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Swiss Reinsurance Co.

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FY2019 Annual Report · Swiss Reinsurance Co.
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Extracts from Swiss Re’s 
2019 Annual Report

Swiss Re investor and analyst presentation
Zurich, 19 March 2020

Economic performance and solvency

 Economic performance 2019 

 Strong economic earnings track record 

 Economic solvency and capital generation 

2

Swiss Re’s integrated economic framework (EVM) enables delivery of 
sustainable, long-term value creation

Economic value management (EVM) 
is the core of our steering framework  

EVM key objectives 

Learning

Strategy

Portfolio-
& perform -

ance

measure -

ment

EVM

Capital
allocation 
&
target
setting

Decision making

• Measure economic value generated 

from underwriting activities on a stand-
alone basis

• Measure economic value generated 
from investment activities after risk 
adjustment 

• Assess different underwriting and 
investment opportunities on a 
consistent basis 

✓ Supports portfolio 

steering 

✓ Allows consistent 
measurement of 
economic 
performance 

✓ Forms basis for 
capital actions

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

3

Main drivers of the Group’s 2019 EVM results

Elevated
nat cat losses

US casualty impact 
on P&C businesses

Strong performance 
of L&H businesses

Excellent investment 
result

Multiple nat cat events and 
late reported losses on 
Typhoon Jebi

Adverse trends in US casualty
and decisive management
actions in Corporate Solutions

Large transactions and core 
performance positively 
impacting new business

Strong performance across 
asset classes, supported by 
credit spread tightening

2019 total contribution to ENW (economic earnings)
USD 2.9bn

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

4

Key EVM figures

USD m, unless otherwise stated

• EVM profit – new business 

• EVM profit – previous years’ business

• EVM profit – investments

• EVM profit

• Release of current year capital costs 

• Cost of debt and additional taxes

• Total contribution to Economic Net Worth (ENW)

• ENW

• ENW per share (USD)

• ENW per share (CHF)

• ENW per share growth

P&C Re

−209

−1 814

627

−1 396

931

114

−351

10 136

L&H Re

1 308

−272

739

1 775

980

−99

2 656

14 887

Corporate 
Solutions

164

−1 081

112

−805

176

−97

−727

2 306

Life Capital

Group items

133

−137

596

591

346

937

3 955

−190

11

−6

−184

479

122

417

4 854

Total
FY 2019

1 206

−3 293

2 068

−19

2 911

40

2 932

36 138

124.33

120.41

8.2%

Total
FY 2018

356

638

−1 686

−693

3 059

−200

2 166

35 993

119.96

118.20

4.4%

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

5

P&C Reinsurance impacted by large losses and adverse trends in US 
casualty
EVM premiums and fees

Total contribution to ENW (USD m)

EVM profit split (USD m)

USD 23.5bn

In 2019

USD 18.6bn

In 2018

199

698

-430

-68

2018

627

-209

-1 814

-1 396

2019

New business

Previous years’ business

Investments

2 724

1 589

1 350

2015

2016

-954

2017

2018

-351

2019

• Negative contribution to ENW due to large losses and capital cost 

updates 

• ENW decreased due to the dividend paid to Group and a one-off 

change in presentation of historic inter-segment expense balances

• Strong increase in EVM premiums of 27% driven by growth from large transactions 

ENW (USD m)

Split of 2019 ENW

and successful renewals

•

Improved new business result supported by growth. Both years impacted by large 
losses

• Previous years’ business loss included capital cost updates, late claims from Typhoon 

Jebi and adverse industry trends in US casualty 

•

Investment outperformance across equities and alternative investments as well as 
from credit spread tightening

-22%

12 913

10 136

28%

72%

2018

2019

P&C Re

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

6

L&H Reinsurance continued to deliver strong contribution to ENW

EVM premiums and fees

EVM profit split (USD m)

Total contribution to ENW (USD m)

USD 27.2bn

In 2019

USD  20.3bn

In 2018

1 775

1 308

739

-272

2019

523

980

168

-625

2018

1 916

2 180

1 570

1 271

2 656

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

• Total contribution to ENW reflected strong new business performance 

and investment outperformance

• ENW increase driven by total contribution to ENW, partially offset by 

• Significant premium growth driven by large transactions across all regions

ENW (USD m)

Split of 2019 ENW

New business

Previous years’ business

Investments

the dividend paid to Group

• New business profit reflected strong contribution from transactional business in EMEA 

and the Americas as well as from core business performance in the Americas

• Previous years’ business loss included adverse assumption updates in the Americas 
and Asia, partially offset by a beneficial impact from the restructuring of intra-group 
retrocession agreements and several modelling and assumption updates

•

Investment result was driven by credit spread tightening and favourable equity 
performance

+20%

14 887

12 377

41%

59%

2018

2019

L&H Re

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

7

Corporate Solutions results impacted by decisive management actions

EVM premiums and fees

EVM profit split (USD m)

Total contribution to ENW (USD m)

197

140

USD 4.1bn

In 2019

USD 4.0bn

In 2018

-81

-530

-63
-673

2018

164

112

-1 081

-805

2019

New business

Previous years’ business

Investments

•

•

Increase in EVM premiums driven by rate increases and growth in selected lines of 
business more than offsetting active pruning of several portfolios

Improved new business result due to the Adverse Development Cover (ADC) with P&C 
Reinsurance1, rate hardening, large transactions and profitable performance from 
insurance in derivative form, partially offset by management actions

• Previous years’ business loss impacted by large and medium-sized man-made losses 
mainly relating to adverse trends for US casualty business and management actions

•

Investment result was driven by credit spread tightening and favourable equity 
performance

1 The ADC with P&C Reinsurance covers accident years 2012-2018 of the Corporate Solutions portfolio

2015

2016

-750

2017

-474

2018

-727

2019

• Negative total contribution to ENW mainly due to large and medium-

sized man-made losses and reserving actions

• ENW decreased primarily due to the negative total contribution to 

ENW, partially offset by the capital contribution received from Group

ENW (USD m)

Split of 2019 ENW

-6%

2 454

2 306

6%

2018

2019

94%

Corporate Solutions

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

8

Life Capital result driven by investment outperformance and agreement to 
sell ReAssure
EVM premiums and fees

Total contribution to ENW (USD m)

EVM profit split (USD m)

USD 2.3bn

In 2019

USD 1.0bn

In 2018

591

133

596

-137

2019

66

374

-533

-93

2018

New business

Previous years’ business

Investments

987

937

599

265

-331

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

• ENW increased as a result of the strong total contribution to ENW, 
partially offset by a higher dividend payout to Group than capital 
contribution received 

• Significant increase in premiums driven by growth in the open book businesses and the 

ENW (USD m)

Split of 2019 ENW

termination of an internal retrocession agreement with L&H Reinsurance

• New business profit mainly driven by a gain on the announced agreement to sell 

ReAssure to Phoenix (USD 0.3bn), partially offset by expenses incurred to support the 
growth of the open book businesses

• Previous years’ business loss impacted by changes in expense reserves and other 

items

•

Investment profit mainly driven by credit spread tightening in the UK

+21%

3 955

3 270

2018

2019

11%

89%

Life Capital

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

9

We continue to focus on our over-the-cycle Group financial targets

Group return on equity

Group ENW per share growth2

Group targets over-the-cycle

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

13.7%

13.7%

10.5%

10.6%

9.4%

9.6%

9.2%

9.4%

9.4%

9.6%

9.3%

1.0%

1.4%

2.5%

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

20

10

5

0

Rf + 
700 
bps1

Over-
the-cycle 
target

17.0%

7.2%

11.0%

10.8%

8.2%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

5.4%

4.4%

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Over-
the-cycle 
target

actual

700 bps above 10y US Govt. bonds

actual

target

1  700 bps above 10y US Govt. bonds. Management to monitor a basket of rates reflecting Swiss Re’s business mix
2  The 10% ENW per share growth target is calculated as: (current-year closing ENW per share + current-year dividends per share) / (prior-year closing ENW per share + current-year opening balance sheet adjustments per share)

