Description: In this article, we collected data from the companies’ roll-forward disclosures related to calendar years 2021 and 2022 on Market Risk Benefit and shared a high-level summary of the Market Risk Benefit volatility that a focus group of companies incurred and summarized the most common ways to mitigate volatility.

Description: A short article looking at the results from an annual assumption survey of VA writers with a focus on changes companies observed and planned to make due to COVID-19. In the article we discuss what companies should be considering as they approach the 2020 year end assumption setting and audit season.

Description: ASU 2018-12 introduced a new concept called “market risk benefits” (MRBs). MRBs are a new accounting classification for benefits within deposit contracts, offering protection from “other than nominal market risk.” This applies to products with account values, including variable and indexed annuities with guaranteed living or death benefits attached (aka GMxBs). ASU 2018-12 Section 944-40-30-19D mentions both a non-option and an option-based valuation approach to account for MRBs. This article considers the option-based approach. The purpose is to highlight weaknesses in the current application of the option approach to MRBs, propose an alternative method, and consider the benefits of the new approach. The intent of this article is to persuade practictioners / actuaries / accountants that this is a better approach for applying the fair value option method to market risk benefits.

Description: The authors provide clarification, specifically related to the American Academy of Actuaries’ Annuity Reserves Working Group, to the article, “Statutory Reserving for Fixed Indexed Annuities with Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefits,” published in the September 2012 issue of The Financial Reporter.

Description: An overview of the NAIC Variable Annuity Reforms, including a discussion of perceived positives and challenges associated with the reforms.

Description: The article shared results from a survey conducted in May of best-estimate VA assumptions as of year-end 2018. Specifically, the discussion focused on lapse, utilization and separate account return assumptions. The results show that a considerable range of practice across assumptions used by the industry for variable annuities. There is a propensity to use complex assumptions to better match the underlying complexity in the products with the behavior expected from policyholders in a dynamic and volatile economic environment.

Description: Provide high level summary of changes to Valuation Rates for Payout Annuities and similar contracts.

Description: VM-22 was first introduced into the Valuation Manual in 2018. A number of changes have been made since its introduction, with more expected on the way. This article compares valuation requirements for income annuities pre- and post-VM-22, discusses technical and implementation implications with regards to VM-22 (including comparison with New York Regulation 213), and considers future revisions.

Description: This article summarizes the key changes to VM-31 requirements in the 2020 version of the Valuation Manual for both life and variable annuities, and compares and contrasts the requirements for each. In addition, the article offers insights into common issues and recommendations for VM-31 reports from the viewpoints of a regulator, consultant, and company actuary.

Description: Feature article discussing the requirements of AG33.