Description: Summary of methods and standards to use to achieve an efficient, maintainable model

Description: Discussion of the existence of embedded derivatives and the consequent required accounting treatment in Modco and Similar Reinsurance Arrangements

Description: This article analyzes two common interpretations of SOP 03-1 in determining the guaranteed minimum death benefit GMDB liability in a variable annuity contract, and it analyzes the resulting impact on the initial GMDB reserve and on the volatility of GAAP earnings as actual experience emerges. This analysis could be applied to the guaranteed minimum income benefit GMIB, guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit GMAB, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit GMWB and other guaranteed benefits in a variable annuity contract that are subject to SOP 03-1, and the conclusions would be similar.

Description: A discussion of alternative meanings to “Best” in best estimate. When one is trying to estimate a result that is normally distributed, the mean, median and mode will all equal one another. However if the results are not normally distributed, different variance metrics will result in different “best” estimates. When different parts of a financial statement use different criteria for measuring best estimates and different processes for handling variances, the results can be volatile, unpredictable and perhaps unreasonable.

Description: Loss ratio formulas that make it a good tool for financial analysis, with modifications for level premium business such as disability income and long term care.

Description: After a summary of FASB decisions in their GAAP Targeted Improvements project, this article describes several issues that will need to be resolved either by the board or in actuarial practice and argues for seeking solutions that provide meaningful results without overly complicating valuation processes.

Description: This article describes methods for addressing technical challenges related to modeling asset cash flows for PBR reserve projections.

Description: ASOP No. 6 Exposure Draft Provisions Relating to Community- Rated HMO Contracts. Discusses determination of initial per capita health care rates, effect on valuation results, accounting standards, potential conflicts with FAS 106 and source of problems. Issue No. 42.

Description: Clinical Insight Modeling MST and RAI models development of predictive modeling software, utilization of all data, validating models. Issue No. 42.