Jackson Financial Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
November 9, 2023

There are 6 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Jackson Financial Incorporated Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. All lines have been placed on mute during the presentation portion of the call with an opportunity for question and answer at the end. I would now like to turn the conference call over to our host, Liz Warner,

Speaker 1

Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Jackson's 3rd quarter earnings call. Today's remarks may contain forward looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are based upon management's current expectations.

Speaker 1

Jackson's filings with the SEC provide details on important factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially. Except as required by law, Jackson is under no obligation to update any forward looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. Today's remarks may also contain certain non GAAP financial measures. The reconciliation of those measures to the most comparable U. S.

Speaker 1

GAAP figures is included in our earnings release, financial supplement and earnings presentation, all of which are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at investors. Jackson.com. Joining us today are our CEO, Laura Prescorne our CFO, Marcia Watson Our Head of Asset Liability Management and Chief Actuary, Steve Vignares our President of Jackson National Life Distributors, Scott Romine and President and Chief Investment Officer of PPM, Craig Smith. At this time, I'll turn the call over to our CEO, Laura Prescorne. Thank you, Liz.

Speaker 1

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our Q3 2023 earnings call. In today's call, we'll provide an update on our strong capital position, our product and distribution initiatives and our solid third quarter operating results. In our 2 years as an independent public company, we have consistently delivered on our commitments to shareholders. We continue to build on this momentum in the 3rd quarter with total capital return to shareholders exceeding $120,000,000 through share repurchases and common dividends and ending the quarter with an RBC above our target range. As we enter the Q4, we look forward to furthering our track record of execution by achieving our 2023 financial targets.

Speaker 1

Since our separation in September of 2021, Jackson's cumulative capital return has surpassed $1,000,000,000 in combined shareholder dividends and share buybacks. We have repurchased common shares for 8 consecutive quarters. As of the end of the Q3, our cumulative share repurchases represent 19% of our common shares outstanding at the time of separation. We view dividends as an important component of sustained return to shareholders and paid our first dividend within 4 months of becoming an independent public company. Alongside this morning's earnings release, we are pleased to also announce our Board's approval for a 4th quarter common dividend of $0.62 per share.

Speaker 1

Maintaining a strong capital position at Jackson and its Operating companies is a priority for Jackson's leadership. We ended the 3rd quarter with an estimated RBC ratio above our target range of 425% to 500% and our total adjusted statutory capital increased to $4,500,000,000 We have consistently reported estimated RBC within or above our target range and consistently above rating agency requirements each quarter since separation. Our capital flexibility is further supported by liquidity at the holding company level, which was nearly $1,400,000,000 in liquid assets, taking into account the cash proceeds from the sale of limited partnership assets in October. We announced our plans to sell these assets last quarter and the sale was successfully completed last month. As previously stated, we are retiring $600,000,000 in senior debt later this month and will enter 2024 with a strong level of liquidity within the holding company.

Speaker 1

At the end of the 3rd quarter, year to date capital return totaled nearly $350,000,000 When combined with our 4th quarter dividend and expected share repurchases, this total offers us confidence in our ability to Our 2023 return target of $450,000,000 to $550,000,000 Our remaining share repurchase authorization of $360,000,000 provides flexibility for continued execution. As discussed earlier this year, Statutory reserving and capital requirements are subject to flooring at the cash surrender value or CSV, which has led to volatility in our statutory results. We remain highly engaged with regulators to deliver a CSV-four solution to better represent the economic value of our business. We have had positive engagement with our regulators over the past few months and are targeting early 2024 for a CSV-four solution. While the specific timing is difficult to predict, our work is in pursuit of a comprehensive and enduring solution that recognizes the financial strength of Jackson and positions us for greater RBC stability.

