Description: The report begins with Tan's paper Source-of-Earnings Analysis under FAS97 Universal Life Accounting that defines a procedure for analyzing the sources of profit. This paper extends the analysis to consider the effect of actual experience varying from expected and the effect of those variances on assumptions for the future. Also the paper illustrates examples of the effect of changing future assumptions or unlocking on the magnitude and incidence of profits and amortization. A discussion of the paper follows. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1990, Vol. 42.

Description: This report summarizes the results of a research project undertaken by the Society of Actuaries to study the possible effects of the International Accounting Standards Board’s IASB Discussion Paper describing its Preliminary Views on Insurance Contracts on nine representative U.S. life, health and annuity products.

Description: This paper illustrates a procedure for analyzing the sources of profit under FAS 97 and suggests an analytical procedure for reflecting actual experience and revised future assumptions in the recalculation of the estimated gross profit defined by FAS 97.

Description: The purpose of this paper note is to highlight the similarities of results from the amortization of initial life insurance acquisition costs by means of an acquisition cost amortization schedule similar to that used by accountants versus a set of actuarial-type acquisition cost natural reserve factors appropriately applied to beginning and ending in-force units.

Description: This paper examines five alternative valuation methods - prospective, retrospective, global, intermediate, and static - for the proper application of GAAP to Medicare supplement insurance. The focus of this paper is on the changes to expected future claim costs due to changes in the Medicare deductibles.

Description: Discussion of the sensitivity of GAAP reserves to certain assumptions made and methodologies used. Followed by a discussion paper

Description: Various methods of accounting for a block of in-force business acquired at the time of purchase have been proposed and used. This paper describes nine such methods, analyzing each by the use of a very simple model office. Followed by submitted discussions of the article

Description: The impact of bond default risk on retirement benefit obligations describes how the probability default on a bond is similar to the probability of death for an annuitant. Bonds are used to cash flow match retirement obligations cash flows to funding from bond. Just as the probability of non-payment happens on the liability side, we can do the same with selected bonds. The end result may be an adjustment to the discount rates used.

Description: Discussion of AICPA Statement of Position 05-1: Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts.

Description: Financial Reporting Section March, 2012, newsletter.