Description: Like it or not, variable annuity (VA) liabilities are inextricably linked with the equity markets. Generally, up markets reduce the excess benefit liability and increase fee income, while down markets increase the excess benefit liability and reduce fee income. Given the volatility, most VA writers will hedge to meet their needs. In this session, the presenters will discuss the need for hedging, regulatory requirements and how companies ultimately determine their hedging strategies.

Description: Variable annuity (VA) writers are facing many challenges in today's economic environment. Equity market volatility and low interest rates make guaranteed benefits increasingly expensive to hedge. Both GAAP Long Duration Targeted Improvements and the recent VM-21 changes will drive the need to manage the VA business under a new set of lenses. During this session, the presenters will explore the various in-force management tools VA writers have available and comment on their effectiveness.

Description: Throughout this session, the presenters will focus on tax rules pertaining to life and annuities, highlighting the recent changes to interest rates under Internal Revenue Code Section 7702 which determines whether a contract qualifies as a life insurance contract. In addition, recent annuity changes will be discussed such as required minimum distributions. Background and examples will be provided on the cash value accumulation test, the guideline premium requirements and the cash value corridor rules under 7702.

Description: Historically different approaches have been used by actuaries in modeling mortality improvement. The SOA has recently released a framework that practitioners can use to project mortality improvement, providing methodological consistency across a range of applications.