Document



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________________________________________
FORM 11-K
_________________________________________________________
 
(Mark One)
ý      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
 
or
 
o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________

___________________________________________________________________
 
Commission file number: 001-10898
___________________________________________________________________

A.        Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

___________________________________________________________________
 
The Travelers 401 (k) Savings Plan
385 Washington Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
___________________________________________________________________

B.        Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

___________________________________________________________________
 
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
485 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
___________________________________________________________________








REQUIRED INFORMATION
 
The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan) is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Form 11-K has included for filing herewith the Plan financial statements and schedule prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA.
 
 
 
Page
Financial Statements and Schedule
 
 

 
 
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 

 
 
 

Financial Statements:
 
 

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
 

 
 
 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 

 
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
 

 
 
 

Supplemental Schedule*:
 
 

 
 
 

Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2017
 

 
 
 

Signature
 

 
 
 

Exhibit 
 
18

 

* Other schedules required by Form 5500, which are not applicable, have not been included.


2



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Plan Administrative Committee and Plan Participants of
The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan:
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, and the related notes and schedule (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Plan in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Accompanying Supplemental Information
 
The supplemental information in the accompanying Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2017 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan’s financial statements. The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In forming our opinion on the supplemental information, we evaluated whether the supplemental information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the supplemental information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
 
 
We have served as the Plan’s auditor since 1968.
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
June 15, 2018
 


3



THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
(In thousands)
At December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 

 
 

Investments:
 
 

 
 

At fair value:
 
 

 
 

Mutual funds
 
$
3,333,511

 
$
2,827,365

Collective/common trust funds
 
1,801,974

 
1,370,812

Common stock
 
422,179

 
426,042

Fidelity BrokerageLink investments
 
155,576

 
130,973

Short-term investments
 
18,260

 
15,830

Total investments, at fair value
 
5,731,500

 
4,771,022

 
 
 
 
 
At contract value:
 
 

 
 

Fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
 
600,679

 
614,878

Total investments
 
6,332,179

 
5,385,900

 
 
 
 
 
Receivables:
 
 

 
 

Employer contributions
 
111,250

 
107,158

Notes receivable from participants
 
94,952

 
92,959

Other receivables
 
2,486

 
2,685

Total receivables
 
208,688

 
202,802

 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
39

 
37

 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
6,540,906

 
5,588,739

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 

Accrued expenses
 
502

 
466

Other payables
 
3,773

 
3,479

Total liabilities
 
4,275

 
3,945

 
 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits
 
$
6,536,631

 
$
5,584,794



See accompanying notes to financial statements.


4



THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to net assets attributed to:
 
 
 
 
Investment income:
 
 
 
 
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
 
$
721,985

 
$
253,765

Mutual fund dividends
 
182,190

 
96,516

Interest
 
15,350

 
14,659

Common stock dividends
 
10,306

 
11,075

Preferred stock dividends
 
32

 
34

Total investment income
 
929,863

 
376,049

 
 
 
 
 
Contributions:
 
 
 
 
Employee
 
233,658

 
227,104

Employer
 
111,250

 
107,158

Rollover and other
 
36,246

 
31,398

Total contributions
 
381,154

 
365,660

 
 
 
 
 
Total additions, net
 
1,311,017

 
741,709

 
 
 
 
 
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
 
 
 
 
Paid to participants in cash
 
347,756

 
329,958

Common stock distributed at fair value
 
6,477

 
7,237

Administrative expenses
 
4,947

 
4,502

Total deductions
 
359,180

 
341,697

 
 
 
 
 
Net increase
 
951,837

 
400,012

 
 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits:
 
 
 
 
Beginning of year
 
5,584,794

 
5,184,782

End of year
 
$
6,536,631

 
$
5,584,794



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



5


THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
 
The following brief description of The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan) is provided for general information purposes.  Participants should refer to the Plan document and the summary plan description for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
 
General
 
The Plan is a defined contribution 401(k) plan, which provides retirement and other benefits to eligible employees of participating companies.  The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) and participating affiliated employers (collectively, the Company) currently participate in the Plan.  TRV has appointed the Administrative Committee as the delegated authority for administrative matters involving the Plan and the Benefit Plans Investment Committee as the delegated authority for management and control of the assets of the Plan (including the designation of investment funds).  Fidelity Management Trust Company (FMTC) is the trustee for the trust maintained in connection with the Plan.  The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).
 
