Description: This editorial notes that a letter, appearing in this issue of The Actuary,’ may not be alone in maintaining that the vagaries of our regulatory system handicap companies to the point that United States policyholders get poorer value for their premium dollar than do those in other countries.’ The article goes on to discuss guaranteed surrender values, the state regulatory system in the U.S and other topics in addressing this question.

Description: A broad discussion of Israel’s Life Insurance Industry

Description: Insurance Regulation in Spain In response to the 1995 Ordinance on the Supervision of Private Insurers, the Direccion General de Seguros DGS has proposed a sweeping new set of regulations. These regulations replace the 1985 and 1986 regulations their amendments and are intended bring Spanish regulation and practice line with the European Community EC directives. This article reviews some key aspects of the new Spanish regulation and discusses possible responses by the insurance market.

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: A review of the recent history of the actuarial profession in Pakistan and the near term future as of the year 2000.

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 Financial Condition Examination Handbook and the Market Conduct Examination Handbook, both of which became effective January 1, 1977 after approval by the Executive Committee of the NAIC. The purpose of this new guidance is to update and simplify the examination process for all 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: The author reviews and provides analysis of a report prepared by Douglas H. Carruthers, Q.C., as special legal counsel, to review the relationship between insurers and the public and in particular, the role of insurance intermediaries in the province of Ontario. The report was completed in 1975 and made public in 1976, and effectively recommends a new regulatory framework. The author of this article analyses and critiques the various proposals in the report.

Description: Part 2 of a discussion of the Chinese life insurance market with an emphasis on regulatory, investment, tax, and professional development issues.