Speaker 1

We look forward to providing a more detailed update in the coming months. Turning to our Q3 results. Net income totaled $2,800,000,000 primarily due to the gain on market risk benefits resulting from higher interest rates. Adjusted operating earnings were $3.80 per share, an increase from the Q2 of 2023 due to fee income growth and lower corporate expense. Retail annuity sales increased 6% from the Q2 of 2023 to $3,300,000,000 driven by continued momentum in Ryla sales.

Speaker 1

Variable annuity sales and net Close were consistent with market trends and the expected aging of our in force book. Positive fund performance has resulted in a 3% increase in variable annuity account values for the year, which more than offsets the impact of net outflows. Like prior quarters, our fixed and fixed index annuity sales remain relatively modest as pricing reflects our prudent investment approach. Our ability to meet the needs of advisors and their clients positions Jackson well for further growth and diversification through our product offerings and expertise. Our enhanced Ryla product has been embraced by the market with sales exceeding $800,000,000 in the 3rd quarter and reaching record sales levels in the month of September.

Speaker 1

In less than 2 years, we've reached an annualized sales run rate of over $3,000,000,000 and 26% of our Ryla producers were either new or reactivated producers. Our enhanced Ryla product and focus on digital marketing have made for a powerful combination in the market. Our innovative Ryla digital experience ensures that financial professionals can more easily educate their clients on the benefits of Ryla and how it fits into their specific goals for growth and protection with flexibility. The tool was built to be intuitive, simple and action oriented and to allow for customized experiences in which financial professionals and clients are able to model various scenarios to better understand outcomes. Designing this unique interface resulted in Significantly increased year over year engagement on our website, jackson.com.

Speaker 1

More than 1 third Of our sales came from producers utilizing our Ryla digital experience, clearly demonstrating that financial professionals are relying on our industry leading technology to provide clients with better information and service. In late August, we refined our Perspective 2 flagship variable annuity benefit suite with the goal to simplify and customize the consumer experience. Perspective II offers a streamlined menu of benefit options that enables financial professionals and their clients to easily navigate living benefit alternatives while maintaining focus on asset growth and protection. Over time, as traditional pension plans have phased out, annuities are filling the gap, helping retirees to create their own stream of guaranteed lifetime income. When proposed regulations may limit a retirement investor's access to annuities or worse than the retirement savings gap Americans are experiencing, we engage with regulators, agencies and legislators to advocate for fair regulations that do not impede a retirement investor's access to valuable retirement solutions.

Speaker 1

The Department of Labor's latest fiduciary proposal was just released and we are still reviewing the proposal. Our initial reaction is that the DOL may not have fully considered the regulations developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the safeguards these rules provide to retirement investors. We will continue to work with our trade associations to better understand how the proposed rule will impact Americans' saving for retirement. Jackson is fully accustomed to operating in the highly regulated Street and has a track record of successfully adapting to new and updated regulations. If the rule becomes effective, Jackson will work through our change management process to implement the final requirements.

Speaker 1

Overall, I remain pleased with our momentum towards our strategic and operational goals during the Q3. We look forward to achieving our 2023 key financial targets and continuing to deliver long term value to our shareholders, distribution partners and policyholders. I'll now turn it over to Marcia to review our financials for the quarter in greater detail.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Laura. I'll begin with our Q3 results summary on Slide 6. Adjusted operating earnings of $315,000,000 were up from this year's Q2, primarily due to higher fee and spread income. Similarly, our 3rd quarter adjusted book Value attributable to common shareholders was up from the 2nd quarter due to non operating net hedging gains and healthy adjusted operating earnings. In the appendix of our earnings presentation, we have included additional general account investment portfolio details that provide breakdowns on both U.

Speaker 2

S. GAAP and statutory basis excluding the assets reinsured to third parties or funds withheld assets. The information provides helpful insight into our highly rated and diversified commercial mortgage loan office portfolio. As you can see, Jackson remains conservatively positioned with only 1% exposure to below investment grade securities on a statutory basis, excluding funds withheld assets. As a reminder, we will complete our annual assumptions review process in the coming quarter and will disclose the results of the review in our 4th quarter and full year earnings release.

