Prudential Financial2001 Annual Report  
Front CoverFinancial HighlightsIntroductionMessage from the ChairmanCorporate ProfileOfficers and DirectorsFinancial Section Forward-Looking StatementsShareholder Information
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Financial Section

Financial Section
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 Business
Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 3 Discontinued Operations
Note 4 Capital Markets Restructuring
Note 5 Acquisition of Kyoei Life Insurance Company, Ltd.
Note 6 Investments
Note 7 Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Note 8 Policyholders' Liabilities
Note 9 Closed Block
Note 10 Reinsurance
Note 11 Short-Term and Long-Term Debt
Note12 Equity Security Units
Note 13 Stockholders' Equity
Note 14 Earnings Per Share
Note 15 Stock Options
Note 16 Employee Benefit Plans
Note 17 Income Taxes
Note 18 Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 19 Derivative Instruments
Note 20 Segment Information
Note 21 Commitments and Guarantees, Contingencies and Litigation
Note 22 Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Supplemental Combining Financial Information
Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters




Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Prudential Financial, its majority-owned subsidiaries, and those partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, except in those instances where the Company cannot exercise control because the minority owners have substantive participating rights in the operating and capital decisions of the entity. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Effective on the date of demutualization and corporate reorganization, the historical consolidated financial statements of Prudential Insurance became the historical consolidated financial statements of Prudential Financial.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, in particular deferred policy acquisition costs, investment allowances, future policy benefits, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share

As discussed in Note 1 under "Demutualization and Initial Public Offering," the Company has outstanding two separate classes of common stock. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing available income attributable to each of the two groups of common shareholders for the period subsequent to the demutualization by the respective weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised.

Investments

Fixed maturities classified as "available for sale" are carried at estimated fair value. Fixed maturities that the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are stated at amortized cost and classified as "held to maturity." See Note 19 for a discussion of the Company's reclassificiation of "held to maturity" securities to "available for sale" in connection with the implementation of new accounting standards for derivatives. The amortized cost of fixed maturities is written down to estimated fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other than temporary. See the discussion below on realized investment gains and losses for a description of the accounting for impairment adjustments. Unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturities "available for sale," net of income tax and the effect on deferred policy acquisition costs and future policy benefits that would result from the realization of unrealized gains and losses, are included in a separate component of equity, "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

Trading account assets and securities sold but not yet purchased are carried at estimated fair value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading account assets and securities sold but not yet purchased are included in "Commissions and other income."

Equity securities, available for sale, are comprised of common and non-redeemable preferred stock and are carried at estimated fair value. The associated unrealized gains and losses, net of income tax and the effect on deferred policy acquisition costs and future policy benefits that would result from the realization of unrealized gains and losses, are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)." See the discussion below on realized investment gains and losses for a description of the accounting for impairment adjustments.

Commercial loans are stated primarily at unpaid principal balances, net of unamortized discounts and an allowance for losses. In connection with the acquisition of Gibraltar Life (see Note 5), commercial loans were acquired at a discount to par and are carried at amortized cost. Accretion of the discount over the remaining lives of the loans is included in "Net investment income." The allowance for losses includes a loan specific reserve for impaired loans and a portfolio reserve for incurred but not specifically identified losses. Impaired loans include those loans for which it is probable that amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not all be collected. Impaired loans are measured at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Interest received on impaired loans, including loans that were previously modified in a troubled debt restructuring, is either applied against the principal or reported as revenue, according to management's judgment as to the collectibility of principal. Management discontinues accruing interest on impaired loans after the loans are 90 days delinquent as to principal or interest, or earlier when management has serious doubts about collectibility. When a loan is recognized as impaired, any accrued but uncollectible interest is reversed against interest income of the current period.

Generally, a loan is restored to accrual status only after all delinquent interest and principal are brought current and, in the case of loans where the payment of interest has been interrupted for a substantial period, a regular payment performance has been established. The portfolio reserve for incurred but not specifically identified losses considers the Company's past loan loss experience, the current credit composition of the portfolio, historical credit migration, property type diversification, default and loss severity statistics and other relevant factors.

Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are treated as collateralized financing arrangements and are carried at the amounts at which the securities will be subsequently resold or reacquired, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. The Company's policy is to take possession or control of securities purchased under agreements to resell and to value the securities daily. Assets to be repurchased are the same, or substantially the same, as the assets transferred. The market value of securities to be repurchased or resold is monitored, and additional collateral is obtained, where appropriate, to protect against credit exposure.

Securities borrowed and securities loaned are treated as financing arrangements and are recorded at the amount of cash advanced or received. With respect to securities loaned, the Company obtains collateral in an amount equal to 102% and 105% of the fair value of the domestic and foreign securities, respectively. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary. Substantially all of the Company's securities borrowed transactions are with brokers and dealers, commercial banks and institutional clients. Substantially all of the Company's securities loaned transactions are with large brokerage firms.

Securities repurchase and resale agreements and securities borrowed and loaned transactions are used to generate net investment income and facilitate trading activity. These instruments are short-term in nature (usually 30 days or less) and are collateralized principally by U.S. Government and mortgage-backed securities. The carrying amounts of these instruments approximate fair value because of the relatively short period of time between the origination of the instruments and their expected realization.

Other long-term investments primarily represent the Company's investments in joint ventures and limited partnerships in which the Company does not exercise control. Other long-term investments also include investments in the Company's own separate accounts, which are carried at estimated fair value, investment real estate and derivatives held for purposes other than trading. See Note 19 for a discussion of accounting policies for derivative instruments. Joint venture and partnership interests are generally accounted for using the equity method of accounting, reduced for other than temporary declines in value, except in instances in which the Company's interest is so minor that it exercises virtually no influence over operating and financial policies. In such instances, the Company applies the cost method of accounting. The Company's net income from investments in joint ventures and partnerships is generally included in "Net investment income." However, for certain real estate joint ventures, Prudential's interest is liquidated by means of one or more transactions that result in the sale of the underlying invested assets to third parties and the ultimate distribution of the proceeds to Prudential and other joint venture partners in exchange for and settlement of the respective joint venture interests. These transactions are accounted for as disposals of Prudential's joint venture interests and the resulting gains and losses are included in "Realized investment gains (losses), net."

Real estate held for disposal is carried at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value less estimated selling costs and is not further depreciated once classified as such. Real estate which the Company has the intent to hold for the production of income is carried at depreciated cost less any write-downs to fair value for impairment losses and is reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the review indicates that the carrying value of the investment real estate exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows (excluding interest charges) from the investment. At that time, the carrying value of the investment real estate is written down to fair value. Depreciation on real estate held for the production of income is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the properties, and is included in "Net investment income."

Short-term investments consist of highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity of greater than three months and less than twelve months when purchased. These investments are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Realized investment gains (losses), net are computed using the specific identification method. Costs of fixed maturities and equity securities are adjusted for impairments considered to be other than temporary. Impairment adjustments are included in "Realized investment gains (losses), net." Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other than temporary are: 1) whether the decline is substantial; 2) the Company's ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value; 3) the duration and extent to which the market value has been less than cost; and 4) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Provisions for losses on commercial loans are included in "Realized investment gains (losses), net." Decreases in the carrying value of investment real estate held for disposal or for the production of income are recorded in "Realized investment gains (losses), net."

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, money market instruments and other debt issues with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The costs that vary with and that are related primarily to the production of new insurance and annuity business are deferred to the extent such costs are deemed recoverable from future profits. Such costs include commissions, costs of policy issuance and underwriting, and variable field office expenses. Deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") are subject to recoverability testing at the end of each accounting period. Deferred policy acquisition costs, for certain products, are adjusted for the impact of unrealized gains or losses on investments as if these gains or losses had been realized, with corresponding credits or charges included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

For participating life insurance, DAC is amortized over the expected life of the contracts (up to 45 years) in proportion to estimated gross margins based on historical and anticipated future experience, which is updated periodically. The average rate of assumed future investment yield used in estimating expected gross margins was 7.28% at December 31, 2001 and gradually increases to 8.06% for periods after December 31, 2031. The effect of changes in estimated gross margins on unamortized deferred acquisition costs is reflected in "General and administrative expenses" in the period such estimated gross margins are revised. Policy acquisition costs related to interest-sensitive and variable life products and certain investment-type products are deferred and amortized over the expected life of the contracts (periods ranging from 7 to 30 years) in proportion to estimated gross profits arising principally from investment results, mortality and expense margins, and surrender charges based on historical and anticipated future experience, which is updated periodically. The effect of changes to estimated gross profits on unamortized deferred acquisition costs is reflected in "General and administrative expenses" in the period such estimated gross profits are revised. DAC related to non-participating term insurance is amortized over the expected life of the contracts in proportion to premiums.

