Company Update

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549  ___________________________________ FORM 8-K   ___________________________________ CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2021  ___________________________________ W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   ___________________________________         Delaware 001-15202 22-1867895 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)     475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 629-3000 Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)   ___________________________________ Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrants under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below): ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class   Trading Symbol   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Common Stock, par value $.20 per share   WRB   New York Stock Exchange 5.900% Subordinated Debentures due 2056   WRB-PC   New York Stock Exchange 5.75% Subordinated Debentures due 2056   WRB-PD   New York Stock Exchange 5.70% Subordinated Debentures due 2058   WRB-PE   New York Stock Exchange 5.10% Subordinated Debentures due 2059   WRB-PF   New York Stock Exchange 4.25% Subordinated Debentures due 2060   WRB-PG   New York Stock Exchange Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company  ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐ Item 8.01 Other Events. On January 29, 2021, W. R. Berkley Corporation (the “Company”) directed The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), to issue a notice to the holders of the Company’s 5.900% Subordinated Debentures due 2056 (the “Debentures”) regarding the Company’s exercise of its option to redeem the Debentures pursuant to Article XI of the Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2016, between the Company and the Trustee, and Section 2.9 of the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2016, between the Company and the Trustee. Pursuant to such notice, the Company will redeem the $110 million aggregate principal amount of the Debentures on March 1, 2021 at a redemption price equal to such principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including compounded interest, if any) to, but excluding, the redemption date. On the redemption date, such redemption price will become due and payable. Interest on the principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed shall cease to accrue on and after the redemption date. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.   W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION                 By: /s/ Richard M. Baio                           Name:  Richard M. Baio       Title:  Executive Vice President –            Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer                 Date:  January 29, 2021