Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The estimated combined risk-based capital (RBC) ratio was between 405% and 425%, within the target range of 400% to 450% in normal market conditions [7][14] - Total adjusted capital (TAC) increased to approximately $5.6 billion at June 30, compared to approximately $5.5 billion at March 31 [14] - Adjusted earnings for the quarter were $198 million or $3.43 per share, down from $245 million in the previous quarter and $346 million in the same quarter of 2024 [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total annuity sales were $2.6 billion, a 16% sequential increase and an 8% increase compared to 2024 [9] - Shield sales totaled $1.9 billion in the quarter, with year-to-date Shield sales at $3.9 billion, consistent with the same period last year [10] - Life insurance sales in the second quarter were $33 million, contributing to record year-to-date life insurance sales of $69 million, a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company received $176 million in deposits through BlackRock's LifePath Paycheck product in the second quarter, indicating strong market engagement [10] - The company noted increased competition in the marketplace, particularly affecting Shield sales, which saw a decline for the first time in several years [49] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital efficiency and maintaining a strong capital position at its insurance subsidiaries [6] - A strategic initiative includes separating the management of the Shield and variable annuity (VA) books to improve risk management and transparency [27][28] - The company aims to continue innovating with respect to products and maintaining pricing discipline despite competitive pressures [52][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage its legacy liabilities and maintain operational capabilities [46] - The company is committed to protecting its statutory balance sheet under adverse market conditions and expects to see less volatility in results over time [20][29] - Management indicated that the transition to a revised hedging strategy is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter [28] Other Important Information - Corporate expenses for the second quarter were $200 million, down from $239 million in the first quarter [11] - The company returned $43 million to shareholders through common stock repurchases in the second quarter, with a total of $102 million year-to-date [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about actuarial review for 3Q and 4Q - Management stated that the actuarial review is ongoing and no updates are available at this time [22][23] Question: Buyback plans and capital preservation - Management confirmed that buybacks are part of the normal plan but noted that the recent program expired in May [41][42] Question: Impact of competition on Shield sales - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized that they remain pleased with their performance and pricing discipline [49][52] Question: Clarification on unassigned surplus and cash flow - Management explained that the negative unassigned surplus is a technical consideration and does not fundamentally impact capital [58][61] Question: Long-term free cash flow projections - Management indicated that they need to complete ongoing initiatives before providing an outlook for future results [117]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brighthouse Financial reported a statutory combined total adjusted capital (TAC) of approximately $5,500 million at March 31, compared to approximately $5,400 million at December 31 [17] - The estimated combined risk-based capital (RBC) ratio was between 420% and 440%, within the target range of 400% to 450% in normal market conditions [17][19] - Adjusted earnings for the quarter were $235 million, including an unfavorable notable item of $10 million, compared to $352 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $268 million in the first quarter of 2024 [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total annuity sales were approximately $2,300 million, including $2,000 million in Shield sales, which increased 3% sequentially and 5% year-over-year [11] - Life insurance sales totaled $36 million, representing a 24% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024 and a 9% increase sequentially [12] - The Annuities segment reported adjusted earnings of $324 million, relatively flat sequentially, while the Life segment reported adjusted earnings of $9 million, reflecting lower underwriting margins and higher expenses [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced modestly lower outflows compared to the fourth quarter, driven by variable annuities (VA) and Shield outflows, particularly full surrenders [30] - The company expects flows in 2025 to be at or above 2024 levels, with a substantial amount of fixed-rate annuities coming out of surrender in the second half of 2025 [31][101] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital efficiency and has made progress on capital-focused strategic initiatives, including simplifying its variable annuity hedging strategy [9][18] - Brighthouse Financial aims to protect its statutory balance sheet under adverse market scenarios while continuing to drive sales growth in both annuities and life insurance [10][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the current macro environment, emphasizing a strong balance sheet and robust liquidity position [14][15] - The company remains optimistic about growth opportunities, particularly in the RILA market and through the LifePath Paycheck