Participation
 
All U.S. employees of participating companies, as defined by the Plan, are eligible to participate immediately upon employment, subject to limited exclusions.
 
Employee Contributions
 
Eligible employees who elect to participate in the Plan may contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation (as defined by the Plan) into the Plan subject to the statutory limitation of $18,000.  A participant who is, or will be, age 50 or older by the end of the year could make additional catch-up contributions of up to $6,000. Employee contributions can be made pre-tax, after-tax through the Roth 401(k) or a combination of both up to the applicable limit. Newly hired eligible employees are automatically enrolled at a 5% pre-tax contribution rate if they do not affirmatively make an election (i) not to participate; (ii) to participate at a different rate; or (iii) to contribute on an after-tax Roth 401(k) basis.  Temporary status employees are eligible to participate in the Plan; however, they will not be automatically enrolled.
 
The Plan allows for rollover contributions to be made to the Plan by eligible participants.  These rollover contributions are eligible distributions from employer plans or individual retirement accounts (excluding Roth IRAs) either by a direct rollover to the Plan or by a distribution followed by a contribution within sixty days of receipt.
 
Employer Contributions
 
The Company matches 100% of the Plan participant’s contributions up to the first 5% of annual eligible pay, subject to a maximum annual match amount of $6,500.  The Company matching contribution is made once a year and is invested according to the participant’s current investment election for new contributions going into the Plan.  Employer contributions totaling $110,848,391 for plan year 2017 and $106,717,586 for plan year 2016 were made into the Plan in January 2018 and January 2017, respectively.  Except for cases of retirement or termination due to disability or death, the matching contribution was made only for participants employed on the last working day of December.
 
The Plan also provides a supplemental contribution to certain eligible participants.  The supplemental contribution amount for each eligible participant is fixed for each year the participant remains actively employed with the Company.  Supplemental contributions totaling $401,135 for plan year 2017 and $440,403 for plan year 2016 were made to the Plan in January 2018 and January 2017, respectively.
 
Participant Accounts
 
Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions, employer contributions and allocations of Plan earnings as defined by the Plan.  The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.
 

6

THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued

1.    DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN, Continued


Participants generally may elect to have their contributions invested in the funds listed in the Plan’s provisions as they choose and may generally also transfer their balances daily among these funds.  Limitations apply to investment of participant accounts in TRV stock as well as to direct exchanges from the Stable Value Fund to the Vanguard U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund.  Effective February 29, 2016, the TRV common stock fund was closed to new investments, with the exception of dividends.  Participants are permitted to exchange balances out of the TRV common stock fund, but they cannot direct any new contributions to, or make an exchange into, this fund.
 
Vesting
 
Participants are 100% vested in their contributions, the supplemental contributions and related earnings.  In general, participants are vested in their Company matching contributions and related earnings after three years of service.  Participants also become vested in full if they reach age 62 while employed, terminate employment due to a disability, die prior to termination of employment or while in qualified military service, or upon termination of the Plan.
 
Forfeitures
 
Forfeitures are transferred to a forfeiture account, which is maintained for the benefit of the Plan as a whole and is not attributable to any given participant.  The balance of the forfeiture account may be used to correct errors in the accounts of other participants, restore prior forfeitures, pay Plan administrative expenses or reduce matching contributions to the Plan, as directed by TRV.  At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the forfeiture account totaled $1,816,347 and $1,687,206, respectively.  Forfeitures used totaled $2,527,282 and $2,944,259 for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
Voting Rights
 
Each participant is entitled to exercise voting rights attributable to the shares of TRV stock allocated to his or her account and will be notified prior to the time that such rights are to be exercised.  FMTC will vote shares for which no directions have been timely received, and shares not credited to any participant’s account, in proportion to the vote cast by participants who have timely voted.  
 
