Description: GAAP's elimination of gross profit as a basis for amortization of deferred acquisition costs enables the accounting for reinsurance of universal life contracts to better reflect the economic protection provided by reinsurance. This article takes a fresh look at the standards of accounting for universal life contracts and for reinsurance, then puts them together to find the techniques that best account for that protection.

Description: This is the third in a series of articles about accounting for reinsurance under GAAP Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (LDTI). It looks at some techniques that have been used to account for long-duration reinsurance under existing GAAP (before LDTI). It looks at whether and how those techniques can be updated to comply with the updated standards and evaluates their effectiveness against compliance, performance, and simplicity objectives.

Description: This is the fourth in a series of articles about accounting for reinsurance under GAAP Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (LDTI). It looks at some concerns that arise from the relationship between ceded reinsurance and the underlying contracts. Recognizing a lack of formal guidance addressing these concerns, the article aims mostly to achieve performance and simplicity objectives

Description: Applying GAAP to GMDBs in Variable Annuities. by Karen Sasveld and David Heavilin from The Financial Reporter, September 2001, Issue No. 47.

Description: In September 2005, the AICPA issued SOP 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts. The SOP provides accounting guidance for DAC on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically mentioned in FAS 97. Article discusses implementation issues.

Description: Introduction to the purposes and roles of “Lifric”, an acronym for the American Academy of Actuaries working group, Life Financial Reporting Committee

Description: Discussion of AICPA Statement of Position 05-1: Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts.

Description: How actuarial practices have benefited from lessons learned from accountants

Description: Discusses some of the financial implications of the recently issued IASB Discussion Paper on Insurance Contracts which presents the preliminary view that GAAP insurance liabilities should be valued at current exit value.

Description: This article discusses the impact on the financial statements of changing from Statutory Accounting to GAAP Accounting and the under-reporting of long-term earning power by insurance companies because of the AICPA technique of handling the transition.