Description: A report on an international actuarial workshop Held in China

Description: This is a summary of the NAIC meeting held in September of 2008.

Description: This article discusses that “the investment returns earned by life insurance companies over the past decade have permitted the sale of contracts guaranteeing relatively high rates of interest. The contracts have given rise to problems in the areas of the federal securities laws, of federal income taxes, and of state valuation requirements,” as insurers, starting in the 1960’s began issuing annuity contracts that provided for the allocation of contributions to separate accounts.

Description: This article discusses the implications of a principle-based reserve PBR system with respect to federal income taxation of life insurance companies, particularly with respect to tax reserves and their deductibility for tax purposes. The article discusses potential problems with existing tax rules for reserve deduction, what courses of action the IRS could take, and suggestions for design features of a PBR approach that would make it more consistent with current tax rules. Life insurance product tax implications are also discussed.

Description: On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court released its decision in the case of United States v. Windsor, Executor of the Estate of Spyer, et al. addressing the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”). This article explores the implications for life insurance and annuity contract spousal provisions that are governed by federal law.

Description: The Chairperson of the Taxation Section discusses how the section will deal with changes to the US Tax Code.

Description: Results of recent survey of Smaller Insurance Company Section about the Financial Services Modernization Act, FSMA.

Description: This article addresses the 2001 CSO Mortality Table and the implications for preneed insurance, for which the table has been deemed inadequate. The article explores interim measures such as additional reserves, treatment as substandard, and tax implications. There is also discussion of a model NAIC regulation which would mandate the use of 1980 CSO mortality for preneed as well as efforts to eventually establish a new preneed mortality table for valuation and nonforfeiture purposes.

Description: An edited written interview with two actuaries and a public health professional on issues related to the intersection between the two fields.

Description: Discussion of the need to understand the implications of demographic and family diversity for the design of retirement programs. The design of retirement programs is a design of programs for the elderly, who are more often women, because women live longer and because their work histories often lead to reduced levels of pension and social security benefits.