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

10

Economic performance and solvency

 Economic performance 2019 

 Strong economic earnings track record 

 Economic solvency and capital generation 

11

Swiss Re’s total shareholder return broadly tracks economic net worth 
(ENW) developments over time

ENW per share growth vs. total shareholder return1

ENW per share vs. share price development

2

ENW per share growth2

Total shareholder return

 EVM results represent the market relevant information aligned with total return to shareholders 

1  Reflects share price development and dividends paid in USD; indexed at year-end 2005 and shown on a cumulative basis to 28 February 2020
2  Calculated as: (current-year closing ENW per share + current-year dividends per share) / (prior-year closing ENW per share + current-year opening balance sheet adjustments per share); shown on a cumulative basis and indexed       

from 31 December 2005

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

12

708090100110120130Swiss Re share price (CHF)ENW per share (CHF)0%50%100%150%200%250%300%200520072009201120132015201720197080901001101201302013201420152016201720182019Swiss Re’s strong economic earnings track record 2015-2019

1

2

3

EVM profit 
new business

USD 419m
avg. 2015 - 2019

EVM profit 
previous years’ 
business

USD -582m
avg. 2015 - 2019

EVM profit 
investments

USD 396m
avg. 2015 - 2019

4

5

EVM profit
Economic value is created if 
total economic return generated 
for shareholders is above
expected total return 
for taking risk (capital costs) 

USD 232m
avg. 2015 - 2019

6

Total contribution to 
ENW
Represents total economic return 
generated for shareholders 
(economic earnings) and is the key 
element of gross excess capital 
generation 

Capital cost release, 
debt costs and tax
Includes base cost of capital
(risk-free return and 
market risk premium) 
and frictional capital costs  

USD 2 742m
avg. 2015 - 2019

USD 2 974m
avg. 2015 - 2019

 Total contribution to ENW forms the basis for Swiss Re’s attractive capital management actions

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

13

EVM profit in 2019 impacted by nat cat losses and adverse US casualty 
trends

1

EVM profit – new business (USD m)

992

884

1 206

356

2019 highlights

USD 419m
avg. 2015 - 2019

• L&H Reinsurance with strong contribution driven by transactional growth 

(Americas and EMEA) and core business performance (Americas) 

• P&C Re negatively impacted by large nat cats above expectations and US 

casualty trends

-1345

2

EVM profit – previous years’ business (USD m)

470

638

• Adverse loss developments (nat cat and US casualty) and higher funding costs 

for P&C Reinsurance 

-579

-148

USD -582m
avg. 2015 - 2019

• L&H Reinsurance with assumption changes mainly due to persistency updates

• Reserve strengthening for Corporate Solutions 

3

EVM profit – investments (USD m)

- 3 293

1 094

1 484

2 068

-982

2015

2016

2017

-1 686

2018

2019

USD 396m 
avg. 2015 - 2019

• Significant EVM profit mainly driven by credit spread tightening

• Strong performance across all other asset classes 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

14

Strong long-term economic earnings despite record levels of nat cat 
losses and adverse US casualty trends

4

EVM profit (USD m)

1 399

6

Total contribution to ENW (USD m)

480

-9

2015

2016

2017

-19

2019

-693

2018

USD 232m
avg. 2015 - 2019

3 672

4 231

2 932

2 974m
avg. 2015 - 2019

2 166

1 867

5

Capital cost release, debt costs and tax (USD bn)

3.0

1.4

0.9

0.7

2.5

1.5

0.9
0.1

1.6

1.5

1.0

-0.9

2.4

1.6

1.0
-0.2

2.9

1.8

1.1
0.0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Release of capital costs - Underwriting

Debt costs and tax

Release of capital costs - Investments

USD 2 742m
avg. 2015 - 2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Total contribution to ENW

Ordinary dividends1

 Average total contribution to ENW (economic earnings) of USD 3.0bn supports resilient capital generation

1  Assuming shares eligible for dividend as of 29 February 2020 are applicable for 2019 ordinary dividend; 2019 dividend subject to AGM 2020 approval 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

15

Economic performance and solvency

 Economic performance 2019 

 Strong economic earnings track record 

 Economic solvency and capital generation 

16

Swiss Re maintains a very strong Group capital position, with Group SST 
ratio above target

SST ratio development
USD bn, %

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0

261%

262%

269%

251%

232%

Illustrative

44.8

46.1

46.3

40.6

41.9

SST target 
capitalisation1
(220%)

17.2

17.6

17.2

16.2

18.0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

USD 5.3bn 
MVM

USD 5.2bn 
MVM

USD 5.9bn 
MVM

USD 7.0bn 
MVM

USD 9.4bn 
MVM

SST available capital 

SST economic target capital

Group SST ratio calculation

SST available capital

SST economic target capital

=

SST risk-bearing capital - MVM

SST target capital - MVM

• Group SST ratio remains very strong and above 

the target of 220%. The decrease reflects 
higher SST target capital and Market Value 
Margin (MVM2)

•

Increase in SST available capital driven by 
strong investment contribution and higher 
supplementary capital, partly offset by capital 
distribution to shareholders

• Strong growth in insurance risk as well as 

lower interest rates increase SST economic 
target capital and MVM leading to the 
observed decrease in the ratio

•

Increase in MVM year-on-year mainly driven by 
the impact of lower interest rates and business 
growth in Asia and the US

1  SST 220% target capitalisation was introduced in 2017
2  MVM = Market Value Margin = Minimum cost of holding capital after the one-year SST period until the end of a potential run-off period

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

17

Group capital position remains industry-leading, also on a Solvency II 
equivalent basis

Comparison of Group SST / Solvency II ratio1

232%

Group SST ratio

>260%

238%

• SST and Solvency II are both comprehensive economic 

and risk-based solvency regimes

210%

• Due to important differences, Solvency II equivalent 

ratio is higher for the Swiss Re Group

• The Group benefits from peer-leading diversification 
resulting in superior capital efficiency and attractive 
capital management actions

Group 
Solvency II 
equivalent 
ratio

Average of 
reinsurance 
peers Solvency 
II ratio

2

Average of 
insurance peers 
Solvency II 
ratio

3

• Swiss Re has strong financial flexibility and is well 

positioned to respond to market shocks and growth 
opportunities 

1/2020 

Year-end 2019

1 Comparison was produced on a best effort basis, with Solvency II ratio estimate for Swiss Re not allowing for any long-term guarantee adjustments
2  Average of Hannover Re, Munich Re, SCOR
3 Average of Allianz, Aviva, AXA, Generali

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

18

Group total risk reflects insurance business growth in 2019 

Group SST economic target capital

USD bn

Property & Casualty

11.7

Life & Health

9.9

Financial Market

11.2

Credit

Total pre-
diversification

Diversification

3.5

32%

27%

31%

10%

-14.9

Swiss Re shortfall

27%

26%

37%

10%

21.3

SST adjustment

SST economic 
target capital

-3.3

18.0

SST 1/2020

+1.2

+1.2

+0.2

+0.1

+2.8

+1.6

+1.8

Change to 
SST 1/2019

• Total risk (Swiss Re shortfall) increases driven by higher insurance 
risk, mainly reflecting business growth and the impact of lower 
interest rates

• Financial market and credit risk increase only marginally

• Higher weight of insurance risk leads to increased diversification

Swiss Re economic target capital by segment
USD bn

7%

12%

7%

18.0

39%

35%

P&C Re

L&H Re

Corporate Solutions

Life Capital

Group items

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 19

Swiss Re’s capital strength resilient to market moves and insurance events

Financial market sensitivities

Insurance stresses

Resulting estimated Group SST ratio 1/2020

Resulting estimated Group SST ratio 1/20201

205% 215% 225% 235% 245%

Equity markets (-25%)

