Description: The American Academy of Actuaries will present on current initiatives that impact the U.S. statutory reserving methodology for non-variable annuity contracts. In particular, the development of a principle-based reserving framework on non-variable annuity contracts will be discussed, including framework elements, assumptions, and methodology. The session will provide an update on the status of regulatory discussions and the timeline for future changes to reserves. By the end of the session, attendees will understand what changes are being made to non-variable annuity reserves, details underlying existing proposals, and the anticipated timing of such emerging changes. This session is intended to the meet the needs of actuaries focused on annuity reserve calculations, financial reporting, and valuation.

Description: With many complex regulatory changes on the horizon as well as pressures to ensure model accuracy from auditors, regulatory requirements and new actuarial standards of practice, the importance of robust model validation is coming to the forefront of actuaries’ minds. What was previously a day-two task for many companies is becoming just as important as model development! In this session, you will hear from those that have been deeply involved in building model validation frameworks and tools in responses to regulatory changes GAAP Long Duration Targeted Improvements (“LDTI”) and Principles Based Reserves (“PBR”).

Description: Through much of the Baby Boomer generation's working lifetime, retirement planning focused on asset accumulation. Strategies like Dollar-Cost Averaging and Asset Diversification became well understood by nearly everyone in the retirement industry. As those assets move into the payout phase (post retirement), the appropriateness of those strategies becomes less clear. Presenters will aim to exhibit and explain how and why adding a Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) or Deferred Income Annuity (DIA) to a retirement portfolio can help to minimize a retiree's chance of outliving his or her income, and why sellers of annuities should focus more heavily on these product offerings. At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to - Identify the reasons why effective asset accumulation strategies may be ineffective in the decumulation phase of retirement - Evaluate the benefit of using at least a portion of accumulated retirement assets to purchase a fixed income stream that the annuitant is guaranteed not to outlive - Explain the benefits of a SPIA/DIA focus to other industry practitioners

Description: This session will provide an overview of the evolution of equity-based guarantees (e.g. VA, FIA, etc.) over the last few years and discuss the current lay of the land as it relates to the regulatory, issues, capital markets (e.g. Department of Labor, Dodd-Frank) environment in which these products are offered.

Description: The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) sets forth a set of complex rules affecting life insurance companies and the products they sell. This session will explore the company and product tax related requirements imposed by the IRC that are of interest to actuaries, with the session in two parts:Part 1 - Company Tax Overview Federal income taxes are often one of the largest expense paid by a U.S. life insurers, but they tend to be overlooked or simplified in actuarial work. The presenters will provide an overview of key actuarial items impacting the determination of taxable income for life insurers, including the requirement for calculating tax reserves, the impact of changes in reserve basis, and the basics of capitalization of policyholder acquisition expenses (aka "Tax DAC").Part 2 - Product Tax Overview Life insurance and annuity contracts provide for favorable tax benefits. However, in order for policyholders to receive tax benefits, life products need to satisfy certain qualification requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The presenters will provide an overview of (1) the policyholder tax treatment of life insurance and annuity contracts and (2) the qualification requirements imposed by the IRC in order for policyholders to receive these benefits.This session is intended for actuaries with low to moderate knowledge of company and product tax related requirements and will help you learn key aspects of life insurance company and product taxation that can affect product design, pricing, valuation and modeling.

Description: The InsurTech market in China is divided into three categories, including online sales of traditional products through internet channels, product upgrades driven by technology, or the creation of more targeted products, and the innovation of eco-system-oriented products, or insurance service by data analysis. The market is expected to reach 1.4 trillion RMB in total.As the digital revolution goes deeper, new technologies have infiltrated into all business models in insurance companies and have promoted the generation and development of the InsurTech market. Digital technologies have been widely used by traditional insurance companies to optimize the procedures and products of the current value chain, bringing a virtuous cycle between InsurTech and the online eco-system. As a result, these traditional insurance companies can expand their business from insurance only to personal finance and other extended services, building a comprehensive solution for the eco-system. Technology is the cornerstone for the business development and innovation of insurance.

Description: Managed strategies as underlying investments in VA/FIA products have seen spectacular growth since the financial crisis. The speakers of these sessions will share their views on the development of this market and what is expected to unfold over the next 12 months in regard to the next generation of products and fund-based strategies.

Description: The class involves a combination of presentations, class participation, in-class exercises and structured hands-on work with the MA BPT in small workgroups. Prior to this course, participants are expected to spend 3 to 10 hours preparing, depending on prior experience level.

Description: This session will demonstrate the advantages of approaches to duration matching and cash flow matching. Plan examples and sponsor’s objectives will be presented. An overview of when to choose one approach versus a blend of the two approaches will also be covered.

Description: Discusses four areas of interest: Alternative Examination References, Validation by Educational Experience, Academic Program Accreditation, and an Alternate Route.