Description: This 2001 article discusses the requirement to assess hedge effectiveness in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s new statement on derivatives accounting, FAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as critical for qualifying for “special” hedge accounting. The article provides analysis of different approaches and the potential difficulties encountered. This article is reprinted with permission from Derivatives Week.

Description: Author's views about adjustment of earnings. The thesis is, simply, that the distortion of earnings is caused by the establishment of a statutory reserve in the annual statement which differs from a realistic evaluation of the future liability. As a corollary, the concept of prepaid acquisition expense as a basis of adjustment will be seen to be inappropriate.

Description: From a session at the 2000 Valuation Actuary Symposium held in Washington DC, September 14-15, 2000 In this session, panelists discussed how they have leveraged cash-flow testing to: • Influence investment decisions • Analyze risks • Expand Cash flow testing models to meet management requirements • Provide relevant information to regulators and rating agencies Panelists discussed the enhancements required to meet these needs and provide guidance on communication of results to a nontechnical audience.

Description: Changes to AG 43 and what that might mean for tax purposes. Also, summary of IRS Notice 2016-63 (provides safe harbor tax guidance on use of 2017 CSO tables).

Description: Panelists consider the future environment of the valuation actuary in the U.S., the current environment in Canada and elsewhere, and the likely future methods of determining financial solvency in the U.S. From the 1988 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 14, No. 4A.

Description: This session discussion is about tools, techniques, and methods used by the health valuation actuary HVA in dealing with business projections, cash-flow analysis, valuation on nonguaranteed premium business, target surplus analysis, reinsurance and claim reserves. From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 18, No. 1A.

Description: Observations from the author's experiences auditing blocks of LTCI business.

Description: Practical Considerations for Implementing the New Statement of Position for Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts –

Description: Article announcing an upcoming monograph which will deal with methods for determining an appropriate rate of discount for financial reporting under international accounting standards.

Description: Chairman’s column discussing 2012 accomplishments and 2013 and plans for the Financial Reporting section.