Description: Column from the chairperson of the Social Insurance & Public Finance Section describing future section plans.

Description: An update on the China insurance industry and the issues surrounding the admission of foreign insurance companies

Description: Life insurance products in China need to evolve as insurance regulations change.

Description: This article attempts to dispel some of the “myths” around the perceived unique nature of Asian markets. Part I addresses the nature of the markets, the business drivers and the issues and challenges being encountered. Then, in Part II, from a risk management perspective, the current situation is reviewed, issues identified concerning the future development of appropriate skills to tackle the inevitable rapid growth in customers under management and the anticipated diversification in terms of product coverage and distribution approaches.

Description: This article discusses the actuarial profession in Australia including the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Also discussed are the financial services industry in Australia and the regulatory environment.

Description: The International Section Council is pleased to announce the winners of the Country Feature Award held for the Ambassadors by the section. First place went to the Ambassador in Vietnam.

Description: Discussion of regulatory action on the Appointed Actuary and Participating Insurance.

Description: This article outlines the challenges, potential conflicts and rewards in working in the foreign business unit of an organization.

Description: Deferred bonus policyholder dividend reserves arise because “the policyholders’ share of net income … that cannot be distributed to stockholders shall be excluded from stockholders’ equity” by establishing a reserve. This article provides background on local minimum policyholder participation practices in the US and Europe, presents relevant accounting issues and discuss the two different accounting interpretations and make a recommendation as to which the authors feel is most appropriate at this point in time.

Description: This newsletter contains several articles: The Institute of Actuaries of Japan thanks the SOA Malaysia updates on RBC An update on the SOA international experience survey regulations changing in Bermuda, and An update from the Swedish Actuarial Society Aktuarieforeningen.