Equity markets (+25%)

229%

235%

1 in 200-year Atlantic hurricane
(USD 6.4bn2)

194%

Interest rates (-50bps)

220%

1 in 200-year Californian earthquake
(USD 4.4bn2)

206%

Interest rates (+50bps)

Credit spreads (-50bps)

Credit spreads (+50bps)

Real estate values (-25%)

Real estate values (+25%)

242%

242%

1 in 200-year Pandemic
(USD 3.1bn2)

1 in 200-year European windstorm
(USD 2.4bn2)

238%

1 in 200-year Japanese earthquake
(USD 3.7bn2)

224%

226%

220% 
Group SST
target 
capitalisation

232% 
Group SST 
1/2020

215%

218%

210%

220% 
Group SST 
target 
capitalisation

232%
Group SST 
1/2020

1 Excluding the impact of earned premiums for business written and reinstatement premiums that could be triggered as a result of the event
2 Based on 99.5% VaR annualised unexpected loss 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 20

Swiss Re is closely monitoring the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak

Impact on business lines, operations and asset portfolio currently considered manageable

Property & Casualty

• Highest potential impact on credit & surety, event 

cancellation and business interruption

Life & Health

• Highest potential impact on mortality exposures, with 
large sums assured in North America, UK and Australia

• Travel, selected casualty and specialty lines also exposed

• Covid-19 not directly a covered condition in critical 

• Historically, economic slowdown leads to reduced claims 

frequency and lower claims inflation

illness policies

• Disability income and medical reimbursement less 

Asset Management

• Negative impact from sharp drop in interest rates, 

widening credit spreads and lower equity markets, partly 
mitigated by hedging actions and high quality portfolio

exposed 

Risk Management

• Proprietary pandemic model with frequent updates by 
in-house experts, developing various scenarios and 
enabling active monitoring

 Very strong balance sheet and operational independence reinforce Swiss Re’s resilience 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

21

Group SST capitalisation remains very strong

SST available 
capital
(USD bn)1

40.6

SST 2019

-0.5

2.9

-1.2

0.9

41.9

1.8

-2.8

Fx and interest 
rate impact2

Economic 
earnings 
(Contribution 
to ENW)

Capital 
deployment 
(capital 
allocation)3

Other (incl. 
valuation 
differences)

Change in 
supplementary 
capital

Capital 
repatriation4

SST 2020

SST ratio

251%

+18%pts

-11%pts

-27%pts

+6%pts

+10%pts

-15%pts

232%

SST economic 
target capital 
(USD bn)1

16.2

SST 2019

0.5

1.4

Fx and interest 
rate impact2

Capital 
deployment 
(capital 
allocation)3

-0.1

Other

18.0

SST 2020

1  SST available capital: SST risk bearing capital – MVM; SST economic target capital: SST target capital – MVM
2  Foreign exchange impact on SST available capital and interest rate impact on valuation differences between EVM and SST
3  SST available capital: change in MVM from business update; SST economic target capital: change in shortfall from business update
4  Capital repatriation includes AGM 2020 proposal for regular dividend and new share buyback programme of up to CHF 1bn, of which a pro-rata share of CHF 0.8bn is used for SST 2020

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 22

Strong solvency capital generation over the last five years

Swiss Re’s solvency capital generation – five year aggregated view from Group SST 2015 to 2020

More details on following slides

14.9

Economic earnings 
(Total contribution 
to ENW)

CHF 9

-7.7

1.6

8.8

-1.6

Capital management

-13.6

Capital deployment 
(capital allocation)

Other items (incl. fx)1

Net solvency 
capital generation

Change in 
supplementary capital

Capital repatriation2

CHF 5

CHF 8

-6.4
Change in 
excess capital

yearly average 
per share

• Solid economic earnings (USD 3.0bn on average) drove Swiss Re’s strong solvency capital generation over the last five years (USD 1.8bn net solvency capital generation 

on average per year or CHF 5 yearly average per share)

• The Group has deployed USD 7.7bn of capital over the past five years, mainly to insurance risk pools

• Over the period, Swiss Re implemented peer-leading capital repatriation of USD 13.6bn in total or USD 2.7bn per year

1  SST available capital: includes change in other EVM items (including foreign exchange impacts on ENW) and change in SST valuation differences with EVM on a best effort basis; SST economic target capital: includes foreign 

exchange, interest rate and other impacts on Swiss Re’s economic target capital on a best effort basis

2  Includes the sum of paid (2016 – 2019) and proposed 2020 dividends and public share buybacks (a pro-rata share of the 2020 share buyback programme of CHF 0.8bn is used)

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

23

Swiss Re’s dynamic capital structure provides significant financial 
flexibility, supported by the Group’s strong funding platforms
Group available capital

USD bn

57.4

6.7

7.0

6.5

37.2
37.2

24%

24%

15%
15%

54.2

5.5

5.2

6.9

36.6

36.0

20%

14%

14%

16%

2013

2016

Additional USD 2.7bn 
pre-funded subordinated 
debt available on demand

LOC1
Senior debt2
Subordinated debt3
Core capital4
Subordinated leverage ratio5
Senior leverage ratio6

47.7

1.9

3.1

6.7

36.1

16%

10%

2019

1 Drawn unsecured LOC and related instruments (2013 and 2016 

4 Core capital of Swiss Re Group is defined as economic net worth 

shows drawn and undrawn)

(ENW) as of year-end 2019

2 Senior debt excluding non-recourse positions
3 Funded subordinated debt and contingent capital instruments 

(2016 also shows undrawn pre-funded facilities)

5 Funded subordinated debt divided by sum of funded subordinated 
debt and ENW (2016 also shows undrawn pre-funded facilities) 
(target: less than 20%)

6 Senior debt plus LOCs divided by total capital (target: less than 25%)

• Significantly strengthened Group financial flexibility through 

senior debt deleveraging, issuance of contingent capital and pre-
funded subordinated debt facilities (not counting as SST 
supplementary capital or rating agency capital until drawn)

• Financial flexibility further enhanced with Alternative Capital 

Partners (ACP) by attracting third-party capital into selected risk 
pools to enable further growth

• Notional amount of funded subordinated debt increased in 2019 

due to:

-

Issuance by SRZ of EUR 750m and USD 1bn dated 
subordinated debt and USD 1bn perpetual fixed spread 
callable notes

-

Issuance by ReAssure of GBP 1bn subordinated debt

- Redemption of SRZ’s GBP 500m perpetual subordinated debt 
and USD 750m perpetual subordinated notes with contingent 
write-off

• Notional amount of senior debt decreased due to senior debt 
maturities, repayment of a Life Capital senior bank loan and 
reduction in LOC usage 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

24

Peer-leading capital repatriation

USD bn

in year paid

Ordinary dividends 
USD 8.1bn

Share buybacks 
USD 5.5bn

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.1

1.1

1.3

0.9

1.0

Per share in CHF

4.60

4.85

5.00

5.60

5.90

3.30

3.40

4.20

3.10

3.40

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020E2

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020E2

13.6

Capital repatriation
Group SST 2015-20¹

Swiss Re

P&C Reinsurance 

L&H Reinsurance

Corporate Solutions

Life Capital

2.5

2.0

1.3

1.4

0.4

0.7

0.7

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

0.4

1.1

1.1

0.5

2016

2017

2018

2019

2016 2017 2018 2019

2016 2017

2018

2019

2016 2017

2018

2019

Received capital contribution 
of USD 1.0bn in 2017 and 
USD 0.6bn in 2019

Received capital contribution 
of USD 1.6bn in 2016 
(Guardian) and USD 0.8bn in 
2017-2019

1 Capital repatriation includes dividends and share buybacks paid in 2016-19 and projected for 2020
2 Capital repatriation includes AGM 2020 proposal for ordinary dividend and potential new share buyback programme of up to CHF 1bn purchase value, of which a pro-rata share of CHF 0.8bn is used for SST