Notes Receivable from Participants
 
Participants may request to receive a loan from the Plan subject to a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of the lesser of 50% of the participant’s vested account balance or $50,000 minus the highest outstanding loan balance during the past 12 months.  Participants can only have two loans outstanding at any one time.  The interest rate established at the inception of a new loan is equal to the prime lending rate as reported by Reuters as of the last business day of the month prior to the month in which the loan originates, plus one percentage point.  Generally, loans are repaid by payroll deduction over a maximum period of five years (twenty years if the loan is designated as a primary residence loan).  A one-time set-up fee of $35 per loan is charged against the participant’s account.  In addition, ongoing quarterly loan maintenance fees of $3.75 per loan are charged against the participant’s account for each calendar quarter in which a balance on such loan is outstanding. At December 31, 2017, there were 11,576 outstanding loans totaling $94,951,967.  At December 31, 2016, there were 11,550 outstanding loans totaling $92,958,448.
 
Distributions and Withdrawals
 
Participants or beneficiaries may receive distributions from vested accounts under the Plan upon termination of employment, retirement, or death.  Distributions are made in the form of a lump-sum payment, or, if the vested account balance is greater than $5,000, participants may elect to have distributions made in full, partial or periodic installments. If a participant’s vested account balance following termination of employment is more than $1,000, but not more than $5,000, and the participant does not provide distribution instructions, the account will automatically be rolled over to a Fidelity IRA.
 
Participants are allowed to take in-service withdrawals from vested accounts after age 59½.  Prior to that age, withdrawals are allowed from selected accounts in the event of a defined financial hardship to satisfy the financial need.  Any hardship withdrawal prior to age 59½ from an account that holds 401(k) contributions is generally limited to the amount of 401(k) contributions made to such account, reduced by prior withdrawals from the account.  Withdrawals are also allowed for any reason from accounts funded by rollover contributions, as well as from certain after-tax accounts and predecessor accounts.  The after-tax accounts relate to employee after-tax contributions made under prior rules of the legacy plans (these are separate from Roth 401(k) contributions).  The predecessor accounts eligible for early withdrawal are accounts that were established in various legacy plans that require

7

THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued

1.    DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN, Continued


separate recordkeeping.  Other special withdrawal rights may apply to certain specified accounts or with respect to certain specified participants or upon the occurrence of a qualified disaster.
 
In-service withdrawals from accounts holding Roth 401(k) contributions are generally allowed under the same circumstances as withdrawals from accounts holding pre-tax 401(k) contributions, but Roth 401(k) contributions are generally withdrawn last.  The Plan also provides for an in-plan Roth conversion for amounts eligible for withdrawal (other than for hardship).  An in-plan Roth conversion permits the participant to pay income tax on pre-tax amounts and convert them to Roth status.
 
A withdrawal or distribution can be in the form of cash, in the form of TRV common shares to the extent an account is invested in TRV common shares, or in kind in certain circumstances.  Any hardship withdrawal prior to age 59½ is in the form of cash.
 
Fidelity BrokerageLink Investments Fees
 
The Fidelity BrokerageLink investment option allows a participant to establish a brokerage account with Fidelity, which provides the opportunity to select from thousands of mutual funds, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities and other financial instruments. While there are no BrokerageLink annual account fees charged to participants, the investment options available through BrokerageLink have associated fees.
 
Administrative Expenses
 
Administrative expenses of the Plan are paid by the participants of the Plan to the extent not paid by the Company and allowable by the Plan.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying Plan financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
 
Plan investments, other than short-term money market investments and fully benefit-responsive investment contracts, are stated at fair value (see Note 3).  Short-term money market investments are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates their fair value.  Fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are valued at contract value, which is the relevant measurement attribute because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.  Purchases and sales of all securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.
 
Notes receivable from participants are valued at their outstanding balances.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
Risks and Uncertainties
 
The Plan invests in various investment securities.  Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term that could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.
 
The Plan provides for investment in TRV’s common stock fund.  Effective February 29, 2016, no new contributions (including Company match contributions) or investment transfers into the TRV common stock fund were allowed.  Dividends paid on shares in participants’ accounts invested in the TRV common stock fund will continue to be reinvested in the TRV common stock fund, unless participants elect to receive dividends in cash.  At December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately 6% and 8% of the Plan’s

8

THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued

total assets, respectively, were invested in the common stock of TRV.  The underlying value of the TRV common stock is entirely dependent upon the performance of the Company and the market’s evaluation of such performance.
 
Income Recognition
 
Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.  Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.  Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments includes gains and losses in investments sold during the year as well as appreciation and depreciation of the investments held at the end of the year.
 
Payment of Benefits
 
Benefit payments are recorded when paid.
 
