SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 11-K


(MARK ONE)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 

 
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

OR

p
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 

 
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______________ TO _______________

Commission file number 001-15014


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

SUN ADVANTAGE
SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
(Full title of the Plan)

One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02481
(Address of the Plan) (Zip Code)

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

SUN LIFE FINANCIAL INC.
(Name of the Issuer)

150 King Street, West, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 1J9
(Address of the Issuer's Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

 

REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following financial statements shall be furnished for the plan:

Items 1-3. The audited statement of financial condition and the audited statement of income and changes in plan equity are omitted pursuant to Item 4 of Form 11-K.

Item 4. Financial statements and schedule prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA:

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN


INDEX TO FORM 11-K

 
      Page(s)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
3
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017
     AND 2016:
 
   
     Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
4
   
     Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
5
   
     Notes to Financial Statements
 6-15
   
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017:
 
   
     Form 5500, Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
16
   
SIGNATURES
17
   
EXHIBIT INDEX
18


Note: All other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable.









- 2 -


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Plan Participants and Plan Administrator of the
Sun Advantage Savings and Investment Plan
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Sun Advantage Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Plan's 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.

Report on Supplemental Schedule

The supplemental 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 schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental schedule 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 schedule. In forming our opinion on the supplemental schedule, we evaluated whether the supplemental schedule, including its form and content, is presented in compliance 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, such schedule is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
June 15, 2018

We have been the auditor of the Plan since at least 1988; however, the specific year has not been determined.


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SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 
2017
 
2016
ASSETS:
     
Investments, at fair value or net asset value:
     
Participant directed funds:
     
Registered investment companies
$          692,079,227
 
$          556,428,208
Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust II
81,925,334
 
84,395,153
Sun Life Financial Common Stock
13,884,815
 
13,017,111
Assets held in self-managed accounts
9,062,991
 
8,641,057
Short-Term Investment Fund
666,396
 
531,248
       
Total investments
797,618,763
 
663,012,777
       
Receivables:
     
Notes receivable from participants
5,997,536
 
5,879,468
Employer contributions receivable
529,867
 
386,122
       
Total receivables
6,527,403
 
6,265,590
       
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
          $ 804,146,166
 
                                                     $ 669,278,367
       
       
























The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

- 4 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 
2017
 
2016
ADDITIONS:
     
Contributions:
     
       
Employer contributions
$      27,110,452
 
$        23,130,754
Participant contributions
23,900,638
 
20,596,967
Participant rollover contributions
6,844,774
 
104,416,545
       
Total contributions
57,855,864
 
148,144,266
       
Investment income:
     
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
94,361,398
 
35,901,978
Dividends
19,607,361
 
12,661,276
Interest
1,639,371
 
1,660,438
       
Net investment income
115,608,130
 
50,223,692
       
Interest income on notes receivable from participants
230,393
 
183,138
       
Total additions
173,694,387
 
198,551,096
       
DEDUCTIONS:
     
   Benefits paid to participants
38,125,429
 
32,271,692
Administrative expenses
701,159
 
536,510
       
Total deductions
38,826,588
 
32,808,202
       
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
134,867,799
 
165,742,894
       
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:
     
Beginning of year
669,278,367
 
503,535,473
       
End of year
                                    $ 804,146,166
 
                                             $ 669,278,367
       
       
       
       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

- 5 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

The following description of the Sun Advantage Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") is provided for general information purposes only.  Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions.

General - The Plan is a defined contribution plan established for the benefit of Sun Life Financial (U.S.) Services Company, Inc.'s (the "Company" or the "Plan Sponsor") U.S. employees and the U.S. employees of its affiliate, Sun Life Investments LLC that elected to become a participating employer under the Plan.  The Plan provides for a Benefits Plan Committee (the "Committee") which is the named Plan Administrator. The purpose of the Plan is to permit eligible employees of the Company to defer pre-tax 401(k) contributions and/or after-tax Roth contributions and receive employer-matching contributions and employer Retirement Investment Account ("RIA") contributions in order to provide funds for employees in the event of death, disability, unemployment or retirement.  Prior to January 1, 2016, any employee, 21 years or older, was eligible to become a participant in the Plan as soon as administratively feasible after his or her first day of employment. Effective January 1, 2016, employees under 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the Plan.  The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA").

