Description: Feature article discussing the possibility of written options being an asset.

Description: Feature article discussing deferred policy acquisition costs and recent proposed changes to the expenses allowed to be deferred.

Description: Certain fair value measurements involving actuarial work may not have been required to conform to FAS 157 until late 2008 or early 2009. The purpose of this article is to discuss those items and propose possible methods for actuaries to consider when performing the necessary valuations, from an actuarial standpoint only.

Description: This article includes updates on the IASB, the ACSEP publications for education on IFRS for insurance and the development of model standards - International Standards of Actuarial Practice.

Description: This article summarizes five key lessons we have learned in implementing LDTI and shares our insights on practical ways to address them. This is not an exhaustive list of implementation challenges, but companies that can successfully tackle the issues we describe should have a smoother data and systems implementation transition.

Description: ASU 2018-12 introduced a new concept called “market risk benefits” (MRBs). MRBs are a new accounting classification for benefits within deposit contracts, offering protection from “other than nominal market risk.” This applies to products with account values, including variable and indexed annuities with guaranteed living or death benefits attached (aka GMxBs). ASU 2018-12 Section 944-40-30-19D mentions both a non-option and an option-based valuation approach to account for MRBs. This article considers the option-based approach. The purpose is to highlight weaknesses in the current application of the option approach to MRBs, propose an alternative method, and consider the benefits of the new approach. The intent of this article is to persuade practictioners / actuaries / accountants that this is a better approach for applying the fair value option method to market risk benefits.

Description: Announcement of the winners of the awards for Financial Reporter OutStanding Treatises - FROSTies - and Financial Reporter Uniquely Memorable Papers - FRUMPies - and what they received.

Description: Calls for volunteers to assist SOA with studying the impact of the IASB's issuance of its second of three pronouncements on how insurance contracts should be accounted for general accounting purposes.

Description: Article discusses the measurement objectives being considered by the FASB and IASB joint project to produce a new accounting standard for insurance contracts.

Description: Feature article discussing the actuarial response to the global financial crisis and the actuary’s influence on IFRS.