3.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
The Plan’s estimates of fair value for financial assets are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance.  The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available.  The disclosure of fair value estimates in the fair value accounting guidance hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable.  In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Plan’s significant market assumptions.  The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is reported is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.  The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
 
·                  Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.
 
·                  Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
 
·                  Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable.  The unobservable inputs reflect the Plan’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use.
 
Valuation of Investments Reported at Fair Value in Financial Statements
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the estimated amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated, willing parties, i.e., not in a forced transaction.  The estimated fair value of a financial instrument may differ from the amount that could be realized if the security was sold in an immediate sale, e.g., a forced transaction.  Additionally, the valuation of investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid due to the lack of market based inputs, which may increase the potential that the estimated fair value of an investment is not reflective of the price at which an actual transaction would occur.
 
For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Plan uses the unadjusted quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy.  The Plan receives the quoted market prices from third party, nationally recognized pricing services.  When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Plan utilizes these pricing services to determine an estimate of fair value.  The fair value estimates provided from these pricing services are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  If quoted market prices and an estimate from a pricing service are unavailable, the Plan produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques, which, depending on the level of observable market inputs, will render the fair value estimate as Level 2 or Level 3.  The Plan bases all of its estimates of fair value for assets on the bid price as it represents what a third-party market participant would be willing to pay in an arm’s length transaction.
 

9

THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued

3.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

Plan investments (excluding fully benefit-responsive investment contracts) are stated at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, except for short-term investments that are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates their fair value and are included in Level 1.
 
Mutual funds are valued at their quoted net asset value.  The Plan receives prices daily at the close of trading from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and includes these estimates in the amount disclosed in Level 1.
 
The unit interests in the collective/common trust funds are valued at the net asset value per unit as reported by the sponsor of the collective/common trust funds derived from the exchange where the underlying securities are primarily traded and are redeemable daily. The Plan includes the fair value estimates of these securities in Level 2.
 
Common stocks traded on national securities exchanges are valued at their closing market prices and are included in Level 1.
 
For the majority of Fidelity BrokerageLink investments, the Plan receives prices from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and includes these estimates in the amount disclosed in Level 1 (common stock, mutual funds and government bonds).  When current market quotes in active markets are unavailable for certain equities, the Plan receives an estimate of fair value from the external pricing service.  The Plan includes the fair value estimate for these equities in Level 2.  The corporate bonds are disclosed in Level 2 since significant inputs are market observable. The certificates of deposit are valued at their certificate balances, which approximate fair value and are disclosed in Level 3 due to the significant inputs being unobservable.
 
The following tables present the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Plan’s financial assets are measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands).
 
At December 31, 2017
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Invested assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
 
$
3,333,511

 
$
3,333,511

 
$

 
$

Collective/common trust funds
 
1,801,974

 

 
1,801,974

 

Common stock
 
422,179

 
422,179

 

 

Fidelity BrokerageLink investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
59,476

 
59,374

 
102

 

Mutual funds
 
73,261

 
73,256

 
5

 

Interest-bearing cash
 
19,468

 
19,468

 

 

Corporate bonds
 
1,468

 

 
1,468

 

Certificates of deposit
 
1,072

 

 

 
1,072

Preferred stock
 
469

 
469

 

 

U.S. government securities
 
361

 
361

 

 

Other
 
1

 
1

 

 

Short-term investments
 
18,260

 
18,260

 

 

Total
 
$
5,731,500

 
$
3,926,879

 
$
1,803,549

 
$
1,072

 
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Plan’s transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 were not significant.

10

THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued

3.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

At December 31, 2016
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Invested assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
 
$
2,827,365

 
$
2,827,365

 
$

 
$

Collective/common trust funds
 
1,370,812

 

 
1,370,812

 

Common stock
 
426,042

 
426,042

 

 

Fidelity BrokerageLink investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
71,237

 
70,880

 
357

 

Mutual funds
 
33,057

 
33,057

 

 

Interest-bearing cash
 
23,293

 
23,293

 

 

Corporate bonds
 
1,462

 

 
1,462

 

Certificates of deposit
 
1,187

 

 

 
1,187

Preferred stock
 
457

 
457

 

 

U.S. government securities
 
271

 
271

 

 

Other
 
9

 
9

 

 

Short-term investments
 
15,830

 
15,830

 

 

Total
 
$
4,771,022

 
$
3,397,204

 
$
1,372,631

 
$
1,187

 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Plan’s transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 were not significant.
 
