IN THIS SECTION 128 Independent auditors report 134 Accounting policies

127 IFRS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THIS SECTION 128 Independent auditors report 134 Accounting policies CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 148 Consolidated income statement 149 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 150 Reconciliation of Group operating profit to profit for the year 151 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 152 Consolidated statement of financial position 153 Consolidated statement of cash flows NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 154 1 Prior period adjustments 154 2 Exchange rates 155 3 Subsidiaries 157 4 Segmental information 164 5 Details of income 165 6 Details of expenses 166 7 Finance costs 166 8 Long-term business economic volatility 168 9 Longer-term investment return and economic assumption changes for non-long-term business 170 10 Employee information 170 11 Directors 171 12 Auditors remuneration 172 13 Tax 174 14 Earnings per share 175 15 Dividends and appropriations 176 16 Goodwill 178 17 Acquired value of in-force business (AVIF) and intangible assets 179 18 Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures 181 19 Interests in, and loans to, associates 182 20 Property and equipment 183 21 Investment property 183 22 Fair value methodology 189 23 Loans 190 24 Securitised mortgages and related assets 191 25 Interest in structured entities 193 26 Financial investments 197 27 Receivables 197 28 Deferred acquisition costs, other assets, prepayments and accrued income 198 29 Assets held to cover linked liabilities 198 30 Ordinary share capital 199 31 Group s share plans 202 32 Treasury shares 202 33 Preference share capital 203 34 Direct capital instrument and tier 1 notes 203 35 Merger reserve 204 36 Other reserves 204 37 Retained earnings 205 38 Non-controlling interests 205 39 Contract liabilities and associated reinsurance 206 40 Insurance liabilities 216 41 Liability for investment contracts 217 42 Financial guarantees and options 219 43 Reinsurance assets 221 44 Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year 222 45 Unallocated divisible surplus 222 46 Tax assets and liabilities 223 47 Provisions 224 48 Pension obligations 230 49 Borrowings 233 50 Payables and other financial liabilities 233 51 Other liabilities 233 52 Contingent liabilities and other risk factors 235 53 Commitments 235 54 Group capital management 237 55 Statement of cash flows 239 56 Risk management 250 57 Derivative financial instruments and hedging 252 58 Financial assets and liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements 254 59 Related party transactions 255 60 Organisational structure 257 61 Related undertakings 267 62 Subsequent events FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY 268 Income statement 268 Statement of comprehensive income 269 Statement of changes in equity 270 Statement of financial position 271 Statement of cash flows 272 Notes to the Company s financial statements IFRS Financial statements

128 Independent auditors report to the members of Aviva plc Report on the financial statements Our opinion In our opinion, Aviva plc s Group financial statements and company financial statements (the financial statements ): give a true and fair view of the state of the Group s and of the company s affairs as at 31 December and of the Group s and the parent company s profit and cash flows for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRSs ) as adopted by the European Union; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB As explained in the Accounting policies to the financial statements, the Group, in addition to applying IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, has also applied IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In our opinion the financial statements comply with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. What we have audited The financial statements included within the Annual Report and Accounts (the Annual Report ) comprise: the Consolidated and Company statements of financial position as at 31 December ; the Consolidated and Company income statements and statements of comprehensive income for the year then ended; the Reconciliation of Group operating profit to profit for the year then ended; the Consolidated and Company statements of changes in equity and statements of cash flows for the year then ended; the principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements; and the notes to the financial statements which include other explanatory information. Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the Annual Report, rather than in the notes to the financial statements. These are cross-referenced from the financial statements and are identified as audited. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, and applicable law. Our audit approach Context Our audit continued to focus on the valuation of insurance contract liabilities and the valuation of hard to value investments as well as the valuation of certain intangible assets established through the acquisition of the Friends Life Group in the prior year. Overview Overall group materiality: 140 million which represents 5% of operating profit before tax attributable to shareholders profits after the deduction of integration and restructuring costs. Based on the outputs of a risk assessment, along with our understanding of the Aviva structure, we performed full scope audits over the following markets; UK Life (including Friends Life), UK General Insurance, Canada, Italy and France Life. We identified a further four markets where account balances are considered to be significant in size in relation to the Group, and scoped our audit to include detailed testing of those account