Description: A critical step in valuing a company for the purpose of financial reporting is the computation of the market value of economic surplus (MVES). This article provides a novel approach to the valuation of MVES that is stable and reasonably immune to “market noise.” Current approaches to the calculation of economic surplus of an insurance company generally define such surplus as the market value of the assets (MVA) supporting the liabilities less the market value of liabilities (MVL). While MVA is observable in the market, MVL is typically computed directly, without regard to the underlying supporting assets. Subtracting MVL from any value of assets that changes with market movements results in an unstable surplus. Consequently, a surplus that is not fully reflective of market sentiment has been rejected by many. This same approach is further used in the calculation of market consistent embedded value (MCEV) when a balance sheet approach is used .

Description: This article describes the need for and the benefits of implementing a financial education program for employees

Description: Authored by Charles L. Gilbert and Hélène Baril of Nexus Risk Management, this expert-opinion piece advises Canadian life insurers on how IFRS 17 changes asset-liability management for the Contractual Service Margin (CSM). It presents a two-lens ALM framework—(1) manage assets notionally supporting fulfilment cash flows to control interest-rate driven P&L/OCI volatility, and (2) use strategic asset allocation for assets notionally supporting capital and the CSM to optimize market-risk/return and capital efficiency. The article contrasts backing the CSM with FVPL growth assets (higher long-term returns but more earnings volatility and capital cost) versus amortized-cost/FVOCI fixed income (greater earnings stability but lower yield), and discusses reinvestment, capital implications and operational choices. Its intent is practical guidance; its value is a clear, actionable framework for weighing accounting, capital and economic trade-offs.

Description: Sustainable operations under changes in accounting principles and solvency standards

Description: How insurers can include a liquidity score and liquidity stress scenarios as part of their asset liability management (ALM) protocol.

Description: This Chairperson's Corner article discusses the SOA becoming the pre-eminent risk management profession. The Chairman's message is that actuaries have the inside track on risk management positions in the insurance industry and have a basis for competing for similar positions in the broader financial services industry.

Description: The thrust of this article is that while ERM starts out as a compliance and corporate governance tool, well managed companies use ERM as a strategic tool that will help them increase shareholder value. To do so requires a synthesis of the actuarial techniques of insurance and the capital markets perspectives of corporate finance.

Description: This article describes an initiative of the Chief Risk Officer Forum to perform a study to benchmark internal models, so as to discuss the admissibility of these models for regulatory purposes in the context of Solvency II. The results of and reactions to that study are discussed.

Description: This article discusses the attributes of a unified Operational Risk Management framework and how those attributes can underpin a seven-factor economic capital model.

Description: As tariff policies are rapidly changing throughout 2025, the U.S. markets have been reacting in complex ways. In addressing the difference in short and long-term impacts of these policy changes, the importance of resilient and holistic risk management is highlighted in order for companies and investors to find opportunities and mitigate sudden losses.