American International Group, Inc. this week announced its intention to separate its Life & Retirement business from AIG.
The company’s executive management team, with assistance from independent financial and legal advisors and oversight from the AIG Board of Directors, conducted a comprehensive review of the company’s current composite structure, including strategic, operational, capital and tax implications. As a result of this review, executive management recommended, and the Board has decided to pursue, a separation of the Life & Retirement business from AIG.
AIG’s executive management and Board believe a simplified corporate structure will unlock significant value for shareholders and other stakeholders. Although no decisions have been made as to how to achieve a full separation, the Board’s intent is to accomplish it in a way that maximizes shareholder value and establishes two independent, market-leading companies, the company said in an Oct. 26 statement announcing the news.
“Over the last three years, we have taken significant action to de-risk AIG and position the company for profitable growth, including fortifying General Insurance, diversifying Life & Retirement, significantly strengthening AIG’s capital and liquidity position, and building a world-class team,” said AIG CEO Brian Duperreault. “This foundational work has positioned AIG to pursue a separation of Life & Retirement enabling both companies to prosper as stand-alone entities.”
Peter S. Zaffino, AIG’s President & Global COO, and CEO-elect, stated, “Across AIG, we have made significant progress executing on our strategy to deliver value for our clients, distribution partners, shareholders and other stakeholders. Our businesses can be further strengthened by separating Life & Retirement from AIG, which we believe will enable each entity to achieve a more appropriate and sustainable valuation.”
Douglas M. Steenland, speaking on behalf of the AIG Board of Directors, added, “The Board worked closely with executive management as they conducted a comprehensive review of AIG’s composite structure, and AIG’s Directors are confident that a separation of Life & Retirement from AIG will create value for shareholders and benefit all stakeholders.”
Since late 2017, the General Insurance business has been executing foundational work to reposition its portfolio and reduce volatility through disciplined underwriting and expense control within a clearly defined risk appetite and comprehensive reinsurance strategy. As a market leader, General Insurance will continue to focus on achieving long-term, profitable growth.
As an independent company, the Life & Retirement business will be well positioned to build value for shareholders by leveraging a broad product portfolio and diverse distribution to tailor its offerings to best meet the evolving needs of customers and distributors, the statement said.
Any separation transaction will be subject to the satisfaction of various conditions and approvals, including approval by the AIG Board of Directors, receipt of insurance and other required regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of any applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given regarding the form that a separation transaction may take or the specific terms or timing thereof, or that a separation will in fact occur.
Other major companies that have made similar moves in recent years include MetLife splitting off Brighthouse Financial in 2017 and AXA splitting off Equitable.
• SEE RELATED THREAD: AIG spinning off their life & retirement business