balances. Further audit procedures were performed by the Group engagement team, including over the head office operations and the consolidation process, to ensure that sufficient coverage was obtained. Our risk assessment analysis identified the following as areas of focus : Valuation of life insurance contract liabilities. Valuation of non-life insurance contract liabilities. Valuation of hard to value investments. Valuation of finite lived intangible assets relating to the Friends Life Group Limited acquisition. The scope of our audit and our areas of focus We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) ( ISAs (UK & Ireland) ). We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, including the allocation of our resources and effort, are identified as areas of focus in the table below. We have also set out how we tailored our audit to address these specific areas in order to provide an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures should be read in this context. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Independent auditors report to the members of Aviva plc continued 129 Area of focus Valuation of life insurance contract liabilities Refer to page 95 (Audit Committee Report), page 136 (Accounting policies) and page 207 (notes) For UK Life (including Friends Life) insurance contract liabilities, the Directors valuation of the provisions for the settlement of future claims involves complex and subjective judgements about future events, both internal and external to the business, for which small changes in assumptions can result in material impacts to the valuation of these liabilities. How our audit addressed the area of focus The work to address the valuation of the UK Life (including Friends Life) insurance contract liabilities included the following procedures: We tested on a sample basis the underlying data to source documentation. Using our actuarial specialist team members, we applied our industry knowledge and experience and we compared the methodology, models and assumptions used against recognised actuarial practices. Understood and tested the governance process in place to determine the insurance contract liabilities, including testing the associated financial reporting control framework. We tested the key judgements and controls over the preparation of the manually calculated components of the liability. We focused on the consistency in treatment and methodology period-on-period, across life insurance funds and with reference to recognised actuarial practice. We used the results of an independent PwC annual benchmarking survey of assumptions to further challenge the assumption setting process by comparing certain assumptions used relative to the Group s industry peers. Further testing was also conducted on the Annuitant Mortality, Credit Default and Expense assumptions as set out below. Based on the work performed, we consider that the assumptions used to be in line with recognised market practices and, where appropriate, industry peers. As part of our consideration of the entire set of assumptions we focused particularly on the following three within the UK Life market (including Friends Life) given their significance to the Group s result and the level of judgement involved. Annuitant Mortality Assumptions Annuitant mortality assumptions require a high degree of judgement due to the number of factors which may influence mortality experience. The differing factors which affect the assumptions are underlying mortality experience (in the portfolio), industry and management views on the future rate of mortality improvements and external factors arising from developments in the annuity market. In addition to the procedures above, in respect of the annuitant mortality assumptions: We understood and tested the governance process in place to determine the annuitant mortality methodology and assumptions. We tested the methodology used by management to derive the assumptions with reference to relevant rules and actuarial guidance and by applying our industry knowledge and experience. We assessed the results of the experience investigations carried out by UK Life (including Friends Life) management for the annuity business to determine whether they provided support for the assumptions used by management. We compared the mortality assumptions selected by UK Life (including Friends Life) against those used by their peers. IFRS Financial statements Based on the work performed and the evidence obtained, we consider the assumptions used for annuitant mortality to be reasonable. Credit default risk assumptions for corporate bonds and commercial and equity release mortgage assets UK Life (including Friends Life for corporate bonds only) has substantial holdings in asset classes with significant credit risk, notably, corporate bonds and commercial and equity release mortgages. Management use an active approach to setting the assumptions. For both corporate bonds and mortgages a long term deduction from the current market yield is made and a supplementary provision is held to cover the risk of higher short term default rates. In respect of the credit default assumptions : We understood and tested the governance process in place to determine the credit default risk methodology and assumptions. We tested the methodology and credit risk pricing models used for commercial and equity release mortgages by management to derive the assumptions with reference to relevant rules and actuarial guidance, and by applying our industry knowledge and experience. We validated significant assumptions used by management against market observable data (to the extent available and relevant) and our experience of market practices. Based on the work performed, we consider the allowance for credit default risk to be appropriate.