product [94] Other Important Information - Corporate expenses for the quarter were $239 million, higher than expected, but management anticipates normalization for the remainder of 2025 [13] - The company repurchased $59 million of common stock in the quarter, with an additional $26 million repurchased through May 6 [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Benefit of the 25 basis point increase in mean reversion point to normalized statutory earnings - Management indicated it was around $200 million [25] Question: Outlook for sales and fixed annuities - Management noted that sales have fluctuated and are dependent on competitive rates, with plans to build momentum for fixed sales [26][27] Question: Trends in flows and surrender activity - Management expects flows to be at 2024 levels or higher, with significant fixed-rate annuities coming out of surrender in 2025 [30][31] Question: RBC movements and other pushes and pulls - Management confirmed that the mean reversion change was closer to 15 percentage points, with additional factors affecting RBC [37][39] Question: Actions to increase value and reinsurance options - Management is considering flow reinsurance and focusing on simplifying the hedging strategy for in-force business [41][42] Question: Distributable earnings from BLIC in 2025 - Management did not provide specifics but indicated a three-year plan for dividends from operating companies [48] Question: Industry transactions and market dynamics - Management is monitoring industry transactions and their implications for Brighthouse's strategy [110][112] Question: RBC ratio and potential drops in Q2 - Management refrained from providing quarterly RBC forecasts but acknowledged potential fluctuations [119] Question: Strategic initiatives and capital constraints - Management emphasized the importance of unlocking capital while remaining unconstrained for growth [120]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brighthouse Financial reported adjusted earnings of approximately $235 million for Q1 2025, which includes an unfavorable notable item of $10 million related to an actuarial model refinement [16] - The estimated combined risk-based capital (RBC) ratio was between 420% and 440%, within the target range of 400% to 450% in normal market conditions [14][19] - Statutory combined total adjusted capital (TAC) was approximately $5.5 billion at March 31, compared to approximately $5.4 billion at December 31 [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total annuity sales were approximately $2.3 billion, including $2 billion in Shield sales, which increased 3% sequentially and 5% year-over-year [9] - Life insurance sales totaled $36 million, representing a 24% increase compared to Q1 2024 and a 9% increase sequentially [10] - The Annuities segment reported adjusted earnings of $324 million, relatively flat sequentially, while the Life segment reported adjusted earnings of $9 million, reflecting lower underwriting margins and higher expenses [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong sales growth in both annuities and life insurance, with a notable increase in the Shield annuity product suite [6][9] - The company is positioned as one of the top annuity providers in the United States, leveraging strong distribution relationships [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on capital efficiency and has made progress on strategic initiatives aimed at simplifying its hedging strategy for variable annuities and Shield products [7][15] - The company is committed to protecting its statutory balance sheet under adverse market scenarios while navigating a competitive environment [8][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the current macro environment and emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust liquidity position [12] - The company expects flows to be at or above 2024 levels, driven by a substantial amount of fixed-rate annuities coming out of surrender in the second half of 2025 [28][98] Other Important Information - Corporate expenses for the quarter were $239 million, higher than expected, but management anticipates normalization for the remainder of 2025 [11] - The company repurchased $59 million of common stock in the quarter, with an additional $26 million repurchased through May 6 [12][66] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on the benefit of the 25 basis point increase in mean reversion point - Management indicated that the benefit to normalized statutory earnings was around $200 million [21] Question: Outlook on sales and fixed annuities - Management acknowledged softer sales in fixed annuities but noted efforts to build momentum and maintain competitive rates [24] Question: Trends in flows and surrender activity - Management expects flows to be at 2024 levels or higher, with a substantial amount of fixed-rate annuities coming out of surrender in 2025 [28][98] Question: RBC ratio and seasonal impacts - Management confirmed that the RBC ratio was stable, with seasonal impacts from capital charges expected to be modest in the first quarter [112] Question: Strategic initiatives and capital generation - Management emphasized ongoing efforts to unlock capital while remaining unconstrained from growth opportunities [117] Question: Industry transactions and market dynamics - Management is closely monitoring recent industry transactions and their potential implications for Brighthouse [104][106] Question: Share repurchase program details - Management provided details on the share repurchase program, indicating active buybacks in response to market conditions [66]