Description: A dialogue on purchase accounting for insurance business combinations under China-GAAP from an actuarial perspective.

Description: Understanding the Deferred Acquisition Cost (DAC) asset balance movements from one reporting period to the next can be a challenge when reportinged under FAS 97. The mechanics of FAS 97 call for an amortization ratio (i.e., k factor) that forces the amortization of the DAC asset to be matched to the earnings received over the life of the product. However, the fact that the k factor is dynamically set results in “unlocking” components of the DAC rollforward. This article shows how the basic equation for the amortization ratio can be used to derive equations that provide insights into what the DAC balance represents. Furthermore, partial derivatives of these equations are used to show how unexpected changes in the Estimated Gross Profit (EGP) stream impact the amortization and unlocking components of the DAC rollforward.

Description: A discussion on how to use data visualization for model controls.

Description: Summary of the NAIC and SOA's PBR Survey.

Description: Message from Financial Reporting Section Chairperson informing section members what section activities lie ahead in the upcoming year.

Description: Presentation of formulas for measuring the effects of experience variances and assumption changes on traditional contract DAC and benefit reserves under GAAP targeted improvements (ASU 2018-12).

Description: The article focuses on implementation considerations for insurance companies that will be implementing both IFRS 17 and US GAAP Targeted Improvements. Many of the practical considerations are common to both implementations and will also be of interest to readers who are only implementing one of these changes.

Description: Description of IAA Risk Adjustment Monograph. The purpose of the monograph is to assist actuaries with the some suggested technical methods in measuring a Risk Adjustment as required for IFRS 17. Examples are given, including translations to confidence interval.

Description: Retrospective on my three years as a member of the Financial Reporting Section Council.

Description: A short article looking at the results from an annual assumption survey of VA writers with a focus on changes companies observed and planned to make due to COVID-19. In the article we discuss what companies should be considering as they approach the 2020 year end assumption setting and audit season.