130 Independent auditors report to the members of Aviva plc continued Area of focus Expense Assumptions Future maintenance expenses and expense inflation assumptions are used in the measurement of insurance and participating investment contract liabilities and any associated reinsurance assets. The assumptions used require significant judgement. How our audit addressed the area of focus In respect of the expense assumptions : We understood and tested the governance process in place to determine the maintenance expense and expense inflation assumptions. We tested the methodology used by management to derive the assumptions with reference to relevant rules and actuarial guidance and by applying our industry knowledge and experience, including assessing the appropriateness of a service fee approach to allowance for internal service company arrangements. We validated significant assumptions used by management against past experience, market observable data and our experience of market practices. Based on the work performed, we consider the assumptions for expense risk to be appropriate. Valuation of non-life insurance contract liabilities Refer to page 95 (Audit Committee Report), page 136 (Accounting policies) and page 211 (notes) The estimation of non-life insurance contract liabilities involves a significant degree of judgement. The liabilities are based on the best-estimate ultimate cost of all claims incurred but not settled at a given date, whether reported or not, together with the related claims handling costs. A range of methods, including stochastic projections, may be used to determine these provisions. Underlying these methods are a number of explicit or implicit assumptions relating to the expected settlement amount and settlement patterns of claims. This includes assumptions relating to the settlement of personal injury lump sum compensation amounts. Regulators across the globe continue to focus on reserving adequacy for non-life insurers, particularly in the current market. Given their size in relation to the consolidated Group and the complexity of the judgements involved our work focused on the liabilities in the UK General Insurance and Canada markets. In the UK General Insurance and Canada markets, we assessed the Directors calculation of the non-life insurance liabilities by performing the following procedures: We tested on a sample basis the underlying data to source documentation. Using our actuarial specialist team members, we applied our industry knowledge and experience and we compared the methodology, models and assumptions used against recognised actuarial practices. Understood and tested the governance process in place to determine the insurance contract liabilities, including testing the associated financial reporting control framework. Our actuarial specialist team members performed independent reprojections on selected classes of business, particularly focusing on the largest and most uncertain reserves. For these classes we compared our re-projected claims reserves to those booked by management, and sought to understand any significant differences. For the remaining classes we evaluated the methodology and assumptions, or performed a diagnostic check to identify and follow up any anomalies. Based on the work performed we consider the non-life insurance contract liabilities to be appropriately valued. Valuation of hard to value investments Refer to page 95 (Audit Committee Report), page 136 (Accounting policies) and page 184 (notes) Given the ongoing market volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty, investment valuation continues to be an area of inherent risk. The risk is not uniform for all investment types and is greatest for the following, where the investments are hard to value because quoted prices are not readily available: Commercial mortgage loans (UK Life). Equity release and UK securitised mortgage loans (UK Life). Structured bond-type investments (France Life). Collateralised loan obligations and non-recourse loans (UK Life). For these hard to value investments we assessed both the methodology and assumptions used by management in the calculation of the year end values as well as testing the governance controls that the Directors have in place to monitor these processes. The testing included performing the following procedures: We agreed data inputs to underlying documentation. We evaluated the methodology and assumptions in particular, yield curves, discounted cash flows, property growth rates and liquidity premium used within the valuation models. We compared the assumptions used against appropriate benchmarks and investigated significant differences. We tested the operation of data integrity and change management controls for the models. We used our valuation experts to perform independent valuations, where applicable. Based on the work performed, we considered the assumptions used by management to be appropriate.

