1 . consists of changes in reserves related to our americas reinsurance business , including interest credited to policyholder account balances , and expenses related to property catastrophe reinsurance claims . in april 2013 , we completed the sale of a majority stake in our americas reinsurance business and no longer consolidate this business . 2014 versus 2013 . operating expenses on the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 22.17 billion for 2014 , essentially unchanged compared with 2013