2019 In Review
It's not about making
ESG a priority; it's about
making it the norm.
Aflac Incorporated* is a Fortune 500 company providing financial protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. When a policyholder or insured gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fairly and promptly. In the U.S., eligible claims are often paid in one day†, directly to the insured (unless assigned otherwise). For more than six decades, Aflac supplemental insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress.
Our Company
What makes us quack?
Discover more about Aflac, its history, its people and what makes our company special.
See how it all began
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Snapshot view
Aflac is more than meets the beak, or the eye.
Download AFLAC'S ESG Tear Sheet
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TCFD Report
Aflac complies with GRI, UNSDG, SASB and TCFD reporting standards.
Download Aflac's TCFD Report
Governance
Protecting our integrity
Aflac is proud of its robust corporate governance program.
BEING ETHICAL AND TRUSTWORTHY
SOCIAL
Leading by example
We stand alongside those who are working to improve the lives of the communities where we live, work and play.
HOW WE'RE DOING OUR PART
ENVIRONMENT
Committed to our planet
Aflac strives to protect the planet and make the lives of those who inhabit it better.
PROTECTING OUR PLANET
*In this document, we may refer to Aflac Incorporated's businesses collectively as "Aflac" or the "Company," the Company's U.S. businesses as "Aflac U.S." and the Company's Japan businesses as "Aflac Japan."
† Documentation requirements vary by type of claim; please review requirements for your claim(s) carefully. Aflac SmartClaim® is available for claims on most individual Accident, Cancer, Hospital, Specified Health, and Intensive Care policies. Processing time is based on business days after all required documentation needed to render a decision is received and no further validation and/or research is required. Individual Company Statistic, 2019.
About this Report
Aflac Incorporated's global employees, independent sales agents and partners share Aflac's purpose and commitment to ethics, philanthropy, environmental sustainability and a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
This report includes financial and nonfinancial information from Aflac U.S. and Aflac Japan about activities, data, statistics, awards and accolades related to governance, workplace, philanthropy and environmental sustainability for the 2019 calendar year, unless otherwise noted. This 2019 ESG report integrates various reporting frameworks, namely the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Disclosures that fulfill these standards are noted by indicators within the report and in the ESG Tear Sheet. An internal steering committee oversaw the report preparation with guidance from Aflac Incorporated's Corporate Social Responsibility/Environmental, Social and Governance working group, executive leadership and internal subject matter experts. We invite you to contact us with questions or requests for more information about this report at AflacCSR@aflac.com.
GRI 102-1, GRI 102-4
Forward-looking Information
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. The company desires to take advantage of these provisions. This document contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected herein, and in any other statements made by company officials in communications with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," "will," "assumes," "potential," "target," "outlook" or similar words as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, see our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.
This Report uses certain terms, including those that the reporting frameworks — SASB, TCFD, SDG, GRI - refer to as "Material Topics," to reflect the issues of greatest importance to Aflac Incorporated and our stakeholders. Used in this context, these terms should not be confused with terms, such as "material" or "materiality," as defined by or construed in accordance with securities law or as used in the context of financial statements and financial reporting.
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
The purpose of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) is to establish industry-specific disclosure standards across environmental, social and governance topics that facilitate communication between companies and investors about financially material, decision-useful information.
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
The TCFD is an industry-led initiative created to develop a set of standards for voluntary climate-related financial disclosures. These are aimed at all financial actors, from companies and investors to asset owners and managers, as the goal is to provide consistent and transparent information to global markets.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Aflac Incorporated is committed to investing in a sustainable future to ultimately improve lives for generations to come. Action taken today will show impact tomorrow—the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development carry this same sentiment. Countries around the globe have adopted this set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. Aflac Incorporated's business focuses on five of the 17 SDGs: quality education, gender equality, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and peace, justice and strong institutions. Our actions and initiatives implemented throughout the year align with this set of goals, contributing to a better tomorrow.
Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a globally recognized framework for sustainability reporting. Aflac Incorporated has not sought independent verification for this report but has practices in place to internally validate the data.