Description: Discussion of the sensitivity of GAAP reserves to certain assumptions made and methodologies used. Followed by a discussion paper

Description: This literature guide provides the user with a summary of representative sources of current general knowledge for continuing education purposes.

Description: This presentation, session number 5PD, took place at the 2000 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 15-18 in Chicago. This session focuses on the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, ‘GAAP,’ methods and standards of practice applicable to accounting for purchase of a block of business. The panelists discuss working with investment bankers and others, presentation and determination of actuarial opening balance sheet items such as benefits reserves and present value of future profits, actuarial appraisal values, impact of synergies, management initiatives, expense savings, projection of GAAP profits, various accounting issues, and applicable Actuarial Standards of Practice. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 26, No. 3. Possible keywords: VOBA=value of business acquired PGAAP=purchase GAAP accounting Actuarial appraisal

Description: This presentation is from session number 4, presented at the 1999 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 23-24 in Los Angeles. Noting that under U.S. GAAP, setting assumptions and accounting practices can have a significant impact on the earnings process [i.e., actual results, sources of earnings, and the earnings analysis process], the panelists address options available to the actuary for setting assumptions and defining practices for specific product types [both FAS60 and FAS97], the advantages, disadvantages, and practical considerations associated with each approach, and specific examples of the effect of the different approaches on earnings. Discussion from participants is included.

Description: From a session at the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, September 19–20, 2002 This open forum addresses current issues of interest to actuaries in the application of U.S. GAAP. Topics discussed include demutualization issues, draft standards of practice regarding nontraditional long-duration contracts, guaranteed minimum death benefits/living benefits, sales inducements, separate accounts, business combinations and FAS 141/142 and policy conversions and exchanges. Discussion included theoretical and practical aspects.

Description: This panel discussion was from one of the 1982 spring meetings of the Society of Actuaries. The discussion concerned accounting for pensions and other post-employment benefits. The panel considered the following issues: 1. Disclosure 2. Multi-Employer Plans 3. Plans Funded With Insurance Contracts 4. Plans Likely to be Terminated 5. Treatment of Other Post-Retirement Benefits

Description: This panel discussion, which occurred at the May 1982 Society of Actuaries meeting in Colorado Springs, led a discussion related to employer's accounting for pensions and other post-employment benefits. Topics included: 1. Present accounting rules and background in connection with pension plans 2. The purposes for pension accounting rules in general 3. The nature of pension arrangements and the implication of their character for: a. Corporate liabilities and net worth h. Periodic charges to corporate income on account of pensions 4. Effect of actuarial gains and losses and the relationship of non-penslon post-retirement benefits to pensions, from an accounting viewpoint

Description: A regulator's perspective on the changing insurance and financial services industry, including changes in the state regulatory environment driven by the regulators themselves, as well as potential changes in the competitive environment prompted by the Financial Services Modernization Act.

Description: Panelists discuss the types of information that management needs, the ability of GAAP to meet these needs, and some modifications that might make GAAP more meaningful to management. Includes discussion about the advantages and the shortcomings of GAAP, what practices are followed by Canadian companies, and the differences between stock and mutual companies. From the 1987 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 13, No. 3.

Description: The use of Other Comprehensive Income OCI is receiving its moment in the sun. It is being considered for housing some of the earnings volatility in the International Accounting Standards Board IASB current approach to measuring insurance contracts’ performance.