The following table presents, for the Level 3 investments in the foregoing tables, the changes in the Level 3 fair value category for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
At and for the year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
1,187

 
$
914

Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments
 
(3
)
 
5

Purchases
 
684

 
687

Sales
 
(796
)
 
(292
)
Transfers
 

 
(127
)
Balance, end of year
 
$
1,072

 
$
1,187

Amount of net appreciation (depreciation) for the period attributable to changes in fair value of assets still held at the reporting date
 
$
(3
)
 
$
4

 
The Plan had no financial assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

4.    FULLY BENEFIT-RESPONSIVE INVESTMENT CONTRACTS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
The Plan’s Stable Value Fund (the Fund) is composed primarily of Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GICs).
 
Synthetic GICs.  A Synthetic GIC is an investment contract issued by an insurance company or other financial institution, also known as a wrap contract, backed by a portfolio of bonds or other fixed income securities that are owned by the Fund.  The assets underlying the contract are maintained separate from the issuer’s general assets, usually by the Fund’s trustee or a third party custodian.  The contracts are obligated to provide an interest rate not less than zero.

The assets underlying the contracts consist of commingled funds sponsored either by Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) or Prudential Trust Company.  The contract value of the Synthetic GICs at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $600,678,879 and $614,878,041, respectively.
 
Primary variables impacting future crediting rates of the Synthetic GICs include current yield of the assets within the contract, duration of the assets covered by the contract, and existing difference between the fair value and contract value of the assets within the contract.  Synthetic GICs are designed to reset the respective crediting rate, typically on a monthly basis.  These contracts

11

THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued

4.
FULLY BENEFIT-RESPONSIVE INVESTMENT CONTRACTS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, Continued

provide that realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the assets of the Fund, but rather are amortized, over the duration of the underlying assets or other agreed upon period, through adjustments to the future interest crediting rates.  The issuer guarantees that all qualified participant withdrawals will occur at contract value, which represents contributions made under the contract, plus credited interest, less withdrawals made under the contract and administrative expenses.
 
Events Limiting Ability to Receive Contract Value.  Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer.  While the events may differ from contract to contract, the events typically include: (i) amendments to the Plan documents; (ii) changes to the Plan’s prohibition on competing investment options or deletion of equity wash provisions; (iii) complete or partial termination of the Plan or its merger with another plan; (iv) the failure of the Plan or its trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA; (v) unless made in accordance with the withdrawal provisions of the Plan, the withdrawal from the wrap contract at the direction of TRV, including withdrawals due to the removal of a specifically identifiable group of employees from coverage under the Plan (such as a group layoff or early retirement incentive program), or the closing or sale of a subsidiary, employing unit or affiliate, the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company, or the Company’s establishment of another tax qualified defined contribution plan; (vi) any change in law, regulation, ruling, administrative or judicial position or accounting requirement, in any case applicable to the Plan or Fund; (vii) the delivery of any communication to Plan participants designed to influence a participant not to invest in the Fund; or, (viii) if it is no longer permissible to account for one or more benefit-responsive agreements held in the Fund on a contract value basis under certain circumstances.  At this time, the Company does not believe that the occurrence of any events, such as those described above, which would limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.
 
Contract Termination.  Synthetic GIC wrap contracts generally are evergreen contracts that permit termination upon notice at any time, and provide for automatic termination if the contract value or the fair value of the underlying assets equals zero.  If the fair value equals zero, the issuer of the wrap contract is obligated to pay the difference between the fair value and the contract value.

If the Fund defaults in its obligations under the contract and the default is not cured within a cure period, the issuer may terminate the contract and the Fund will retain the fair value of the underlying assets as of the date of termination.  The Synthetic GICs generally permit the issuer or investment manager to convert the wrapped portfolio to a declining duration strategy, in which case the contract would terminate at a date that corresponds to the duration of the underlying fixed income portfolio on the date of an amortization election (Amortization Election).  After the effective date of an Amortization Election, the fixed income portfolio must conform to the guidelines agreed upon by the issuer and the investment manager for the Amortization Election period. Such guidelines are intended to result in the fair value equaling or exceeding the contract value of the wrapped portfolio by such termination date.  The Fund may make an Amortization Election if the contract permits the issuer to terminate at fair value, the issuer terminates the contract, and the contract provides for such an Amortization Election.
 