Contributions - Once an employee becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, he or she is eligible for employer RIA contributions and may elect to make 401(k) and/or Roth contributions by entering into a salary reduction agreement.  The agreement provides that the participant agrees to accept a reduction in compensation in an amount equal to 1% to 60% of the participant's compensation.  In addition, participants who are age 50 and greater at the end of the calendar year can make up to $6,000 in catch-up contributions which will be contributed to the Plan. Participants also may contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or defined contribution plans. Contributions are subject to certain Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") limitations. Catch-up and rollover contributions are not eligible for Company Matching Contributions (discussed below).

Company Matching Contributions - Participating employers contribute an amount equal to 50% of the first 6% of compensation that a participant contributes to the Plan.

The participating employers also contribute to the RIA a percentage of participant's eligible compensation as determined per the following chart based on the sum of the participant's age and years of RIA credited service on January 1 of the applicable plan year:

Age Plus
RIA Credited Service
 
Company Contribution
                                                                                   Less than 40
3%
                                                                        At least 40 but less than 55
5%
At least 55
7%

















- 6 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)

Participant Accounts - Individual accounts are maintained for each participant of the Plan.  Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contributions, related matching contributions, RIA non-elective contributions, and allocations of Plan earnings. The account is also charged with an allocation of Plan losses and investment related expenses.  Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined in the Plan document. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant's vested account.

Vesting - Participants are vested immediately in their contributions, plus actual earnings thereon.  Vesting in the participating employer's contribution portion of their accounts, including RIA contributions, is based on years of credited service.  A participant vests at the rate of 20% per year of credited service and is 100% vested after five years of credited service. A participant is fully vested in his or her share of the participating employer contributions upon retirement at normal retirement age or older, disability, or death, regardless of the length of service.

Investments - Participants may direct the investment of their contributions and/or account balances into various investment options offered by the Plan and may change investments and transfer amounts between funds daily.  Participant selections of one or more of the investment options must be in multiples of 1%. Participating employer contributions are invested in accordance with participant investment allocations.  The Plan currently offers many registered investment companies, the Sun Life Financial Stock Fund (a party-in-interest), a self-managed account and a stable value fund as investment options for participants.

The Sun Life Financial Stock Fund is only available to participants in this Plan and invests primarily in the common stock of Sun Life Financial Inc., an affiliate of the Company, with a small portion invested in the Short-Term Investment Fund.

The Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust II (the "Trust"), is a stable value fund offered by the Plan. The Trust provides for the collective investment of assets of tax-exempt pension and profit-sharing plans. The Trust invests solely in the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust Master Trust ("VRST Master Trust"). The underlying investments in the VRST Master Trust are primarily in a pool of synthetic and traditional investment contracts that are issued by insurance companies and commercial banks and in contracts that are backed by high-quality bonds, bond trusts, and bond mutual funds that are selected by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company.

Amendments to the Plan - On June 5, 2017, an affiliate of the Plan Sponsor acquired The Premier Dental Group, Inc. ("PDG"). As a result of the transaction, PDG employees were transferred to the Plan Sponsor and became eligible to participate in the Plan. On June 5, 2017, a discretionary amendment to the Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2014) was executed principally to credit the transferred employees with their PDG plan years and hours of service, reduce a participant's 2017 401(k) contribution maximum under the Plan by the participant's 2017 contributions to the PDG plan, exclude those participants from the 2017 make-up match and permit those participants, at their discretion, to make rollovers into the Plan that include loan balances. Rollovers into the Plan resulting from this transaction totaled $2,354,190 and are reflected in participant rollover contributions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits in 2017. The rollover amount includes $2,309,003 of participant directed funds and $45,187 of notes receivable from participants in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.