Speaker 2

This process entails a thorough and comprehensive assessment of our assumptions and models performed every year. Slide 7 outlines the notable items included in adjusted operating earnings for the 3rd quarter. Results from limited partnership investments, which report on a 1 quarter lag, were $13,000,000 lower in the current quarter than they would have been had returns matched our long term expectations. In the Q3 of 2022, Limited partnership income was also below our long term expectations, but to a greater degree, creating a comparative pre tax benefit in the current quarter of $41,000,000 In addition to this notable item, both Q3 2022 and Q3 Quarter 2023 benefited from a lower effective tax rate relative to the 15% long term guidance. The benefit in the prior year's quarter was larger due to a higher level of pretax operating earnings excluding notables.

Speaker 2

Adjusted for both the notable items and the tax rate difference, earnings per share were $3.77 for the current quarter compared to $4.52 in the prior year's Q3. Key drivers of the year over year difference include the previously mentioned increase And VA fixed option crediting rate due to regulatory minimum requirements and the change in income from operating derivatives resulting from higher short term interest rates. Additionally, the prior year's quarter included a gain from the experience update for future policy benefits that did not repeat in the current quarter. It is important to note that we saw positive sequential trends as the earnings per share excluding notables in the Q2 of this year was $3.54 Slide 8 illustrates the reconciliation of our 3rd quarter pretax adjusted operating earnings of $355,000,000 to pre tax income attributable to Jackson Financial of $3,500,000,000 Net income includes some changes in liability values under U. S.

Speaker 2

GAAP accounting that will not align with our hedging assets. We focus our hedging on the economics of the business as well as our statutory capital position and choose to accept the resulting U. S. GAAP non operating volatility. As shown in the table, the total guaranteed benefits and hedging results or net hedge result was a gain of $2,800,000,000 in the 3rd quarter.

Speaker 2

Starting from the left side of the chart, you see a robust guaranteed benefit fee stream of $784,000,000 providing significant resources to support the hedging of our guarantees. These fees are calculated based on the benefit base rather than the account value, which provides stability to the guarantee fee stream, protecting our hedge budget when markets decline. Consistent with our practice, all guarantee fees are presented in non operating income to align with the related hedging and liability movements. There was a $271,000,000 loss on freestanding derivatives, primarily due to losses on Straight hedges in a quarter where interest rates were up across the yield curve. Movements in net market risk benefits or MRB provided a $2,400,000,000 gain that more than offset the freestanding derivative movement due in large part to these same interest rate increases.

Speaker 2

Unlike the statutory framework, the GAAP reserves for variable annuity benefits do not have a minimum requirement and can become negative, Switching from a liability to an asset position. This happened during the Q2 of 2023 and continued into the Q3 as the strong economic profile of our in force book led to an MRB net asset of approximately $3,000,000,000 Non operating results also included $462,000,000 of gains from business reinsured to 3rd parties. This was primarily due to a gain on a funds withheld reinsurance treaty that includes an embedded derivative as well as the related net investment income. These non operating items, which can be volatile from period to period, are offset by changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, or AOCI, in the funds withheld account related to reinsurance, resulting in a minimal net impact on Jackson's adjusted book value. Furthermore, these items do not impact our statutory capital or free cash flow.

Speaker 2

Our segment results start on Slide 9 with retail annuities. Jackson continues to remain an industry leader in the annuities market And our traditional VA sales have stabilized over the past 4 quarters, which is consistent with VA industry trends. As Laura highlighted, our Ryla sales growth puts us on pace of over $3,000,000,000 annually and has driven improved overall sales diversification. Sales of annuities without lifetime benefit increased to 48% of our total retail sales, up from 41% in the Q3 of last year. While we expect this percentage to vary somewhat over time based on market conditions and consumer demand, our Rylo has contributed to diversification within our sales mix.