Independent auditors report to the members of Aviva plc continued 131 Area of focus How our audit addressed the area of focus Valuation of finite lived intangible assets relating to the Friends Life Group Limited acquisition Refer to page 95 (Audit Committee Report), page 136 (Accounting policies) and page 178 (notes) On acquisition of Friends Life Group Limited, Aviva recognised the Acquired Value of In Force Business AVIF ( 4,790 million) in respect of the insurance and investment contract portfolios. Under IFRS, the intangible asset is amortised each period in accordance with IAS 38 (non-participating investment contracts) and IFRS 4 (insurance contracts). Further, the Group has to, at least annually, perform impairment testing on the non-participating investment contract AVIF under IAS 36 and the insurance contract AVIF is assessed as part of the wider liability adequacy test (under IFRS 4). For the finite lived intangible assets we performed the following procedures: We agreed data to underlying documentation on a sample basis. Understood and tested the governance process in place to determine the finite lived intangible assets, including testing the associated financial reporting control framework. We examined the new amortisation and impairment methodology to check it is in accordance with IFRS requirements. We tested management s application of the methodology by reperforming the amortisation and impairment calculations as appropriate. We assessed the disclosures in the year end accounts. Based on the work performed, we consider the valuation of the finite lived intangibles to be appropriate. How we tailored the audit scope We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the group operates. Using the outputs of a risk assessment, along with our understanding of the Aviva structure, we scoped our audit based on the significance of the results and financial position of individual markets relative to the Group result and financial position. In doing so, we also considered qualitative factors and checked that we obtained sufficient coverage across all financial statement line items in the consolidated financial statements. This scope provided us with audit coverage in excess of 78% for Operating profit before tax and, after the deduction of integration and restructuring costs, 80% for Gross Written Premiums and 84% for Total Assets. The Group s primary reporting format is along market reporting lines with supplementary information being given by business activity. The operating segments of the Group are United Kingdom & Ireland (Life and General Insurance), France, Poland, Italy, Spain and Other, Canada, Asia, Aviva Investors and Other Group Activities. In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be performed at each of the markets by us, as the Group audit team, or auditors of the markets within PwC UK or from other PwC network firms operating under our instructions. Work was performed by local engagement teams in the following markets; UK Life (including Friends Life), UK General Insurance, Canada, France Life, Aviva Investors UK, Spain, Italy, Poland and Asia (Friends Provident International Limited). Where the work was performed by auditors of the markets, we determined the level of involvement we needed as the Group audit team to have in the audit work at those markets to be able to conclude whether sufficient and appropriate audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the financial statements as a whole. The Group audit team kept in regular communication with reporting market audit teams including visits to teams based in Aviva operating locations at Bristol, York and Norwich in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, Spain, Poland and Hong Kong, regular phone calls, discussions and written instructions, where appropriate. IFRS Financial statements Materiality The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements as a whole. Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows: Overall Group materiality How we determined it Rationale for benchmark applied 140 million (: 114 million). 5% of operating profit before tax attributable to shareholders profits after the deduction of integration and restructuring costs. In determining our materiality, we considered financial metrics which we believed to be relevant, and concluded, consistent with last year, that operating profit before tax and after the deduction of integration and restructuring costs was the most relevant benchmark. Operating profit presents a longer-term assessment of the performance of the entity which is more in line with the operations and time horizons of an insurer where insurance contracts and customer relationships span over multiple years. We believe that it is appropriate to deduct integration and restructuring costs as Aviva incur a base level of restructuring costs, even outside times of significant restructuring. We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above 5 million (: 5 million) as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

132 Independent auditors report to the members of Aviva plc continued Going concern Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the directors statement, set out on page 103, in relation to going concern. We have nothing to report having performed our review. Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if we have anything material to add or to draw attention to in relation to the directors statement about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. As noted in the directors statement, the directors have concluded that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The going concern basis presumes that the group and company have adequate resources to remain in operation, and that the directors intend them to do so, for at least one year from the date the financial statements were signed. As part of our audit we have concluded that the directors use of the going concern basis is appropriate. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, these statements are not a guarantee as to the group s and company s ability to continue as a going concern. Other required reporting Consistency of other information and compliance with applicable requirements Companies Act 2006 reporting In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors and corporate governance report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and the Strategic Report and the Directors and corporate governance report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. In addition, in light of the knowledge and understanding of the group, the company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we are required to report if we have identified any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors and corporate governance report. We have nothing to report in this respect. ISAs (UK & Ireland) reporting Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: Information in the Annual Report is: Materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or Apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the group and company acquired in the course of performing our audit; or Otherwise misleading. We have no exceptions to report. The statement given by the directors on page 103, in accordance with provision C.1.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code ), that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for members to assess the group s and parent company s position and performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the group and company acquired in the course of performing our audit. We have no exceptions to report. The section of the Annual Report on page 97, as required by provision C.3.8 of the Code, describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee. We have no exceptions to report. The directors assessment of the prospects of the group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of the group Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if we have anything material to add or to draw attention to in relation to: The directors confirmation on page 103 of the Annual Report, in accordance with provision C.2.1 of the Code, that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated. We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. The directors explanation on page 103 of the Annual Report, in accordance with provision C.2.2 of the Code, as to how they have assessed the prospects of the group, over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the directors statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the group and the directors statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the group. Our review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors process supporting their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the Code; and considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing our audit. We have nothing to report having performed our review.

