NEW YORK & BERMUDA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR) and Global Atlantic Financial Group Limited today announced the closing of their previously-announced strategic transaction.

Global Atlantic is one of the largest fixed rate and fixed annuity providers in the United States, serving more than two million policyholders through its retirement and life insurance products. It offers annuities for individuals through a network of banks, broker-dealers, and insurance agencies, as well as life insurance for individuals. Global Atlantic is also a leader in the institutional channel, providing customized reinsurance solutions to its life and annuity company clients. It offers capabilities across block, flow, and pension risk transfer reinsurance to meet its clients’ needs.

Global Atlantic has delivered strong performance since the transaction was announced in July 2020. Based on preliminary financial results of Global Atlantic as of December 31, 2020, the estimated value of the Global Atlantic assets to be managed by KKR as of the closing is approximately $90 billion. Driven principally by three reinsurance block transactions, this represents asset growth of approximately 25% since the announcement of the transaction.

"Since we announced this transaction, Global Atlantic’s success has been remarkable, and in many ways we are well ahead of our initial expectations,” Joseph Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-Presidents and Co-Chief Operating Officers of KKR, said. “We welcome Global Atlantic to the KKR family and look forward to supporting its policyholders and clients through our asset management and origination capabilities, as well as our global network.”

Global Atlantic will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Allan Levine and its existing senior leadership team. The business will continue to operate as a separate company. KKR will serve as investment manager for Global Atlantic, allowing Global Atlantic to gain access to KKR’s leading origination engine and asset management capabilities while maintaining a prudent risk-adjusted investment strategy.

“This is an exciting day for Global Atlantic. Being a part of KKR strengthens our position as a leading U.S. annuity and life insurance company, enhances our ability to deliver compelling solutions for our clients and deepens our access to long-term strategic capital,” said Allan Levine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Atlantic. “Our strong results to date were driven by our people and culture. We are thrilled to be working with the KKR team to capitalize on the significant opportunities we see in front of us. In KKR we have a tremendous partner who shares our values, is aligned around our vision, and committed to our success.”

Transaction Highlights

The transaction valued Global Atlantic at approximately $4.7 billion. Global Atlantic will operate as a consolidated subsidiary of KKR, with KKR owning a controlling interest in Global Atlantic of approximately 60%.

Following the announcement of the transaction, KKR led an equity co-investment process resulting in significant investor demand from new and existing investors in Global Atlantic, including Global Atlantic’s leadership team. These investors, including Global Atlantic’s management team, own the remainder of Global Atlantic. The co-investment process also generated an additional $250 million of primary equity capital that will support Global Atlantic’s future growth objectives and provide financial flexibility.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, credit and real assets, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

About Global Atlantic

Global Atlantic Financial Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, offers a broad range of retirement, life and reinsurance products designed to help our customers address financial challenges with confidence. A variety of options help Americans customize a strategy to fulfill their protection, accumulation, income, wealth transfer and end-of-life needs.

Global Atlantic was founded at Goldman Sachs in 2004 and separated as an independent company in 2013. Its success is driven by a unique heritage that combines deep product and distribution knowledge with leading investment and risk management, alongside a strong financial foundation.