Summary of Corebridge Financial (CRBD) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Corebridge Financial (CRBD) - **Industry**: Life Insurance and Retirement Solutions - **Key Executives**: Kevin Hogan (CEO), Elias Hebbeyeb (CFO) Key Points and Arguments Company Performance and Strategy - Corebridge has successfully executed its strategies since its IPO three years ago, achieving a 12-14% Return on Equity (ROE) in 2024, as initially targeted [3][4] - The company has maintained a payout ratio of 60-65% and a Risk-Based Capital (RBC) ratio of 400%, while growing its business [4] - Annual sales volume has increased by approximately 30% since the IPO [5] - Corebridge has returned $6 billion to shareholders since the IPO, demonstrating strong capital management [5] Variable Annuity Transaction - Corebridge exited its entire variable annuity business, which had been in decline for eight years, through a transaction with Venerable, generating $2.1 billion in proceeds [8][10] - The transaction was seen as a significant value creation opportunity, with a multiple of around seven times earnings [10] - Proceeds from the transaction will primarily be used for shareholder buybacks and further organic growth investments [11] Expense Management - The CoreBridge Forward program has successfully reduced annual expenses by $400 million through outsourcing, IT modernization, and improved procurement practices [15][16][17] - The company aims to continue driving down unit costs through further automation and digitization [18] Market Trends and Growth Opportunities - The aging population in the U.S. is a significant driver for the annuity market, with 4 million people turning 65 annually [22][23] - There is a growing awareness among individuals about the need for self-managed retirement planning, contributing to increased demand for annuities [23] - The adviser community is becoming more professionalized, further supporting the growth of fixed income investments [24] Competitive Environment - Corebridge is currently achieving targeted margins despite increased competition in the annuity space [27] - The company has a diverse product range and strong relationships with distribution partners, allowing it to navigate competitive cycles effectively [28][29] Group Retirement Business - There is a gradual shift from spread-based to fee-based income in the group retirement business, with fee income now representing a significant portion of earnings [34][36] - Corebridge is investing in its adviser base and digital tools to enhance productivity and efficiency [37] Pension Risk Transfer Market - The pipeline for U.S. pension risk transfer remains strong, despite some slowdowns due to external volatility [43][44] - Corebridge focuses on full plan terminations, which are more economically attractive [45] Life Insurance Business - Corebridge has outperformed the market in life insurance, driven by investments in automated underwriting and a focus on middle-market products [51] - The company has a competitive advantage due to its digital capabilities and disciplined risk management [52] Collaboration with Nippon Life - Corebridge is exploring mutual commercial opportunities with Nippon Life, focusing on product development, investments, and digital technologies [53][54] Capital Deployment and M&A - Corebridge is focused on shareholder value creation through dividends and buybacks, with no immediate M&A opportunities identified [59][60] Additional Important Insights - The company has simplified its structure by divesting international subsidiaries and focusing on U.S. retirement and life insurance [6] - Corebridge's automated underwriting process allows 80% of transactions to be processed without human intervention, enhancing efficiency [52] - The company is actively exploring in-plan annuity opportunities, recognizing the potential for growth in this area [40][42]

Financial Performance - GAAP earnings reached $168 million, translating to $234 per share[8,9,10,11] - Adjusted Operating Earnings, a non-GAAP measure, amounted to $350 million, or $487 per share[11] - Free cash flow stood at $290 million[11] - The company returned $216 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases[11] Capital & Liquidity - Jackson National Life Insurance Company (JNLIC) estimated risk-based capital (RBC) ratio was 566%[11] - Holding company cash and highly liquid securities exceeded $700 million[15] Sales & Flows - Retail annuity sales increased by 9% compared to the first quarter of 2025[12,13] - Fixed and fixed index annuity sales totaled $470 million[30] Investment Portfolio - The investment portfolio totaled $49 billion under U S GAAP[62] - The statutory investment portfolio totaled $48 billion[67]

Financial Performance - Non-GAAP operating earnings per share were $1.10, but adjusted for notable items, the figure rises to $1.41[8] - Assets Under Management/Administration (AUM/A) reached $1.1 trillion, an 8% increase year-over-year and 5% year-to-date[8] - The company returned $318 million to shareholders, resulting in a payout ratio of 74%, exceeding the target range of 60-70%[8] - The company is on track to generate $1.6-1.7 billion of organic cash in 2025, with approximately 50% originating from asset and wealth management[8] Strategic Initiatives - The Individual Life transaction closed on July 31st, generating approximately $2 billion in value and reducing mortality exposure by 75%[8] - The company expects $1 billion of incremental dividends to Holdings in the second half of 2025 from the Individual Life transaction[8] - Private Markets AUM increased by 20% year-over-year, reaching $77 billion[8,11] - The company ceded approximately $30 billion of annuity liabilities to its Bermuda entity[21] Segment Results - Retirement saw net inflows of $1.9 billion, supported by RILA and BlackRock LifePath Paycheck[8] - Wealth Management advisory net inflows amounted to $2.0 billion[8] - Asset Management experienced active net outflows of $4.8 billion, primarily in April[8]

Financial Performance - Non-GAAP operating earnings per share were $1.30, or $1.35 after adjusting for notable items[8] - Non-GAAP operating earnings were $421 million, or $434 million adjusted for notable items, a decrease of 3% year-over-year on a per share basis[16] - The company returned $335 million to shareholders, representing an 80% payout ratio[8] Business Segment Highlights - Asset Management operating earnings increased by 19% year-over-year[8] - Retirement saw net inflows of $1.6 billion, driven by strong RILA and Institutional sales[8] - Wealth Management advisory net inflows reached $2.0 billion, supported by 8% year-over-year growth in advisor productivity[8] - AB active net inflows were $2.7 billion, with Private Markets AUM up 20% year-over-year to $75 billion[8] - Protection Solutions experienced an operating loss of $17 million due to excess Individual Life mortality[8] Capital Management and Transactions - The company purchased approximately $760 million of AB Holding units through a tender offer, increasing ownership to approximately 69% effective April 1[8] - The Individual Life transaction with RGA is on track to close mid-2025, freeing over $2 billion of capital[8] - Post-close of the Individual Life transaction, the company plans to execute $500 million of additional share repurchases, above the 60-70% payout ratio target[14] Balance Sheet and Liquidity - The company had $1.1 billion in cash at Holdings after AB and Series B preferred equity tender offers, with a combined NAIC RBC ratio of approximately 425% as of year-end 2024[8]