Detailed Narrative
Global Platform and Strategic Optionality
RGA's diversified global platform enables strategic optionality, allowing capital deployment into the most compelling risk-adjusted opportunities worldwide. This was evidenced by notable transactions in Asia, particularly Japan, spanning both in-force and flow deals combining asset and biometric risk. The company also extended a U.S. client relationship into Canada and completed an exclusive EMEA transaction leveraging biometric expertise to unlock in-force portfolio value, a model expected to be replicated globally.
Capital Deployment and Returns
The company deployed $338 million into in-force transactions in the quarter, primarily in Asia, focusing on quality and expected returns that meet its risk-return trade-off. RGA also repurchased $50 million in shares this quarter, contributing to $175 million in total repurchases since Q3 2025. This is part of a balanced capital allocation strategy aiming for 20-30% total shareholder return of after-tax operating earnings over the long term⏳, alongside an expected $400 million allocation to reduce financial leverage in 2026.
Biometric Claims Experience and Future Earnings Impact
Economic claims experience was favorable by $117 million in Q1, with a $4 million current period financial impact, primarily driven by U.S. individual life and favorable across all regions. Since the beginning of 2023, total economic claims experience has been favorable by $343 million. This deferred favorable experience is expected to be recognized over the remaining life of the business, with an estimated annual impact of approximately $20 million to future earnings.
Investment Portfolio and Private Credit Strategy
The nonspread book yield, excluding variable investment income, was 4.85% in Q1, with a new money rate of 5.64%, providing a continued tailwind to the overall book yield. Private credit represents approximately 9% of the total portfolio, highly diversified across many issuers and asset categories, with the majority rated investment grade. This exposure is managed through a rigorous asset-liability management framework, with credit performance remaining healthy and in line with expectations.
U.S. Traditional Business and Strategic Initiatives
U.S. Traditional premium growth was up approximately 1% YoY, impacted by strategic recaptures of lower-quality, less profitable blocks in the second half of 2025, which made year-over-year comparisons more challenging. Despite this, the company continues to see very strong momentum in its strategic underwriting initiatives, including record volumes, reinforcing RGA's biometric expertise advantage and improving the overall risk profile of the business.