Description: This article attempts to dispel some of the “myths” around the perceived unique nature of Asian markets. Part I addresses the nature of the markets, the business drivers and the issues and challenges being encountered. Then, in Part II, from a risk management perspective, the current situation is reviewed, issues identified concerning the future development of appropriate skills to tackle the inevitable rapid growth in customers under management and the anticipated diversification in terms of product coverage and distribution approaches.

Description: Tells what occurred after the adverse private letter ruling PLR 200738016 up to the issuance of the revenue procedure, and offers some speculation about the future.

Description: Provides in-depth discussion of IRS Rev. Proc. 2008-24, including tax background of partial annuity exchanges. Then discusses partial annuitizations and “modified endowment contracts.”

Description: Examines the Treasury Department and IRS guidance in determining whether a financial arrangement qualifies as insurance under federal tax law. It concerns the concepts of fortuity, homogeneity, and risk distribution, among others.

Description: This is a critical juncture to build insurance mechanisms into the architecture of the agreement that will emerge in Copenhagen this year.

Description: A listing of articles on managed care and health care issues.

Description: Issues covered in this article include 1. Tax treatment of advance interest on policy loans, 2. Tax treatment of Credit default swaps, 3 Application of SRLY [Separate Return Limitation Year] Cumulative Register Concept to Dual Consolidated Losses, and 4. FATCA [Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act] Transitional Relief.