Description: A continuation of the discussion of the practical considerations for implementing the New Accounting Statement of Position for Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts – Part III

Description: A discussion of alternative meanings to “Best” in best estimate. When one is trying to estimate a result that is normally distributed, the mean, median and mode will all equal one another. However if the results are not normally distributed, different variance metrics will result in different “best” estimates. When different parts of a financial statement use different criteria for measuring best estimates and different processes for handling variances, the results can be volatile, unpredictable and perhaps unreasonable.

Description: This article discusses the adoption of the AICPA Statement of Position SOP 03-1 altering the way earnings emerge under FAS 97 and the impact of the enactment of SOX control requirements.

Description: Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission informed one of its registrants that prospective unlocking of benefit reserves for long-term care LTC insurance was not an acceptable practice under current US GAAP. The purpose of this article is to make actuaries aware of this action and provide some additional context.

Description: Formulas for changes in GAAP liabilities and liability accrual rates are shown for three assumption update methods—retrospective, prospective and immediate.

Description: Read the March 2018 issue of The Financial Reporter published by the Financial Reporting Section. It provides practical information for the working actuary.

Description: This paper, chapter IV of the 1987 Valuation Actuary Handbook, presents a discussion and comparison of different financial reporting bases, including statutory, GAAP, modified GAAP for internal management purposes, tax, and appraisals. The author discusses the different audiences for financial information and which reporting bases are important to which audiences. The author also discusses the relationship between the valuation process and both the financial management and pricing processes, and the importance of the actuary’s responsibilities.

Description: From a session at the 2000 Valuation Actuary Symposium held in Washington DC, September 14-15, 2000 The session provides a brief overview of a variety of financial reporting topics, most of which were discussed in more detail in the subsequent sessions. The overview included topical issues as follows: • National Association of Insurance Commissioners NAIC Life and Health Actuarial Task Force developments and directions • Other NAIC/regulatory development • American Academy of Actuaries AAA/Actuarial Standards Board ASB developments • Financial Accounting Standards Board/Security Exchange Commission FASB/SEC and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GAAP developments • Tax developments • Reinsurance development • Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 1995 Vancouver Spring Meeting discuss implementing GAAP for health products with emphasis on differences with life insurance. Current efforts of mutual companies to implement GAAP is also discussed.

Description: This dialogue discusses the history and purpose of section 811(a) and its historic role in the computation of life insurance company taxable income and, in particular, reserves.