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

25

Loss ratio development on underwriting 
year triangles

26

Overall level of reserving comfort maintained across P&C business

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Property

• Reserve position remains very strong in 2019

• Minor reserve releases in comparison to the low level of US natural catastrophes

USD 9.5bn

• Reserve position remains strong overall

Casualty

• More adverse liability trends reflected especially on the most recent underwriting years, 

supported by portfolio remediation

USD 26.5bn

USD 7.1bn – Motor
USD 16.4bn – Liability
USD 3.0bn – Accident & Health (A&H)

Specialty

• Reserve position remains very strong despite the large losses that occurred in 2019

USD 6.2bn

Asbestos & 
environmental 
(A&E)

Other (traditional & 
non-traditional)

• Low number of claims reported during 2019 implying a favourable development and 

giving more comfort around existing reserves

USD 1.8bn

• Stable position compared to last year 

•

Improvement to UK non-traditional deals, where the claims severity has shown to be 
lower than expected

USD 13.1bn

Total Group 2019 US GAAP P&C reserves on a gross basis

USD 57.1bn

 Challenging trends in US liability are manageable in the context of Swiss Re’s overall large, diversified reserves

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swiss Re’s reserve setting and governance process remains robust, with 
several layers of oversight 

First line of defence

Second line of defence

Regional Reserving Actuaries (RRAs) 
propose reserve levels, initially based on P0

Underwriting
(incl. setting of initial 
costing view “P0”)

Regional Reserving Committees (RRCs)
reviews & approves proposals of RRAs (including 
any deviations from P0)

Actuarial Control
conducts quarterly reviews, 
deep-dive reviews and 
assesses positioning within 
best estimate range

Group Reserving Committee
carries out RRC oversight, with four members from 
the Group Executive Committee

• Reserving approach starts with initial costing view provided by underwriting (P0); which may be challenged based on actuarial analysis 

•

In-depth initial loss pick reviews are regularly conducted (usually during the last quarter of the year), leading to potential movements in reserves

• Qualitative information feeds into reserving process via constant dialogue between reserving, underwriting/pricing and claims management

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 28

Marked increase in client notifications observed in late 2019 led to timely 
reserving actions, including assumption changes

Increase in reported US liability claims from CAY & PAY

P&C Reinsurance (USD m)

P&C Reinsurance

2 000

1 500

1 000

500

0

H1 2019

H2 2019

• Swiss Re observed higher than expected severity in US excess casualty and 

large umbrella, with underwriting years 2014 to 2018 most affected

• Reserves increased in response to these trends

•

In-depth initial loss pick review in Q4 2019 led to RRCs adjusting US 
casualty initial loss picks

• For selected clients, current reserves are based on loss ratios considerably 

higher than costed levels (10-20%pts), demonstrating added caution

Corporate Solutions (USD m)

Corporate Solutions

800

600

400

200

0

H1 2019

H2 2019

• Management actions included reserve strengthening in H1 (mostly case 

reserves) and H2 (case reserves, IBNR and higher initial loss picks) 

•

IBNR levels were increased during 2019 to reflect Swiss Re’s assumption 
that claims trends will deteriorate further

 Continuous reserving actions to reflect ongoing market trends and uncertainty

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 29

2019 measures to improve casualty profitability justify improved Ultimate 
Loss Ratios

P&C Reinsurance

Corporate Solutions

More adequate pricing and 
profitability

Price adequacy improved in 2019 compared to 2018, 
particularly in US liability and motor, supported by primary rate 
improvements. Internal ‘Raise the Bar’ initiative led to an 
average 1% loss ratio improvement per annum for 2018-20

Price adequacy significantly improved in 2019 compared to 
2018. Business retained in the US with more attractive profile 
and lower estimated loss ratios

Portfolio management

Reducing casualty business which was not meeting required 
profitability levels. Relative shift from proportional towards 
non-proportional for core business 

Pruning of USD 123m of US general liability business (gross 
premiums) which was not meeting required profitability levels

Growth in more attractive 
new business

Business written in 2019 has more attractive profile: eg in 
US/EMEA liability, move towards SME and mid-market away 
from Large Corporate Risks; motor growth in Asia at lower 
combined ratios

Business written actively in 2019 focused on relatively more 
attractive segments, with a clear shift away from umbrella and 
excess casualty

-2 to -3%pts loss ratio

Motor / liability 
Reinsurance

-16%pts loss ratio

Liability Corporate 
Solutions

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 30

Measures taken in 2019 underpin the Group’s P&C reserve strength, 
demonstrated by remaining in the upper half of the best estimate range

Group reserves positioned on upper half of best estimate range

Resilient, large and diversified P&C reserve book

Mid-point

60th percentile

80th percentile

Best estimate range



Booked reserves remain positioned on the upper half 
of the best estimate range, between the 60-80th 
percentile 



Casualty reserves remain prudent, positioned between 
the 60-80th percentile of the best estimate range

Liability reserves remain adequately reserved



2019 total Swiss Re Group P&C reserves1
USD  55.7bn

12%

18%

15%

18%

25%

11%

Property

Motor

A&H

Liability US

Liability non-US

Specialty

Corporate Solutions

USD  11.5bn

Property

Motor

A&H

12%

15%

10%

2%

Property

Motor

A&H

23%

Liability US

24%

Liability US

Liability non-US

Specialty

38%

Liability non-US

Specialty

P&C Reinsurance

USD  44.2bn

12% 18%

17%

22%

8%

1 Includes only legal entities for which range analysis is performed, explaining difference compared to slide 27

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

31

Considerations for projecting underwriting year (UY) triangles

• Earned premiums are shown net of commissions

• UY 2019 premiums have not been fully earned, so ratios for paid and reported appear artificially high – both the premiums and 

losses need to be projected to an ultimate basis to derive an appropriate loss ratio

Property

• P&C Re and Corporate Solutions impacted by large nat cats for the three most recent underwriting years – therefore 

any development factors need to allow for those impacts

l

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2

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Casualty

• Chain Ladder method not appropriate for recent underwriting years given their lack of maturity – applying a 

Bornhuetter-Ferguson method would be more suitable

• Motor Reinsurance: Ogden impact is in Motor Non-Proportional Reinsurance portfolio
• Liability Corporate Solutions: impact of the large losses for UY 2015 to 2018 relates to portfolios that have been 

pruned in UY 2019

• A&H Reinsurance: 2019 UY business mix has a shorter tail than in the past, with a different development pattern, 

making historic loss factors inappropriate

• A&H Corporate Solutions: change in business mix where most recent underwriting years mainly include short tail 

business, while older underwriting years relate to long tail business – therefore tail for older underwriting years can 
not be applied to the most recent underwriting years

Specialty

• P&C Re and Corporate Solutions impacted by large man made and nat cats losses for the five most recent 

underwriting years, including in credit & surety – therefore any development factors need to allow for those impacts

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability Reinsurance – adverse recent US trends reflected 

Treaty 
Year

Earned 
Premium 
USD m

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

2 582
2 414
2 008
1 729
1 332
1 212
1 115
1 158
1 502
1 455
1 864
1 613
2 315
2 370
2 326
1 559

Reported Loss Ratios per Development Month

24

36

72

48

60

84

96

12
108 120 132 144 156 168 180 192
8% 22% 32% 42% 47% 51% 53% 55% 55% 56% 57% 57% 58% 59% 59% 60%
2% 15% 23% 29% 37% 41% 43% 44% 45% 46% 47% 48% 49% 50% 50%
4% 20% 27% 39% 47% 54% 54% 56% 58% 59% 60% 60% 61% 62%
4% 19% 32% 39% 45% 51% 52% 55% 59% 63% 64% 66% 67%
5% 25% 39% 49% 54% 60% 68% 68% 71% 72% 73% 75%
6% 21% 36% 53% 59% 63% 65% 69% 72% 73% 75%
6% 19% 31% 44% 55% 59% 62% 64% 65% 66%
4% 17% 27% 36% 45% 50% 55% 59% 63%
3% 15% 25% 36% 48% 58% 62% 66%
5% 17% 27% 39% 50% 58% 64%
2% 14% 29% 44% 59% 78%
3% 17% 34% 51% 67%
4% 19% 38% 57%
2% 16% 38%
2% 20%
6%

