Description: The NAIC is working with state insurance departments to replace the existing rules-based valuation laws with principle-based valuation laws. On the GAAP front, both the International Accounting Standards Board, which sets GAAP accounting guidance for many countries outside the United States, and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which promulgates GAAP guidance in the United States, are moving toward a “current estimate” standard of valuation, which often results in a fair value or similar measurement basis. This article reviews the IASB’s discussion paper on insurance valuation and the American Academy of Actuaries’ response to it.

Description: Discusses the new Principles for Accounting Standards published in September 2009 by the Monitoring Board for the International Accounting Standards Committee Foundation - oversight group for the IASB, and provides other IASB updates for the July-September period.

Description: Provides a comparison of methodologies between Actuarial Guideline 43 and C-3 Phase II RBC to help the practitioner calculate both RBC and reserves in an accurate but efficient manner.

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: Article discusses valuation and Risk Based Capital results for a sample variable annuity block of business. The valuations were performed under the current rules and guidelines in effect until Dec. 31, 2009 and also under Actuarial Guideline 43 which is effective Dec. 31, 2009. The RBC was determined using the C-3 Phase II methodology. The article also presents analyses of the impact to AG 43 results from extending projection periods and from utilizing alternative economic scenario sets.

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: Feature article discussing the adoption of IFRS by most countries. Emphasis is placed on the number of accounting and actuarial organizations that have a say in the development of the rules and standards for IFRS.

Description: Chairperson’s column discussing the current initiatives of the section.

Description: Feature article discussing uncertainty in insurance accounting.

Description: April 2009 issue of the Financial Reporting Section newsletter, The Financial Reporter