The Synthetic GICs are placed with financial institutions that have been approved by GSAM Stable Value, LLC’s credit review process. Currently, the Stable Value Fund’s wrap contract issuers have a Standard & Poor’s credit rating of A or equivalent or higher. Additionally, a minimum Standard & Poor’s average credit rating of AA- or equivalent is required at purchase for the issuers of the underlying fixed income investments.

5.    PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
 
Transactions resulting in Plan assets being transferred to or used by a related party are prohibited under ERISA unless a specific exemption applies.  The following transactions with related parties are specifically exempted from the “prohibited transactions” provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code:
 
·                      The Plan invests in funds managed by an affiliate of FMTC, a party-in-interest as defined by ERISA as a result of being trustee of the Plan.
 
·                      The Plan also engages in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of common stock of TRV, a party-in-interest with respect to the Plan.  Effective February 29, 2016, acquisitions were limited to dividends paid on shares in participant accounts invested in the TRV common stock fund for which the participant has not elected to receive dividends in cash.

12


THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


6.    PLAN TERMINATION
 
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, TRV has the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.  Upon such termination, the Plan administrator may direct the Plan trustee to distribute participant account balances.  Upon termination of the Plan, participant account balances would vest in full.

7.    TAX STATUS
 
The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated August 24, 2017 that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, and the Company believes that the amended Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.  Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.  At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Plan had no uncertain tax positions.

8.                       SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

There were no subsequent events requiring adjustment to the financial statements or disclosure through June 15, 2018, the date that the Plan’s financial statements were available to be issued.


13



THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, Line 4iSchedule of Assets (Held at Year End)
December 31, 2017



 
Description of Investment
 
 
 
Maturity
 
Number of
 
Current
 
Identity of Issue
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Shares/Units
 
Value
 
Mutual Funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class
 
 
 
 
 
5,987,160

 
$
174,525,726

 
Fidelity Mid-Cap Index Fund — Institutional Premium Class
 
 
 
 
 
15,772,661

 
330,910,422

 
Fidelity Puritan Fund — Class K
 
 
 
 
 
6,081,098

 
142,358,503

 
Fidelity Small-Cap Growth Fund — Class K6
 
 
 
 
 
7,804,173

 
90,606,447

 
Fidelity Small-Cap Index Fund — Institutional Class
 
 
 
 
 
3,911,386

 
79,479,373

 
Goldman Sachs Midcap Value Fund — Institutional Class
 
 
 
 
 
2,135,602

 
75,877,937

 
Janus Henderson Enterprise Fund — Class N
 
 
 
 
 
1,829,016

 
216,902,979

 
JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund — Class R6
 
 
 
 
 
10,375,074

 
403,071,615

 
Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund — Class R6
 
 
 
 
 
2,519,375

 
144,763,274

 
PIMCO Total Return Fund — Institutional Class
 
 
 
 
 
8,080,903

 
82,990,874

 
Prudential QMA Small-Cap Value Fund — Class Q
 
 
 
 
 
2,644,412

 
53,496,457

 
Thornburg International Value Fund — Class R6
 
 
 
 
 
7,082,818

 
178,345,358

 
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund — Plus Class
 
 
 
 
 
3,805,165

 
926,481,481

 
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund — Institutional Plus Class
 
 
 
 
 
34,533,836

 
371,238,741

 
Vanguard U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund — Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
62,461,881

 
62,461,881

 
Total Mutual Funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,333,511,068

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collective/Common Trust Funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SSgA World ex. U.S. Index Non-Lending Series Fund — Class A
 
 
 
 
 
29,959,941

 
423,423,842

 
SSgA Emerging Markets Index Non-Lending Series Fund — Class A
 
 
 
 
 
2,565,444

 
86,083,463

 
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
972,825

 
41,101,839

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
1,438,913

 
69,571,447

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
2,882,579

 
148,942,881

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
4,516,831

 
244,360,561

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
2,630,407

 
148,460,199

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
3,003,110

 
176,612,921

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
1,858,903

 
112,538,000

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
3,082,792

 
187,988,658

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
1,780,059

 
108,583,575

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
871,562

 
53,095,551

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
20,141

 
738,185

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Trust Plus
 
 
 