The Company has offered programs under which policyholders, for a selected product or group of products, can exchange an existing policy or contract issued by the Company for another form of policy or contract. These transactions are known as internal replacements. If policyholders surrender traditional life insurance policies in exchange for life insurance policies that do not have fixed and guaranteed terms, the Company immediately charges to expense the remaining unamortized DAC on the surrendered policies. For other internal replacement transactions, the unamortized DAC on the surrendered policies is immediately charged to expense if the terms of the new policies are not substantially similar to those of the former policies. If the new policies have terms that are substantially similar to those of the earlier policies, the DAC is retained with respect to the new policies and amortized over the life of the new policies.

For property and casualty insurance contracts, DAC is amortized over the period in which related premiums are earned. Future investment income is considered in determining the recoverability of DAC.

For group life and disability insurance, group annuities and guaranteed investment contracts, acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities

Separate account assets and liabilities are reported at estimated fair value and represent segregated funds which are invested for certain policyholders, pension funds and other customers. The assets consist of common stocks, fixed maturities, real estate related securities, real estate mortgage loans and short-term investments. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are generally not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the Company. Investment risks associated with market value changes are borne by the customers, except to the extent of minimum guarantees made by the Company with respect to certain accounts. The investment income and gains or losses for separate accounts generally accrue to the policyholders and are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Mortality, policy administration and surrender charges on the accounts are included in "Policy charges and fee income." Asset management fees charged to the accounts are included in "Commissions and other income."

Other Assets and Other Liabilities

Other assets consist primarily of prepaid benefit costs, reinsurance recoverables, certain restricted assets, trade receivables, mortgage securitization inventory and mortgage servicing rights, property and equipment and receivables resulting from sales of securities that had not yet settled at the balance sheet date. During 2001, the Company sold $1,409 million of commercial mortgage loans and other securities in securitization transactions versus $1,874 million in 2000. In some of the commercial loan securitizations, the Company retained servicing responsibilities. The Company did not retain any material ownership interest in the financial assets that were transferred. The Company recognized pretax gains of $42 million in 2001 versus losses of $6 million in 2000 in connection with securitization and related hedging activity which are recorded in "Commissions and other income." At December 31, 2001 and 2000, mortgage servicing assets, including both purchased and originated servicing assets, were $126 million and $111 million, respectively. Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which generally range from to 40 years. Other liabilities consist primarily of trade payables, employee benefit liabilities, demutualization consideration not yet paid to policyholders, and payables resulting from purchases of securities that had not yet settled at the balance sheet date.

Contingencies

Amounts related to contingencies are accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount is reasonably estimable. Management evaluates whether there are incremental legal or other costs directly associated with the ultimate resolution of the matter that are reasonably estimable and, if so, they are included in the accrual.

Policyholders' Dividends

The amount of the dividends to be paid to policyholders of Prudential Insurance is determined annually by its Board of Directors. The aggregate amount of policyholders' dividends is based on the statutory results and past experience of Prudential Insurance, including investment income, net realized investment gains or losses over a number of years, mortality experience and other factors. See Note 9 for further discussion of the impact of policyholders' dividends on earnings.

Insurance Revenue and Expense Recognition

Premiums from life insurance policies, excluding interest-sensitive life contracts, are recognized when due. Benefits are recorded as an expense when they are incurred. A liability for future policy benefits is recorded when premiums are recognized using the net level premium method.

Premiums from non-participating group annuities with life contingencies are recognized when earned. For single premium immediate annuities and structured settlements with life contingencies, premiums are recognized when earned in a constant relationship to the amount of expected future benefit payments.

Amounts received as payment for interest-sensitive life contracts, deferred annuities, structured settlements, contracts without life contingencies and participating group annuities are reported as deposits to "Policyholders' account balances." Revenues from these contracts are reflected in "Policy charges and fee income" and consist primarily of fees assessed during the period against the policyholders' account balances for mortality charges, policy administration charges and surrender charges. Benefits and expenses for these products include claims in excess of related account balances, expenses of contract administration, interest credited and amortization of DAC.