Ult. 
Loss 
Ratio

62%
53%
66%
72%
80%
82%
74%
72%
80%
80%
109%
103%
111%
109%
101%
101%

Paid 
Losses

Case 
Reserves

IBNR

57%
47%
56%
60%
68%
64%
56%
54%
55%
52%
57%
47%
31%
15%
8%
2%

3%
3%
6%
7%
7%
11%
10%
9%
11%
12%
21%
20%
26%
23%
12%
5%

2%
3%
4%
5%
5%
7%
8%
9%
14%
16%
32%
36%
54%
71%
81%
94%

• 2014 to 2017 UYs have seen a high level of reported loss activity driven largely by US liability and in 

particular umbrella and general liability

• High reported loss activity experienced on 2014-2017 has also triggered some strengthening of 2018 and 

2019 UYs

• US claims environment remains challenging but the pricing environment has improved

• Triangle includes a handful of large transactions where recent development has been adverse

• Portfolio includes general and professional liability; reserve split: 72% proportional, 28% non-proportional 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 33

05001 0001 5002 0002 5003 0000%20%40%60%80%100%120%2004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019USD mPaid, Incurred and Ultimate Loss Ratio -Left Hand Scale Earned and Written Premium -Right Hand ScalePaid LossesCase ReservesIBNREarned PremiumLiability Reinsurance – non-prop loss trends impacted by US business 
Liability Reinsurance – non-proportional total

Liability Reinsurance – non-proportional - US 

Liability Reinsurance – non-proportional - non-US 

• Roughly half of the non-proportional liability reserves relate to US business

• US business impacted by a handful of large transactions and several large 

losses where recent development has been adverse

• Non-US business with flattening curves for most of the recent UYs. UY 2016 is 

impacted by several large losses

• Proportionally higher IBNRs for US business for UY 2014 to 2018

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 34

Liability Corporate Solutions – clear improvement expected 

Treaty 
Year

Earned 
Premium
USD m

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

1 526
1 091
1 066
817
654
517
527
543
676
784
842
894
965
962
1 030
493

Reported Loss Ratios per Development Month

48

24

72

60

36

96

84

12
108 120 132 144 156 168 180 192
2% 11% 20% 27% 35% 38% 43% 46% 47% 49% 49% 49% 50% 48% 48% 49%
2% 16% 26% 34% 39% 42% 45% 46% 46% 47% 48% 48% 48% 48% 48%
3% 13% 22% 31% 41% 47% 48% 49% 51% 53% 53% 53% 54% 55%
3% 21% 34% 60% 65% 66% 68% 84% 91% 94% 95% 95% 99%
3% 18% 33% 39% 43% 53% 58% 60% 63% 68% 63% 64%
3% 27% 43% 53% 59% 69% 70% 72% 76% 76% 79%
8% 29% 45% 55% 58% 71% 72% 73% 74% 74%
2% 14% 23% 35% 41% 44% 50% 53% 54%
2% 12% 28% 50% 62% 78% 85% 96%
1% 11% 21% 30% 37% 41% 47%
1% 11% 27% 41% 49% 60%
4% 24% 47% 62% 88%
1% 15% 34% 60%
4% 25% 50%
7% 35%
14%

Ult. 
Loss 
Ratio

49%
49%
56%
101%
67%
83%
80%
63%
109%
66%
87%
124%
106%
103%
103%
90%

Paid 
Losses

Case 
Reserves

IBNR

48%
48%
54%
90%
61%
68%
73%
52%
84%
42%
50%
52%
35%
22%
16%
2%

0%
0%
1%
9%
3%
11%
1%
3%
12%
5%
9%
36%
25%
27%
19%
12%

0%
0%
1%
1%
2%
3%
6%
8%
12%
20%
28%
36%
47%
53%
68%
76%

• Price adequacy significantly improved in 2019 compared to 2018. 2019 portfolio already reflects partial 
benefits from remediation and pruning actions – future developments likely to be different to historic 
experience, given material shift in Corporate Solutions portfolio

• High ultimate loss ratios for 2015-2018 (above 100%) reflect the incremental impact of large losses in 2019. 
These mainly relate to portfolios pruned during 2019 (USD 100m in 2018 UY, USD 70m in 2017 UY, USD 
60m in 2016 UY, USD 65m in 2015 UY)

• Portfolio includes general and professional liability

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 35

02004006008001 0001 2001 4001 6001 8000%20%40%60%80%100%120%140%2004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019USD mPaid, Incurred and Ultimate Loss Ratio -Left Hand Scale Earned and Written Premium -Right Hand ScalePaid LossesCase ReservesIBNREarned Premium2015201620172018201920082009201020112012201320140%20%40%60%80%100%120%140%01224364860728496108120132144Development MonthsReported Losses as % of Earned Premiums -Latest ten years   Motor Reinsurance – benefits of improved pricing coming through

Treaty 
Year

Earned 
Premium 
USD m

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

1 567
1 296
1 145
1 334
1 343
1 384
1 109
1 883
2 421
2 295
2 097
2 457
3 052
2 532
2 343
1 337

Reported Loss Ratios per Development Month

60

36

24

72

48

96

84

12
108 120 132 144 156 168 180 192
39% 71% 75% 81% 81% 82% 82% 82% 82% 82% 82% 82% 82% 83% 83% 83%
17% 61% 67% 68% 70% 71% 71% 71% 72% 72% 72% 73% 74% 75% 75%
3% 57% 69% 73% 74% 74% 74% 75% 74% 74% 74% 76% 76% 76%
12% 66% 78% 80% 81% 82% 83% 83% 83% 83% 84% 84% 84%
22% 69% 79% 81% 83% 84% 85% 85% 85% 86% 86% 86%
20% 67% 80% 84% 85% 89% 90% 90% 90% 91% 91%
13% 60% 72% 77% 86% 87% 87% 88% 88% 89%
18% 71% 85% 88% 89% 91% 91% 92% 92%
14% 65% 79% 84% 87% 90% 90% 91%
16% 73% 89% 93% 96% 97% 97%
19% 71% 87% 92% 95% 96%
18% 68% 92% 98% 101%
16% 69% 87% 96%
14% 59% 82%
12% 61%
27%

Ult. 
Loss 
Ratio

90%
81%
84%
89%
89%
96%
91%
94%
96%
100%
100%
106%
108%
104%
101%
94%

Paid 
Losses

Case 
Reserves

IBNR

75%
64%
65%
77%
80%
84%
81%
87%
84%
90%
88%
89%
76%
61%
40%
14%

8%
11%
10%
8%
6%
7%
8%
5%
6%
7%
8%
12%
20%
21%
21%
13%

6%
6%
8%
5%
3%
4%
3%
2%
5%
3%
4%
5%
12%
22%
39%
67%

• Business mix leads to different underlying reserve developments (eg positive run-off experienced in Germany, 

shorter-tail business in Asia and annuity components in Germany and the UK)

• Deterioration of UY 2018 mostly relates to proportional business across all regions, where reserve 

strengthening was already carried out last year

• UY 2019: growth in the business and current loss ratio reflects changes in business mix

• Pricing has been adjusting upwards following adverse industry loss experience, especially in particular 

segments (eg US personal and commercial auto) 

•

Improved pricing driving better than expected profitability for 2019

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 36

2008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820190%20%40%60%80%100%120%01224364860728496108120132144Development MonthsReported Losses as % of Earned Premiums -Latest ten years   05001 0001 5002 0002 5003 0003 5000%20%40%60%80%100%120%2004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019USD mPaid, Incurred and Ultimate Loss Ratio -Left Hand Scale Earned and Written Premium -Right Hand ScalePaid LossesCase ReservesIBNREarned PremiumSustainability highlights 

