Allstate (ALL)

Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

       In April 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") of debt securities. If the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis at the reporting date, an entity shall assess whether the impairment is an OTTI. When an entity intends to sell an impaired security or more likely than not will be required to sell an impaired security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, an OTTI is recognized in earnings. If the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of an impaired debt security, even if it does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that it would be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entity must consider, based upon an estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected on the debt security as compared to its amortized cost basis, whether a credit loss exists. The portion of the total OTTI related to a credit loss shall be recognized in earnings while the portion of the total OTTI related to factors other than credit shall be recognized in OCI. The statement of operations is required to present the total OTTI with an offset for the amount of the total OTTI that is recognized in OCI. The statement disclosing accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") is required to separately present amounts recognized for debt securities for which a portion of an OTTI has been recognized in earnings.

       The new guidance expands disclosure requirements for both debt and equity securities and requires a more detailed, risk-oriented breakdown of security types and related information, and requires that the annual disclosures be made for interim periods. In addition, new disclosures are required about significant inputs used in determining credit losses as well as a rollforward of credit losses each period. The disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes. The new guidance applies to existing and new investments held as of the beginning of the interim period of adoption.

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       The Company adopted the provisions of the new guidance as of April 1, 2009. The adoption resulted in the reclassification of $1.15 billion of previously recorded OTTI write-downs from retained income to unrealized capital losses. The cumulative effect of adoption, net of related DAC, DSI and tax adjustments, was an increase in retained income of $863 million and a decrease in unrealized net capital gains and losses of $578 million, with a net benefit to equity of $285 million. The benefit to equity resulted from a decrease in a deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The adoption did not have an impact on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations. The effect of the adoption on net income and related per share amounts for interim periods after adoption is not determinable. The accounting standard incorporates management's intent as a critical component to the determination of the amount recorded and this assessment process was changed as of April 1, 2009 to an intent to sell model from an intent to hold model.