Description: While most actuaries work for companies and have as a primary objective the financial success of their employers, regulatory actuaries primarily serve the public interest. In part one of this presentation, we will explore the role of actuaries whose priority is to serve the public interest. Regulation is developed by a deliberative process that includes regulators, the American Academy of Actuaries, trade associations and the companies that will be affected by the regulation. In part two of this session, we will present a series of vignettes each focusing on recent updates to the Valuation Manual. At the conclusion of the session, attendees will have a deeper appreciation of what goes on behind the scenes in the development of regulation.

Description: We will determine the role of risk function in evaluating operational risks associated with the implementation of LDTI and any system conversions. Are all models validated by the risk function before they are productionalized and results used by management to make business decisions? Does the risk function play a part in to assist finance, actuarial and investor relations in communicating changes and volatility resulting from LDTI? If not, should it? We will articulate the role that risk functions play in being part of large transformation from the start as a stakeholder/input provider to subsequently being an independent reviewer (i.e., second Line of defense).

Description: This session will provide an update on international implications of current tax developments affecting the life insurance industry, including: International add-on taxes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) and impacts on offshore reinsurance An overview of the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) tax Legislative activities impacting company taxation

Description: The discount rate is one of the most critical topics in IFRS 17, which may have important repercussion on product profitability. Having a low discount rate may indicate a low profitability of a group of contracts, while a realistic expectation may differ. A similar issue was prevalent especially for U.S. companies when discount rates were set using a market consistent framework. The session is intended to help develop a discount rate framework that aligns with the business practices and address the concerns around the market consistent framework. This session will cover practical implementation considerations to set and apply IFRS 17 discount rates. The panelists will discuss alternative approaches to allow for a level of illiquidity premium for business supported by fixed assets with credit risks. Discussions will also cover other implementation considerations including granularity of setting the discount rate, application to new business, implications on asset and liability modeling, and a planning aspect for a successful implementation of the discount rate setting process. The panelists will share case studies to illustrate different approaches of setting the discount rate and their potential financial impacts. At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to: understand key requirements of setting discount rates under IFRS 17; understand how to align the discount rate to the actual business practices; understand implications of the discount rate in actuarial modeling; understand potential impacts on financial results; and develop a realistic plan to set discount rates appropriate to the business practices.

Description: In this workshop format session, attendees will discuss the issues encountered when calculating principle-based reserves for life insurance products. At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to describe issues encountered when calculating principle-based reserves for life insurance products and discover potential solutions.

Description: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently introduced the Target Improvements for Long-Duration insurance Contracts (ASU 2018-12), including creation of the market risk benefits product category. The presenters will review and summarize the FASB target improvements and discuss its impact on variable annuities and fixed indexed annuity in-force management and product development.