37

Swiss Re has a long tradition of sustainability and reinforces this with 
further ambitious steps towards net-zero emissions

Signing of

First sustainability-
related publication

Signing of

Adopted FSB TCFD 
recommendations

Reduced investing 
in thermal 
coal companies

Reduced providing 
re/insurance 
to thermal coal 

Obtain 100% 
of power 
from renewable 
sources

Net-zero 
GHG 
emissions 
in operations

2003

2009

2015

2017

2019

2023

2050

1979

2007/08

2012

2016

2018

2020

2030

100% GHG
neutral

Formal
Sustainability Risk 
Framework developed

Commitment to

Shift of 
investment portfolio 
to follow ESG 
investment benchmarks

Commitments 
to UN 
Climate Action 
Summit

Stop providing 
re/insurance 
to most carbon-intensive 
oil & gas production

Net-zero 
GHG 
emissions 
across entire 
business

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

38

Swiss Re is implementing an enhanced Group Sustainability Strategy

Our 2030 Sustainability Ambitions

Our guiding principles

Mitigating climate risk and 
advancing the energy transition

Building societal resilience

Driving affordable insurance 
with digital solutions

Embed
sustainability in 
all our business 
activities

Lead
sustainability-
linked solutions 
and embrace 
opportunities

Quantify
sustainability 
performance 
and impact

 We insure, invest, operate and share our knowledge in a way that tackles sustainability challenges and creates 

long-term value

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 39

Swiss Re’s Climate Action Plan has 3 key objectives

3 key objectives

Examples

Key 2019 achievements

Leading provider of physical 
climate risk solutions

• Insurance for peak perils (eg tropical 

cyclones) 

• Insurance coverage for secondary 
perils (eg extreme precipitation, 
droughts)

Leading provider of solutions for 
the low-carbon transition

• Sustainable energy and infrastructure 
solutions (eg renewables such as 
wind and solar power)
• Sustainable transportation 

USD 10 bn

Total amount of climate
protection offered to
(sub-)sovereigns

>4 000

Wind and solar farms insured

Building partnerships to develop 
scalable solutions to mitigate and 
adapt to climate change

• Partnering with cedents/insurers, 
corporate clients and public sector 
clients 

• Solutions supporting the transition to 

low carbon energy system

>300

Dialogue engagements with 
clients on thermal coal

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 40

Swiss Re’s industry-leading approach to responsible investing

Enhancement

Inclusion

Exclusion

ESG makes economic sense: better risk-adjusted return

Information ratio (risk-adjusted return)
from end May 2014 to end December 2019

ESG benchmarks
and criteria

Thematic 
investments

Sustainability risk 
assessments

Key 2019 highlights

• ~100% of 
assets 
considering 
ESG criteria

• Swiss Re 

selected to the 
2019 PRI 
Leaders’ Group 

• 2019 green, 
social and 
sustainability 
bonds of 
USD 1.9bn
• New 2024 
target of 
USD 4bn

• New absolute 
threshold for 
mining 
companies and 
power utility 
generators

0.81

0.88

0.50

0.55

0.60

0.65

0.70

0.75

0.80

0.85

0.90

US Corp Int. (Traditional)

Sustainability US Corp Int. (ESG BB+)

Sources: Barclays, Swiss Re

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

41

Swiss Re maintains sustainability leadership with continued efforts

What lies ahead:

Find out more:

Sustainability in underwriting
Further integrate sustainability into business propositions

Sustainability Risks
Revise Sustainability Business Risk Framework
Develop carbon steering mechanisms

Responsible Investing
Further quantify, manage and reduce investment exposure to 
climate risk

Targets and metrics
Progress on net-zero CO2 ambitions (operations by 2030, 
Asset and Liability side by 2050)
Increasingly measure and quantify sustainability performance

1  Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

42

Swiss Re’s 2019 Sustainability Report

TCFD1 disclosures in Swiss Re’s
Annual Report

Appendix

43

EVM segmental income statement FY 2019

USD m, unless otherwise stated
Underwriting result
Gross premiums and fees
Premiums and fees
Claims and benefits
Commissions
Other

Gross underwriting result − new business
Expenses

Net underwriting result − new business
Taxes
Capital costs
EVM profit − new business
EVM profit − previous years’ business
EVM profit − underwriting
Investment result
Mark-to-market investment result
Benchmark investment result

Gross outperformance (underperformance)
Other
Expenses

Net outperformance (underperformance)
Taxes
Capital costs
EVM profit − investments
EVM profit
Cost of debt
Release of current year capital costs
Additional taxes
Total contribution to ENW

Reinsurance

P&C Re

L&H Re

Corporate 
Solutions

Life Capital

Group items

51 418
50 753
−36 958
−8 575
9

5 228
−2 238

2 990
−625
−1 266
1 099
−2 086
−987

6 759
−4 265

2 494
92
−174

2 412
−511
−535
1 366
379
−595
1 911
610
2 305

24 174
23 540
−15 937
−5 873
14

1 745
−1 411

334
−209
−334
−209
−1 814
−2 023

3 370
−2 099

1 272
66
−103

1 234
−269
−338
627
−1 396
−273
931
386
−351

27 244
27 213
−21 021
−2 702
−6

3 484
−828

2 656
−417
−931
1 308
−272
1 036

3 388
−2 166

1 222
26
−71

1 178
−242
−197
739
1 775
−322
980
223
2 656

4 767
4 071
−2 197
−626
59

1 307
−875

432
−90
−178
164
−1 081
−917

541
−357

185
11
−20

175
−38
−25
112
−805
−45
176
−52
−727

2 656
2 296
−1 758
−334
380

584
−402

182
39
−88
133
−137
−4

1 870
−933

937
13
−28

922
−188
−139
596
591
−151
346
151
937

4

4
−123

−119
70
−140
−190
11
−179

395
−91

304
1
−26

278
−72
−211
−6
−184
−50
479
172
417

Total
FY 2019

58 325
57 120
−40 913
−9 536
452

7 123
−3 639

3 485
−607
−1 672
1 206
−3 293
−2 087

9 565
−5 645

3 920
117
−249

3 788
−810
−910
2 068
−19
−841
2 911
881
2 932

Total
FY 2018

44 807
43 860
−29 904
−8 278
286

5 965
−3 624

2 341
−415
−1 570
356
638
993

895
−1 702

−808
116
−252

−943
167
−911
−1 686
−693
−67
3 059
−133
2 166

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 44

EVM balance sheet FY 2019 

USD m
Assets
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents
In-force business assets
Retrocession assets
Other assets
Total assets

Liabilities
In-force business liabilities
Retrocession liabilities
Provision for capital costs
Future income tax liabilities
Debt
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Economic net worth
Total liabilities and economic net worth

Reinsurance

P&C Re

L&H Re

100 977
5 372
271 110
40 701
8 310
426 470

313 213
39 415
8 152
4 542
22 185
13 941
401 448
25 023
426 470

61 167
3 675
20 125
2 744
5 101
92 812

63 537
662
922
−93
6 968
10 681
82 676
10 136
92 812

39 811
1 697
250 985
37 957
3 208
333 658

249 676
38 753
7 231
4 635
15 216
3 260
318 772
14 887
333 658

Corporate
Solutions

8 027
1 696
2 564
6 741
1 058
20 087

14 870
1 390
257
−264
866
662
17 780
2 306
20 087

Life
Capital

53 808
2 540
39 076
25 049
1 022
121 496

87 513
25 392
1 441
183
1 847
1 164
117 540
3 955
121 496

Group
items

5 745
2

1 756
7 503

776

−259
626
1 505
2 649
4 854
7 503

Consolidation

−13 544

−46 424
−46 419
−8 689
−115 075

−46 405
−46 445

−11 807
−10 419
−115 075
0
−115 075

Total 
FY 2019

155 013
9 611
266 327
26 072
3 457
460 480

369 967
19 752
9 850
4 203
13 718
6 852
424 342
36 138
460 480

Total
FY 2018

143 663
5 695
223 075
22 170
3 540
398 142

315 737
17 114
7 569
4 264
11 180
6 285
362 149
35 993
398 142

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 45

Development of ENW

USD m

Dividends
–1.7
Share buyback –0.9

2 932

–2 590

– 197

35 993

36 138

ENW as of 1 January 2019

Total contribution
to ENW

Dividends and
share buyback

1

Other, including foreign
exchange on ENW

ENW as of 31 December 2019

 Increase in ENW driven by total contribution to ENW, partially offset by capital returned to shareholders