Independent auditors report to the members of Aviva plc continued 133 Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or the company financial statements and the part of the Directors Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Directors remuneration Directors remuneration report Companies Act 2006 opinion In our opinion, the part of the Directors Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Other Companies Act 2006 reporting Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of Directors remuneration specified by law are not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Corporate governance statement Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to ten further provisions of the Code. We have nothing to report having performed our review. Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit Our responsibilities and those of the Directors As explained more fully in the Directors Responsibilities Statement set out on page 103, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board s Ethical Standards for Auditors. This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. IFRS Financial statements What an audit of financial statements involves An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group s and the company s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements. We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive procedures or a combination of both. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. With respect to the Strategic Report and Directors and corporate governance report, we consider whether those reports include the disclosures required by applicable legal requirements. Marcus Hine (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors London 8 March 2017 a The maintenance and integrity of the Aviva plc website is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website. b Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

134 Accounting policies Aviva plc (the Company ), a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom (UK), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the Group or Aviva ) transacts life assurance and long-term savings business, fund management and most classes of general insurance and health business through its subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and branches in the UK, Ireland, continental Europe, Canada, Asia and other countries throughout the world. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated. (A) Basis of preparation The consolidated financial statements and those of the Company have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as endorsed by the European Union (EU), and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to those reporting under IFRS. In addition to fulfilling their legal obligation to comply with IFRS as adopted by the EU, the Group and the Company have also complied with IFRS as issued by the IASB applicable at 31 December. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings, investment property, available-for-sale financial assets, and financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or loss. In accordance with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts, the Group has applied existing accounting practices for insurance and participating investment contracts, modified as appropriate to comply with the IFRS framework and applicable standards. Further details are given in accounting policy G. Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group s entities are measured in the currency of the primary economic environment in which that entity operates (the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are stated in pounds sterling, which is the Company s functional and presentational currency. Unless otherwise noted, the amounts shown in these financial statements are in millions of pounds sterling (). The separate financial statements of the Company are on pages 268 to 276. Comparative figures have been restated for adjustments as detailed in note 1. New standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that have been adopted by the Group The Group has adopted the following amendments to standards which became effective for the annual reporting period beginning on 1 January. (i) Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation These amendments provide additional guidance on how the depreciation or amortisation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets should be calculated. The amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 prohibit the use of revenue-based depreciation for property, plant and equipment and significantly limit the use of revenue-based amortisation for intangible assets. The adoption of these amendments has no impact for the Group s consolidated financial statements. (ii) Amendments to IAS 27, Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements The amendments to IAS 27 allow investments in subsidiaries to be accounted for using the equity method within the Company s financial statements. The Company has not elected to use the equity method in its separate financial statements. (iii) Narrow scope amendments to IFRS10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 Applying the Consolidation Exception These narrow scope amendments clarify the application of the requirements for investment entities to measure subsidiaries at fair value instead of consolidating them. There are no implications for the Group s consolidated financial statements as the Group does not meet the definition of an investment entity. (iv) Amendments to IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative These amendments form part of the IASB s Disclosure Initiative and are intended to assist entities in applying judgement in considering presentation and disclosure requirements. The amendments clarify guidance in IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements on materiality and aggregation, the presentation of subtotals, the order of the notes to financial statements and the disclosure of accounting policies. The adoption of these amendments has no impact on the Group s consolidated financial statements. (v) Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 These improvements consist of amendments to five IFRSs including IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures and IAS 19 Employee Benefits. The amendments clarify existing guidance and there is no impact on the Group s consolidated financial statements. Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Group The following new standards, amendments to existing standards have been issued, are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Group: (i) Narrow scope amendments to IAS 12 Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses The revisions to IAS 12 Income Taxes clarify the accounting for deferred tax assets on unrealised losses and state that deferred tax assets should be recognised when an asset is measured at fair value and that fair value is below the asset s tax base. It also provides further clarification on the estimation of probable future taxable profits that may support the recognition of deferred tax assets. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements as the clarifications are consistent with our existing interpretation. The amendment is effective from 1 January 2017 and has not yet been endorsed by EU. (ii) Amendments to IAS 7 Disclosure initiative The amendments to IAS 7, Statement of Cash Flows, which form part of the IASB s Disclosure Initiative, require disclosure of the movements in liabilities arising from financing activities with cash and non-cash changes presented separately. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements as the Group already voluntarily discloses this information in note 49. The amendment is effective from 1 January 2017 and has not yet been endorsed by EU.

