Description: A review of the development of the 2005 Version of the Generally Recognized Expense Table GRET, to be used to show compliance with the NAIC Life Insurance Illustration Model Regulation and the associated Actuarial Standard of Practice

Description: This article summarizes current regulatory activity discussed at the Spring 2009 meetings of the N.A.I.C. and the National Council of Insurance Legislators.

Description: This article on recent developments in insurance regulation, is a discussion of the new Model Nonforfeiture and Valuation Laws the continuation of an article from the November, 1981 issue of The Actuary, and to be continued in next month’s issue. It covers topics including mortality assumptions and the new 1980 CSO Mortality Tables, maximum valuation interest rates, and maximum nonforfeiture interest rates.

Description: This article discusses three litigation issues: 1. Shelter Framing Corp. v. PBGC: This is a case recently placed on the Appellate Docket of the U.S. Supreme Court being appealed from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. That Circuit Court held that the Multiemployer Pension Plan amendments Act, which imposes liability on employers who withdrew from multiemployer plans, is unconstitutional as applied to employers who withdraw before the Act’s enactment but after its retroactively effective date. 2. Federal Trade Commission: The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has held that an investigation by the FTC into whether finance companies and auto dealerships were engaging in unfair and deceptive practices by representing that purchase of credit life insurance was required as a condition to obtain financing, was not outside the FTC’s power. 3. Baldwin-United Case: Under the rehabilitation plan for Baldwin-United, the Company would refund $3.7 billion to the annuity holders. Several groups are challenging this decision.

Description: This article is about junk assets. Insurance companies own over one third of the junk assets in the U.S. which has raised concerns and caused certain states to enact laws or regulations regarding junk investments.

Description: This article discusses the actuarial profession in Australia including the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Also discussed are the financial services industry in Australia and the regulatory environment.

Description: Discussion of regulatory action on the Appointed Actuary and Participating Insurance.

Description: An update on the China insurance industry and the issues surrounding the admission of foreign insurance companies

Description: A discussion of the causes of Jamaica’s Life Insurance and Financial Sector Crisis in the late 1990s and its impacts on the life insurance industry

Description: Discussion of the diversification activities of a number of life insurance companies. This includes the formation of, or acquisition of, property and casualty insurers, variable annuity companies, mutual fund management companies, banks, finance companies, leasing companies, real estate development companies, televisions and radio stations, newspapers, software consultants and other corporate enterprises. Discussion includes: 1. Activities really compatible with the llfe insurance product. 2. Activities otherwise compatible with corporate objectives or offering potentially large profit centers. 3. Activities which can be an excessive drain on corporate earnings and executive manpower 4. The actuary's role in these diversification activities. Then the discussion goes into a discussion of corporate planning models