Speaker 2

When viewed through a net flow lens, The gross sales we are generating in Ryla and other spread products translated to more than $800,000,000 of non VA net flow in the Q3 of 2023. In addition to partially offsetting net outflows in variable annuities, these net flows provide valuable economic diversification and capital efficiency benefits. Importantly, our overall Sales mix remains efficient from the standpoint of new business stream. Looking at pretax adjusted operating earnings For our Retail Annuity segment on Slide 10, we show positive underlying trends as demonstrated by AUM growth across our annuity product categories, despite being down from the prior year's Q3. Higher equity markets are benefiting our variable annuity count value And strong net flows are driving growth in Ryla, fixed and fixed index annuity account values.

Speaker 2

Furthermore, the positive momentum for our enhanced Ryla suite positions us well for ongoing success as we enter the 4th quarter. Our other operating segments are shown on Slide 11. For our Institutional segment, sales for the Q3 totaled $112,000,000 and account values were $8,700,000,000 Pretax adjusted operating earnings were essentially flat from the prior year. Our Closed Life and Annuity Block segment reported lower pretax adjusted operating earnings compared to the prior year. Under LDTI, we will now have some additional volatility in this segment due to the quarterly experience update for future policy benefits.

Speaker 2

The prior year's quarter included a gain on this line item that did not repeat in the current period. While this figure can be a positive or negative in any given quarter, we would expect it to net to a small number over time. You can see this in our financial supplement where the last 5 quarters ranged from a loss of $16,000,000 to a gain of $36,000,000 totaling to a gain of only $25,000,000 on a cumulative basis. Slide 12 summarizes our Q3 capital position. As Laura mentioned, We returned $123,000,000 to our shareholders in the 3rd quarter through a combination of dividends and share repurchases and remain committed to reaching our full year capital return target of $450,000,000 to $550,000,000 We were active in share buybacks during the Q3, which totaled 1,900,000 shares or $71,000,000 We generated significant regulatory capital in the period as our variable annuity book remains in a healthy position and our hedging performed well.

Speaker 2

Our total adjusted capital increased by approximately $700,000,000 to $4,500,000,000 reflecting strong base contract cash flows, positive variable annuity net guarantee results and related tax benefits. This was only slightly offset by higher required capital, which was driven by a decline in equity markets, partially offset by higher interest rates. The combined effects of these items led to our estimated RBC ratio rising above our 4 25% to 500% target range. During the Q3, our hedge spend was within the guarantee fees collected as we benefited from a more favorable hedging environment. Our holding company asset position at the end of the Q1 was nearly $1,400,000,000 including over $900,000,000 in cash and highly liquid assets, which continues to be well above our minimum buffer.

Speaker 2

Consistent with our 2nd quarter commentary, Jackson Financial completed the planned sale of limited partnership assets in October. Giving effect to that sale, JFI had nearly $1,400,000,000 in cash and highly liquid securities, a very strong level of liquidity, which provides significant financial flexibility. We are retiring the $600,000,000 senior debt maturity later this month. Following that retirement, we have no debt maturities until 2027. Upon our separation, we made it clear that we were committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and rating profile.

Speaker 2

We have delivered on this commitment over time as illustrated by our quarterly reporting of estimated RBC ratios Consistently within or above our target range, a conservative leverage ratio that has improved since separation and a deliberate balanced approach to capital return to shareholders. We have been pleased that our financial results Have consistently compared favorably to rating agency triggers and we remain committed to a continued improvement of our profile in the future. In addition to our strong financial performance, we have made significant progress on diversifying our sales mix. We are proud of our execution and believe we are doing the right things to strengthen our credit profile for the future. Stability of our capital position is very important and is driving our efforts toward obtaining a more economic framework that is not adversely impacted by the cash surrender value floor.