Accounting policies continued 135 (iii) IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers IFRS 15 will replace IAS 18 Revenue and establishes a principle based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers, except for insurance contracts, financial instruments and lease contracts. IFRS 15 also includes enhanced disclosure requirements. The impact of the adoption of the new standard is being assessed by the Group. This standard applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and has been endorsed by the EU. (iv) Amendments to IFRS 2: Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions In June, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment. The amendments clarify that the fair value of a cash-settled share-based payment is determined on a basis that is consistent with that used for equitysettled share-based payments. The amendments also clarify the classification of share-based payments settled net of withholding tax as well as the accounting consequences resulting from a modification of share-based payments from cash-settled to equity-settled. The adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group s consolidated financial statements. The amendments are effective from 1 January 2018 and have not yet been endorsed by the EU. (v) IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (including amendments to IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts) In July 2014, the IASB published IFRS 9 Financial Instruments which will replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The standard incorporates new classification and measurements requirements for financial assets, the introduction of an expected credit loss impairment model which will replace the incurred loss model of IAS 39, and new hedge accounting requirements. Under IFRS 9, all financial assets will be measured at either amortised cost or fair value. The basis of classification will depend on the business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The standard retains most of IAS 39 s requirements for financial liabilities except for those designated at fair value through profit or loss whereby that part of the fair value changes attributable to own credit is to be recognised in other comprehensive income instead of the income statement. The hedge accounting requirements are more closely aligned with risk management practices and follow a more principle based approach. In September, the IASB published amendments to IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts that address the accounting consequences of the application of IFRS 9 to insurers prior to the publication of the forthcoming accounting standard for insurance contracts. The amendments introduce two options for insurers: the deferral approach and the overlay approach. The deferral approach provides an entity, if eligible, with a temporary exemption from applying IFRS 9 until the earlier of the effective date of a new insurance contract standard or 2021.The overlay approach allows an entity to remove from profit or loss the effects of some of the accounting mismatches that may occur before the new insurance contracts standard is applied. The Group is eligible to apply the deferral approach under the amendments to IFRS 4. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 on the Group s consolidated financial statements will, to a large extent, have to take into account the interaction with the forthcoming insurance contracts standard. As such, it is not possible to fully assess the effect of the adoption of IFRS 9. IFRS 9 has been endorsed by the EU. (vi) IFRS 16 Leases In January, the IASB published IFRS 16 Leases which will replace IAS 17 Leases. IFRS 16 introduces a definition of a lease with a single lessee accounting model eliminating the classification of either operating or finance leases. Lessees will be required to account for all leases in a similar manner to the current finance lease accounting recognising lease assets and liabilities on the statement of financial position. Lessor accounting remains similar to current practice. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 has yet to be fully assessed by the Group. This standard applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and has not yet been endorsed by the EU. (vii) Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2014- These improvements consist of amendments to three IFRSs including IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities and IAS 28 Investments in Associates. The amendments clarify existing guidance. The adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group s consolidated financial statements. The amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 28 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018; the amendment to IFRS 12 for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. These amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU. (viii) Amendments to IAS 40 Transfers of Investment Property In December, the IASB published amendments to IAS 40 Investment Property to clarify that transfers of property to, or from, investment property should only be made when there is evidence of a change in use of the property. The adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group s consolidated financial statements. The amendments are effective from 1 January 2018 and have not yet been endorsed by the EU. (ix) IFRIC 22, Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration In December, the IASB published IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration to clarify the accounting for transactions that include the receipt or payment of advance consideration in a foreign currency. For the purpose of determining the exchange rate, the date of the transaction is the date of initial recognition of the non-monetary prepayment asset or deferred income liability. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group s consolidated financial statements. The standard is effective for annual reporting beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and has not yet been endorsed by the EU. (B) Operating profit The long-term nature of much of the Group s operations means that, for management s decision-making and internal performance management, short-term realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are treated as non-operating items. The Group focuses instead on operating profit, a non-gaap financial performance measure, that incorporates an expected return on investments supporting its long-term and non-longterm businesses. Operating profit for long-term business is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing shareholder and policyholder funds over the reporting period, with allowance for the corresponding expected movements in liabilities. Variances between actual and expected investment IFRS Financial statements