- 7 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)

Amendments to the Plan - On March 1, 2016, an affiliate of the Plan Sponsor acquired substantially all of the U.S. employee group benefits business of Assurant, Inc. ("Assurant").  As a result of the transaction, employees from an affiliate of Assurant were transferred to the Plan Sponsor and became eligible to participate in the Plan. On February 29, 2016 and June 10, 2016 two discretionary amendments to the Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2014) were executed to credit the transferred employees with their Assurant plan years and hours of service, reduce the participants' 2016 401(k) contribution maximum under the Plan by the participants' 2016 contributions to the Assurant plan, exclude those participants from the 2016 make-up match and permit those participants, at their discretion, to make rollovers into the Plan that include loan balances. Rollovers into the Plan resulting from this transaction totaled $99,104,050 and are reflected in participant rollover contributions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits in 2016. The rollover amount includes $96,989,778 of participant directed funds and $2,114,272 of notes receivable from participants in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

Self-Correction Program ("SCP") - During 2017, the Committee completed the correction of an operational failure to correctly administer the Plan's provision for reinstating upon reemployment the non-vested portion of a participant's account. This correction was made under the Internal Revenue Service's ("IRS") Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System SCP for 28 participants who were reemployed during Plan years 2006 to 2017. The Plan Sponsor made employer contributions in 2017 of $100,290 to restore lost employer contributions and earnings thereon for the affected participants. The contributions are reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2017.

During 2017, the Committee completed the correction of an operational failure to correctly vest the final non-vested portion of 3 participant's accounts when they had been transferred to other Sun Life legal entities and were still eligible for vesting as participants in the Plan. This correction was made under the IRS's Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System SCP for these 3 participants in the Plan year 2017. The Plan Sponsor made employer contributions in 2017 of $5,171 to restore lost employer contributions and earnings thereon for the affected participants. The contributions are reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2017.

During 2017, the Committee identified an operational failure relating to 15 participants who were hired/rehired during Plan years 2011-2015. The participant's length of service was not correctly calculated at the time of hire/rehire and thus his or her RIA employer contributions were based on an incorrect percentage factor. The failure is currently under investigation and will result in a correction under the IRS's Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System SCP.  The correction will be processed in 2018 upon completion of the investigation and is not expected to have a material impact on the Statement of Change in Net Assets Available for Benefits.

Notes Receivable from Participants - A participant may borrow up to 50% from their vested account balance (excluding the balance attributable to RIA non-elective contributions) with a minimum loan balance of $1,000 and a maximum loan balance of $50,000. Repayment is effected through payroll deductions over a period of up to five years for non-mortgage loans and of up to fifteen years for mortgage loans. Only one non-mortgage loan and one mortgage loan are permitted to be outstanding at any time. Loan repayments are credited against investments as allocated in the participant's account.  The loans are secured by an assignment of a participant's vested interest in the Plan, and bear an interest rate equal to the prime rate plus 1% at the time funds are borrowed as determined by the Plan Administrator.





- 8 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)

Payment of Benefits - The Plan provides for normal retirement benefits to be paid to participants who have reached the age of 65. A participant who has reached the age of 59 1/2 may withdraw all or a portion of their non-RIA accounts by submitting a specific request to the Plan. If the participant's service with the participating employer terminates, other than by reason of retirement, the participant may elect to receive his or her distribution following his or her termination of employment.  Distributions will be made in installments or in a lump sum, except if the participant's account balance is $5,000 or less, in which case payment will only be made in a lump sum.

Participants are eligible to make hardship withdrawals from their account in the event of certain financial hardships. Following a hardship withdrawal, participants are not allowed to contribute to the Plan for a period of six months.

Forfeited Accounts - When certain terminations occur, the non-vested portion of the participant's account, as defined by the Plan, represents a forfeiture. The Plan document permits the use of forfeitures to reduce future employer contributions or plan administrative expenses. However, if a participant is re-employed and fulfills certain requirements, as defined in the Plan document, the forfeited amount will be reinstated.  At December 31, 2017 and 2016, forfeited amounts not yet allocated totaled $125,503 and $33,227, respectively. Employer contributions were reduced by $507,320 and $1,130,504 from forfeited non-vested amounts for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting - The financial statements of the Plan have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

Use of Estimates - The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Plan management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties - The Plan provides various investment options to its participants.  Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such change could materially affect the value of the participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition - The Plan's investments are reported at fair value. Fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 6 for discussion of fair value measurements.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade-date.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.  Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net appreciation (depreciation) includes the Plan's realized gains and losses on investments sold during the year as well as unrealized gains and losses on investments held as of year-end.