For group life and disability insurance, and property and casualty insurance, premiums are recognized over the period to which the premiums relate in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Claim and claim adjustment expenses are recognized when incurred.

Premiums, benefits and expenses are stated net of reinsurance ceded to other companies. Estimated reinsurance recoverables and the cost of reinsurance are recognized over the life of the reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations and subsidiaries reported in other than U.S. dollars are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the period. Revenues, benefits and other expenses are translated at the average rate prevailing during the period. The effects of translating the statements of financial position of non-U.S. entities with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are included, net of related hedge gains and losses and income taxes, in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

Commissions and Other Income

Commissions and other income principally includes securities and commodities commission revenues and asset management fees which are recognized in the period in which the services are performed. Realized and unrealized gains from trading activities of the Company's securities business are also included in "Commissions and other income."

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, foreign exchange rates, financial indices, or the value of securities or commodities. Derivative financial instruments used by the Company include swaps, futures, forwards and option contracts and may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter market. See Note 19 for a discussion of the Company's use of derivative financial instruments and the related accounting and reporting treatment of such instruments.

Income Taxes

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") limits the amount of non-life insurance losses that may offset life insurance company taxable income. The Code also imposes an "equity tax" on mutual life insurance companies which, in effect, imputes an additional tax to the Company based on a formula that calculates the difference between stock and mutual life insurance companies' earnings. Effective for the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company, as a stock company, is no longer subject to the equity tax. The provision for income taxes includes an estimate for changes in the total equity tax to be paid for prior years. Subsidiaries operating outside the United States are taxed under applicable foreign statutes.

Deferred income taxes are recognized, based on enacted rates, when assets and liabilities have different values for financial statement and tax reporting purposes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce a deferred tax asset to that amount that is expected to be realized.

Demutualization Costs and Expenses

Demutualization costs and expenses include the cost of engaging external accounting, actuarial, investment banking, legal and other consultants to advise the Company, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the New York State Insurance Department in the demutualization process and related matters as well as the cost of printing and postage for communications with policyholders and other administrative costs. Demutualization costs and expenses also include $340 million of demutualization consideration payable to former Canadian branch policyholders pertaining to certain policies that Prudential Insurance transferred to London Life Insurance Company in 1996 in connection with the sale of most of its Canadian branch operations. Under the Plan of Reorganization, these policyholders are required to receive demutualization compensation in the form of cash. All demutualization costs and expenses have been recorded in the periods prior to demutualization.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125." The Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 140 relating to transfers and extinguishments of liabilities which are effective for periods occurring after March 31, 2001. The adoption did not have a material effect on the results of operations of the Company.

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations" and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 141 requires that the Company account for all business combinations in the scope of the statement using the purchase method. SFAS No. 142 requires that an intangible asset acquired either individually or with a group of other assets shall initially be recognized and measured based on fair value. An intangible asset with a finite life is amortized over its useful life to the reporting entity; an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life, including goodwill, is not amortized. All indefinite lived intangible assets shall be tested for impairment in accordance with the statement. SFAS No. 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001; however, goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001 are subject immediately to the nonamortization and amortization provisions of this statement. The Company has ceased the amortization of goodwill as of January 1, 2002 and believes that the effect of implementing the impairment provisions of this statement will not be material to its results of operations and financial position. Goodwill amounted to $335 million at December 31, 2001 and amortization amounted to $21 million for the year then ended. Goodwill is included in "Other assets."

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 eliminated the requirement that discontinued operations be measured at net realizable value or that entities include losses that have not yet occurred. SFAS No. 144 eliminated the exception to consolidation for a subsidiary for which control is likely to be temporary. SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lower of book value or fair value less cost to sell. An impairment for assets that are not to be disposed of is recognized only if the carrying amounts of long-lived assets are not recoverable and exceed their fair values. Additionally, SFAS No. 144 expands the scope of discontinued operations to include all components of an entity with operations and cash flows that (1) can be distinguished from the rest of the entity and (2) will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity in a disposal transaction. SFAS No. 144 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and, generally, its provisions are to be applied prospectively. At the date of adoption of this standard, the impact on results of operations of the Company is not material.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.


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