Speaker 2

As previously stated, our goals are reduced statutory capital volatility, more efficient hedging and more intuitive results for external stakeholders. I will now turn it back over to Laura for closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Marcia. Our 3rd quarter results and our accomplishments throughout the year underscore our ability to serve our customers through product innovation, Exceptional distribution, effective risk management and industry leading service. As I mentioned earlier, we look forward to providing additional insights into our cash surrender value for solution and continued capital generation in the near future. We continue to work closely with our regulators and are focused on arriving at a solution that meets the goals Marcia outlined. As 2023 comes to an end, I am proud of our accomplishments.

Speaker 1

We have completed our 2nd year of operating as an independent public company and delivered on our commitments to stakeholders, returning capital to our shareholders, maintaining a strong balance sheet and serving our distribution partners and their clients. I am grateful to each of our talented associates who contribute every day to Jackson's successes and help create a more confident financial future for American Saving for And Living and Retirement. I'll now turn the call over to the operator for questions.

Operator

Thank you. So our first question comes from the line of Tom Gallagher of Evercore ISA. Your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker 3

Good morning. Yes, that's I think that's comforting to hear that I think you said March 2024 is when you expect timing wise to get some Further progress on the Florida Reserve situation. I just want to get I'm not asking for specifics, but just get a general idea about how you think the change Might end up looking. I mean, I'll tell you in my head how I've thought about it. And if you could just maybe Tell me whether I'm thinking about it correctly or not.

Speaker 3

But I guess the first thing is I would guess that you would get some kind of Permitted practice for an allowance to be able to move your reserve to a net asset, maybe up to some limit, Because I assume they won't it won't be unlimited. And that and if they're able to do that, willing to do that, that would allow you to have greater Hedging symmetry. So you'd be able to hedge the economics and not worry about this issue as much going forward. Is that Am I thinking about that correctly?

Speaker 1

Good morning, Tom, and thanks for the question. I'll Maybe address timing and then have Marcia cover your comments on the specifics that you mentioned. From a timing perspective, I think, importantly, we've made great progress year to date, which has allowed us to Confidently, indicate a targeted completion early in 2024. It is hard to predict any Specific timing given, obviously, we're dependent on regulator approval. But again, great progress being made, and we do intend to Provide updates as soon as possible around the particular timing and the specifics of the solution.

Speaker 2

But I

Speaker 1

can have Marcia comment on your thoughts around the solution specifically.

Speaker 2

Sure, Tom. While you're correct, we're not going to go into details of the form of the solution. I think we can certainly start with just what we said about the goals Of the solution, and that does have certain implications, I think, about how things would change going forward. So what we've said is we're looking for A more economic liability basis that's going to move in line with hedging and that would, as you indicate, allow for More economic hedging and that's one of the restated goals was to avoid any costs and implications related None economic hedging that we have today given the influence of the cash surrender value floor. So we would be looking for A situation I'm looking forward to the opportunity to have kind of more economic hedging and avoid that non economic hedging.

Speaker 2

We also think that, that type of solution then would also promote greater stability in our capital and RBC And just more kind of predictable kind of capital generation as we move forward. And we're also Keenly, I think, interested in having results that I think everyone sees as more intuitive as markets move and the Statutory results kind of moved sensibly, I guess, with what the market changes are period to period. Keep it in mind, I guess, that all of these items or these elements are what I'm thinking of as more long term benefits as we move forward. So our goals You're really focused on kind of the long term benefits rather than kind of motivated by near term impacts.

Speaker 3

That was really helpful. Thanks. And I guess my follow-up is the $3,000,000,000 MRB that you have on a GAAP basis. Is it possible you're going to be if and when a solution comes through, Is it possible that we get a material increase to your RBC to reflect being able to have some similar directional change On the balance sheet, should we expect some kind of change in RBC? Or do you think this is going to be more of a prospective change Ongoing capital generation, and not really a balance sheet impact, or is it potentially both?

Speaker 2

I think the emphasis would be, Tom, on the prospective impacts. And as I said, really, this is We're looking for a solution that works well as we move forward in time, not so much focused on kind of day 1 type impacts.

