Description: Update on research projects sponsored by the Financial Reporting Section.

Description: Discusses the content of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 157, Fair Value Measurements and implementation challenges.

Description: This article provides a summary of the research paper and Excel-based tool that can be found on the SOA’s website at Regulatory Capital Adequacy for Life Insurance Companies: A Comparison of Four Jurisdictions | SOA.

Description: Article explores two very different approaches that are currently being considered for use in projecting credited rates on interest sensitive products and show how they can be reconciled with one another.

Description: This article addresses the key capital and risk management issues immediately confronting the industry.

Description: The author speculates that the world wide promulgation of fair value accounting standards will make the normal shape of the rate curve downward sloping rather than the upward sloping curve that is normally seen. The author explains why this trend is expected.

Description: Article examines some of the shortcomings of Market Consistent Embedded Value reporting as it is currently constructed—particularly in periods of heightened volatility—and recommends some possible improvements that the CFO Forum is likely to consider.

Description: Discusses the newly adopted actuarial guideline for variable annuity reserving which is principles-based. It requires the calculation of both, a standard deterministic scenario reserve and a stochastic reserve - of which the larger of the two is used. This article discusses why for some companies the deterministic reserves dominate and for others the stochastic one does.

Description: Article discussing the International Actuarial Association's meeting in November 2008.

Description: In light of the recent financial crisis, this article discusses whether Fair Value Accounting is a trouble maker or life saver.