Description: This article discusses catastrophic mortality risk and ways that smaller insurance companies can manage the risk, including traditional catastrophe reinsurance, accidental death carve-outs, and catastrophic claim pools.

Description: The decrease in interest rates over the last several years has led to decreases in the maximum valuation rate and maximum nonforfeiture interest rate, and companies need to prepare for these changes.

Description: Results of recent survey of Smaller Insurance Company Section about the Financial Services Modernization Act, FSMA.

Description: An in-depth discussion of a research project, sponsored by the Committee on Life Insurance Research, the Smaller Insurance Company Section and the Reinsurance Section, on the topic of access to reinsurance.

Description: An update on the principle-based reserves (PBR) process and possible valuation manual adoption, with recommendations to actuaries on how to prepare.

Description: Discussion of recent growth in fixed annuity sales and sales experience for small companies.

Description: The new 2001 CSO regulation requires the filing of an asset adequacy opinion when the table is utilized - which can be a significant issue for small insurers.

Description: This article addresses the 2001 CSO Mortality Table and the implications for preneed insurance, for which the table has been deemed inadequate. The article explores interim measures such as additional reserves, treatment as substandard, and tax implications. There is also discussion of a model NAIC regulation which would mandate the use of 1980 CSO mortality for preneed as well as efforts to eventually establish a new preneed mortality table for valuation and nonforfeiture purposes.

Description: This article provides some insights into the creativity employed in cash flow testing to help ensure the sound survival of small companies that have limited means.

Description: Update on activities in the Smaller Insurance Company Section