 
 
20,938

 
473,418

 
Total Collective/Common Trust Funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,801,974,540








14



THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, Line 4iSchedule of Assets (Held at Year End)
December 31, 2017



(continued)


Description of Investment
 
 
 
Maturity
 
Number of
 
Current
Identity of Issue
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Shares/Units
 
Value
Fully Benefit-Responsive Investments with Financial Institutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lincoln Financial Group, BVW0010G
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Term Fund
 
1.94
%
 
Various
 
1,242,336

 
1,242,336

2018 Term Fund
 
1.94
%
 
Various
 
17,224,994

 
17,224,994

2019 Term Fund
 
1.94
%
 
Various
 
18,915,873

 
18,915,873

2020 Term Fund
 
1.94
%
 
Various
 
18,122,517

 
18,122,517

2021 Term Fund
 
1.94
%
 
Various
 
12,511,745

 
12,511,745

Intermediate Core Fund
 
1.94
%
 
Various
 
6,829,009

 
74,980,739

Total Lincoln Financial Group, BVW0010G
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
142,998,204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Prudential Insurance Company of America, GA-63058
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Term Fund
 
1.96
%
 
Various
 
1,553,710

 
1,553,710

2018 Term Fund
 
1.96
%
 
Various
 
20,088,010

 
20,088,010

2019 Term Fund
 
1.96
%
 
Various
 
20,693,376

 
20,693,376

2020 Term Fund
 
1.96
%
 
Various
 
19,215,641

 
19,215,641

2021 Term Fund
 
1.96
%
 
Various
 
15,096,074

 
15,096,074

Prudential Core Conservative Int. Bond Fund
 
1.96
%
 
Various
 
74,568,502

 
74,568,502

Total Prudential Insurance Company of America, GA-63058
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
151,215,313

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company, MDA00987TR:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Term Fund
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
1,326,638

 
1,326,638

2018 Term Fund
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
18,478,123

 
18,478,123

2019 Term Fund
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
19,205,087

 
19,205,087

2020 Term Fund
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
15,989,818

 
15,989,818

2021 Term Fund
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
15,872,073

 
15,872,073

Dodge & Cox Int G/C - Travelers
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
27,690,564

 
27,690,564

Intermediate Core Fund
 
1.89
%
 
Various
 
4,741,608

 
52,061,626

Total Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company, MDA00987TR
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150,623,929

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, MCA-60441
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Term Fund
 
2.19
%
 
Various
 
1,006,620

 
1,006,620

2018 Term Fund
 
2.19
%
 
Various
 
12,047,039

 
12,047,039

2019 Term Fund
 
2.19
%
 
Various
 
11,629,952

 
11,629,952

2020 Term Fund
 
2.19
%
 
Various
 
11,459,112

 
11,459,112

2021 Term Fund
 
2.19
%
 
Various
 
9,963,799

 
9,963,799

Dodge & Cox Int G/C - Travelers
 
2.19
%
 
Various
 
109,734,911

 
109,734,911

Total Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, MCA-60441
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
155,841,433

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fully Benefit-Responsive Investments with Financial Institutions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
600,678,879



15



THE TRAVELERS 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, Line 4iSchedule of Assets (Held at Year End)
December 31, 2017



(continued)

 
Description of Investment
 
 
 
Maturity
 
Number of
 
Current
 
Identity of Issue
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Shares/Units
 
Value
 
Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
3,112,495

 
422,178,822

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Fidelity BrokerageLink Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
155,575,599

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-Term Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Fidelity Management Trust Company, Institutional Cash Portfolio, MM Fund Class 1 Shares
 
1.05%
 
Due on Demand
 
 
 
18,259,939

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Notes receivable from participants (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94,951,967

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,427,130,814



See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.


* Parties-in-interest as defined by ERISA.

 
(1)    11,576 loans, interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 10.50%, 5-year maximum term with the exception of home loans, which have a 20-year maximum term.


16


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
THE TRAVELERS 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
 
 
(The Plan)
 
 
 
Date: June 15, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Diane D. Bengston
 
 
Diane D. Bengston
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources
Officer and Plan Administrator
Member of the Administrative Committee for
The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan


17