6. Variable Interest Entities

The Company invests in certain affordable housing and real estate joint ventures which are considered to be variable interest entities (VIEs) and are included in Real Estate in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The assets held in affordable housing real estate joint venture VIEs are primarily residential real estate properties that are restricted to provide affordable housing under federal or state programs for varying periods of time. The restrictions primarily apply to the rents that may be paid by tenants residing in the properties during the term of an agreement to remain in the affordable housing program. Investments in real estate joint ventures are equity interests in partnerships or limited liability companies that may or may not participate in profits or residual value. In certain cases, the Company may issue fixed-rate senior mortgage loan investments secured by properties controlled by VIEs. These investments are classified as mortgage loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the income received from such investments is recorded as investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Investments in the affordable housing real estate and real estate joint ventures are interests that will absorb portions of the VIE's expected losses or receive portions of expected residual returns of the VIE's net assets exclusive of variable interests. The Company makes an initial assessment of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time of the initial investment and on an ongoing basis thereafter. The Company considers many factors when making this determination based upon a review of the underlying investment agreement and other information related to the specific investment. The first factor is whether the Company has the ability to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. The power to direct the activities of the VIE is generally vested in the managing general partner or managing member of the VIE, which is not the position held by the Company in these investments. Other factors include the entity's equity investment at risk, decision-making abilities, obligations to absorb economic risks and the right to receive economic rewards of the entity; and the extent to which the Company shares in the VIE's expected losses and residual returns.

Most of the Company's investment interests in VIEs not in the form of a fixed-rate senior mortgage debt investment are recorded using the equity method, with cash distributions from the VIE and cash contributions to the VIE recorded as decreases or increases, respectively, in the carrying value of the VIE. Certain other equity investments in VIEs, where permitted, are recorded on an amortized cost basis. The operating performance of investments in the VIE is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as investment income or as a component of income tax expense, depending upon the nature and primary design of the investment. The Company evaluates the carrying value of VIEs for impairment on an ongoing basis to assess whether the carrying value is expected to be realized during the anticipated life of the investment. Fixed-rate senior mortgage debt investments secured by properties controlled by VIEs are classified as commercial mortgages, and income received from such investments is recorded as investment income.

The following table presents the carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs for which the Company holds a variable interest, but is not the primary beneficiary, and which have not been consolidated at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The table includes investments in 11 real estate joint ventures and 28 affordable housing real estate joint ventures as of September 30, 2011 and investments in 10 real estate joint ventures and 28 affordable housing real estate joint ventures as of December 31, 2010.

The maximum exposure to loss relating to the real estate joint ventures and affordable housing real estate joint ventures, as shown in the table above, is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded equity commitments, exposure to potential recapture of tax credits, guarantees of debt or other obligations of the VIE with recourse to the Company. Unfunded equity and loan commitments typically require financial or operating performance by other parties and have not yet become due or payable but which may become due in the future. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had $6.9 million and $9.2 million, respectively, in fixed-rate senior mortgage loan commitments outstanding to the benefit of entities that are also real estate joint venture VIEs. The loan commitments are included in the discussion of commitments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for both periods. The Company also has contingent commitments to fund additional equity contributions and operating support to certain real estate joint venture VIEs, which could result in additional exposure to loss. However, the Company is not able to quantify the amount of these contingent commitments.

In addition, the maximum exposure to loss on affordable housing joint ventures as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 includes $14.4 million and $12.0 million, respectively, of losses which could be realized if the tax credits received by the VIEs were recaptured. Recapture events would cause the Company to reverse some or all of the benefit previously recognized by the Company or third parties to whom the tax credit interests were transferred. A recapture event can occur at any time during a 15-year required compliance period. The principal causes of recapture include financial default and non-compliance with affordable housing program requirements by the properties controlled by the VIE. The potential exposure due to recapture may be mitigated by guarantees from the managing member or managing partner in the VIE, insurance contracts, or changes in the residual value accruing to the Company's interests in the VIEs.