1 Includes USD 111m of the share buyback programme announced in 2018 and completed on 15 February 2019, and USD 820m from the share buyback programme launched on 6 May 2019

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 46

Reconciliation of EVM ENW to US GAAP shareholders’ equity

USD m

29 251

-895

414

225

-4 678

-2 605

23 795

-10 026

659

36 138

US GAAP 
shareholders’ 
equity

Discounting

Investments 
and debt

Reserving 
basis

Recognition 
differences

Goodwill 
and other 
intangibles

Taxes

Capital costs

Other

Economic 
net worth 
(ENW)

 Main variance represents the valuation of liabilities, especially for L&H Reinsurance 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

47

Reconciliation of ENW to SST available capital

USD m

36 138

9 850

4 203

-960

49 231

-389

-2 785

46 057

5 239

51 295

-9 422

41 873

Economic 
net worth 
(ENW)

Reversal of 
provision 
for capital 
costs

Reversal of 
future 
income tax 
liabilities

Other 
adjustments

SST net 
asset value 
(NAV)

Deferred 
tax on real 
estate

Projected 
capital 
repatriation

SST core 
capital

Supplementary 
capital

SST risk 
bearing 
capital 
(RBC)

Market 
value 
margin 
(MVM)

SST 
available 
capital

 Main adjustments involve reversal of EVM capital costs not relevant for SST capital, as well as projected capital repatriation, supplementary 

capital and the market value margin (MVM) 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

48

Our capital management priorities remain unchanged

Swiss Re’s capital management priorities remain unchanged

I.  Ensure superior capitalisation at all times and maximise financial 

flexibility

II.  Grow the regular dividend with long-term earnings, and at a 

minimum maintain it

III.  Deploy capital for business growth where it meets our strategy and  

profitability requirements

IV.  Repatriate further excess capital to shareholders

I

IV

II

III

Group SST ratio

SST 19
251%

SST 20
232%

Rating

AA-/Aa3/A+

USD 8.1bn2
ordinary dividend 
(FY 15 to FY 19)

Payout ratio 
55%1

Capital management priorities

USD 5.1bn3

special dividend &        

buyback
(FY 15 to FY 19)

Extraordinary
Payout ratio 34%1

Business 
reinvestments

Acquisitions

1 Payout ratio calculated as capital repatriation over total contribution to ENW; assumes AGM approval of the proposed ordinary dividend of CHF 5.90 per share and the share buyback of up to CHF 1bn
2 Includes AGM 2020 proposal for ordinary dividend of CHF 5.90 per share
3 Includes AGM 2020 proposal for share buyback programme of up to CHF 1bn

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

49

Swiss Re applies holistic capital allocation approach to systematically 
deploy capital to risk pools and maximise shareholder value creation

Two strategic steering frameworks complementing each other

Optimised performance
ROE

Risk Appetite Framework

EVM

Risk Appetite 
Statement

Types of risks to 
be pursued or 
avoided

Risk tolerance

Boundaries to 
risk taking

Market consistent valuation 
across all businesses

Capital costs for 
risk-adjusted 
performance

EVM profit as measure for 
shareholder value creation

Group financial targets
(over-the-cycle)

ROE ≥ risk free +
700 bps1

Total shareholder return 
ENW per share growth
10% p.a.2

translates to

EVM profit embedded in the 
performance cycle

Solvency capital generation 
based on Swiss Re’s SST capitalisation target

1  700 bps above 10y US Govt. bonds. Management to monitor a basket of rates reflecting Swiss Re’s business mix
2  The 10% ENW per share growth target is calculated as follows: (current-year closing ENW per share + current-year dividends per share) / (prior-year closing ENW per share + current-year opening balance sheet adjustments per 

share). This new target applies from 1 January 2016 

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 50

P&C reserving methods

No to little 
reported
experience

Costing  
view

Initial loss 
pick

The costing loss ratio (‘P0’) is the starting reserving estimate based on the underwriter’s view of the risk

The initial loss pick (a priori loss ratio or ‘APLR’) could be the same as P0 or be adjusted for new information regarding loss trends, 
rate changes or more conservative/optimistic underwriter estimates (as approved by the Regional Reserving Committees)

BF

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson (‘BF’) method assumes that the future claims experience is in line with that anticipated by the initial loss 
pick assumption and is not based on year to date claims experience

Benktander

The Benktander method is a weighted average of the BF and Chain Ladder methods. The weighted average is linked to the reported 
development pattern (i.e. the older the Underwriting Year, the more weight is given to Chain Ladder method)

Credible 
reported 
experience

Chain 
Ladder

The Chain Ladder method assumes past trends will be repeated (i.e. based on experience) and extrapolates the current position to
ultimate using historical development trends. It is completely independent of P0 or initial loss pick

• P&C Reserving indications, particularly for long-tail lines, are generally a blend of the initial costing loss ratio and actual reported experience, 

with more weighting given to experience over time

• Reserving for non-traditional business, such as retroactive deals, is carried out on a deal-by-deal basis according to each deal’s specifications

• For large events, which are sudden and unexpected, a separate process combines all the relevant expertise in estimating the ultimate loss

• Reserving for claims subject to periodic payments depending on survival, eg workers’ comp or motor liability, is performed separately

• Reserving for asbestos and environmental (A&E) claims is based on benchmarks which are reassessed annually

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 51

Underwriting year triangles disclosed online and accident year triangles 
disclosed in the Financial Report

Underwriting year (UY) triangle

Accident year (AY) triangle1

1

1 Required supplementary information

The above shows Swiss Re property Reinsurance figures and chart as an 
example of the underwriting year P&C loss ratio development triangles

The above triangle shows P&C Reinsurance – property as an example of the 
accident year triangles disclosed in the Financial Report

 UY triangle is the basis to determine best estimate ultimate claims

 AY triangle can give an indication of how Swiss Re’s initial estimation has developed over time

1  Note that the AY triangles for P&C Re do not include impact of ADC/LPT with Corporate Solutions since this is part of the current year; Corporate 

Solutions AY triangles are however shown net of the ADC/LPT impact

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

52

Underwriting and accident year triangles serve different purposes

Definition

Basis

Data

UY triangles

AY triangles1

Underwriting year groups claims information according to 
the calendar year in which the original policy or reinsurance 
contract was incepted

Accident year groups claims information by the calendar year in 
which the claim event (the date of loss) falls

Gross of external retrocession

Net of internal and external retrocession 

Paid and reported loss ratio triangles, earned premiums net 
of commissions and latest IBNR

Paid and incurred (i.e. reported plus IBNR) claims triangles

Scope

Traditional P&C business

Traditional and non-traditional business

• Project paid or reported claims to ultimate and are the 

• Give an indication on how the ultimate loss (i.e. reported 

Purpose

basis for deriving the best estimate reserves

• Used internally to project to ultimate

plus IBNR) developed over time

• Constructed in order to comply with US GAAP reporting 

requirement

Number of years 
disclosed

16 underwriting years

10 accident years for Reinsurance and 8 accident years for 
Corporate Solutions

1  Note that the AY triangles for P&C Re do not include impact of ADC/LPT with Corporate Solutions since this is part of the current year; Corporate 