Notes Receivable from Participants - Participant notes receivable represent the unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.  Delinquent participant loans are recorded as distributions based on the terms of the Plan document.



- 9 -


SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Payment of Benefits - Benefit payments to participants are recorded upon distribution.  There were no participants who elected to withdraw from the Plan but had not yet been paid at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Administrative Expenses - Administrative expenses of the Plan are paid by the Plan Sponsor except for certain fees which are paid by the participants. Fees incurred by participants, and reflected in administrative expenses within the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, include loan fees, advisory fees, fund redemption fees, self-managed account fees, and beginning in February 2016, a two dollar monthly administrative fee. All investment management and transaction fees directly related to the Plan investments are paid by the Plan. Management fees and operating expenses charged to the Plan for investments are deducted from income earned and are not separately reflected. Consequently, these management fees and operating expenses are reflected as a reduction of investment return for such investments.

New and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-06, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): Employee Benefit Master Trust Reporting ("ASU 2017-06"). ASU 2017-06 clarifies presentation requirements for a plan's interest in a master trust and requires more detailed disclosures of a plan's interest in a master trust. The provisions of ASU 2017-06 will be effective beginning with the year ended December 31, 2019 and amendments will be applied retrospectively to each period presented.  The provisions of ASU 2017-06 are not expected to have a material impact on the Plan's financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01").  ASU 2016-01 modifies certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure guidance of financial instruments.  The provisions of ASU 2016-01 will be effective for the Plan beginning with the year ended December 31, 2019 and amendments will be applied through a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance sheet in the year of adoption.  The provisions of ASU 2016-01 are not expected to have a material impact on the Plan's financial statements.

3.   TRUSTEE

Voya Institutional Trust Company is the named Trustee of the Plan.

4.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS

The Plan obtained a determination letter dated March 6, 2015, in which the IRS stated that the Plan and related trust as designed, including the May 12, 2014 discretionary amendment to the Plan, were in compliance with the applicable regulations of the IRC.  The Plan has been amended since May 12, 2014. The Committee believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and the Plan and the related trust continue to be tax-exempt.  Therefore, no provision for income taxes or provision for uncertain tax provisions have been included in the Plan's financial statements.

The Plan is subject to audit by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Committee believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2014.

5.
PLAN TERMINATION

Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions set forth in ERISA.  In the event that the Plan is terminated, participants would become 100% vested in their accounts.


- 10 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Plan utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The Plan has categorized its financial instruments that are carried at fair value into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1
Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Plan has the ability to access. Active markets are defined as markets in which many transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

The types of assets utilizing Level 1 valuations include investments in publicly traded mutual funds with quoted market prices, Sun Life Financial Common Stock and publicly traded equity investments and mutual funds held in self-managed accounts.

Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other model driven inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Valuations are generally obtained from third-party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities or through the use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs.

The Plan did not hold investments that are utilizing Level 2 valuations during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Level 3
Instruments whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions in pricing the asset or liability. Pricing may also be based upon broker quotes that do not represent an offer to transact. Prices are determined using valuation methodologies such as option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques. Non-binding broker quotes, which are utilized when pricing service information is not available, are reviewed for reasonableness based on the Plan's understanding of the market, and are generally considered Level 3. To the extent the internally developed valuations use significant unobservable inputs, they are classified as Level 3.

The Plan did not hold investments that are utilizing Level 3 valuations during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.






- 11 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

There have been no significant changes made in valuation techniques during 2017 or 2016.

