Description: Summary of SOA research report "Optimizing Risk Retention" which applies parametric survival models and Monte Carlo simulation to a block of term life business.

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: One of the most fundamental concepts in actuarial practice is the time value of money. For any work in which future cash flows are allowed for, such as reserving or pricing, it is natural to discount to present values so that an appropriate amount of money can be set aside today, allowing for future investment returns. This article discusses yield curve extrapolation methods along with the benefits and drawbacks of these methods.

Description: Discussion of solvency problems and the actuary's role in addressing them in the life insurance industry.

Description: The article addresses treatment of products with indirect participating features (e.g. declared credited rates) under IFRS 17. Some of the questions that are answered include classification, stochastic modeling requirements, application of the illiquidity premium, methods to systematically allocate between P&L and OCI, and use of locked in discount rates for CSM purposes.

Description: Documents the error in the Smoker/Nonsmoker CSO Tables accepted by the NAIC, and the expected approval of the NAIC to accept use of both the erroneous and the correct mortality rates for all regulatory purposes.

Description: This article provides a formulaic method of comparing unit reserves on different valuation bases. This enables a duration-by-duration comparison of the components of the calculation on two different valuation bases. This can be done ignoring taxes or assuming taxes are recognized in calculating the expected return on capital in pricing.

Description: The author explores reasons why blocks of business may become legacy blocks and discusses ways to decrease the likelihood of legacy blocks in the future.

Description: More Efficient Monte Carlo Simulations for Mortality Assumption Testing

Description: An update on the principle-based reserves (PBR) process and possible valuation manual adoption, with recommendations to actuaries on how to prepare.