(14) Commitments and Contingencies The Company is or may become subject to claims and lawsuits that arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of any such known litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial position. The Company is contingently liable for possible future assessments under regulatory requirements pertaining to insolvencies and impairments of unaffiliated insurance companies. Provision has been made for assessments currently received and assessments anticipated for known insolvencies. The financial services industry, including mutual funds, variable and fixed annuities, life insurance, distribution companies, and broker-dealers, is subject to close scrutiny by regulators, legislators, and the media. Federal and state regulators, such as state insurance departments, state securities departments, the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and other regulatory bodies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning various selling practices, including suitability reviews, product exchanges, sales to seniors, and compliance with, among other things, insurance laws and securities laws. The Company is subject to ongoing market conduct examinations and investigations by regulators, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company. These matters could result in legal precedents and new industry-wide legislation, rules, and regulations that could significantly affect the financial services industry, including life insurance and annuity companies. It is unclear at this time whether any such litigation or regulatory actions will have a material adverse effect on the Company in the future. When evaluating litigation, claims, and assessments, management considers the nature of the litigation, progress of the case, opinions or views of legal counsel, as well as prior experience in similar cases. Management uses this information to assess whether a loss is probable and if the amount