Statement of shareholders' equity

Dividends to shareholders were paid in the form of a withholding tax-exempt repayment out of legal reserves from capital contributions.

The Group adopted a new accounting guidance, ASU 2010-26 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts” as of 1 January 2012, which required the release of USD 24 million of deferred acquisition costs against retained earnings.

In 2000, Swiss Re and the shareholders of New California Holdings, Inc. entered into a put/call agreement for the acquisition of New California Holdings, Inc. by Swiss Re. The put/call agreement was considered a redeemable non-controlling interest; however, a value was not assigned to this instrument as the exercise was contingent on several items occurring to complete the transaction. During the second quarter of 2012, the majority of the contingencies had been resolved and the exercise of the put/call option at the predetermined price became probable. In accordance with US GAAP requirements, the difference between the carrying value of the minority interest and the redemption price, USD 132 million, was recorded against shareholders’ equity and as a reduction in the net income attributable to common shareholders for the purposes of calculating earnings per share. In August 2012, the put/call option was exercised and New California Holdings Inc. was acquired.

The sale of Swiss Re Private Equity Partners AG, the management company of Swiss Re’s private equity fund-of-fund business, to BlackRock, Inc. was closed on 4 September 2012. The sale resulted in the deconsolidation of a number of private equity funds, which led to a reduction in non-controlling interests of USD 1 400 million. In addition, New California Holdings, Inc. was acquired for USD 548 million in cash on 29 August 2012. As of acquisition date, Swiss Re also fully owned Aurora National Life Assurance Company and consequently no longer reports any non-controlling interest related to this subsidiary.