136 Accounting policies continued returns, and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on liabilities, are disclosed separately outside operating profit. For non-long-term business, the total investment income, including realised and unrealised gains, is analysed between that calculated using a longer-term return and short-term fluctuations from that level. Further details of this analysis and the assumptions used are given in notes 8 and 9. Operating profit also excludes impairment of goodwill, associates and joint ventures; amortisation and impairment of other intangibles; amortisation and impairment of acquired value of in-force business; the profit or loss on disposal and remeasurement of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates; integration and restructuring costs; and other. Other items are those items that, in the Directors view, are required to be separately disclosed by virtue of their nature or incidence to enable a full understanding of the Group s financial performance. Details of these items are provided in the relevant notes. (C) Critical accounting policies and the use of estimates Critical accounting policies The preparation of financial statements requires the Group to select accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect items reported in the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of financial position, other primary statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee reviews the reasonableness of judgements and assumptions applied and the appropriateness of significant accounting policies. The significant issues considered by the Committee in the year are included within the Audit Committee Report on page 95. These major areas of judgement on policy application are summarised below: Item Critical accounting judgement Accounting policy Consolidation Insurance and participating investment contract liabilities Financial investments Assessment of whether the Group controls the underlying entities including consideration of its decision making authority and rights to the variable returns from the entity Assessment of the significance of insurance risk transferred to the Group in determining whether a contract should be accounted for as insurance or investment contract Classification of investments including the application of the fair value option All estimates are based on management s knowledge of current facts and circumstances, assumptions based on that knowledge and their predictions of future events and actions. Actual results may differ from those estimates, possibly significantly. The table below sets out those items considered particularly susceptible to changes in estimates and assumptions, and the relevant accounting policy and note disclosures. Item Measurement of insurance and investment contract liabilities Acquired value of in-force business ( AVIF ) and intangible assets Critical accounting assumptions Principal assumptions will include those in respect of mortality, morbidity, persistency, expense, valuation interest rates, credit default allowances on corporate bonds and valuation of guarantees AVIF is recognised, amortised and tested for impairment by reference to the present value of estimated future profits. Other intangible assets are recognised and tested for impairment using an income approach method. Significant estimates include forecast cash flows and discount rates Accounting policy L Note D G T 40b O 17 Item Goodwill impairment Fair value of financial investments, derivative financial instruments and investment property Impairment of financial assets Deferred acquisition costs Provisions and contingent liabilities Pension obligations Deferred income taxes Critical accounting assumptions The determination of a cash generating unit s recoverable value is based on the discounted value of expected future profits of each business. Significant estimates include forecast cash flow, new business growth rates and discount rates. Where quoted market prices are not available, valuation techniques are used to value financial investments, derivatives and investment property. These include broker quotes and models using both observable and unobservable market inputs. Factors considered when assessing whether there is objective evidence of impairment include industry risk factors, financial condition, credit rating and whether there has been a significant or prolonged decline in fair value Management use estimation techniques to determine the amortisation profile and impairment test by reference to the present value of estimated future profits When evaluating whether a provision or a contingent liability should be recognised the Group assesses the likelihood of a constructive or legal obligation to settle a past event and whether the amount can be reliably estimated. The amount of provision is determined based on the Group s estimation of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the statement of financial position date The Group uses a number of estimates when calculating its pension obligations, including mortality assumptions, discount rates and inflation rates Calculation and recognition of temporary differences giving rise to deferred tax balances includes estimates of the extent to which future taxable profits are available against which the temporary differences can be utilised Accounting policy Note O 16 F,T,U 22,26 T,V 23,26 X 28 AA 47,52 AB 48 AC 13 (D) Consolidation principles Subsidiaries Subsidiaries are those entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an investee if and only if the Group has all of the following: power over the investee, exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee, and the ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns. The Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including: the purpose and design of an investee, relevant activities, substantive and protective rights, and voting rights and potential voting rights. The Group reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date the Group obtains control and are excluded from consolidation from the date the Group loses