Speaker 3

That's really helpful. Thanks.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ryan Krueger of KBW. Your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker 4

Hi, thanks. Good morning. I have a somewhat related follow-up, but

Speaker 5

would Do you think this

Speaker 4

would the potential solution would allow you to change your hedging program at all? Or is it more just making the statutory results move more sensibly relative to how your hedging approach already is?

Speaker 2

Well, right. This is Marcia here. I think There is an implication that there would be some changes in kind of how our hedges would be positioned. I think we've talked Regularly in the past that the way we think about hedging is to hedge the economic risk profile, But then to also consider our statutory position and make sure that we're also protecting our statutory balance sheet and Stabilizing distributable earnings over time. So what I think we would anticipate with the solution is that if you have Less of an impact from the cash surrender value floor, you're not you're just not going to have quite as much of a need, not that it's going to go entirely away Potentially, but you're not going to have quite as much of

Operator

a need

Speaker 2

for what we would call the kind of macro hedge adjustments, those that are sort of Statutory focused and you'd be kind of more economically hedging. So I think that just the balance between the economic focus within our hedging And that those are statutory lens that we have to look through today would change and the amount of Focus on economic would kind of rise and the focus on the statutory piece would just naturally become a little bit less dominant Without the heavy influence on the cash undervalued floor in the way we experience it now.

Speaker 4

Got it. No, that makes sense. And then maybe just one other one kind of related to what Tom was asking. Is it more likely that it would be Just a permitted practice or some sort of change to your existing legal entity or the use of a new legal entity Like a captive that where you could move some of the reserves to the captive entity?

Speaker 2

Well, I think we feel it's a little premature to talk about the form today. So unfortunately, I have to kind of pass on that and just let you know that we'll come back with an As soon as we can, and share the kind of details of all of that at that point.

Speaker 4

Okay, understood. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Suneet Kamath of Jefferies. Your line is now open. Please go ahead.

Speaker 5

Great. Thank you. Just a couple on capital. So first on the Michigan solution, assuming you get it in early 2024, would that change How you think about your RBC target of 425 to 500?

Speaker 2

I think that's a likely outcome, Cindy, that we would want to Revisit that, not indicating yet how it would change. But I do think that when we set that 425% to 500% target range, We set a wider range purposefully given the volatility in our business. And I think To the extent that some of that volatility was contributed to by the cash to render value floor, a solution that mitigates that cash store undervalued floor solution could very well likely mean that we don't need such a wide range to think about. And therefore, that's something that we would, we'd be considering as we look forward and provide our outlook and targets for 2024.

Speaker 5

Got it. That makes sense. The second one was just on the RYLA product. I think you had mentioned That there's some capital benefits you get as that block grows. Can you just maybe talk about how much of a benefit are you getting?

Speaker 5

And then sort of what point In terms of the size of that block, does it really start to move the needle from a capital perspective?

Speaker 2

Sure. Yes, that's a great question, and thank you for that. We are really pleased with the Momentum that we've had with the RYLA business. And while in terms of account value, it is still relatively small Yes, just under $4,000,000,000 compared to the size of our variable annuity block. It does have really a good profile in terms of an offsetting risk From an equity perspective, in terms of the direction of the risk, so we see benefits already with even with the size of our Ryland Block today In terms of the types of scenarios that would naturally play out into your statutory requirements, particularly when you think about The tail scenarios that drive your CTE98 requirement, which on a VA only viewpoint are going to be Largely significant downward equity stress type paths, which are going to definitely have an economic offset because That's certainly going to not be the profile of your RYLO.

Speaker 2

So we're definitely we're seeing already benefits within our statutory requirements From the offset, which is both an economic risk offset, but also kind of captured as well in VM 21 that way. But when we just look at the sizing of it and the question around how big when does it become material, already today with the size of block we have, We're seeing about a 10% economic offset from our equity risk relative to the VA block, VA Guarantee Business, despite the fact that it is still a relatively small sized block. With continued momentum in the RYLO Black, we look forward to an increased offset there as well.

