Description: In this paper, chapter V of the 1987 Valuation Actuary Handbook, the authors start with a discussion of how the recent economic environment with volatile interest rates has changed the valuation and surplus management process to one more dependent on actuarial judgment. In a discussion of surplus policy, the authors identify four “layers” of surplus which have been identified by scenario testing. These surplus layers, along with policy reserves, are based on specific invested assets. The paper discusses implications for the future and notes the actuary’s ability to advise management on surplus adequacy is a basic tool of risk management.

Description: This presentation is an open forum from the 1991 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 20-23 in Toronto. The focus from the panelists is on emerging trends and issues as they relate to the current market environment, discussing new products on the horizon, including market-value adjusted products, income products, and variable products, the importance of due diligence, and in-force annuity management. The panelists emphasize the importance of the public’s perception of and confidence in the insurance industry. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 4B.

Description: Enterprise risk management (ERM) needs to be seen in perspective of other management priorities and is not first in the hierarchy of corporate needs.

Description: This session from the 1992 Valuation Actuary Symposium looks at how the valuation actuary may ensure his work stands up to regulatory and professional scrutiny including a discussion on the Standard Valuation Law SVL, the model regulation, Actuarial Standards of Practice ASP 7 and 14, forming an opinion, the content of the opinion and the content of the memorandum.

Description: This session from the 1994 Valuation Actuary Symposium focuses on long-term projections of health insurance, the uses of the projections, the type of model to use and model considerations for the projections.

Description: From a session at the 2000 Valuation Actuary Symposium held in Washington DC, September 14-15, 2000 The National Association of Insurance Commissioners NAIC Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation XXX sets forth the valuation requirements for life insurance with nonlevel premiums or nonlevel benefits, including term insurance and universal life with certain underlying guarantees. Panelists discussed the issues around implementation of the requirements. The issues discussed include: • Determination of X factors when no credible company mortality exists • Proper treatment of secondary guarantees in universal life insurance • Preparation of the mortality assumption opinion requirements • Impacts on product development and design

Description: From a session at the 2000 Valuation Actuary Symposium held in Washington DC, September 14-15, 2000 Panelists use recent transactions and examples to demonstrate various operational, financial reporting and strategic aspects of insurance company mergers.

Description: Regulators share their perspective on a variety of issues including statutory reserve related issues. From a session at the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, September 19–20, 2002

Description: This article is a companion to “They Go Bump in the Night: Life Insurance Policies and the Law of Material Change,” an article written by John T. Adney and Craig R. Springfield (May 2012 Taxing Times Supplement) that describes the various material change rules found in the Code, highlighting the complexities insurers face in navigating through these rules when a life insurance contract is materially changed. The Adney and Springfield article also addresses the difficulties in interpreting the tax law requirements under the various effective date rules contained in the Code sections affecting life insurance contracts.

Description: This article describes behavioral finance and its relevance in identifying analytics and processes suitable for a control environment for the actuarial aspects of an insurance company.