The following table presents by fair value hierarchy the Plan's investments at fair value as of December 31, 2017:


 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Investments, at fair value:
             
Registered investment companies
$692,079,227
 
$                                                     - 
 
$                                                     - 
 
$692,079,227
Sun Life Financial Common Stock
13,884,815
 
-
 
-
 
13,884,815
Assets held in self-managed accounts
9,062,991
 
-
 
-
 
9,062,991
Short-Term Investment Fund
666,396
 
-
 
-
 
666,396
               
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy
715,693,429
 
-
 
-
 
715,693,429
Investments measured at
net asset value (a)
-
 
-
 
-
 
81,925,334
Total investments at fair value
$715,693,429
 
$                                                     - 
 
$                                                     - 
 
$797,618,763


The following table presents by fair value hierarchy the Plan's investments at fair value as of December 31, 2016:


 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Investments, at fair value:
             
Registered investment companies
$556,428,208
 
$                                                     - 
 
$                                                     - 
 
$556,428,208
Sun Life Financial Common Stock
13,017,111
 
-
 
-
 
13,017,111
Assets held in self-managed accounts
8,641,057
 
-
 
-
 
8,641,057
Short-Term Investment Fund
531,248
 
-
 
-
 
531,248
               
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy
578,617,624
 
-
 
-
 
578,617,624
Investments measured at
net asset value (a)
-
 
-
 
-
 
84,395,153
Total investments at fair value
$578,617,624
 
$                                                     - 
 
$                                                     - 
 
$663,012,777


(a)
In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

The Plan transfers assets into or out of levels at the fair value as of the beginning of the reporting period. Transfers made are the result of changes in the level of observability of inputs used to price assets. The Plan did not transfer assets or liabilities in or out of Level 2 or Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.






- 12 -

SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

The methods and assumptions that the Plan uses in determining the estimated fair value of its financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

Registered investment companies - The Plan's investment in shares of registered investment companies are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. Registered investment companies' shares held by the Plan are open-ended mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Plan have been determined to be actively traded.

Sun Life Financial Common Stock - The Plan's investment in the Sun Life Financial Common Stock is valued at quoted market prices in active markets.

Assets held in self-managed accounts - Assets held in self-managed accounts include registered investment companies and exchange traded stocks.  These assets are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices in active markets of the assets held in the accounts.

Short-Term Investment Fund - Investments in money market funds are valued at quoted market prices in active markets.

Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust II - The Plan's investment in the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust II collective trust fund is valued at net asset value per unit and is composed solely of investments in the VRST Master Trust.  The VRST Master Trust invests in a of a pool investment contracts issued by insurance companies and commercial banks and is valued at the net asset value of units of the master trust based upon contract value, which is the relevant measurement under the measurement principles in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services—Investment Companies.  Contract value represents contributions made to the collective master trust, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.  The net asset value is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. This practical expedient would not be used if it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investments for an amount different from the reported net asset value. Participant transactions (purchases and sales) may occur daily at net asset value per unit.  If the Plan initiates a full redemption of the collective trust at full accumulated book value, the issuer reserves the right to require twelve months' notification in order to ensure that securities liquidations will be carried out in an orderly business manner. The Plan may elect to receive less than full accumulated book value, subject to limitations on surrender imposed by the underlying investments of the collective trust, after providing thirty business days' notice. There are no participant redemption restrictions for the collective trust; the redemption notice period is applicable only to the Plan. There are no unfunded commitments relating to the collective trust as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The preceding methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.









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SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

7.
EXEMPT PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

The Plan has several transactions that qualify as permitted party-in-interest transactions as follows:

Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFS"), an affiliate of the Company, manages three mutual fund investment options within the Plan.  These options are the MFS High Income Fund, MFS Institutional International Equity, and the MFS Total Return Fund, each of which is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Investment advisory fees are paid from the funds to the affiliate.  Fees paid by the Plan for investment management services were included as a reduction of the return on each fund. The following table presents mutual fund investment's value as of and the net investment income (loss) for the years ended:


 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Investments
 
Net Investment Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Investments
 
Net Investment Income (Loss)
MFS High Income Fund
$11,301,594
$660,227
 
$9,685,855
$1,169,084
MFS Institutional International Equity
17,542,770
3,712,592
 
13,328,421
1,277,239
MFS Total Return Fund
-
-
 
-
   (836,796)


The following table presents the fair value and the net investment income (loss) of the common stock of Sun Life Financial Inc., an affiliate of the Company, for the years ended:


 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
 
Net Investment Income (Loss)
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
 