Speaker 5

Got it. And then if I could just sneak one more in. Just on your unassigned surplus, I think it was negative in the 2nd quarter. Obviously, your stat results in the Q3 were much stronger. So do you have an update on that?

Speaker 5

And as we think about kind of capital return Into next year, should we think about that $450,000,000 to $550,000,000 as a reasonable starting point?

Speaker 2

Well, we've talked about the capital return target Of $450,000,000 to $550,000,000 as being a reasonable kind of long term view. So it's certainly, I think, a fair starting point. And I think as far as unassigned surplus goes, I mean, we are doing our own modeling and looking forward on that. And I think we believe we'll be In a position that is not going to be problematic with our ability to support what we need to do to deliver on our capital return targets once we've Establish and communicate them early next year.

Speaker 5

Got it. Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. We now have a follow-up question from Tom Gallagher of Evercore ISI. Your line is now open.

Speaker 3

Thanks. Just a question on the assumption review in Q4. Can you give some sense for how Policyholder behavior on your variable annuity block is trending right now. Has that been running Above or below long term expectations? And would you expect any meaningful positive or negative change there?

Speaker 3

Thanks.

Speaker 2

Yes. Thanks, Tom. Yes, we've as we've historically done, we complete our We do our annual review process to be completed in the Q4. So that work is underway right now, and we'll be able to provide The more specific outcomes of that with our quarter 4 and full year results. In terms of the policyholder behavior that we've seen, As we move through this year, I think largely we've seen policyholder behavior that's not too different than what our assumptions would Indicate, for example, we've seen a little bit of an uptick, and I think you can see that in the financial supplement in variable annuity surrenders, but that Would be kind of natural with the rebound in the equity markets.

Speaker 2

That's naturally kind of part of that dynamic behavior that I think we would we typically expect and include in our modeling. But I think the key point is we really have A large bank of experience data that we use to help inform our assumptions. And every year, we look at the new experience that's emerged, Make adjustments. So we typically never have years where there's no adjustments. We're making them small adjustments as experience has emerged Each period and keeping up essentially with the experience that way so that we can avoid larger, less frequent updates.

Speaker 2

As far as directionality, I think it's nothing we can speak to today, but we'll look forward to providing those updates next quarter.

Speaker 3

Okay. Thanks.

Operator

Thank you. As there are no additional questions waiting at this time, I'd like to hand the conference call back over to Laura Prescore, CEO, for closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Thank you. As I mentioned earlier, I'm proud of our team for continuing to deliver on our commitment to stakeholders. And as we mark the end of our 2nd year as an independent company, the momentum that we've built towards our strategic and operational goals affirms our disciplined approach. We appreciate you joining us today and we look forward to speaking to you again soon. Take care.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us and Financial Incorporated Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. Have a great rest of your day. You may now disconnect.

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Key Takeaways

  • Jackson reported Q3 net income of $2.8 billion driven by market risk benefits from rising interest rates, with adjusted operating earnings of $3.80 per share, up from Q2 due to fee income growth and lower expenses.
  • The company returned over $120 million to shareholders in Q3 via share repurchases and dividends, bringing year-to-date capital return to nearly $350 million, with a 2023 target of $450–550 million and $360 million of share buyback authorization remaining.
  • Jackson’s statutory capital remained strong, ending the quarter with an RBC ratio above the 425–500 percent target and holding-company liquidity of nearly $1.4 billion after completing its limited partnership asset sale and retiring $600 million of debt.
  • The firm is working with regulators on a “CSV-4” solution to replace the cash surrender value floor in early 2024, aiming to reduce statutory capital volatility and enable more economic hedging strategies going forward.
  • Retail annuity sales rose 6 percent sequentially to $3.3 billion, led by a record $800 million in Ryla sales, with over one-third of Ryla production driven by Jackson’s new digital experience and an annualized Ryla run rate exceeding $3 billion.
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Earnings Conference Call
Jackson Financial Q3 2023
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