgage loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, we record an ACL on the pool of mortgage loans based on lifetime expected credit losses. Credit loss estimates are pooled by property type and unfunded commitments are included in the model with an allowance for credit losses determined accordingly.

Mortgage loans on real estate deemed uncollectible are charged against the ACL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL.

Accrued interest receivables are presented separate from the amortized cost of debt securities and mortgage loans. An allowance for credit losses is not estimated on an accrued interest receivable. Rather, receivable balances that are deemed uncollectible are written off with a corresponding reduction to net investment income.

Derivatives

Freestanding Derivative Instruments

We enter into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, put-swaptions, futures and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, credit quality or degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows that we have acquired or incurred.

Freestanding derivative instruments are reported at fair value, that reflects the estimated amounts, net of payment accruals, which we would receive or pay upon sale or termination of the contracts at the reporting date. Freestanding derivatives priced using third party pricing services incorporate inputs that are predominantly observable in the market. The determination of the estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, nonperformance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Notes 5 and 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on significant inputs into our derivative pricing methodology.

Embedded Derivatives - Product Liabilities

Certain liabilities, including fixed index annuities, RILAs, and guarantees offered in connection with variable, fixed index, or registered index-linked annuities issued by us, may contain embedded derivatives. Derivatives embedded in certain host insurance contracts that have been separated for accounting and financial reporting purposes, are carried at fair value.

See Notes 5 and 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our accounting policies for embedded derivatives bifurcated for insurance host contracts.

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Embedded Derivatives - Funds Withheld Reinsurance Agreements

The Company has recorded an embedded derivative liability related to the Athene Reinsurance Agreement (the “Athene Embedded Derivative”) in accordance with ASC 815-15 as Jackson’s obligation under the Reinsurance Agreement is based on the total return of investments in a segregated funds withheld account rather than Jackson’s own creditworthiness. As the Reinsurance Agreement transfers the economics of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account to Athene, they will receive an investment return equivalent to owning the underlying assets. At inception of the Reinsurance Agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative was valued at zero. Additionally, the inception fair value of the investments in the segregated funds withheld account differed from their book value and, accordingly, the amortization of this difference is reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement, while the investments are held. Subsequent to the effective date of the Reinsurance Agreement, the Athene Embedded Derivative is measured at fair value with changes reported in Net gains (losses) on derivatives and investments in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Athene Embedded Derivative Liability is included in Funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Athene Reinsurance Transaction.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income reported for each of our three segments and Corporate and Other includes an allocation for investment income generated on assigned capital. The amount of capital assigned to each of our segments for purposes of measuring segment net investment income is established at a level that management considers necessary to support the segment’s risks. This assessment is determined based upon internal models and contemplates National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) RBC requirements at internally defined levels. Capital in excess of the amount required to support our core operating strategies is considered excess equity capital and is reflected in Corporate and Other.

Contingent Liabilities

We are a party to legal actions and, at times, regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate their impact on our financial position. A reserve is established for contingent liabilities if it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of our contingent liabilities, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded, could have a material effect upon our financial position. However, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of contingent liabilities is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

The Company invests in a number of asset types that it has determined are VIEs, such as equity positions in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), limited partnerships (“LPs”), limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and mutual funds that are assessed to determine whether they meet the criteria as a VIE. For those entities deemed to be VIEs, we further assess whether the VIE must be consolidated as a result of the terms specific to each entity. Entities for which consolidation is required are included on our consolidated financial statements. To the extent that external parties are also invested in these VIEs, a noncontrolling interest is reflected on our consolidated financial statements as well. See Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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