Net Investment Income (Loss)
Sun Life Financial Stock Fund
 
  336,520
 
$13,884,815
 
   $1,444,802
 
  338,899
 
 $13,017,111
 
  $2,887,714












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SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

8.
RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2017 to the 2017 Form 5500:

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
   
$    804,146,166
Less: Certain deemed distributions of participant loans
   
(20,841)
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
   
$    804,125,325


The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2016 to the 2016 Form 5500:

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
   
$    669,278,367
Less: Certain deemed distributions of participant loans
   
(20,841)
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
   
$    669,257,526

The following is a reconciliation of the changes in net assets per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 to the 2016 Form 5500:

Decrease in net assets per the financial statements
   
$    165,742,894
Less: Certain deemed distributions of participant loans
   
(5,657)
Decrease in net assets per the Form 5500
   
$    165,737,237


9.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events were evaluated from the balance sheet date through the date of issuance of the financial statements on June 15, 2018. No events were identified subsequent to December 31, 2017 that would have a material effect on the financial condition of the Plan.



* * * * * *















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SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
Employer ID No: 26-3730703 Plan No. 005

FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, PART IV, LINE 4i - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2017

(a)
(b)
(c)
Number of Shares
(d)
         (e)
 
Identity of Issue, Borrower  Lessor or Similar Party
Description of Investment, Including Collateral, Rate of Interest, Maturity Date, Par or Maturity Value
Cost**
Current Value
 
       
 
Vanguard
Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust II -  Collective Trust
81,935,334
 
 $                      81,925,334
   
Registered investment companies:
     
*
Massachusetts Financial Services
MFS High Income Fund 
               3,285,341
 
11,301,594
   
MFS Institutional International Equity
689,033
 
17,542,770
 
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund 
229,139
 
12,481,201
 
Vanguard
Vanguard Growth        
1,141,632
 
82,597,089
   
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
532,735
 
129,700,506
   
Vanguard Total Bond Index Fund
5,277,149
 
56,730,018
   
Vanguard Mid-Cap
719,973
 
30,469,387
   
Vanguard Small Cap
444,477
 
31,460,250
   
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
1,160,228
 
12,101,210
   
Vanguard Value
856,721
 
35,477,025
   
Vanguard Total International Stock
580,523
 
70,842,896
 
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund
95,112
 
1,114,707
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund
128,817
 
1,534,209
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund
1,214,117
 
14,994,350
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund
2,431,489
 
30,758,339
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund
1,334,296
 
17,212,425
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund
1,648,867
 
21,649,617
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund
1,205,684
 
16,023,538
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund
950,308
 
12,696,114
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund
603,929
 
8,068,487
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund
462,254
 
6,180,335
   
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund
65,362
 
864,734
 
American Funds
American Funds The New Economy Fund
281,490
 
12,576,980
 
AllianceBernstein
AllianceBernstein Discovery Value Fund
1,078,463
 
24,351,693
 
Dreyfus
Dreyfus Small Mid
1,361,380
 
26,955,325
 
Principal Funds
Principal Diversified Real
40,105
 
466,817
 
DFA
DFA Emerging Markets Equity Port
112,923
 
2,622,076
 
Cohen & Steers
Cohen & Steers Real Estate
212,029
 
3,305,535
   
Total registered investment companies
   
 $                    692,079,227
*
Sun Life Financial Inc.
Sun Life Financial Stock Fund
                  336,520
 
13,884,815
 
State Street
State Street Global Advisors STIF Fund
666,396
 
666,396
 
Self-Managed Accounts
Self-Managed Accounts
   
9,062,991
*
Participant Loans
Interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 8.25%
   
5,997,536
   
Total
   
 $                    803,616,299


* Party-in-interest.
** Cost is not required for participant directed investments and therefore has not been included.



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SIGNATURES

The PlanPursuant 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 its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


 
SUN ADVANTAGE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
 
(Name of Plan)
   
 
By: /s/ Kathleen E. deCastro
 
Kathleen E. deCastro
 
Chair, Benefit Plans Committee
   


Dated: June 15, 2018





































- 17 -

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number
Description
   
    23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
















































- 18 -