Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) and its Financial Reporting Section (FRS) announce the launch of The International Financial Reporting for Insurers (IFRI) book. This resource is a collaborative effort between actuaries and accountants to help understand the concepts behind financial reporting under the International Financial Reporting Standards® (IFRS) issued in May 2017.

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: The NAIC revamped SSAPs No 26R 'Issuer Credit Obligation', No 43R 'Asset-Backed Securities' and 21R 'Other Admitted Assets' effective 1/1/2025. The definition of a bond was changed to be principles-based rather than based on legal form. Current and future bond holdings will need to be assessed against the frameworks outlined in the revised SSAPs to determine which assets will continue to remain on Schedule D (i.e., in scope of SSAP No. 26R and 43R) and which assets will need to be reclassified to Schedule BA (i.e., in scope of SSAP 21R). By attending this session, attendees will understand the regulatory, financial and operational implications of this change for insurers.

Description: This session will address the risk management, reserving and capital issues associated with index-linked annuities including financial reporting considerations for FIAs and RILAs, benefits of combining VA and RILA hedging and reserving under VM-21, current and future challenges with FIA reserving under VM-22, potential capital redundancy for FIAs, RILA interim values under AG 54, NAIC economic scenario reform, asset modeling, fund mapping and more!

Description: Recently, life insurers have seen a lot of change in their business model. Whether it be new accounting rules (e.g., long-duration targeted improvements [LDTI]) or new capital charges (e.g., structured equity tranche), companies are being forced to reconsider how they invest their assets. Today's session will help attendees understand how companies are using modelling software to help understand the impact of these changes on both their existing portfolio and potential changes that these new regulations may lead to. By attending, attendees will get a better understanding of: - How life insurers' asset allocation decisions are different than other financial companies (e.g., banks, pension funds, P&C companies) - How these changes may impact the risk vs. reward tradeoffs that life insurers' face - How these companies can use modelling software to help evaluate these potential impacts

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.

Description: For over a decade, the low interest rate environment in the U.S. has shaped the life insurance industry. Challenges in finding reasonable yields on investment-grade assets have defined insurer decisions on product designs and business mix. Now, we see a material shift in the interest rate environment, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate increasing nearly 3% from 2020 lows. In this follow-up to ImpACT 2021's popular Interest Rates May Be Rising...Now What Do We Do?, join us as we investigate the industry's response to the shifting interest rate environment with respect to pricing and product design, inforce and capital management, and the M&A and reinsurance markets. Have insurers been altering product designs and management actions to take advantage of the increased investment yield on long-term assets? Or are we seeing business-as-usual? How have the changes in rates impacted policyholder behavior? What are the benefit and risk of the rising interest rate for life insurers? We will also discuss developments in the M&A and closed block reinsurance market as (re)insurers continue to navigate the evolving economy. Gain an understanding of the impact that the new interest rate environment has had on life insurance and annuity pricing and product design, inforce and capital management, and the M&A and reinsurance markets.

Description: Session 8F: Closing the Analytical Gap

Description: It's time to talk about Bermuda and Cayman as offshore jurisdictions for life reinsurance. Bermuda, a growing destination for life and annuity reinsurance over the last few years is developing significant changes to its regulatory framework. Asset, liability, and capital requirement will all change under proposed new rules. The changes will not only require rethinking of U.S. and international reinsurance ALM strategy and pricing, but also product strategy and pricing for primary insurers. Developing compelling ALM strategies and products under the evolving Bermuda regulatory framework is an interesting challenge for the U.S. and international insurers and reinsurers. In addition to Bermuda, the speakers will discuss the emerging Cayman life reinsurance market.