Solutions AY triangles are however shown net of the ADC/LPT impact

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

53

Reserve walk between underwriting and accident year triangles

P&C gross reserves displayed in the underwriting year triangles to gross US GAAP 
reserves as published in
Note 5 in the Financial Report

P&C and L&H reserves as 
published in the Financial 
Report

Net US GAAP reserves to net P&C reserves displayed in 
the accident year triangles

15.2

72.2

-3.9

68.3

-1.1

-14.7

10.0

1.8

2.6

1.1

-0.6

USD bn

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

42.2

UY 2004-2019
P&C gross reserves
on UY basis

Other traditional
business incl.
reserves for prior
UY

US Asbestos &
Environmental

Non-traditional
business

Unallocated Loss
Adjustment
Expense (ULAE)

Acquisition
method
accounting

Gross L&H (short
and long duration)

Published gross
USGAAP Reserves

Retro

Published net
USGAAP Reserves

ULAE

Net L&H (short and
long duration)

0.8

-12.7

40.6

Acquisition
method
accounting & other
L&H discounting

Reserves for prior
AY

Displayed P&C net
reserves on AY
basis (CorSo: 8
years and
Reinsurance: 10
years)

 UY triangles and AY triangles are used for different purposes and are on a different basis 

 AY triangles show paid and incurred claims, i.e. reported claims and IBNR, while, UY triangles show paid and reported claims

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 54

Swiss Re’s P&C reserves are large, diversified and resilient

P&C Re

Corporate Solutions

2019 total reserves of USD 44.2bn

2019 total reserves of USD 11.5bn

12%

18%

70%

Property

Casualty

Specialty

12%

15%

73%

US casualty
USD 15.2bn

21%

US liability
USD  9.7bn

18%

US casualty
USD 5.8bn

23%

15%

64%

15%

3%

67%

Liability

Motor

Accident & Health

UY 2014 & onwards (78% IBNR)
UY 1991-2013 (58% IBNR)
UY 1990 & Prior (63% IBNR)

74%

Liability
Motor
Accident & Health

Property

Casualty

Specialty

US liability
USD  4.3bn

11%

17%

72%

UY 2014 & onwards (71% IBNR)
UY 1991-2013 (59% IBNR)
UY 1990 & Prior (60% IBNR)

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

55

Cautionary note on forward-looking statements

Certain statements and illustrations contained herein are forward-looking. These statements (including as to plans, objectives, targets, and trends) and illustrations provide current expectations of future events based on certain 
assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical fact or current fact.

Forward-looking statements typically are identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate”, “assume”, “believe”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “foresee”, “intend”, “may increase”, “may fluctuate” and similar expressions, or by 
future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “should”, “would” and “could”. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the Group’s actual results of operations, 
financial condition, solvency ratios, capital or liquidity positions or prospects to be materially different from any future results of operations, financial condition, solvency ratios, capital or liquidity positions or prospects expressed or 
implied by such statements or cause Swiss Re to not achieve its published targets. Such factors include, among others:
•
•

the frequency, severity and development of insured claim events, particularly natural catastrophes, man-
made disasters, pandemics, acts of terrorism or acts of war; 

•

•

•
•

• mortality, morbidity and longevity experience;
the cyclicality of the reinsurance sector; 
•
central bank intervention in the financial markets, trade wars or other protectionist measures relating to 
•
international trade arrangements, adverse geopolitical events, domestic political upheavals or other 
developments that adversely impact global economic conditions;
increased volatility of, and/or disruption in, global capital and credit markets; 
the Group’s ability to maintain sufficient liquidity and access to capital markets, including sufficient liquidity 
to cover potential recapture of reinsurance agreements, early calls of debt or debt-like arrangements and 
collateral calls due to actual or perceived deterioration of the Group’s financial strength or otherwise;
the Group’s inability to realize amounts on sales of securities on the Group’s balance sheet equivalent to 
their values recorded for accounting purposes;
the Group’s inability to generate sufficient investment income from its investment portfolio, including as a 
result of fluctuations in the equity and fixed income markets, the composition of the investment portfolio or 
otherwise; 
changes in legislation and regulation, or the interpretations thereof by regulators and courts, affecting the 
Group or its ceding companies, including as a result of comprehensive reform or shifts away from 
multilateral approaches to regulation of global operations;
the lowering or loss of one of the financial strength or other ratings of one or more companies in the Group, 
and developments adversely affecting its ability to achieve improved ratings;
uncertainties in estimating reserves, including differences between actual claims experience and 
underwriting and reserving assumptions;
policy renewal and lapse rates;
uncertainties in estimating future claims for purposes of financial reporting, particularly with respect to large 
natural catastrophes and certain large man-made losses, as significant uncertainties may be involved in 
estimating losses from such events and preliminary estimates may be subject to change as new information 
becomes available;

•
•

•

•

•

•

•

•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•

•
•

legal actions or regulatory investigations or actions, including in respect of industry requirements or 
business conduct rules of general applicability;
the outcome of tax audits, the ability to realize tax loss carryforwards and the ability to realize deferred tax 
assets (including by reason of the mix of earnings in a jurisdiction or deemed change of control), which 
could negatively impact future earnings, and the overall impact of changes in tax regimes on the Group’s 
business model; 
changes in accounting estimates or assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues 
or expenses, including contingent assets and liabilities; 
changes in accounting standards, practices or policies;
strengthening or weakening of foreign currencies; 
reforms of, or other potential changes to, benchmark reference rates;  
failure of the Group’s hedging arrangements to be effective;
significant investments, acquisitions or dispositions, and any delays, unforeseen liabilities or other costs, 
lower-than-expected benefits, impairments, ratings action or other issues experienced in connection with 
any such transactions;
extraordinary events affecting the Group’s clients and other counterparties, such as bankruptcies, 
liquidations and other credit-related events;
changing levels of competition; 
the effects of business disruption due to terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, natural catastrophes, public health 
emergencies, hostilities or other events; 
limitations on the ability of the Group’s subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions; and 
operational factors, including the efficacy of risk management and other internal procedures in anticipating 
and managing the foregoing risks.

These factors are not exhaustive. Swiss Re operates in a continually changing environment and new risks emerge continually. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Swiss Re undertakes 
no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This communication is not intended to be a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and does not constitute an offer for the sale of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction, including the United States.  
Any such offer will only be made by means of a prospectus or offering memorandum, and in compliance with applicable securities laws.

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

56

Corporate calendar & contacts

Corporate calendar

2020
17 April 
30 April
19 May
31 July
30 October
20 November

156th Annual General Meeting
Q1 2020 Key Financial Data
Management Dialogues
H1 2020 Results
9M 2020 Key Financial Data
Investors’ Day 2020

Investor Relations contacts

Hotline
+41 43 285 4444

E-mail
Investor_Relations@swissre.com

Philippe Brahin
+41 43 285 7212

Olivia Brindle
+41 43 285 64 37

Daniel Bischof
+41 43 285 46 35

Deborah Gillott
+41 43 285 25 15

Iunia Rauch-Chisacof
+41 43 285 7844

Zuzanna Prabucka
+41 43 285 48 56

Conference call
Zurich
Conference call
Conference call
Zurich

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

57

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report 58

Legal notice

©2020 Swiss Re. All rights reserved. You are not permitted to create any modifications 
or derivative works of this presentation or to use it for commercial or other public purposes 
without the prior written permission of Swiss Re.
The information and opinions contained in the presentation are provided as at the date of 
the presentation and are subject to change without notice. Although the information used 
was taken from reliable sources, Swiss Re does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy 
or comprehensiveness of the details given. All liability for the accuracy and completeness 
thereof or for any damage or loss resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
presentation is expressly excluded. Under no circumstances shall Swiss Re or its Group 
companies be liable for any financial or consequential loss relating to this presentation.

Extracts from Swiss Re’s 2019 Annual Report

59