Description: Key considerations when modeling reinsurance to calculate reserves under PBR as well as a case study examining the impact of reinsurance structures on reserves.

Description: Feature article discussing the difficult situation of actuarial forecasting with little or no date.

Description: This article examines the history, theory, and effectiveness of high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts.

Description: A discussion of the accomplishments of a small group of industry leaders with a variety of opinions on the subject have held a National Conversation on Long-Term Care Financing. This group includes long-term care industry experts from the public policy, research, actuarial, sales and marketing, retirement, government, and the insurance industry sectors. The intent of the group is to discuss comprehensive solutions to the long-term care crisis and provide well vetted financing system approaches.

Description: Panelists discuss key aspects of recent and pending laws and the cost and design implications on group health plans. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 24, No. 2.

Description: Recent guidance in the form of Rev. Proc. 2006- 13 provides a general safe harbor for the fair market value of a deferred-annuity contract when determining the amount includible in income on conversion of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Description: For establishing the ongoing adequacy of claim reserves for blocks of long-term care insurance, retro testing is a blunt tool, the results of which are not conclusive. Claim reserve retro tests should be reviewed by claim duration, include the impact of interest consistently, and include updated assumptions that can have an impact on claim termination rates or other factors. The new NAIC LTC Experience Reporting Forms estimated to arrive for reporting year 2008 will help modernize LTCI retro tests, providing additional accuracy and standardization. Actuaries should not wait for these forms, but rather ensure that any claim reserve analysis moves beyond a basic calendar year retro test.

Description: This article discusses the coming opportunities for insurance companies in the retirement market, particularly with respect to annuities.

Description: The second part of a roundtable discussion on principals-based approach [PBA] and the life insurance industry, in this part discussing mortality experience studies. The first part appeared in the August/September 2008 issue of The Actuary.