PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC

The Closed Block division includes certain in-force traditional domestic participating life insurance and annuity products and assets that are used for the payment of benefits and policyholder dividends on these policies (collectively, the “Closed Block”), as well as certain related assets and liabilities. We no longer offer these traditional domestic participating policies. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Each year, the Board of Directors of The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“PICA”) determines the dividends payable on participating policies for the following year based on the experience of the Closed Block, including investment income, net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), mortality experience and other factors. Although the Closed Block experience for dividend action decisions is based upon statutory results, at the time the Closed Block was established, we developed, as required by U.S. GAAP, an actuarial calculation of the timing of the maximum future earnings from the policies included in the Closed Block. Actual cumulative earnings, as required by U.S. GAAP, reflect the recognition of realized investment gains and losses in the current period, as well as changes in assets and related liabilities that support the Closed Block policies. If actual cumulative earnings in any given period are greater than the cumulative earnings we expected, we record this excess as a policyholder dividend obligation. Additionally, any accumulated net unrealized investment gains that have arisen subsequent to the establishment of the Closed Block are reflected as a policyholder dividend obligation, with a corresponding amount reported in AOCI, while any accumulated net unrealized investment losses are reflected as a reduction of the policyholder dividend obligation, to the extent the overall policyholder dividend obligation is otherwise positive.

We will subsequently pay this excess to Closed Block policyholders as an additional dividend unless it is otherwise offset by future Closed Block performance that is less favorable than we originally expected. The policyholder dividends we charge to expense within the Closed Block division will include any change in our policyholder dividend obligation that we recognize for the excess of actual cumulative earnings in any given period over the cumulative earnings we expected in addition to the actual policyholder dividends declared by the Board of Directors of PICA. If actual cumulative earnings fall below expected cumulative earnings in future periods, earnings volatility in the Closed Block division, which is primarily due to changes in investment results, may not be offset by changes in the cumulative earnings policyholder dividend obligation. For a discussion of the Closed Block division’s realized investment gains (losses), net, see “—General Account Investments.”

As of December 31, 2023, the excess of actual cumulative earnings over the expected cumulative earnings was $2,873 million, which was recorded as a policyholder dividend obligation. Actual cumulative earnings, as required by U.S. GAAP, reflect the recognition of realized investment gains and losses in the current period, as well as changes in assets and related liabilities that support the Closed Block policies. As of December 31, 2023, net unrealized investment losses have arisen subsequent to the establishment of the Closed Block due to the impacts of higher interest rates on the market value of fixed maturities available-for-sale. The impact of these net unrealized investment losses has been reflected as a decrease to the policyholder dividend obligation of $2,081 million at December 31, 2023, with a corresponding amount reported in AOCI.

The following table sets forth the Closed Block division’s results for the periods indicated:

Income (loss) Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Operating Joint Ventures

2023 to 2022 Annual Comparison. Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures decreased $82 million. Net investment activity results increased, primarily reflecting higher other income driven by favorable changes in the market value of equity and fixed income securities, partially offset by lower realized investment gains driven by unfavorable changes in the market value of derivatives and higher losses on the sale of fixed income investments, as well as lower net investment income driven by lower income on non-coupon investments, partially offset by higher reinvestment rates. Net insurance activity results increased driven by a favorable comparative change in claims experience. As a result of these and other factors, a $335 million reduction in the policyholder dividend obligation was recorded in 2023, compared to a $1,180 million reduction in 2022.

2022 to 2021 Annual Comparison. Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of operating joint ventures decreased $176 million. Net investment activity results decreased primarily reflecting lower other income driven by unfavorable changes in the value of equity securities, a decrease in realized investment gains (losses) driven by losses on the sale of fixed income investments in the current year, and lower net investment income on non-coupon investments. Net insurance activity results increased driven by a favorable comparative change in claims experience and reserves, partially offset by lower premiums due to the runoff of policies in force. As a result of the above, a $1,180 million reduction in the policyholder dividend obligation was recorded in 2022, compared to a $1,469 million increase in 2021.

2023 to 2022 Annual Comparison. Revenues increased $708 million primarily driven by an increase in other income, partially offset by a decrease in realized investment gains and a decrease in net investment income, as discussed above.

Benefits and expenses increased $790 million primarily driven by an increase in dividends to policyholders, reflecting less of a reduction in the policyholder dividend obligation due to changes in cumulative earnings and other factors, as discussed above.

2022 to 2021 Annual Comparison. Revenues decreased $2,989 million primarily driven by a decrease in other income, realized investment gains (losses), net investment income and premiums, as discussed above.

Benefits and expenses decreased $2,813 million primarily driven by a decrease in dividends to policyholders, reflecting a reduction in the policyholder dividend obligation expense due to changes in cumulative earnings, as discussed above.