Description: Are you interested in alternative investments and their role in professionally managed institutional portfolios? Join us for an engaging discussion that delves into the nature of alternative investments, the reasons behind their increased utilization, and the benefits and considerations of their use. Our speakers, representing both the insurance and pension sectors, will cover various asset classes and provide valuable insights.

Description: Since most cash flows being discounted in the value calculation are dependent on the forward rates, in the key-rate calculation forwards (not spots) should be shifted. I will show that if spots are shifted up/down, they would not necessarily result in forwards being up/down for all the years in the particular key rate, resulting in unexpected results. I will further show how metrics calculated by shifting forwards versus spots enhance the accuracy of the approximation of projected value in various rate environments.

Description: This document discusses the process of obtaining regulatory approval for actuarial innovations in the United States. It includes information on the research project conducted by the Society of Actuaries and Milliman, insights from interviews with actuaries and regulators, as well as advice for presenting and defending innovative ideas.

Description: To cope with the historically low-interest rate environment that we recently experienced, there has been a growing trend among life insurers' investment portfolios to allocate to such alternative assets as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), rated feeder funds, and collateralized fund obligations (CFOs). In this session, you will gain an overview of alternative assets as we work through answering the following: - What are alternative assets? - Why do insurers invest in alternative assets? - What are the risks of alternative assets? - History of alternatives: How did we get here? - What is currently in the portfolios? - What are the concerns within and outside the industry (without a debate about the concerns)? - What should actuaries be aware of and what role do actuaries play in evaluating portfolio risks?

Description: This report covers credit risk loss experience during the period 2003 through 2015 on non-Rule 144A private placement securities (and, with limited exceptions, some specific types of Rule 144A bonds) held by participating companies of the life insurance industry.

Description: ReFocus is an annual global conference for senior-level life insurance and reinsurance executives hosted jointly by ACLI and the Society of Actuaries (SOA). This event features top-notch speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and superior networking opportunities.

Description: June 2024, AG54 will begin for new RILA sales. This guidance requires companies to determine an interim value that is more aligned with the market value of the position on a daily basis. This discussion will talk through companies adoption of AG54, lessons learned, approaches and integration with the administration system. Additionally this session will discuss how AG54 impacts new product design, reserving and capital implications.

Description: As companies strive to remain competitive in today's dynamic marketplace, the role of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) has evolved significantly. It has transitioned from a purely operational function to a strategic imperative. This is most apparent in the life insurance sector, where complex regulatory changes and technological advancements are reshaping traditional practices. In this session, we will delve into the critical aspects of modernizing FP&A within the life insurance industry, exploring key challenges, emerging trends, and best practices. Key areas of discussion include: - Navigating Different Regulatory Frameworks: Companies have to navigate different regulatory lenses for various purposes including budgeting, capital management, rating agencies review, etc. The implementation of regulatory frameworks such as IFRS 17, LDTI, and Principles-Based Reserves (PBR), and the recent trend in establishing Bermuda entities has significant implications for financial reporting and capital management in the life insurance sector. We will discuss how companies can explore strategies for compliance and adaptation within the FP&A process. - Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation: Companies are faced with higher expectations to guide both internal and external parties on the financial impact of their plans. A comprehensive exploration enabled by advanced analytics is critical for communicating, prioritizing, and allocating a company's resources on transactions, product development, and capital management. Our panel will explore how strategic planning has advanced in recent years, providing insights into effective approaches for aligning strategic objectives with financial resources. - Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological innovation has opened new possibilities for FP&A, offering advanced modeling techniques and data analytics capabilities. However, many organizations face challenges in harnessing these technologies effectively. This session will examine the role of technology in modernizing FP&A and highlight best practices for implementation. By attending this session, participants will gain: - Strategies for aligning strategic planning with resource allocation and effectively communicating financial impacts to internal and external stakeholders. - An understanding of the current state of FP&A within the life insurance industry, including emerging trends and challenges. - Insight into the implications of regulatory and technological advancements on FP&A processes and functions. - Best practices for leveraging technology to enhance FP&A capabilities and drive strategic decision-making.

Description: The session will address the potential benefits of (re)opening corporate defined benefit plans for plans for plan sponsors and participants alike. Despite a shift from DB to DC trend over the last 20 years, this topic is particularly relevant as many US plan sponsors are enjoying overfunded DB plan funded status, struggling with retirement income solutions in DC plans, and navigating workforce management and recruiting considerations. This session will discuss how innovative plan designs, such as market-return cash balance plans and variable-annuity plans, reduce plan sponsor risks associated with traditional DB designs. We will also discuss investment, balance sheet, retirement readiness, and implementation considerations.

Description: In this session, we will discuss best practices in ALM and Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) modeling approaches to account for the complex relationships between insurance liabilities and the portfolios backing them. We will highlight how robust modeling techniques not only result in optimal asset decisions from a long-term value perspective but can also result in better capital efficiency. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to identify the key aspects of a successful ALM and SAA framework for liabilities subject to PBR.